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Tank immediately rushed out and for the first time, I was certain the dog was going to bare his teeth. The fur was raised on the back of his neck. I rushed toward, grabbing his collar. “Tank. It’s okay. Sit.”

I don’t know who was more surprised he obeyed my command, me or the dog. Tank whined, but sat down on his haunches, huffing when he did.

The horse snorted, tapping her hoof in the grass in response.

“Don’t worry,” the man said. “We have several dogs. She’s used to them.”

“Who the hell are you and what is that?” Kage was even gruffer than he’d been with anyone else. What was his beef about?

The poor guy looked as if Kage had punched him in the nose. I wanted to warn the man that might be coming next. With something in his hand, he dared take two tentative steps toward us, looking back and forth from Kage’s vicious eyes to my surprised ones.

“I asked you a damn question,” Kage continued.

“Kage,” I growled. “Let the man talk.”

“And what are you doing outside?” He snapped his head toward me.

My immediate reaction was to ball my fist, but I remembered just in time we had company. “Just getting some fresh air. Like I told you I was doing.”

The unknown horseman swallowed and I noticed his hand was shaking. Poor guy. I bet we’d now be talk of the town.

“Look, sorry to bother you folks, but I’ve been caring for Sadie for several months, the mare purchased not too long ago and I wanted to bring her by since she’s finally ready for her new home. I’m Tom Whittaker.”

“I didn’t order a goddamn horse.”

I couldn’t believe how angry Kage was.

“No, sir. This is a gift. I was told to give you this as well. Maybe whatever is inside will explain it.” Tom held out the envelope, but it was obvious he didn’t want to come any closer.

When Kage didn’t budge, I took two long strides forward and took it from the poor guy, offering the kindest smile I had.

“Sadie. Beautiful name,” I said as I shoved the envelope into Kage’s unwilling hand.

“She’s been through a lot,” Tom said.

“What’s wrong with her?”

He scratched his head. “Let’s just say there are some pretty bad people out there, miss.”

“Someone did that to her on purpose?” I was horrified.

“‘Fraid so. Lucky she’s still alive. I’ve been working with her for a few months. At first, she wouldn’t eat, totally shut down. But it’s amazing what love and care can do for a horse’s spirit. Any animal, really.” He was still leery about what he’d gotten himself into.

“Like I said, I didn’t buy a horse.” Kage was insistent, not bothering to open the envelope.

“No, sir. Your uncle bought her from me a couple months back. I’m sorry about your loss, son.

It’s funny though because it was like Henry knew he was about to die.

He wanted to make certain Sadie went to a good home.

Henry told me he built a barn special and had a corral built.

That should do fine. He also said he had faith that you’d know how to care for her. ”

Kage was obviously taken aback, but at least he’d stopped growling. He even decided to take a step closer to the horse then stopped. A flash of pain on his face almost instantly faded. “My uncle thought wrong. I can’t take care of a horse. I don’t have any feed or anything.”

“Oh, I figured you might not,” Tom said quickly.

“I brought several bales of hay and the saddle and blanket I’ve been using on her.

As you might imagine, being ridden again took a lot of time.

Plus, I have some special food full of nutrients since she’s still healing.

More mentally and emotionally, mind you, but it’ll get you started.

Plus, I scribbled my number on the envelope in case you need any help. ”

“Can I… touch her?” I asked.

“Of course,” Tom said, finally smiling. “I think she already likes you.”

“I don’t think I can keep this horse,” Kage insisted.

I threw him a hateful look before walking toward Sadie, making certain my steps were deliberate.

As soon as I touched Sadie’s beautiful face, I felt a calm that I hadn’t experienced in a long time.

The horse immediately made a sound that seemed so much like she knew I cared about her. Maybe I was crazy.

Tank sauntered over at that point and Sadie lowered her head until the two were nose to nose. All Tank did was swish his tail back and forth.

“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, grabbing the 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.

When he started to walk by, I tried to hand him the envelope and he refused.

“You’re not going to read it?”

“Nope.” He walked past me heading to the house.

“Why not?”

“Because this is my house and I said so.”

The man was infuriating.