She Can Tell (42 page)

She followed him past a horde of screaming kids and barking dogs. “You shouldn’t be on that leg for long. Quinn will have your hide.”

“Quinn will be fine with it. The therapist said I could start putting some weight on it.” At the rear of the house, Mike gestured to the golf cart Jack used to get around the huge property. Rachel hiked up the skirt of her black fancy all-occasion dress and hopped into the driver’s seat.

“Move over.” Mike nudged her. “I can manage a golf cart.”

“But
should
you?”

“Just move over. We’re not going far.”

She slid across the bench seat. Mike stowed his crutches and climbed behind the wheel. He drove down the path to the barn. Horses grazed in the pasture, placidly swatting flies in the warmth of the autumn sun.

“It’s pretty here.” She sighed.

“So is your place.” Mike got out and repositioned the crutches.

“My barn is a pile of rubble and my house needs a complete renovation.”

“That can be done.” He swung toward the barn.

Walking on her toes so her heels didn’t sink into the soft dirt, she followed him. “The insurance money should cover the barn. I’ll be lucky to get a new roof on the house. But it’ll do.”

Mike led her inside the cool building.

“Why are we here?”

“I wanted to get you alone, and I wanted to show you something.” Mike stopped in front of a stall. Straw rustled inside.

Rachel took a tentative step forward. “Beth’s horses are outside.”

“They are.”

It couldn’t be. He didn’t.

Lady stuck her graceful head over the half-door and nickered.

He did.

The waterworks started up again as Rachel stroked the mare’s forehead. “How did you—?”

“Wasn’t easy. Blake refused to sell her to me.” Were Mike’s blue eyes misty? “The bill of sale is actually in your name.”

Rachel threw her arms around his neck. He nearly lost his balance returning her hug. His crutches fell to the ground with a clatter.

She pulled back, cognizant of his injury. “I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”

“No.” Laughing, he turned and put his back against the wall for support. Strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her tight. “Will you marry me?”

“Yes. Definitely, yes.” She breathed in the scent of him. Lady nudged her shoulder. Rachel lifted her head and patted the long nose.

“So, here’s the plan. I move in with you, and Sarah and the girls can have my house in town. It’s only a couple of blocks from the elementary school. We’ll rebuild the barn and fix up the house.”

“Wait.” Rachel stopped him. “That’s a great plan, but I don’t have the money for a renovation.”

Mike kissed her. “I have some put aside. I inherited my house free and clear ten years ago. The township provides me with a vehicle, and I don’t remember my last vacation. I’ve been banking most of my salary for ten years.”

“Old houses can be a pain in the butt.”

“I know, but they’re worth it.” Mike pulled her hard against him. She was careful not to touch his injured thigh. Certain parts of him had recovered just fine. “You just have to promise me you’ll try to be less reckless.”

Rachel tapped the center of his wide chest with her forefinger. “That goes both ways, He-Man. You have to take care of yourself too.”

He grinned. “It’s a deal.”

“Are you sure?” Rachel. “I can be a real pain in the butt too. No matter how hard I try, that’s not likely to change.”

Mike kissed her again. “God help me, but I sure hope not.”

THE END

John Tannock Photography, 2012

Melinda Leigh abandoned her career in banking to raise her kids and never looked back. She started writing as a hobby and became addicted to creating characters and stories. Since then, she has won numerous writing awards for her paranormal romance and romantic-suspense fiction. Nominated for an International Thriller Award for Best First Novel, her debut book,
She Can Run
, sold over 100,000 copies within six months and was the number one bestseller in both Kindle Romantic Suspense and Mystery/Thriller. When she isn’t writing, Melinda is an avid martial artist: she holds a second-degree black belt in Kenpo karate and teaches women’s self-defense. She lives in a messy house with her husband, two teenagers, a couple of dogs, and two rescue cats.