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didn’t believe her for a second, but she took her hand. “I am sorry for the shock, and we’ll see what we can do about keeping that dog out of here—”
    â€œOh, no, don’t do anything to Peanut on my account. I’m just a guest. And Keith really likes that dog, I don’t want to cause any trouble.”
    â€œIf you saw the mess that Peanut left on my floors, you would know that your trouble is nothing compared to his. But all right, I’ll let him off the hook. But, sweetheart, you’re going to have to get used to it.”
    â€œThe dog?”
    â€œThe kindness.”

Chapter 5
    Mal walked out the kitchen door and stood on the step for a second, inhaling the crisp fall air deeply. She buttoned her new corduroy jacket and wrapped the thin plaid scarf around her neck. It felt warmer than it had yesterday; of course, today she was wearing jeans. The sun was bright and the hills were green and so, OK, her fake fiancé had abandoned her for unknown but, according to Libby, not unexpected reasons—but there were horses. She smiled to herself as she crossed the yard toward the fenced-in enclosure where several horses were grazing. They snorted and flicked their ears as she approached. Was it bad to feed horses? Did they bite? What did horses eat?
    They were chewing on the short grass near the fence, one of them trying to stick its snout underneath to try to reach the taller grass on the other side. Mal pulled a handful up and leaned her arm over the fence. “Come here, boy! Here’s some delicious grass for you. Please don’t bite my hand off.” The horse sniffed, blowing a warm wet breath onto her hand, then opened its lips to take the grass from her.
    â€œWhoa, you have really big teeth. I mean, you’re very beautiful and powerful. And thank you for not biting me.” She stood on the bottom rung of the fence to lean over and pet the horse’s back. His hair was coarser than she expected, but it was smooth, almost like skin. “You’re a strong one, aren’t you? I bet you get all the ladies.”
    â€œThat’s actually a female horse.”
    Mal started, standing up and pulling her hand back, nearly falling off the fence in the process. Keith stood on the other side of the fence, holding a beat-up-looking tin bucket, which he placed in front of the horse, who began to drink.
    â€œHow can you tell?” Mal asked. Then, blushing stupidly, said,
    â€œOh. Duh. I didn’t think to, um, check.”
    Keith pushed his cap back and scratched his forehead. He wore scuffed-up boots, one of those quilt-lined plaid shirts, and jeans that looked like they would hold the shape of his hips even after he took them off. He looked sort of deliciously rugged. Like he could be Mr. October in a Handsome Farm Guy Calendar for Women Who Liked Their Dirty Calendars Modest. And Scowling. He was definitely scowling at her.
    â€œOK, well, I didn’t come out here to molest the horses. Just, you know, looking around.” He didn’t say anything, but continued to look at her. She held on to the top rail of the fence and looked around in what she hoped—really hoped—was a cool and casual assessment of her surroundings. “Very nice. Very horse farmy.”
    â€œDid you need something, Mal?”
    Just a new life, that’s it, thanks. “No, I just thought I’d come out here, see if you need any help or anything.”
    â€œYou know anything about horses?”
    â€œWell, no.”
    â€œHow were you planning on helping?”
    â€œI don’t know; don’t you need slop hauled or something?”
    â€œThis isn’t a pig farm. We don’t have slop.”
    She was beginning to think he wasn’t being charmingly teasing, the way Luke was with her. That he was maybe being sort of a jerk.
    She should just turn her back on him, leave him standing there glowering in the morning sun with his stupid jeans and