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“They like each other.” I don’t know why there was so much glee in my voice. The horse wasn’t mine and Kage had made it abundantly clear he didn’t want me around. When I stood back, taking a few pictures of Sadie and Tank, I was certain Kage would rip the camera from my hand.

Kage was still holding the envelope, staring off at nothing. The moment couldn’t have been more awkward.

“Mr. Rollins. If you want, I’ll take the hay and everything over to the barn for you,” Tom finally said, breaking the silence.

I turned toward Kage, cocking my head. At least he looked into my eyes briefly before turning his gaze onto the horse’s scars. The man could easily mask his emotions, but right now, it was as if I was looking at a reflection of years of pain and suffering. Whether physically or emotionally or both, I wasn’t certain. What I did know was that seeing Sadie’s condition had touched and troubled him.

“Kage. You can’t keep Tom waiting. I’ll help you take care of her.”

He opened his mouth as if to retort with something vile and nasty but thankfully thought better of it. Without saying anything, he stormed over to the back of Tom’s truck, grabbingthe first bale of hay by the string holding it together, and ripping it off as if the bulky mass weighed nothing.

I was honestly just as impressed with his muscular physique now as I was the first time I laid eyes on him. With his tight tee shirt, well-worn blue jeans, and boots that had seen better days, he could double as a cowboy any day.

There was just something about a denim-clad man that did it for me. Plus, the scowl on his face had hooked me from the beginning. I sucked on my bottom lip to keep from making an entirely inappropriate-in-mixed-company sound.

Tom studied Kage’s actions before turning his head toward me. I smiled, shaking my head as I offered a smile. Kage was the kind of man who couldn’t be told what to do. He had to do so at his own speed and time.

The most infuriating man in the entire world, but his continued pain was breaking through his thick walls.

When the truck bed was emptied, Kage rolled his forearm across his forehead. “I’ll take her. But I’m not keeping her.”

I wanted to jump up and down with glee before I reminded myself that I had no say in the matter.

“Mr. Rollins. If you don’t want her, just let me know. Only special people can handle a horse that’s been through the kind of trauma Sadie has. Your uncle believed you were the best person to take care of her and I believed him. No offense, but I’m not going to allow her to stay with someone who’d ignore or mistreat her. Henry was a friend of mine, but I won’t do it. I hope you understand.”

Good for Tom.

“I understand. I’d never abuse or ignore her,” Kage said. “I just worry I won’t be enough for her.”

“You might be surprised, Mr. Rollins. Loving on animals is the best method of healing. They can do wonders for bringing you back from an emotional death.”

Kage pursed his lips. “I doubt that’s possible.”

In true Mr. Grouchy style, he turned with military precision toward the horse. He stopped long enough to hand me the envelope. I could tell by his expression he was warning me not to open his private mail.

I wrinkled my nose in response but said nothing. Agitating him any further also wasn’t a good idea.

What surprised me was the way he walked straight to Sadie, unlooping the reins. He took his time, placing his hand on her muzzle. For a few beautiful seconds, they communicated. I could easily tell there was a connection. Then he promptly headed for the corral.

Sighing, I remained rooted on the spot, uncertain how to feel or what to say to Kage when he finally started speaking with me again. “I’m sorry about Kage. He’s been going through a lot lately.” That wasn’t exactly a lie, but Tom didn’t need to know why.

“Death of a family member can do that to you. At least now he has you to lean on.” He walked closer, trying to act nonchalant.

I slowly turned my head in his direction, starting to refute him before remembering my lie.

One little lie and the entire town thought I was tethered to the man forever.

“Well, he has his hands full with me,” I teased. What the hell was I supposed to say?

At least he laughed. “Encourage Mr. Rollins to call me if he needs anything. I’m right down the road. About five miles.”

“I will and thank you.” That was about the moment Kage returned, grabbing one bale of hay. If he was trying to prove something, why not let him?

Tom headed back to his truck, but not before throwing the barn another quick glance. Hopefully, the nice man wasn’t completely regretting the sale.

As he drove off, Tank and I headed toward the corral, remaining on the outside of the fence.

I had no idea what Kage was doing in the thirty minutes or so he remained in the barn, but when he came out, he was taking purposeful strides toward the gate.