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Kitty swallowed hard, then took a deep breath, relaxing her body like she did before an important meeting. Once her breathing had stilled, Josh guided her hand up to Diva’s neck again. He placed it there, leaving his own hand to cover hers. Diva’s dense coat was velveteen under Kitty’s touch, and the pressure of Josh’s hand soothed her fear.

The horse seemed to settle under their combined pressure, and Josh continued to talk to Diva in a quiet voice.His breath at Kitty’s ear was as light as a kiss. Gripping her lip in her teeth, she tried to match his breath, his chest rising and falling against her back.

Soon enough, her body relaxed, and Josh removed his hand from hers. The sudden loss of his warmth left her skin tingling like something was missing. He passed her the leading rope and stepped back from her.

“See, I knew you could do it. I’ll be right back. Just keep doing what you are doing.” Josh turned away and headed towards the truck.

Kitty stayed in the same position until he returned. She’d begun to stroke Diva’s neck, and the horse was content. Josh put down the items he’d brought from the truck.

“See, she loves you,” he said, pulling up close to Diva, his eyes on Kitty’s face.

At that moment, Patricia came stalking out of the house, and Diva tensed under her hand.

“I couldn’t get through to Tabitha. I had to leave a message.”

Without a word, Josh took the rope and tied Diva up, setting to work, cleaning and trimming back her hoof to expose the abscess. Once located, he lanced it and allowed it to drain. He then applied a poultice and dressed the hoof. As soon as he’d finished, he stroked Diva and kissed the side of her neck.

“There, darling, that should help with the pain.”

Kitty held her breath. She never thought she’d envy a horse.

29

JOSH

The midday heatseared them as Patricia, full of thanks and praise for Josh, invited them in for a cold drink. Desperate to cool down, he accepted the offer, praying to the gods that she’d behave herself.

“We’ll pack up, then come and join you,” he called after Patricia as she disappeared inside her rambling home.

Josh took a compliant Diva and led her back to her stable. Once inside, Kitty gave her neck a last pat and whispered to her. He’d love to know what she said. Not to mention what had made her so afraid of horses. A soft smile settled on his lips as she turned to face him.

“I knew you could handle it,” he said as they headed to the truck.

“Thanks. I could never have done it without your help.”

He looked down at his feet.“It was the least I could do for a….”

“For a colleague of your sisters?” Kitty finished his sentence for him, a bitter edge in her voice.

His stomach lurched, and a burn of guilt gnawed at him deep inside. “Ouch,” he said, looking up to meet her eyes. “I deserve that, and I’m sorry.”

Her face remained stony, and when she said nothing, he continued. “It’s hard to explain, but there’s a history with Patricia, and she can be bloody spiteful. I told her you were here because of Thea, to stop any of her nonsense.”

“What could she have to say to me?” Kitty asked.

Hopefully, nothing.

30

KITTY

After they’d checkedon Wendy and repacked the gear into the truck, Josh guided Kitty through the house's front door. They didn’t say much to each other. She was still cross with him even if he did help her with Diva. She didn’t press him to elaborate on thehistoryhe’d mentioned with Patricia. She’d try to get it out of him later.

They passed through an opulent hallway full of palms and plump armchairs and into a cavernous kitchen.Patricia motioned them to sit on an oversized couch next to a coffee table. Kitty sunk into its depths, but Josh excused himself to clean up. Without being given any directions, he disappeared into the hallway. Her eyebrows raised. He knew where he was going.

She sat in awkward silence as Patricia made herself busy with the drinks. Desperate for a distraction, she looked around the room. Several pictures of a gorgeous blonde woman smiled down from the walls. Her clear, blue eyes and angelic face were stunning, and her delicate features gave her the look of a fae. Patricia noticed Kitty looking at the photos.

“That’s my Tabitha,” she said with a triumphant smile. “Isn’t she beautiful?”