“You should have seen your face when that boy asked if you were a member of the Colorado Rockies.”

“I wasn’t sure if I should lie and sign something or crush his hopes and dreams.”

“Honesty. Always honesty,” she teased as they walked to the elevator, the floor empty and oddly quiet after the past hour of children’s giggles and squeals.

He nodded as a solemn expression crossed his face.

“So, you wanna tell me what that was about?” he asked, cocking an eyebrow.

“It’s a program that helps local kids whose parents are incarcerated.”

“Why do they think I donated books?”

“Because you did.”

He raised both eyebrows, and she continued. “The amount you paid me for my work at the ranch was ridiculous. I donated a portion of it to the program in your name.”

“Why didn’t you just ask me to donate the money?”

“Would you have?”

“A portion of your money?” He tilted his head to the side like he was considering it. “Probably not, but I would have made a donation to them separately if you’d asked.”

Brecken grabbed her hand and swung it lightly as they stepped into the elevator. “How did you get involved with it?”

“My father started the foundation in honor of my mother. She was an English teacher at a low-income school. When I moved to Denver, I asked if I could continue it here. It isn’t much, but somehow it does make me feel like I’m honoring her memory.”

“I’m impressed and I’m sure your mother would be too.”

She gave him a sheepish grin as a thank you.

“Any other surprises for me today?” he asked.

“Not today.”

“Good, because I have a surprise.”

“Hmmm,” she said. “What kind of surprise?”

He brought his lips down to hers, tickling her mouth but not applying any pressure. “You’ll have to wait and see.”

* * *

“How many cars do you own?” January asked as she stood in his parking garage and eyed the vehicles parked in a row. The old truck stuck out between the sports car and town car.

“Just the two. Three if you count the town car Edward drives, but I don’t really count that.”

“Of course not.” She rolled her eyes as she slid into the passenger’s seat of the truck. “So tell me where we’re going!”

“Nope. It’s a surprise.”

She sat back and tried to enjoy the ride as Brecken turned on the radio and rested his right arm around the back of the seat. Her contentment switched to confusion when he turned down the county road that she knew led to the ranch.

“Are we going to the ranch?”

He nodded and one side of his mouth lifted, but the smile didn’t meet his eyes.

A million thoughts ran through her mind. Why would he bring her here? Were they going to have another awkward run in with Louisa and Henry? She didn’t ask any of those questions. Instead, she stayed quiet and studied Brecken’s body language. At first glance, it read casual, but upon closer inspection, she could see that he gripped the steering wheel a little too tightly and his left leg was bouncing.

When he turned the truck down the driveway, his anxious energy became more pronounced. He tapped the steering wheel with one hand and ran the other over his chin. She’d never witnessed his arrival at the ranch, but watching him transform as they drew closer was unsettling.

Pulling up in front of the barn, Brecken shut off the truck and turned to her. “Are you ready?” he asked, his happy, playful side back on display.

He helped her down from the truck and led her into the barn. Timothy brushed a stunning brown horse and beside him a smaller black one eyed them wearily. Noticing the saddles, she looked to Brecken, the big smile on his face confirming her assumption.

“We’re going horseback riding?”

“Yep.”

Timothy dropped the brush and held his hand out to Brecken while she looked the horses up and down. It seemed like a bad time to admit she was scared of horses.

“Ever ridden before?” Timothy asked as she stayed hidden behind Brecken.

“No. I’m strictly a city girl. I might have ridden a pony once, but nothing this size.”

Brecken took her hand and led her to the smaller horse. “This is Midnight. She was my mother’s horse. She’s very calm.” He placed their joined hands on Midnight. Her mane was soft and warm to the touch. She stood perfectly still as Brecken let go and only her trembling hand was left stroking the horses side.

She stepped back, still not completely sold that Midnight wouldn’t buck her off the first chance she had. Brecken stepped to his horse and placed his hand on the larger, brown horse’s side.

“What’s her name?”

“This is Master, and he’s appalled you didn’t notice he’s a stallion.”

“He’s a little scary.”

“He belonged to my father. Though, I’m not sure he rode Master much.”

Timothy patted the large horse. “He didn’t do a lot of riding over the last few years. He rode Sable over there on the rare occasion he did.” Brecken’s gaze followed in the direction Timothy pointed to a smaller white horse and stared for a long moment. It was torture to imagine what being here felt like for him, but part of her was glad that he was no longer running. It was a start.

Timothy and Brecken spent the next five minutes giving her a detailed overview of Midnight, how to mount, dismount, how to ride her once she was up in the saddle, and probably a million other things that she heard but didn’t comprehend. Sweat dripped down her back even as the wind picked up and a cold breeze whipped through the barn.

“Feels like a storm’s blowing in. Stay close.”

Brecken nodded, and Timothy turned his attention to her. “Have fun,” he said with a grin and left Brecken and her alone with the horses.

“Ready to get on her?”

“Words I never thought I’d hear,” she mumbled and sized up Midnight.

Brecken ran his thumb over her bottom lip. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Nodding, she stared into his dark eyes seeing the truth of his words. He would keep her safe. Placing one foot in the stirrup, Brecken boosted her with a gentle nudge on the ass, and she managed to get her leg up and over the horse. She gasped when Midnight moved forward a few steps, but Brecken kept her steady while she found her bearings. She’d never had a fear of heights, but sitting atop Midnight, made her feel as if the ground were a mile away.

She was still locked in the fear of falling as Brecken mounted Master with ease and command in suit pants that probably cost as much as the horse. It was enough to forget about possibly breaking her neck, and had she not known it to be true, she’d never have guessed he hadn’t been on a horse in almost twenty years.

He spoke softly to Master and adjusted himself in the seat, leaving her mesmerized.

“You look pretty good up there. It’s almost enough to distract a girl from imminent death.”

Brecken winked and nudged Master forward. “You haven’t seen anything yet.”