The Black Sheep and the Hidden Beauty Read Online Free PDF Page B

some damn horse.”
    â€œOh yeah, spending time with her will be a real sacrifice. She might not be your usual fare of perfectly put-together arm candy with a law degree. But she’s got thoroughbred legs and an incredibly fine—”
    â€œHey,” Kate said, as she stepped out onto the porch. “The only ass you’re allowed to make Neanderthal comments about is mine.” She glanced at Rafe. “Although he’s right. I’ve seen her in riding pants. I’d kill for her ass.”
    Mac put his hand proprietarily on Kate’s backside. “Your ass is spectacular.”
    She grinned at him. “You just want to get laid.”
    â€œWell, yeah, but I could probably manage that without lying, so you know I mean it.”
    â€œMen and their logic.” When Mac went to take his hand away, she immediately pulled it around her shoulder. “But I’ll take it, I’ll take it.” Tucked under Mac’s arm, she looked at Rafe. “When Elena told me you’d asked for lessons, I almost choked. You hate horses. What’s going on?”
    He’d known this was coming since the moment three days ago when he’d apparently lost what was left of his mind and propositioned Elena. In more ways than one. Which hadn’t remotely been his intent when he’d walked out to that barn. He’d been regretting it ever since. Never more so than right this second. “I don’t hate horses. They’re beautiful animals. I just don’t see the need to climb up on the back of one. But that’s not the point here. The point is, I think something else is going on with your new manager. Either she’s in trouble, or running to avoid it. But something’s not right. And I don’t want her troubles becoming your troubles.”
    Mac glanced down at Kate. “He’s just jealous because he’s around us too much. Now he’s hot for a barn chick who isn’t his normal glamazon type, so he’s projecting some sort of crisis so he can write it off as a work-induced fascination.”
    Kate listened to Mac with an indulgent smile, then turned a quite serious expression to Rafe. “What makes you think she’s hiding something?”
    â€œHey,” Mac said, obviously put out by being brushed off.
    Kate leaned up and kissed him on the jaw. “I love you, but you’re reacting like a guy, and not like a business owner. If something is going on, then I need to know about it. My kids and my camp come first. I like Elena. A lot. In fact, she’s the best thing that’s happened around here in awhile.” She looked back to Rafe. “Almost too good to be true. I’ve been saying that since the start. I’d really hate for there to be something to that.”
    Mac rolled his eyes, but accepted defeat and turned to Rafe. “When did this amazing insight take place? You’ve evidently had your eye on her since she got here and that was only a few months ago. I was wondering when you’d finally get over yourself and make a move.”
    â€œI’m not ‘making a move,’” Rafe said, though that was precisely what he’d done. He could tell himself that this was about Kate and protecting her interests, and therefore Dalton Downs’ interests, but that didn’t remotely explain why he couldn’t stop thinking about Elena Caulfield. “Maybe the reason I’ve been noticing her is because my instincts have been telling me something isn’t right. And after what I overheard the other day, I think that’s more important than whatever attraction there might be.”
    Now Kate’s eyebrows lifted. “Might be?” She avoided Mac’s elbow nudge, keeping her now openly speculative attention on Rafe. “So, what, you think women who work in barns and muck out stalls aren’t good enough for you?”
    â€œDon’t go all feminist rant on me. I never said that.