| Twenty minutes later they were saddling up two colts. Upon returning to the house Brian excused himself saying he wouldn�t be long. Moire went to her trunk and pulled out jeans, boots and a tee shirt. �Do you always carry jeans and riding boots around with you?� Brian commented when he saw her remove the clothing from the small trunk of her car. �When you live in this part of the country it�s a necessity, you should know that. You never know when you�ll need to ride.� She slammed down the hood and came to the steps. �Mind if I use that bedroom again to change?� �By all means,� Brian gestured with his hand and she walked past him up the steps. He opened the front door and they both disappeared at opposite ends of the hallway. She waited on the porch for him. And when he opened the door and saw her Brian was convinced that it wasn�t how she dressed that took his breath away. The jeans, tee shirt and riding boots did nothing to diminish her beauty. If anything they enhanced it. For now it wasn�t the clothing that caught your eye, but the woman herself. The tight fitting jeans only displayed her apparent curves and the tee shirt barely touched the top of her jeans giving him a glimpse of her trim waist. She saw the look on his face and Moire absently brushed her hair back. There was no doubt that he liked what he saw. She quickly thought back to what her father had said earlier. If she were so inclined, she could probably seduce him with little effort. And Moire had to agree that it probably would be a pleasurable experience. �So,� she said nervously, �how about you give me that tour.� They both walked silently to the stables as an awkward strain developed between them. They went about the task of preparing the horses without saying a word, although each would catch the other sneaking a glance. When ready Brian took a couple of hats off the rack and tossed Moire one. �Keep the sun out of your eyes and off your head,� he said as he put the wide brimmed hat on his head. She did likewise and off they went. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ In many instances Brian�s farm was like so many others. There were a series of barns and corrals fairly close to the house. Beyond that was the small oval track for workouts and then beyond that the open grass which was fenced off in large sections to give the horses space to run. Moire found out that Brian offered boarding for many locals who owned a horse or two but no space to keep them. For a sizable monthly fee he provided stall space, feed and grooming. Along with his thoroughbreds there were the Appaloosas, quarter horses, Shetland ponies as well as standard Saddlebred horses like the two they were on. Being summer there was plenty of activity. As they went along Brian stopped to talk with the visitors. They even had to wait while a couple of children wanted Brian to see how well they were progressing with their riding ability. Moire noticed how he was so well liked and went out of his way to say hello to everyone. He knew all the people on his staff by name too. They cleared the last of the barns and there was nothing but open space before them. �Want to give them a bit of run?� Brian looked over and Moire nodded. They both gave a gentle kick to the horses� flanks. It wasn�t a race but Moire was determined to keep up with him. They kept up the pace for a while and then Brian slowed down, in the heat he didn�t want to overexert the animals. They came upon a shaded glade with a small stream. He led his horse to the water and let him have a drink with Moire following suit. Then they tied the horses to the tree and Brian handed Moire a canteen. She took a long pull and handed it back to him. The sun had gone behind a couple of dark clouds and brought a little relief to the heat. �It really is a beautiful farm, Brian.� She leaned back against the tree taking in the scene before her. The land dipped and rolled and as far as the eye could see bluegrass swayed in the warm breeze. She could feel his eyes on her and tried to ignore it, but finally she pressed him. �What are you looking at?� She turned, squaring her shoulders. �You.� �Well, stop. You are making me uncomfortable.� �Fine.� �Fine!� Brian sat down against the tree and pulled on Moire�s hand urging her to join him. He picked up a blade of grass and turned to see her sitting with her eyes closed. When she opened them she caught him yet again. �You�re doing it again!� �I�m sorry,� he blurted. Realizing he couldn�t just stare at her the whole time they were here he said, �so now that you�ve seen what keeps me busy most days, what fills your time besides the pediatric ward at St. Joe�s?� �The children take up a good deal of my time.� Her face lit up at the mention of the children. �They are so special and they give me so much. Each day I never know what I�ll find.� �I think you would have made a good teacher.� Moire shrugged. �Who knows. There is a difference between visiting the sick ward and being in the classroom. Yet there are days I wonder myself if I could have handled it. Of course, I don�t think kindergarten would have posed too many dangers.� She gave him a weak smile. �I know you think I�m pampered and spoiled and I guess you have every right to think that. But I�m not.� He raised his eyebrows as if mocking her. �I can cook and work as hard as any man on daddy�s farm. I�ve helped in the foaling and nursed many a young filly. I love it and spend most afternoons helping out. Horses are in my blood and I wouldn�t want to live anywhere else. If I had my way I�d make some change at Claddagh but�� She dropped her voice and Brian could see her body tense. There was definitely some disagreement between her and Colin on how things were being handled besides the takeover. That bit of information he would store away. Realizing she may have said too much, Moire stood up and walked down along the creek bed. Brian gave her a few minutes before he joined her. She felt him come up beside her and she smiled at him. It had completely clouded over and Moire thought she heard thunder in the distance. �Hey, you okay?� Brian touched her arm. She seemed so deep in thought. �Yes, I guess just thinking about what my father is planning and I upsets me.� A large rock sat at the end of the creek and Moire leaned against it. �I don�t want to talk about your father,� Brian said as he joined her against the rock, �what about you, your personal life? Is there someone special?� �No,� she sighed, �although I was engaged once. But he went to Europe with a couple of daddy�s horses to compete in a couple of races and met someone while there and well one thing led to another and�� �Ouch.� Brian�s comment took her by surprise. �Yeah, it hurt plenty at the time but it was ages ago and in hindsight it�s probably for the best. It most likely wouldn�t have worked out. So I guess I should be grateful.� She seemed cavalier about it now, but she was bitter for months after it happened. �So what about you? Anyone special in your life?� He wasn�t going to get off the hook not after her spilling the beans about her thwarted engagement. �Ha! You are kidding right.� He pushed off the rock and walked to the creek and picking up a stone sent in skimming along the surface. �I wish. But I just can�t seem to find anyone that I want to spend more than one night with.� As the words fell off his lips he realized how that sounded. �I meant more than one date.� Now Moire raised her eyebrows at him. �Okay, so some of them have spent the night, but even then, I never have the desire to see them again. Which I know is wrong, but it�s the truth.� He ran his hand through his hair. �You see this place,� she nodded, �it�s not big by most standards, but it takes a lot of work to keep it going. I don�t know how many women have told me to take your father�s money and do something else, but what? I love this,� he waved his hand towards the open fields. �It�s what I do. It�s who I am. I can�t walk away. So, I�m alone. But more than anything I want someone to share this with me, work side by side, raise a family and grow old together.� He rubbed his forehead. �Sorry, didn�t mean to go off like that.� �It�s okay. I totally understand. I guess that�s why it�s so hard to find someone who is willing to be part of it all. But can I ask you a question?� �I guess. What is it?� �Marguerite Lawson?� �What about her?� She was trouble that he had no intention of getting involved with. �Where does she fit in?� He looked at her questioningly. �I mean she gave the impression the other day that you two were�� �Oh? Well, it�s totally in her imagination.� �Good because she�s not right for you.� �Really? And who would be?� He came towards her leaning one hand against the rock and partially blocking her escape. His closeness made her uneasy and she slid away from him and walked along the creek bed. The wind began to pick up and Moire looked up to see that the clouds had gotten darker and the thunder continued to sound in the distance. �"You didn�t answer me." He fell in step with her as she walked back to where the horses were tethered. "You�ve been full of all sorts of advice today, so come on. Let�s hear who you think would be a good match." He was mocking her even though he had a silly grin on his face. She stuck out her chin in defiance of him. "I haven�t been giving you advice, just cautionary warnings." "Touch�!" The thunder was much closer now and the wind had picked up. "We better head back." Moire looked again at the sky and mounted her horse. However they rode right into the storm. The rain pelted them and the thunder and lightning cracked and sizzled around them. The horses were a bit skittish but they both managed to get back to the stables unharmed. They were soaked to the skin. While Brian gave instructions to the stable hand, Moire watched as the rain made rivulets in the ground. At one point the flash of lightning was so close it made her jump and she backed into the stable. She felt a hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright?" Brian asked his face close to hers. "I just don�t like storms, that�s all." Even though her damp shirt was cool, Brian�s hand felt warm through the fabric. She continued to watch the rain, very aware of his body next to hers. "Come on," he took her hand, "we can make a run for the house." They bolted from the stable doorway and ran across the yard to the back porch. They were at the steps when another flash of lightning lit up the sky over head and Moire let out a scream. She raced up the steps and stood trembling at the back door. Her breathing was heavy and her whole body was shaking. "It�s okay," Brian said as he brushed her wet hair from her face. She nodded but he wasn�t convinced. He opened the door and led her inside. Once safe in the kitchen he gave her a glass of water. "Here, drink this." She took a sip and put the glass on the counter. "I better go." "Moire," Brian touched her arm. She still looked frightened and her body shivered from her wet clothing. "I," his mind was a jumble. Logically he knew she could be bad news for him, but emotionally his heart was telling him to take a chance. And physically, he was reacting to the contours of her body that were revealed through her wet shirt. "I have a steak, big enough for two." She furrowed her brows. "So?" "Have dinner with me." He moved closer. "I should go. I�ve been here way too long already." She started towards the hall. "Stay," he took her hand. "I wouldn�t have asked you if I thought you should leave." A lock of hair hung at her cheek. Brian brushed it away, touching her cheek in the process. Moire let out a sigh. He was so close; she could feel his breath. "Please. I promise to behave myself." He gave her a cheeky grin. �I don�t know if this is a good idea.� She backed away from him, but he wouldn�t let her escape. �I appreciate you showing me around, but really, Brian, it would be better if we didn�t socialize.� She bumped into a small table in the foyer and moved around it until she was against the wall. He stood directly in front of her leaving very little room for her to move. �Why? Just because of your father?� Moire nodded and tried to get past him but Brian held her waist. �You said it was his fight not yours. So I don�t see a problem.� She shook her head in frustration. �Come on, tell me that you don�t see me as a way to find out about what he is doing?� She posed the question knowing full well that she could use him the same way. �I�ll admit, it crossed my mind but that is not why I asked you to dine with me.� He let his fingers run along her cheek sending Moire�s heart racing. �I�m sure we can find other things to talk about.� His voice was low, almost seductive. �I promise not to talk business if you do?� He tilted her chin up. Her lips were slightly parted. �Stay.� |