Last Second Chance

Chapter Nine

Mucking horse stalls was done by some of the teenage volunteers, thank goodness. Though they didn’t always clean up as well as they could have. Stella Jo peeked into the stables and saw that it could still use some straightening. But she’d have to change clothes first.

After a long day of learning the layout at SCR, where the copy room, breakroom, and bathrooms were, she was exhausted. But she looked forward to the end of her shift for more reasons than just because she was dead on her feet. No matter how her feet ached from traipsing around the facility in four-inch heels, she looked forward to checking in on the horses every evening.

Dr. Ramirez’s son, Jesse, was around her age, and had just finished veterinary school at the University of Texas. He handled a great deal of the animal care. Stella waved goodbye to him as she walked the path to her bungalow. He grinned and waved back.

“They’re good for tonight, Ms. Chandler. See you next week.”

“Thanks, Jesse,” she called out as she unlocked her door. Even if the horses had been fed and exercised, she knew she’d still head over to them after she’d changed. Something about them calmed her. Allowed her to decompress from her stressful first days at her new job.

There was one she felt the need to see each night especially. He was black, solid black, with eyes like a midnight sky. Shadowdancer, the board next to his stall proclaimed. He was beautiful, a retired racer—like her.

The other three were sweet, chuffing at her when she entered each evening and allowing her to pat their noses. But Shadowdancer despised everyone. He wouldn’t even let Jesse get close enough to do anything besides refill his trough. It was him who’d drawn Stella Jo in like a moth to a flame. She felt the pull to him like she felt a pull to a certain client she’d been trying her damnedest not to let run across her mind.

Shadowdancer had darkness in him, much like Van Ransom. Secrets. A past. Something that haunted him.

She always approached him slowly, one small step at a time, not making eye contact until she was close. As if she didn’t notice him and then was pleasantly surprised to see the thousand-pound animal in her midst.

He was so beautiful, so majestic, that he almost seemed unreal. As if he were some ethereal equine figment of her imagination. Sometimes she feared he’d up and disappear, fly off into the night and return to whatever magical world he’d come from. But after she’d exchanged her shift dress for cutoff shorts and a T-shirt, slipped off her Manolos and slid on her riding boots, she made her way to the barn, where Shadowdancer still stood. As usual, he backed into his stall when she entered, hiding from her.

Stella took her time petting and loving on the other three, waiting for him to peek his head out to see what the fuss was about.

When his black snout appeared at the edge of his stall, she took her first step. Softly, so as not to startle him with creaking wooden floorboards. Another step and she could feel his steady breathing as if it were her own. Two more gentle steps and she was beside his stall. A loud huff told her that he knew she was there. He wasn’t thrilled about it, but it sounded like acceptance, so she turned to face him.

Making eye contact had to happen at just the right moment. If she tried too soon, he’d retreat and that would be it for the night. If she waited too long, he’d get impatient, and ignore her completely.

Her heart pounded in her ears as she turned slowly, praying silently that she’d got it right, read him correctly. Glancing over to him, she saw him eyeing her from under thick dark lashes. He exhaled slowly, seemingly thankful that she hadn’t screwed it up this time.

“Hey there, sweet boy,” she said softly. “Want a snack?”

She opened her palm to reveal the apple slices she’d brought. Not breaking eye contact, Shadowdancer angled his head toward her hand and gingerly took the slices. Her heart ached to reach out to him, to tell him that despite whatever, or whomever, had hurt him in his past—he could trust her. But there was no need to rush into things. He clearly needed her to respect his need for space. So she would.

“You know, I had a horse like you once,” she practically whispered as he chewed loudly. “Angel’s Breath.”

The memories of her childhood, of spending every waking second possible in the barn on her parents’ ranch with her horse, came flooding back.

The house she’d grown up in was always cold. Sterile. Her mother was harsh, demanding, and had never been particularly loving or affectionate that Stella Jo could remember. It wasn’t like she’d been abusive or anything. Just driven about Stella Jo’s riding and winning and priming her to take over her family’s ranch one day. Set in old-fashioned ways that often felt like being dressed up like a doll and played with only to be cast aside.

The ranch where her parents lived had been in her mother’s family since the early 1900s and Candace was the first female to take ownership. But since they’d never had a son, she wouldn’t be the last. Her father was avoidant. A man of few words, Hugh Chandler hardly looked at her. A few nods and grunts at the dinner table and messages passed on from her mother were about all he’d ever offered.

The barn had been the complete opposite. It was warm, welcoming, and full of life. Angel’s Breath was her best friend. The one she’d turned to when her parents had nothing to give. No interest in listening to her stories about her day or her dreams. She’d always felt more communicative with horses than with people. People saw with their eyes. Horses saw with their souls.

I am seriously fucked up. The thought flickered across her mind and she shook her head.

A loud breath caused her to jump as Shadowdancer retreated.

“Aw. I’m sorry, buddy. I got lost in my own head for a minute.”

A high-pitched whining sound erupted from him as he reared back. Stella Jo took a step back as well, unsure as to what had upset him. Surely he wasn’t this spooked because she’d shaken her head.

“I think it’s me he’s pissed at,” a deep male voice informed her.

This time, she was the one who nearly reared back as she whirled around. “What are you doing down here?”

“Taking a walk. It’s allowed. Just have to sign out first.”

Van Ransom stood there watching her unapologetically. She was strangely irritated with his unexpected presence. He’d pretty much undone the last twenty minutes of carefully calculated interaction with Shadowdancer, and he’d nearly caused her to pee herself.

“Okay. Well I’m pretty sure there are eighty acres or so of land that belong to this place. Feel free to keep on walking.”

“Ouch. If I had feelings, you would’ve hurt them.” He placed a hand over his heart. Her eyes landed on a small black cross inked just under his thumb. That was odd. He didn’t seem like the religious cross-bearing type. She mentally scolded herself for making the kind of snap judgment her mother would have.

“You don’t have feelings?” Keeping her tone light, she made her way over to the storage stall and began tidying it up in order to relocate her attention elsewhere.

“Nah. Waste of time and energy if you ask me.”

Had she asked him? She wasn’t sure. Being around him sent her thoughts scattering. After stacking the last of the folded riding blankets atop a stack in the corner, she stepped out of the stall.

“If you say so.”

“What about you, beautiful? You have feelings? For something other than horses, I mean.”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “My feelings are none of your business, Mr. Ransom.”

He took a step closer and her eyes drank in his broad masculine build. A dark hooded sweatshirt hid his muscles from her, but his jeans were tight enough that she could see powerful thighs straining against the denim. For a brief moment, she wondered what they would feel like against her thighs.

“Bet I could make you feel some things, cowgirl,” he said as if he could read her mind.

She stifled a shiver, but he hadn’t missed it.

“Cold? Here,” he said before she could answer, making quick work of unzipping his sweatshirt and holding it out for her to step into.

She eyed him for several seconds, knowing it would get awkward if she didn’t give in and accept his attempt at chivalry.

“Thanks. Um, it was warmer when I first came out.” She slid her arms through his too long sleeves.

His breath was warm on her neck as he reached around and zipped it for her. “Temperature drops a good bit when the sun goes down.”

“Yeah,” she breathed, unable to come up with a more intelligent response.

“There. You good?”

She turned to face him, expecting him to back up. But he didn’t. Instead he placed his large hands on her arms and rubbed. The temperature had dropped. She could tell by the chill bumps rising on her bare legs. But looking into those hooded eyes of his while his hands were on her had Stella feeling anything but cold. The exact opposite of cold, actually.

“I’m good,” she said softly, forcing herself to back out of his embrace. “I should probably get on back to my—”

“Hey, I really didn’t mean to sneak up on you. I was just walking by and saw you out here alone and…” He cut himself off with a shrug. “Anyways, I just wanted to make sure you were okay. Guess we’ll be seeing a lot more of each other down here.”

“We will?” Stella felt her eyes widen. She’d been doing everything in her power to steer clear of him all week. And they’d still crossed paths a few times—mostly in the Atrium, and now here. Why in the world would she suddenly be seeing even more of him?

“Dr. McLendon, my, uh, whatever she is… She and I talked about my having too much free time on my hands. It makes me kind of nuts not to be doing something. Not exactly like I can play music or get a job or anything. So I’m going to be helping out. Here.”

Oh no. This was not good. Panic began to churn in her stomach. This was her sanctuary. The place she came to relax, to let go of the tension. The last thing she needed in her safe haven was this tatted-up sex-on-a-stick man all in her space. And they’d be alone. Probably a lot. At night.

A few possible solutions came to mind, but they all seemed unnecessarily hurtful. She could tell Dr. Ramirez that Van made her uncomfortable, that she didn’t feel safe being alone with him. It wouldn’t even be a lie exactly. But then her boss might assume Van had done something, which, okay, he kind of had. Though he hadn’t done anything she’d felt threatened by. And she knew the deal. If he didn’t make it through this program, he was done. The last thing she wanted to do was jeopardize his recovery or his career.

His expression was open, almost sad, as he waited for her verbal response while reading the obvious horror on her face.

“Um, wow. Okay. I didn’t know that,” was all she managed.

“You don’t look too excited for the company. I’ll try to stay out of your way,” he bit out.

“It’s not… I mean, it’s not personal. It’s just I like to be, um, alone.”

“You like to be, um, alone? Really?” He glared at her before huffing out a humorless laugh. “That the best you can do? Because if I make you uncomfortable, cowgirl, you can say so.”

Her fists clenched at her sides. “It’s just—”

“And don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone I heard you down here spilling your guts to your four-legged friends. Our secret.”

He smirked at her, and anger, guilt, and bitter regret swirled together inside her chest. She’d hurt him with her response. Hurt this big tough guy who’d said that he didn’t have feelings. And for reasons she didn’t care to analyze, she hated herself for it.

“Don’t be an ass,” she snapped. “I didn’t mean to be rude. In fact, I rarely am rude. You seem to bring out the worst in me.”

“At last. You finally admit I have an effect on you.” He winked.

She became aware of her own erratic breathing and began to measure out careful breaths to keep calm. “Don’t flatter yourself, Mr. Ransom.”

“Can I ask you something, cowgirl? Off the record, of course.”

She raised her eyebrows at the unexpected turn in topic. “Of course.”

“If I fuck you—or rather, when I fuck you, because, let’s face it, we both know you’re just delaying the inevitable here—are you going to keep calling me that?”

Her gasp was audible, but her speech center apparently shut off because words didn’t reach her lips. They just slammed together in her brain as she stormed past him.

“Hold up, cowgirl. Dammit. I’m sorry. Don’t run off and—”

She whirled on him abruptly as he followed her out of the barn. “Let’s get one thing straight right now, Mr. Ransom. The only thing I’m going to call you is delusional. Because clearly you are.”

She poked him hard in the chest and he grabbed her wrist, pulling her to his dangerously enticing body. Stella’s eyes darted around. Now that they were out of the protective shelter of the barn, anyone could see them. She felt complicit in this forbidden interaction. Neither of them needed the prying eyes of her colleagues witnessing this and reporting it to Dr. Ramirez. She hadn’t forgotten the warnings and reminders about inappropriate relations between employees and clients. It would get her immediately fired and Van kicked out. Why he was willing to risk his entire career for a random woman, she couldn’t figure out. But she sure wasn’t willing to risk hers.

“You seem to bring out something in me too, sweetheart. But I shouldn’t have said that, not when you obviously weren’t ready to hear it. And I’m sorry if I upset you.”

“Y-you. You…” Had he upset her? Flustered—she was definitely flustered. He’d confused her. Pulled the world she knew out from under her and thrust things at her she had no clue how to handle. “You make me…”

“Yeah. I can see that,” he said with a tentative smile. “You make me too, cowgirl.”

She rolled her eyes and stood perfectly still as he retrieved a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from the pocket of the shirt of his she was wearing.

“You smoke?” she asked, not making an attempt to hide her disgust. Frowning, she pulled the cigarette from his lips and handed it to him. “Not around me you don’t. Sure you want to help out down at the barn?”

He arched a brow and slid the pack back into his pocket. “Compared to what I was doing a week ago, smoking a cigarette now and then is nothing.”

“Tell that to people in chemo.”

“It really bothers you?” he asked, his face still mere inches from hers.

“It does.” She nodded, maintaining eye contact.

“Then I won’t do it around you. Scout’s honor.”

Stella couldn’t help but smile. “Why do I have the distinct impression that you were never a Boy Scout?”

He grinned in response. “Because I wasn’t. I kicked a few of their asses as a kid though. Does that count?”

She shook her head. “No, it doesn’t.”

Pulling out of his reach, she turned toward her bungalow. Feeling his presence close behind her, she stiffened. “Van,” she whispered without turning back to face him. “Whatever this is… We can’t. You get that, right?”

“Relax, cowgirl. I won’t bite,” he said low in her ear. “Well, that’s not entirely true, but I promise you’ll like it when I do.”

She turned and placed both hands firmly on his chest. “That. That right there. You have to stop that. I’m serious.”

“Because it turns you on and you’re scared you might give in and admit you want me?”

“Because it’s inafreakingproppriate! How do you not see that?”

“Stella Jo, just because I’m me and you’re—”

“No, just stop. Please stop.” She shook her head. “You want me to admit that I’m attracted to you? Fine. I have eyes. I get the appeal. Tattooed bad boy. You certainly have that tortured-soul thing going for you. But I am not one of your damn groupies. Period. I am an employee in a facility that you checked into to get help. Help with a serious problem, not just help getting off. So please. Stop this.”

“Okay,” he said evenly. “Breathe, beautiful. Before you hyperventilate and pass out on me.”

Unable to mask the reaction this interaction was having on her, she did as he said and took a few slow, deep breaths.

“Van,” she said, his name a soft plea on her lips. “This job is important to me. I’m happy here. I feel at home. Wanted. Needed. I never felt that way before. Not in my own home and not with college roommates. I belong here. I want to be here.”

He opened his mouth to speak but she placed a finger against his lips. She tried to ignore the thrill that raced through her at the sensation of touching his lips.

“And you can’t afford to be kicked out for having an indiscretion with an employee. I’m sure there will be women lined up to be with you when you get out of here.”

His smoldering stare almost broke her resolve. But she knew she was right and that they needed to stop this before it went any further. Apparently he knew too because he backed up a step and glanced around.

“But you won’t be in that line, will you?”

Stella closed her eyes briefly to keep him out of her head. “You don’t even know me.”

“Feels like I do,” was all he said.

When she looked up into his face, she was slightly relieved to see that he’d begun surveying the surrounding property. She watched as he shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans and sighed.

“I don’t want to mess this up for you, cowgirl,” he relented, backing up a step. “I’ll behave from now on. Or I’ll try to at least.” With a wink and a small grin, he turned to leave.

“Van,” Stella called out softly, surprising both him and herself. “Um, it’s just…” She waved a hand between them. “You know, there’s a reason they refer to y’all as clients instead of patients here.”

Half turned in her direction, he raised a brow. “I think I’m missing the punch line.”

“You basically pay my salary, Mr. Ransom,” she informed him gently. “What you pay to stay here is pretty much what they use to write my paycheck. So, if anything happened and we…” She couldn’t bring herself to finish. Couldn’t bring herself to voice that not only would she get fired, but that giving in to the pull of her strange curiosity about him would be an awful lot like prostitution. “This isn’t a brothel. Despite what some of the nurses may be willing to do for you.”

There. She’d said it. Laid it out in plain language. Surely he’d understand.

He let out a short humorless laugh and shook his head. “Message received. Have a good night.”

The wounded expression on his face tugged on her emotions. The unfamiliar sensation left her disoriented as he walked away.

For as long as she remembered, she’d kept her feelings at bay. Swallowed the hurt when her mom had treated her like a doll or one of the prized livestock instead of like a person. She’d been numbing herself against the sting of her father’s rejection since she was a child. Had taken her first serious boyfriend’s relief at being done without shedding a single tear. Wished him well when he’d moved on to her roommate without a backward glance.

But for some reason, this near stranger, this man she barely knew, had managed to break through her impenetrable barrier and reach her in a place she kept buried. And worse, she was still wearing his sweatshirt.

Because I’m cold, she told herself.

The stifling realization that this was the reason for more than why she was wearing his shirt kept her up half the night.