Interfering, page 7
Trent’s sister.
I stiffened and prepared myself for battle, guessing she was here to warn me to stay away from her brother. That’s what I’d have done in her place, especially if she’d researched my background. I’m sure it wouldn’t take much to find police records of my arrests for solicitation, among other things. I wasn’t good on the internet, so I didn’t have a clue what information might be lurking out there. I subscribed to the “bury your head in the sand” method anyway. Ignorance is bliss.
“Livy? Right?” My voice shook, and I hated how scared I was of Trent’s middle sister. It was as though she held my future in her hands, which she really didn’t. Thinking so was overly dramatic, and I wasn’t prone to drama.
She nodded and walked toward me, stopping briefly to inspect a sales rack of jewelry sold by another stylist in the salon.
“These are nice. Did you make these?”
“I wish. I’m not that crafty.”
Livy laughed. “Me neither. Domestic crap is not my jam. I’m more of a hiking, swimming, fishing kind of girl.”
“I’m not that either.”
“Maybe you just haven’t tried it.”
She was being so friendly that my suspicions amped up, wondering what she wanted. God, I was wary of everyone. I hadn’t met many trustworthy people in my twenty-four years.
“What can I help you with?” I spoke in my most professional voice, rising to my full height of five feet zero.
“I need my hair trimmed, and Trent says you’re the best.”
“I wouldn’t go that far.” I ducked my head, embarrassed but pleased with the compliment.
“You’ve done a great job on his hair. I like it better than the last person he used.”
“Thank you.”
“No thanks needed. It’s the truth.”
I got a handle on my nerves and invited her to sit in my chair. We went over what she wanted. I moved her to the washing station and washed her hair, then it was back to the chair.
“You have beautiful hair.” I might not be much of a conversationalist, but I could talk about hair.
Livy shrugged. “I guess so. I’m not much of a girly-girl. As long as it stays out of my eyes and isn’t a bother, I’m good.”
I smiled. Livy was all right, but I questioned her motives for being here. Had her sisters sent her on a fact-finding mission, or should I take her at her word?
While we made small talk mostly about animals, I trimmed her hair, styled it, and handed her a mirror to check out the back. She grinned and nodded her approval. “It looks great. You’re good at this.”
“Thank you.” I beamed with pride, feeling encouraged.
“Do you have plans tonight?”
I squinted, not sure where she was going with this. “I have a date with a good book.”
“Cancel it. We’re going out for a drink.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to. Besides, I don’t have any friends in this town. It’d be nice to have one. My sisters don’t count. I need someone who’s not related to hang out with. I get tired of sibling dynamics even though I love my fam to pieces.”
I attempted to turn her down, but Livy was relentless and refused to budge. Before I knew it, we were sipping wine in a booth at the Puck.
We avoided the subject of her family and mine. In fact, she didn’t ask any prying questions. Maybe Trent requested that she not do so. Had he told her about my background? I didn’t think so, because many women treated me differently when they found out what my profession had been for years. Livy wasn’t doing that.
Our tongues loosened up even more as we drank another glass of wine. We found out we had more than loving animals in common. We both liked Hallmark Christmas movies, avoided social media, and loved to read.
“You know what I do; what do you do for a living?” I asked, keeping the conversation away from me.
“This and that.” She grinned and waved her hand in the air. “I’m probably a disappointment to my parents. I dropped out of college to hike across Europe. I’ve worked various jobs such as crew on a sailboat, a show horse groom, and a tour guide.”
“Wow, that all sounds wonderful.”
“It was, but I’m twenty-six. I’ve had my fun. It’s time to pursue a career and grow up.”
“Are those your words or your family’s?”
“A little of both. I’m struggling with what I want to do with my life, but I’ll figure it out.” She narrowed her gaze and pinned me. “You never got your horseback ride.”
“That’s okay. I’ll ride a horse someday. It’s a bucket list item.”
Livy smiled grimly and nodded. “I apologize. We were awful to you. We’re overprotective when it comes to Trent. Over the years, lots of women with less-than-stellar intentions have pursued him. He’s fallen prey to a few of the most manipulative and selfish people. We don’t want to see him hurt again.”
“You don’t have to worry about me. I’m not interested in a relationship with anyone.”
She studied me so hard I squirmed, as if she were assessing the truth of my statement. “He’s interested in you.”
“No, he’s not.” I scoffed and shook my head.
“Surely you can tell.”
“He’s a nice guy, and he thinks I’m a reclamation project.”
“Are you?”
“Probably, but I can reclaim myself.”
She scratched her head and sighed. “Everyone needs a support group.”
“I have one. I’m lucky that way. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am.”
“Heidi, my brother is one of the good guys. He’s smitten with you. I’m serious. You can’t do much better than him.”
“He can do better than me.”
“Why would you say such a thing?”
“Because it’s true.”
“I don’t think so. You’re genuine. You’re not pretending to be someone else to gain his approval. You are who you are.”
If she knew my history, she wouldn’t be saying that. The past hung over me like a dark storm cloud ready to dump buckets of rain on my head at any moment. That storm was never far from me. Despite how much I basked in the sun, those clouds cast a dull gray shadow over my life.
At least Trent knew about my years as a sex worker, even though he didn’t know the details. I worried about his sisters finding out. I shouldn’t care. I told myself their opinions didn’t matter, but I did care, and they did matter. In fact, I was too concerned about what others thought of me, too paranoid everyone saw through me to the truth, and too timid to stand up for myself.
“Tomorrow we’re going horseback riding,” Livy announced.
“Oh, no, I can’t bother you like that.”
“No bother.”
“But your sisters, I don’t think they like me.”
“They’re not invited. We only have a few rideable horses. Don’t worry. They’re busy tomorrow visiting some other rescues to get some ideas on setting up our new location.”
“I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“It’s a great idea. The best one I’ve had in a long time. You’re okay, Heidi. I like you. Let’s do it.”
“I don’t know…” I hedged.
“This is just you and me and the horses. We don’t have to invite Trent.”
“Okay.” I couldn’t say no to her, and I’d dreamed of riding a horse since I was a little girl. This would be a dream come true. I couldn’t turn down such a generous invitation. I was one part disappointed and one part encouraged that Trent wouldn’t be there.
* * *
At noon the next day, I drove my old Toyota, Buford, down Trent’s driveway. Livy had instructed me to go straight to the barn. I noted Trent’s big truck was gone from its parking space. That was a good thing. I’d be more relaxed if he wasn’t distracting me.
The closer I got, the more excited I was. I parked in front of the big barn and sprang out of the car. Tamping down my excitement, I almost skipped down the aisle.
“Livy, it’s me. Heidi.”
“Down here,” shouted a voice from the other end of the barn. I hurried to the source and broke into a huge smile at the sight of the saddled horses patiently waiting for us.
“Oh, they’re so beautiful,” I gushed as I ran my gaze over the animals. Then I realized there were three. Before I could ask why, Trent walked around the corner.
“Hey, you ready for a ride?”
“I am. Are you going with us?” My eyes dropped to his boots and back to his smiling face. He seemed genuinely happy to see me.
“Sure am. Is that okay, or is this girls only?”
I looked to Livy, and she shrugged. “It’s up to you, Heidi. He asked to go, which surprised me.” She winked at me.
“It’s fine. I don’t mind.” I did mind, but only because I’d have a harder time concentrating on riding if Trent was around.
“Heidi, this is your mount for the day. Star is a senior horse, but he still has some good years left in him, even if his previous owners thought his only worth was in dog food.” Livy pointed toward a brown horse who stood with one hind leg cocked back and appeared to be dozing.
“Dog food?” I was appalled as I tentatively walked toward Star. He was the most handsome horse I’d ever seen. I didn’t care about the ugly scar running the diagonal length of his face. His big brown eyes regarded me with trust that I suspected most of his human handlers hadn’t deserved. Livy spent a few minutes on basic instructions on how to lead a horse before entrusting me with his lead rope.
“He’ll take good care of you. We’ll lead them outside and mount. We don’t ride horses in the barn. It’s dangerous.”
I nodded, eager to soak up as much information as possible. Livy’s horse pranced beside her as she led him out the door. Star dutifully plodded along behind. I kept a safe distance between us since Livy had warned me that Midnight might kick.
Trent took up the rear, leading a large reddish-brown horse appropriately named Red. His horse was calm like Star, and unlike Midnight. Excitement laced with trepidation raced through me. Riding had been a childhood dream that I’d carried into adulthood.
Trent helped me mount, giving me instructions. Before I knew it, I was sitting on the back of a horse and giddy with excitement. The experience was scary and exhilarating. I stared down at him. I felt like I was on top of the world, and the view up here was fabulous, even though I was anxious. Trent gazed up at me and gave my thigh a squeeze of encouragement. He must’ve read the fear on my face.
“You’ll be fine. You look like a natural.” He gave my leg one more squeeze before straddling his own horse.
“Just hang on to the saddle horn if you think you’re losing your balance. Don’t worry, we’ll keep it to a walk. Enjoy yourself. No pressure. Just a good time. Relax and go with the movement of the horse,” Livy interjected.
I nodded, unable to speak as my heart was in my throat. I swallowed and gathered my courage. I could and would do this. I’d waited too long for this moment. I wouldn’t let my propensity to be afraid of new experiences get in my way.
Livy took the lead. Trent and I lagged back as Livy’s horse pranced and reared about a foot off the ground. I gasped when Star made his first couple steps.
“Relax.” Trent grinned. “You’re doing fine. Let your hips move with the horse. Don’t squeeze too hard with your upper legs or you’ll pop yourself out of the saddle.”
I loosened the death grip my thighs had on the saddle and wrapped my fingers around the horn. Trent nodded. Pride softened those blue eyes.
He was proud of me?
Taking a deep breath, I bolstered my courage and tried not to think about all the things that could go wrong— another bad habit of mine. I relaxed a little more until Livy’s horse skittered sideways across the driveway and bucked. Trent and I stopped a safe distance away, waiting for Livy to regain control.
“Is she safe?” I asked, lowering my voice so only he’d hear.
“She’s a good rider, not a hack like me. Livy knows her limits. She won’t get herself into a dangerous situation.”
The words were no sooner out of his mouth when Livy turned her horse around. “Hey, I hate to do this, but Midnight isn’t ready for a trail ride. You guys go without me, and I’ll take him back to the arena and work him.
“Are you sure? I don’t want to be a burden.” I was concerned that she’d invited me, and I shouldn’t desert her.
“Absolutely sure. I had a feeling Midnight wouldn’t be able to handle a ride like this.”
“Let’s go.” Trent grinned and rode his horse past Livy and Midnight. Star dutifully fell into step behind them. I didn’t have to steer or anything. He was content to shuffle along with zero urging from me.
Now that the acting-up horse was gone, we settled down to a slow walk past the pasture to the woods. The logging road was wide enough for us to ride side by side.
I eased my grip on the saddle horn and allowed myself to enjoy the moment. What could be better than riding horses through the woods with Trent Sullivan by my side? I’d take this memory to my grave.
The sun peeked through the wooded forest and dappled the gravel road with light. A slight breeze rustled the tall trees on either side and had a calming effect. The sound of the horses’ feet on the gravel road was surprisingly peaceful. From my perch on Star’s back, I saw things I’d never seen before. The vantage point was very different from walking through the woods. The scene was romantic, but I shouldn’t be thinking like that.
I glanced over at Trent, who grinned.
“What?” I said.
“It’s uplifting to see you so happy.”
I looked away and patted Star. I was embarrassed, even though he was right. I hadn’t been this happy in…in forever.
“I didn’t know you rode.” I switched the subject, not wanting to talk about myself, what I liked, and what made me happy. I’d survived for so long without giving any thought to being happy, I wouldn’t be able to define what made me happy beyond this moment.
“I don’t.” He chuckled, and his grin lit up his blue eyes. “Can’t you tell?”
“You look good to me.” I worried he’d read too much into my words, and I cringed inwardly.
Trent guided his horse closer until our knees bumped. “You look really good to me, Heidi.”
The way he said my name, all husky and deep, gave me goose bumps.
He sobered a second later and dropped the teasing tone. “I don’t ride often or well. This is my first time in a few years. I never progressed beyond an old horse who’s a packer.”
“A packer?”
“A horse that you can trust to pack anyone around on his back.”
“Oh.” I had so much to learn about horses, not that I’d get a chance. At least I’d check one item off my bucket list.
“Is riding a horse everything you thought it’d be?”
“Oh, yes, and more,” I gushed. “The view from the back of a horse is spectacular. How they feel as they move is soothing. They’re such docile animals. All of this is a surprise to me.”
“We’ve always had a menagerie growing up, including horses. I guess I’ve been around them a long time.”
“But you don’t like animals.”
“It’s not that I don’t like them, exactly. I don’t like them on the couch, or the dog hair, or the cat scratches on the furniture. Stuff like that.”
“I’ve never had a pet, but all of that actually sounds wonderful.”
“Wonderful? To have your upholstery shredded by cat claws?” He chuckled, more amused than anything.
We both paused when we heard a dog barking. Trent glanced over his shoulder and sighed heavily. “Oh, shit, it’s Hogan.”
We waited for the Great Dane, who came bounding up to us. He wagged his tail so hard it hit his sides with a slap, slap, slap sound.
“I guess he wants to go too.”
Trent ran a hand through his hair. “He’s attached himself to me. He has to be wherever I am, follows me around all day long, and wants to sleep on my bed at night.”
“Do you let him?”
“I try not to, but when I wake up in the morning, there he is, dog breath and all, with his big-assed head on the pillow next to mine.”
I roared with laughter at the visual of Trent sharing a bed with a huge dog. Trent made a face, then joined in, shaking his head. His self-deprecating smile was adorable. He nudged Red with his heel, and we set off again, accompanied by Hogan, who was having the time of his life. He ran from bush to bush marking his territory, sniffing all the good smells, and at times trotting ahead of us.
If I could do like that old song and put time in a bottle, I’d surely bottle up this moment and relive it over and over. The forest smelled of fir needles and the great outdoors. I’d always been a city girl through necessity, not desire. At this moment, I had a new dream. I wanted to live in the country, own a few acres, and have a dog, a horse, and a couple cats.
A girl had to have dreams, even if they were pipe dreams.
We rode along in a companionable silence. I’d never been this comfortable around a man before or felt this safe. Feeling secure might be fleeting, but I cherished every moment with Trent.
If things had been different, if I wasn’t who I was and he wasn’t a hockey player, I’d have pursued him, but I’d content myself with my fantasies. Fantasies didn’t break your heart, get tired of you, or abandon you for someone better. Fantasies were under my control, no one else’s. Being an escort was a risky job. I wasn’t taking risks anymore. I was dialing down, working on building my business, and living life like a normal person, whatever that meant.
Trent’s knee bumped mine again, and he beamed at me. Our eyes locked, and everything else disappeared until it was Trent and me in our own little bubble, where the world couldn’t intrude and things were perfect. If only I could keep that bubble.
With his gaze intent on mine, he leaned toward me, and I held my breath. I didn’t back away. Instead, I tilted my body slightly, not confident in my balance, and parted my lips. I’d issued an invitation I didn’t want to take back.
