Page 8 of Knox (Graeme #3)

Foxy

T ook me three hours to sort the mess, but I had it done. My stomach growled, and I realized the time. Really needed to eat before tackling anything else.

A whinny caught my attention as I entered the barn, and I turned to watch Lana trying to control Foxhound, who reared.

Knox climbed out of the truck then, and the horse went to him after Lana fell on her ass.

“Well, now,” Cappy murmured. “Looks like Knox trained that horse.” He stroked his chin. “Seems to me, the Macs didn’t take that into consideration.”

Knox walked the horse in and led her to the stall Cappy had prepared for Roman.

“Knox,” Cappy said, pulling an apple from his pocket.

Knox glanced back at me as he settled Foxhound down.

Ian joined me then. “Can you work with Knox?”

Cappy was talking to Knox, who was watching me. It was his horse MacDaniels traded for Jasper. Still didn’t explain the kiss, but it explained Knox wanting to talk to me last night.

In my mind, at least, he was feeling me out to see what kind of person I was.

“Josh?” Ian put his hand on my shoulder.

“Oh. I can work with Knox.” I nodded, and Knox smiled softly, turning his attention to Cappy.

“Good. I’ll let Colin know then.”

“About what?” I asked.

“Knox is taking the stable position Jasper left.” Ian studied my face as I frowned.

“Are we all mix and match now?”

He laughed and shook his head as he joined Cappy’s conversation with Knox.

It was a valid question. Lana took Jasper away from me, and Knox decided to slide into the position? Did Knox think I was included in the job?

“Josh?” Cappy called, and I raised my eyebrows as Lana limped into the barn, carrying a duffle bag. She dropped it at Knox’s feet before Cappy continued. “Could you get Knox on payroll?”

I watched her leave again and nodded. “I can, yeah.”

There were two bedrooms in the barn apartment, so I didn’t know where they thought Knox would go. Ian had a spare bedroom in the house, and I texted him asking where Knox was supposed to sleep. Didn’t want to ask that out loud because it would look like no one planned on hiring Knox.

Ian Oh, damn. Give him the guest room for now?

Me Okay.

I walked out and grabbed the bag, leaving Knox to follow me up to the apartment.

“You aren’t staying here,” I said. “You’ll be in the house with us?”

Knox nodded and kept his head down.

We entered the barn apartment, and I set his stuff on the sofa on my way to the office.

“Does room and board come out of the pay?” he asked.

“It does.” That was the easiest answer. Technically, he didn’t pay room and board because if anything happened, he was here for emergencies.

I took his information down, and let him make sure it was correct before walking him back through the barn with his bag.

We took the golf cart up to the house, and he asked me to stop when we reached the rise. He tapped his thumb on his knee and took a deep breath. Did I make him nervous now?

"Are you okay?" I raised my eyebrows, and he stared out at the gravel drive.

"Trying to be." He turned in the seat to face me. "Josh, last night was great, and I don't want you to think I-" He paused, and frowned. "I don't think you're part of the job."

I cocked my head to the side and watched him for a moment. Where had that come from? Well, Knox wasn't stupid. He could follow a straight line of conversation and even stop for detours. Learned that last night.

"Okay." What else could I say?

He nodded, and I continued up to the house again, pointing out the pasture we used for the winter. He didn't say much else, and when we reached the garage, he climbed out and waited for me to unlock the door.

"I can get a key made this afternoon, so you can come and go." I stood to the side, letting him enter before closing the door behind him.

He looked around again, as if he hadn't seen the place. I understood, though. Last night, he didn't live here. Last night we weren't roommates either.

I showed him up the stairs, ignoring my personal feelings. If he wanted something else, something more with me, he would tell me, wouldn't he?

Knox smiled as I opened the door to the guestroom and stared at me as he entered. I stayed in the hall. Was not assuming anything.

"There are linens in the closet, and fresh towels in the bathroom," I said. "Let me know if you need anything else? Supper is usually after rehearsal. Do you need to ride with me?"

"I do, yeah," he nodded as he set his bag on the bed. The long line of his back distracted me as the coat followed. He really was cute. "Josh?"

"Yes?" I kept my face straight, hoping he couldn't tell I was checking out his ass.

"After rehearsal tonight, maybe I could buy your supper?" His eyebrows rose, and he tapped his thumb on his thigh again. I did make him nervous.

"I'd like that." I smiled. "See you at four."

"Later."

I closed the door and grinned as Knox let out a small whoop. His shadow moved under the door, as if he were doing some sort of victory dance.

Maybe he did like me.