“I knew I’d work with animals. Horses are the animals I understand best, people included.” He shrugged. “It was my mom’s idea to start the refuge here,” he said. “The first horse I ever bought was in bad shape. Abused, mean, mangy. I spent every cent I had to make him my...friend. Took some time, but that horse was my mom’s favorite. She and Dad started bringing in strays and letting me work with them. We had a good handle
r back then, knew horses, how to read them, like the back of his hand. He taught me everything I know. Horses got easier. People not so much.” He smiled. “That was it.”
She wore a thoughtful expression. “Nice to have such support for your passion. And that your passion became your work.”
“Not the same thing?” he asked, curious. “Passion and work?”
“No.” She shook her head. “I have a knack for numbers and business. My passion is my girls. And leaving them every morning is a struggle. But it’s what I have to do.”
He glanced at the clock and stood. “And now you’re late getting to them.”
“Clara’s with them.”
“Not the same as having their mother,” he said. He knew. Losing his mother had forever changed his life. Partly because the one person in the family who seemed to accept his quirks was gone. She’d prodded him with questions, lured him out on long rides and eased him into sharing his thoughts. She’d always made time for him. It didn’t matter how long it had been since his mother’s death; the ache was still there, pressing in on him.
“Dr. Boone?”
“Archer,” he inserted.
“Archer.” She sighed. “I can walk, if you still have work to do.”
He shook his head, needing a break. “I’ll come back after dinner.” He eyed his untouched sandwich, and his stomach growled.
She smiled. And just like that, his tension eased. He wasn’t sure he liked the effect Eden Caraway was having on him. But as long as she wasn’t too close to him and he wasn’t touching her, he seemed to have things under control. She’d be gone soon, and it wouldn’t matter. But thoughts of her leaving didn’t provide the instant relief he’d expected.
Chapter Five
Eden changed out of her slacks and blouse, slipping into some black leggings and a comfy, light blue tunic. She wanted to be with the girls, enjoy some family time and relax. Something she was completely incapable of around Archer Boone.
Seeing him shirtless had been alarming. It had been years since her body had thrummed with awareness—and want. When he’d knelt at her side, she’d fisted her hands to keep from touching him. The balls of his shoulders, the muscles flexing in his arms and chest. He was gorgeous. More so because he’d earned those muscles through something he was passionate about. When he’d touched her, her senses had gone into overdrive... When his work-roughened fingers had brushed her hands aside to inspect the bite, she’d glimpsed the look in his blue eyes. He seemed concerned. Like he cared.
And she didn’t know how she felt about that.
She needed to be more intentional about putting space between them. She’d always been goal-oriented. And her goal had nothing to do with blue eyes and rippling muscles and everything to do with proving herself to her father. This was her chance to grab his attention and his respect. A chance that might not come again.
Lily was rolling on the floor of their room, pushing up onto her knees to rock back and forth.
“You can do it,” Eden said, dropping down onto the floor beside her daughter. “Come on. Come get me,” she encouraged, holding her hands out.
Lily grinned, rocking with more gusto and falling forward onto her face. Luckily, Eden had placed a quilt on the floor so Lily didn’t hurt herself. But she was upset nonetheless. She wailed, turning bright blue eyes on Eden.
“It’s okay, sweetie.” Eden scooped her up. “It’s a lot of work. But you’ll get there. Crawling, then walking... And then I’m in real trouble.”
“Ma-ma-ma-ma,” Lily chanted as soon as she was in her mother’s arms, smiling up at Eden.
“I love you so much, little bug.” Eden pressed a kiss to each of her daughter’s cheeks.
“Momma, Momma,” Ivy said in a singsong voice as she came running in. “I made biscuits!”
“You did?” Eden exclaimed. “I love biscuits.”
“You have to share,” Ivy said. “Clara helped.”
“Oh, good.” Eden smiled, hugging Ivy close with her other arm. “You’re being such a helper, Ivy. Thank you.”
Ivy nodded. “’Course, Momma.”
“Ba-ba-ba,” Lily cooed.