Teaching Her Billionaire Cowboy Rookie - April Murdock Page 0,9

the southern pasture. Once she was done, she placed the dressage saddle on Cocoa’s back and tightened the belt. Together, she and Cocoa headed to a pen to practice.

Penny clicked the helmet strap under her chin and hopped onto Cocoa’s back. Whenever they practiced together, everything was balanced and centered. She could breathe and focus and nothing could ever change that. Not until that day.

Chapter Five

Ty leaned against the wall of the bedroom Bolton had offered to them and watched Mick pace the floor.

“You’re an idiot, you know that?”

Ty lifted a brow but didn’t respond.

“What am I supposed to do now? He called his mom and she wants to talk to me.” Mick didn’t look up at Ty as he continued his tirade. “What am I supposed to say to her? I don’t know who my parents are. I don’t know any of these people. I just found out they exist. I don’t belong here.”

“Then leave.”

Mick stared. “You can’t be serious. You dragged me here, and now you’re telling me to leave?”

“I’m not your father, Mick.”

Mick glared.

“You’re a grown man who can do what he wants. If you don’t like being here, then leave.” Ty pushed off the wall with his shoulder and moved across the room between the two twin beds to stare out the window. There were plenty of directions Miss Taylor could have gone. Would he be able to figure out which ranch she belonged to if he stuck around long enough? He shook his head. Why was he even considering finding her again? The fact that he couldn’t get her out of his head was reason enough for him to leave and stay as far away from her as possible. Not to mention, she was likely involved with Bolton. The last thing he needed was to anger the man who’d offered him a place to stay and a temporary job.

“Are you even listening to me?”

Ty turned around. “What?”

“Never mind.” Mick slumped down onto the bed and placed his head in his hands. “I don’t belong here. I never will.”

Ty sighed. “I fail to see how you can get that from only being here for a couple hours.”

Mick gestured around them. “I grew up with nothing. I could fit all my foster homes in this place.” He scowled and stared at the floor. “If they knew the things I’m capable of, they wouldn’t be so willing to let me—or you, for that matter—stay anywhere near them.”

Ty shoved his hands in his pockets. Mick had a point. Neither one of them had a pretty past. Being an Army Ranger in Afghanistan had made them both more cynical than most. He rubbed the back of his neck. One more reason to stay far away from that pretty Miss Taylor. “I still think you ought to stick it out. You never know what could come of it.”

Mick’s gaze rose to meet his. Had Ty gotten through to him? Would he be in the clear to leave? Ty could find Bolton and let him know he didn’t need the job after all. That would be for the best. The longer he stayed, the harder it would be to keep his distance from her.

Mick lay back on the bed, his hands behind his head as he stared at the ceiling. “Maybe you’re right.”

“I know I’m right.” Ty stared out the window again. Miss Taylor had gone north on foot. Her property must not be too far. He could walk in that general direction and… and what? Spy on her? He gritted his teeth. He needed to get her out of his head.

Clenching his hands into fists, he glanced at Mick, whose eyes had now closed. Maybe he needed to sleep on it. Until then, Ty would find out if Bolton needed help with anything. If he could keep his hands busy, maybe he could stop thinking about finding the pretty brunette with chocolate eyes.

Ty slipped out of the bedroom and down the hall. It opened up on one side, a banister the only thing between him and a fifteen-foot drop. A large banquet-style room to the left drew his attention. Ty paused. A crystal chandelier hung from the center of the vaulted ceiling. He leaned his forearms over the sides. His mother would love this place. Even though she had a flair for modern design, there was always a rustic touch to many of the things she’d picked out.

A twinge of homesickness settled in his stomach and his quiet contemplation soured. This