LITMIR.BIZ

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with streaks of gold from being outside.

      Good looks and an easy smile couldn’t be trusted. That took the humor right out of her. Just like her ex-husband. All charm, but as nasty as a rattler when you got too close.

      The grin on her sister-in-law’s face was bright enough to put the lightning to shame. “I’m so happy you’re here.” Jazz turned that beaming face to Belle. “He can help with the horses, and I’ll start calling parents to pick up early.” She looked at Quinn. “Is that okay with you?”

      “Sure.” His answer was clear and confident.

      No one bothered to ask her if she needed help. “I’m fine with the horses.”

      The rain pounded harder as strong winds pushed water under the edges of the large covered arena. Quinn moved closer to the nervous mare’s head and brushed her muzzle. His hands were gentle as he calmed her. “She’s a beauty. At least we’re not at the open arena. You have your hands full with this small herd.”

      She ignored his friendly chatter. They had probably told the poor man outrageous stuff about her to get him interested. Or made her sound like a charity case.

      “Looks like parents have started to arrive,” Quinn observed. “My girls were excited about the horse-judging team. They’ve never been in anything like that. Do they need experience? We don’t own horses, much to their displeasure.” He flashed her a smile, and her feminine side, dormant for years, woke up and paid attention.

      Settle down, girl. What had he asked? Oh, yeah, horses. “Most of the kids don’t. That’s why I bring these guys. Some of the kids just want to be around a horse. I’ll talk to your girls as soon as I get Lady in the trailer with Captain. He’ll keep her calm. I don’t want her panicking and hurting herself or any of the kids.”

      Jazz slipped her phone into her pocket and leaned close to Belle’s ear. “Smile! Don’t be so grumpy.” Her voice was low, excited. “He’s the one Selena wanted you to meet. He’s cute, right?”

      Belle rolled her eyes, then glanced at Quinn to make sure he hadn’t overheard.

      Of course, he had. He had his head down, but the quirk at the corner of his mouth was a giveaway.

      Great. Were they trying to embarrass her? What had she done to deserve this torture? Just because they were happily married didn’t mean she was missing out on anything.

      She’d set them straight later. Of course, she’d done that before, and they’d ignored her.

      Heading to the group of kids, Jazz waved at him. “Thanks for your help, Quinn.”

      He nodded, then smiled. Belle sighed. Of course he was better looking when he smiled. The long lines that cut into his cheeks were too perfect.

      The horses needed her full attention. The poor mare’s muscles were quivering under her beautiful roan coat.

      “The girls have been excited since Cassie invited them to join the horse club at church a few weeks ago. Selena seemed thrilled. She said you’re the best with kids and horses.”

      “Thanks.” Of course Selena was thrilled. Belle sighed again. The last thing she needed was to encourage her sisters-in-law’s matchmaking schemes or lead him on. “Sorry about Jazz and Selena. I find it best if I ignore them when they get...pushy.”

      “That’s okay. Family, a blessing and a mess. They tend to think they know what’s best. But it’s all out of love. What can I do to help?”

      That had to be a trick. She waited for Quinn to tell her what she needed to do or how she was doing it wrong. “I’m going to load Little Lady into the trailer, but I don’t want to leave her alone. If you could follow with Cap, that would help. He’s the big bay. With him by her side, she’ll be settled.” She headed off.

      Without an argument, he did as she asked, leading the big guy to her with confidence that spoke of his familiarity with horses. He stopped at the trailer. “Are you ready for us?”

      “Bring him in.”

      The trailer shifted as he loaded the gelding. Belle took the lead and secured him. “Thanks.”

      Quinn exited and waited for her at the gate. Once out, Belle slid the latch into place.

      He nodded over his shoulder. “What about the other three horses?”

      She had planned to use them for the demo tonight, but now it might be easier to load the trailer and be ready to leave. A couple of parents had already picked up their kids.

      A gust of wind pushed up under the metal roof. “I should get them all in and settled.”

      “How far are you driving? This weather’s getting ugly.”

      “I’ve handled worse. I’ve helped evacuate with a hurricane barreling down on us.”

      He raised his eyebrows. “That had to be terrifying. Which one do you want next? Do they have an order they travel in?”

      “They do.” And that he knew to ask shouldn’t impress her. “Clyde’s next.”

      They worked together to walk the rest of the horses into the trailer. She reached to shut the gate, but he was already swinging it closed.

      She took a deep breath and reminded herself he was behaving like her brother or cousins would. It was not a personal insult to her abilities.

      They joined Jazz with the kids.

      There were a couple of children left. “Thank you for the help. We’re good,” she told him. “You should take your girls home.”

      He placed a black cowboy hat on his head and rested one boot on the bench next to the twin girls she had met earlier. Were they his? He leaned forward, arms crossed over his knee, and glanced at the trailer then her with a frown. “You’re driving the five-horse trailer alone?”

      “No, I have Cassie and Lucy.” Don’t be insulted.

      The crease lines around his blue eyes deepened. “So, you’re driving with two kids and five horses? How far? Someone should follow you at least.”

      A siren sounded from Main Street, heading toward the other side of town. She said a quick prayer, then looked at her wannabe hero.

      The one she didn’t need.

      Why couldn’t men see she was accomplished at handling whatever life threw at her? Either they had a hard time seeing her as competent enough to take care of herself and her girls, or they didn’t see her at all. She wasn’t sure which was worse.

      She smiled; it was tight, but she didn’t growl. Yay, her. “I’m more than capable of getting the horses and my girls home.”

      “I didn’t mean to imply you couldn’t—”

      “Izabella!” Everyone turned at the booming voice.

      She tilted her head and groaned. Xavier was stomping across the arena. Her cousin had been away for three years but still treated her like a little sister who needed protecting.

      “What are you and Jazz still doing here? You should be at home and locked down. I’ll follow you out to the ranch.”

      From the corner of her eye, she saw Quinn straighten and cross his arms. His lips twitched as if trying to suppress a grin. Complete failure on his part.

      “We had to make sure all the kids were picked up and safe. I couldn’t just take off. The horses are loaded, and as soon as the last kid is gone, I’m heading to the ranch.”

      Tanner Hernandez jumped up. “My dad’s here. Bye, Ms. Belle.”

      Now they were down to her family and Quinn’s. The identical twins had to be his daughters. They had his sharp blue eyes, but the resemblance stopped there. Their thick dark lashes were so long they looked fake, and their perfectly straight, sleek black hair fell to the middle

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