Page 44 of Smoky Mountain K-9
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to shock you.”
“What?” Mara glanced at him. Could he tell what she was thinking? Because her revelation had sure as hell shocked her.
“What I said. You got quiet. I didn’t mean to shock you with it. I can be a little unforgiving when someone threatens those I care about, and it makes it hard to keep my emotions in check. I got a little more vehement than I intended.”
“Oh. That. No, you’re fine. I’d probably say the same thing if the situation were reversed.”
At his silence, she chanced a glance at him. He watched her with a curious frown.
“Then what’s bothering you?”
“What?” She needed to stop saying that, or he’d never believe that she was right as rain and her world hadn’t shifted on its axis. “Nothing’s bothering me. I’m just tired.” Which was half the reason she was having trouble keeping her emotions off her face.
He hummed, clearly not believing her. Mara kept her eyes on the road. Luckily, they were entering her neighborhood. She turned onto her street, then into her driveway a moment later, negating any chance at continuing the conversation.
Parking his truck in front of her garage, she shut it off and climbed out, hurrying through the cold to her front door. Mara fumbled with her keys to find the correct one, then thrust it in the lock and let them into the house. She did a little shake, ridding herself of the chill from outside. “I am ready for a hot shower and bed.”
Carter took off his coat and hung it up, rolling his shoulders. “A hot shower sounds great. Maybe it’ll help relax me. Right now, I feel like I’ll never fall asleep.”
“Why don’t you go shower? I need to go dig my pajamas out of the dryer.” That wasn’t a lie. She’d washed them this morning. But she had others she could wear. What she really needed, though, was to have a little space.
He raised an eyebrow at her, his intelligence shining from his eyes. Mara knew he was perplexed by her behavior, but she prayed he’d let it go and give her some space to think.
After a long moment, he nodded, then retreated down the hallway to her bedroom.
She let out a long sigh and covered her face with her hands. How was she going to keep herself from telling him how she felt? Should she? They’d both agreed this was going somewhere. But it was so fast.
Groaning, she dropped her hands and spun, heading for her laundry room. She needed to quit worrying about it tonight. Tomorrow, when she was more rested and thinking more clearly, she’d figure out what to do. But for now, she was taking a shower and snuggling into his arms to sleep. She’d sort out her life in the daylight.
Twenty-Four
Stinger’s hooves thundered over the ground as Mara put him through his paces. Leaning low in the saddle, she squeezed her thighs to stay astride him as he looped around the final barrel and headed for the fence. They crossed the imaginary finish line she drew in the dirt, and she pulled back on the reins, bringing him down to a walk. The horse tossed his head, wanting to go again. Mara would love to, but she had a meeting to get to.
She was looking forward to this one. Most meetings bored her to tears, but this one was with a potential donor. The news media caught wind of the vandalism and ran a story on it. Yesterday, a woman contacted her about making a rather large donation to the equestrian center, but she wanted to meet with Mara to discuss the particulars.
Opening the gate, Mara rode through, then shut it before turning Stinger toward the stables. His hooves clopped on the concrete floor, and he let out a whicker as he realized their ride was over. She patted his neck. “Sorry, boy. One day soon, we’ll go for a long ride. I still need to get Carter on a horse.”
At his stall, she hopped off and led him inside, removing his tack and brushing him down. Once she checked his hay bag and water bucket, she put her saddle and bridle away, then headed back to her office. The woman—Constance Miller—would arrive any time now.
Sitting down in her chair, Mara tugged off her riding boots and set them behind her, then slid her feet into her flats. She wiggled her toes and grimaced as the heel bit into her foot. She’d much rather stay in her boots.
The desk phone beeped, and Mara picked it up.
“Mara, your appointment is here.” Pam’s cheery voice came over the line.
“Great. Send her in. Thanks, Pam.”
“You’re welcome. She’ll be down in a moment.”
Mara hung up and stood, rounding her desk to open her door. She glanced into the hall to see a slender blonde woman about her height coming her way. Dressed in flowy gray trousers and a salmon-colored sweater with black ankle boots, the woman oozed confidence.
Smiling, Mara stepped into the hall and held out a hand. “Hello. Ms. Miller?”
The woman took Mara’s hand and nodded, a polite smile on her face. “Yes.”
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Mara Roth. Come in, please.” She released Ms. Miller’s hand and turned, walking into her office. “Have a seat.” She motioned to the guest chair as she walked around her desk.
“Thank you.” The woman sank into the chair and set her handbag on the floor.