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“I’d be grateful if you’d try. She’s a good temperament. Has good lines. But she has trust issues.”

Maxwell held his breath. Would Eryn feel too set up? But it wasn’t like they’d looked for a needy filly to create a project for her. Echo had been here for several months already.

“What would I need to do?”

“They say a person shouldn’t sit at the computer all the time without taking breaks.” Weston clearly didn’t understand how anyone could do that, anyway. “So, get up, stretch, talk to Echo, feed her an apple chunk or a carrot, touch her face, maybe brush her a little, and go back to what you were doing. Maxwell mentioned you’re interested in turning that poor excuse for a gift shop around?”

“Maybe.” She sent Maxwell a glare.

Oops. Maybe he’d been telling tales out of turn. But either way, if she and Echo could help each other, wouldn’t that be a win all the way around?

Chapter

Fifteen

Maxwell?”

His name sounded sweet on Eryn’s lips, even if she asked it tentatively. “Yes?”

“I was wondering…” She twisted her hands together.

He waited, holding his smile in place. It took a moment.

“I want to talk to some of the artisans in Jewel Lake, but I’m not sure.”

“Certain about what?” he asked, when the silence had lingered too long.

“I don’t have the authority to speak on behalf of the ranch. Or of the gift shop.”

“You’re asking them questions about availability, right? Gathering information?”

“Right, but…”

Light trickled in. “Would you like me to come with you?”

She nodded, biting her lip and barely meeting his gaze. “I know you’re super busy, though.”

“My crew doesn’t need me hovering every minute. I could take a day off. How about Monday? You might want to call ahead and set up appointments. Not everyone has gallery hours in October.”

“I can do that, but it’s only a half day, since I work in the kitchen in the morning.”

“Ask Nadine for the entire day off. That would give us time to meet more artisans.”

“I shouldn’t ask.”

“I can, if you won’t. She’ll be happy to let you go, you know.” Especially if she suspected something was brewing between them. “Your pay won’t be docked for time off.”

Eryn blinked. “But it should be.”

“It’s all ranch business.”

“But…” She shook her head. “This is all new to me. I know I’ve been here over a week, but it’s so different.”

“I get that.” Working for Grandfather again after eight years on his own had been quite an adjustment for Maxwell, as well. He could see how Eryn might not be sure of her place. “You’re doing great with Echo, by the way.”

Eryn’s cheeks pinked. “She’s wonderful.”

“She follows you around like a puppy.” Maxwell chuckled. “But that’s not today’s topic, sorry. Will you ask Nadine, or shall I? Because I’d like to take you for lunch in town between appointments. And…” Was she ready? Only one way to find out. “And dinner. Maybe a movie, depending on what’s playing.”