Rescued (A McKenzie Ridge Novel Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

typical morning meeting.
    “Oh, I was next door, at Sugar Pine Stables, I’m there every week.”
    “Every week? You ride?”
    “Of course I can ride, but that’s not why I go.” She shifted in her seat, regretting her reply because she didn’t have a good answer as to why she was really there, if not to ride.
    Dawson sensed some kind of unease and hesitation coming from her, like a secret spilled before she could catch it. She promptly tried to reel it in and deflect whatever it was she thought she just divulged. What was there to be uncomfortable about with going to Sugar Pine Stables every week, it’s an equestrian center, lots of people like horses and even volunteer. Perhaps this was part of the wall she had built around her, too personal, she was letting him in faster than she was contented with.
    “So you volunteer?”
    “No, well, not really. I’m friends with Rene who runs it, and Morgan Jameson goes often, Everly does too for Search and Rescue stuff. I guess it just kind of rubbed off, something we all have in common,” Sam replied, satisfied with her answer.
    “Oh I forgot that they had a new person over there—Rene, that’s right. She is so familiar to me, but can’t put my finger on it.” Dawson’s mind wandered, recalling seeing Rene Garcia at Sugar Pine’s, and how oddly familiar she seemed, but the feeling must not have been mutual, because she never gave any indication she already knew him.
    “I thought that about Rene too! So familiar, she must have one of those faces because she isn’t from around here.” Sam recalled her first meeting with Rene, it was like running into an old friend from junior high, a serious case of déjà vu.
    “Maybe sometime we can go riding then. Have you ever been up the trails along the creek to the peaks? It’s a pack your lunch and ride all day kind of adventure.” Innuendo delivered, Dawson gave her a wink and left it at that.
    “I haven’t been up to the peaks. That might be fun,” she countered, making it clear that his message was received and quickly shot down. “So how were your fried mushrooms and spicy mustard, sour dog sausage thing?” She chuckled.
    The awkward change of subject and distracting laughter over his peculiar food combination that followed wasn’t lost on him. She really wasn’t comfortable talking about Sugar Pine and what it was to her. He would have to explore that. What was so secretive about the horses, or was it something about the horse stables? The more she became a mystery, the more intrigued he became.
    “It’s a beer brat, spicy mustard and sauerkraut, and it was delicious. My dad used to say, ’That’ll put hair on your chest.’ Try one next time!” He said, beating his chest with a closed fist.
    A stunned look of familiarity crossed her face at his statement, and was gone as quickly as it came. Interesting. He was missing a piece of this puzzle, a big piece. He didn’t like secrets, but until he could whittle away at that wall of hers some more, it would have to be explored another day.
    “Good, it smelled awful. I’ll stick to hoagies, corndogs, and curly fries with lots of ranch dressing—the good stuff, but thanks! You ready to head out?”
    ***
    Always a gentleman, he gathered their empty trays and wrappers and disposed of them while she waited for him next to the table. Dawson had grabbed her hand at some point, as they walked to the parking lot to part ways and say goodbye. She let him hold it, as if it was the most natural thing in the world and completely part of their non-dating routine. The more her mind sent up red flags and warnings, the more her heart reached for her guy. Her guy, she didn’t know when he became her guy or all that it entailed, but she had conceded and decided to live in the moment, for now.
    It felt good. He felt good. Sam didn’t know what possessed her to suggest they break routine and meet for lunch. Their shifts had crossed that day, rather than be on par with each