The Black Sheep and the Hidden Beauty by Donna Kauffman Page A

stared at her for a long second, but said nothing. Finally, he turned his attention to Petunia. Then he frowned and stepped closer. “Is she… sleeping ?”
    Elena glanced at Petunia, who was, indeed, dozing. Her head was drooping low, and one front fetlock was relaxed and resting against the other. “She’s had a busy day, but trust me, she’s always up for a new adventure.”
    Rafe’s expression was dubious at best, but he didn’t comment.
    â€œToday I’m going to teach you how to halter your horse, lead her from her stall, properly cross tie her, and put on the saddle. If all that goes well, I’ll teach you how to mount up and we’ll adjust the stirrups and girth strap so you’ll know how to set them properly for your next class.” Most of which wasn’t necessary, as the barn help would be more than happy to saddle up any mount she requested, especially for one of the Trinity three. Even if he hadn’t been one of the Dalton Downs honchos, she was certain he’d have no problem getting any woman on the property to do pretty much whatever he wanted. But since the man said he wanted to learn to ride, the least he should do is learn to appreciate what he was riding.
    â€œSo, you’re saying I have to saddle her every—” He stopped when Elena folded her arms. “Okay, okay.” He looked back at Petunia, clearly not thrilled with this whole endeavor, and Elena wondered again why he was really down here.
    â€œSo,” he said, looking from her to the horse. “Where do we begin?”
    â€œFirst, you talk to her.”
    â€œTalk to her,” Rafe repeated.
    â€œYep.” He hadn’t minded her being spunky yesterday. She hoped that held true today. “Crazy as it sounds, most people who want to learn to ride these amazing animals, want to do so because they admire them, like them, or just plain want to be around them. This is usually a fun part of the lesson program.”
    â€œFun.”
    She laughed and Petunia twitched her ears, lifted her head, and blinked at them. “Yes,” Elena said. “Fun. Is it that hard to believe horseback riding is fun? Or is fun a foreign concept to you altogether?”
    â€œNo, of course not.”
    Which, from the look on his face, was blatantly untrue.
    â€œOkay. When was the last time you had fun?” she asked.
    â€œI have fun every day.”
    â€œFrom what I can tell, you work every day.”
    â€œExactly. I love my work. It gives me great satisfaction. I enjoy it. Hence, fun.”
    â€œThat’s not the same thing.”
    He shrugged. “You define it your way, I define it mine.”
    â€œSo why are you down here? When you could be having fun working?” She reached out and stroked Petunia’s blaze and nose. The mare bucked her head up a little, nickering in pleasure as she pushed against Elena’s hand. Elena noted that Rafe had flinched when Petunia swung her head up, but held his ground. If anything, he’d looked as if he was going to step between her and the horse. Interesting reaction. And it warmed her a little. Unless he was just hard-wired instinctively to protect those he viewed as weaker than himself.
    They’d see about that.
    â€œCan I ask you something?” she asked.
    He shifted his gaze to her. “Why ask permission now?”
    She smiled at that. At least he was learning that demure and retiring wasn’t exactly her style. Best he understand that early on. “Are you sure you’re not doing this on some kind of dare from your partners?” It was the only explanation she’d come up with in the past few days. He didn’t seem any more enthusiastic today than he had when he’d asked—demanded, really—that she give him lessons. “No offense intended,” she added quickly. “I know how guys can be. I’ve worked around them my whole life.”
    â€œAnd how is