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Mike couldn’t picture anyone not taking to Lily right out of the gate, but he opted not to mention that. “You’re bigger than them. How tough can they be?”
“You have no idea.”
He wasn’t quite sure what to say, and he searched his limited social repertoire for some encouraging words. When he recalled how Mom used to handle the passel of kids always roaming around the farm, he offered, “If things get too bad, you can always bribe ’em with cookies. Works with me, too.”
What had possessed him to add that last comment? This pretty teacher couldn’t care less about whether he enjoyed snacks or not. Fortunately, either she didn’t notice his misstep, or she was incredibly forgiving.
“Cookies,” she echoed with a little grin. “I’ll keep that in mind. Do you have any other suggestions for me?”
He answered with the kind of laugh that was pretty rare for him these days. “Not hardly.”
“But you know children like cookies. That’s a start.”
“Everyone does,” he said, giving her a sidelong glance as he guided the team around a sweeping curve in the path.
She rewarded his uncharacteristic helpfulness with the most incredible smile he’d ever seen in his life. As he felt himself returning the friendly gesture, inwardly Mike groaned.
It was a good thing she lived in Louisville. His gut was usually bang on about people, and it was telling him that Lily St. George had the potential to cause him no end of trouble.
* * *
Calling Mike Kinley an interesting man would be the understatement of the year.
To Lily’s great relief, he hadn’t reacted to her name the way most people did when she first met them. That was just the way she wanted it, since she despised having to be pleasant to people who were clearly more interested in her wealthy, connected family than in her. She couldn’t recall how many times supposed friends had asked her for an introduction at one of the many companies her family owned, only to ditch her once they had what they wanted. Finally, in college she’d had the opportunity to start over with a fresh batch of friends who had no clue about her privileged background. She’d confided the truth to a select few, but only after she was confident they’d bonded with her and not her family’s money.
Mike took her on a leisurely tour of the estate’s breathtaking grounds, and she gradually relaxed as they chatted off and on about nothing in particular. While he concentrated on the horses, she took advantage of the opportunity to study him more closely. Being female, she couldn’t help admiring what she saw.
Any man would look dapper in the crisp white shirt and gray morning suit, but there was more to his appearance than that. Sun-streaked brown hair brushed his starched collar, telling her he spent a lot of time outdoors. His white gloves rested on the seat between them, and she saw that his large hands were calloused from plenty of hard work. The easy, confident way he held the reins spoke of a lifetime spent around horses.
And then there were his eyes. A unique mix of blue and gray, they focused on her more directly than most people’s did, as if he was listening intently to her. She didn’t think she was being particularly entertaining, which made his attention even more flattering. Unlike most men she knew who went out of their way to compliment her appearance, this outdoorsy carriage driver actually seemed interested in what she had to say. It was a refreshing change.
As if that wasn’t enough, he seemed to know everything about the antebellum estate, patiently answering her questions and pointing out various historical spots spread throughout the sprawling grounds. The house itself had been around since the early 1800s, surviving the ravages of the Civil War by serving as a headquarters for both Union and Confederate commanders. The well-tended gardens were breathtaking, filled with brilliant colors and bracketed by what looked to be miles of immaculately trimmed boxwood.
It was the ideal spot for a wedding, and she could understand why Natalie had chosen it. The husband she’d chosen to share that day with was another matter altogether, but Lily reminded herself it wasn’t her place to question the decisions her younger sister made. Now that the wedding was over, Lily’s only job was to support the new couple.
Unfortunately, her less-than-stellar experience with Chad made her fear that the freshly minted Mrs. Wellington was going to need all the love and understanding she could get.
“This is such a pretty spot,” Lily commented while they drove beneath a grove of oaks draped in Spanish moss. Nearby stood the mansion with its wide front steps, where her sister’s photographer had snapped dozens of pictures for the wedding album. “I wonder how many people have been married here over the years.”
“A few.”
His tone struck her as being overly polite, and she laughed. “Sorry about that. You must have heard that about a million times.”
“A few,” he repeated with a wry grin. Pulling gently on the reins, he stopped the horses near a small creek that wound its way through the picturesque clearing in the trees. “If you don’t mind stopping here for a few minutes, the girls could use a drink.”
“I don’t mind a bit. Would it be all right if I pet them while they’re drinking?”
He climbed down and gave her a dubious once-over. “You want to handle horses dressed like that?”
“Trust me—your horses are a lot cleaner than the best man’s toast was.”
Mike laughed, then held up a hand for her to take. The old-fashioned gesture seemed ideally suited to this fairy-tale setting, and she felt like a princess when she landed on the ground beside him. Her heels sank into the soft soil, and rather than ruin the dyed satin shoes, she stepped out of them onto the velvety grass.
Squishing her toes into it, she sighed. “That’s the best my feet have felt all day.”
“Interesting look,” he teased with a grin. “And here I am without my camera.”
Before she knew what she was doing, she’d stuck her tongue out at him. It was so unlike her, she felt her face reddening with embarrassment. “Mike, I’m sorry. That was rude of me.”
“No need to apologize. I thought it was funny.”
He gave her a long, pensive look before turning away to unhitch the horses. While she watched him, Lily tried desperately to regain her usual equilibrium. Raised to anticipate any social situation that might crop up, she wasn’t prone to being surprised out of her well-schooled habits. Somehow, this man, with his windblown good looks and down-to-earth nature, had thoroughly rattled her without even seeming to try.
She wasn’t sure how he’d managed it, but fortunately she wouldn’t have to worry about running into him in the future. They were from completely different worlds, and their paths weren’t likely to ever cross again. That knowledge should have made her feel better about her bizarre response to him.
In all honesty, it only made her wonder what she’d be missing.
When one of the horses splashed some water out of the creek and onto Mike’s polished black boots, he chuckled. “Guess they’re done. Ready to go back?”
“Not really.” Gazing toward the grand reception hall, she sighed, then looked back at him and forced a smile. “But I probably should. I’ve taken up enough of your time already.”
“Wasn’t going anywhere in particular,” he assured her in an easygoing drawl. “Like I said, the girls needed a lap around, anyway. I appreciated having some company.”
“Really? You’re not just saying that to be nice?”
“I never say anything just to be nice,” he informed her curtly. But there was a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, and she laughed as he gave a little bow and helped her back into her seat. She couldn’t tell if the gruff demeanor was his true personality, or if the brief glimpses of humor she’d gotten were more him. Instinct told her he was a blend of the two, which made him the most intriguing person she’d met in a long time.
Their trip back was much quicker than the one out. Before she knew it, she was standing outside the hall, listening while the DJ talked her sister’s guests through the steps of the latest line dance.
Turning to Mike, she managed to put aside her misgivings and smile. “Thanks for rescuing me for a little while.”
“No problem.” Tilting his head, he gave her a worried look. “You gonna be okay?”
“Sure. This thing can’t last forever, and I’ve been through worse days.”
That got her a suspicious look. “Yeah? When?”
There was the day she informed her family she wanted to drop her art classes and become a teacher. They simply didn’t understand why anyone would choose a career she didn’t technically need. But she’d stood her ground, and in the end her independence had won out. So far, anyway. That wasn’t the kind of thing she’d share with a stranger, of course, so she kept it to herself.
“None recently that I can recall,” she confessed, “but I’m sure there’s been at least one.”
“So you’re an optimist.”
There was a distinct growl to his tone, and she frowned. “You make that sound like a bad thing.”
“Works for some folks, I guess.” His dismissive shrug made it clear what he thought of them, though.
“But not for you?”
“Not hardly.”
She nearly asked him to explain, but his tightened jaw warned her that would be a very bad idea. Determined to make the best of a suddenly awkward situation, she said, “It was great meeting you, Mike. Thanks again for the ride.”
“You’re welcome. I hope everything works out for your sister.”
“Me, too.”
She stepped away as he climbed into the carriage and clucked to the bays before heading toward the gazebo. From this angle, she noticed the subtle gold lettering that arched along the back of the carriage: Gallimore Stables. The poetic name seemed very much at odds with his temperament, and she wondered who’d chosen it. Watching until they disappeared around a bend in the road, she mulled over their unusual meeting. Mike was by far the most puzzling man she’d ever met, by turns thoughtful and brusque. Still, no one could miss the fondness he felt for Penny and Ginger, and that made her suspect there was more going on with him than met the eye. A lot more.
It was just as well they were going their separate ways, she decided as she squared her shoulders and turned to go inside. She’d shouldered other people’s burdens before, and it had never ended well for her. Building a life for herself would take everything she could give it, and she had no intention of ever taking on someone else’s baggage again.
For the time being, she had more than enough to worry about—like making it through the rest of this difficult day with a smile on her face.
Chapter Two (#ulink_0f758514-6f36-582d-9106-196572ad29dc)
Monday morning, Lily got to work an hour earlier than was strictly necessary. She had the teacher’s lesson plans for the remainder of the year tucked in her briefcase, but she didn’t really need them. Eager to do a bang-up job in her first solo assignment, she’d memorized the material to be sure she understood everything.
Anything worth doing is worth doing to the hilt.
Her grandfather’s voice echoed in her mind, and she paused a moment to smile at the memory. The advice had come with a generous check and a proud smile, as he told her to use the money for her exciting new life. Aside from him, her family and friends couldn’t comprehend why teaching was so important to her, but she was determined to do something that would make a difference in the world. She couldn’t imagine anything better than giving children a solid foundation to build the rest of their lives on.
Still smiling, she stowed her gear inside the modest wooden desk and took a moment to survey the bright, cheery kindergarten room. Small chairs were neatly clustered around four round tables, and she counted twenty seats. Which meant she had twenty students coming in soon for—she checked her color-coded schedule—show-and-tell.
Apparently, their veteran teacher had devised a simple and enjoyable way to make Lily’s first day a little easier. Five kids were slated for the presentation, which would allow her to observe them without making anyone uncomfortable. Lily made a mental note to send the thoughtful woman a thank-you email later on.
The room was located in the front of the old brick building, and she watched as yellow buses started filing in to park diagonally in the lot. Students streamed out, laughing and yelling, while the teachers assigned to bus duty gathered them into groups to head inside. Fortunately, the principal had let Lily slide on that one. She wasn’t proud to admit it, but she had a hunch that if her first day had begun with her facing a screaming horde of unfamiliar children, she might have bolted and never come back.
As it was, she wasn’t sure where to stand while she waited for her class to arrive. Standing by her desk seemed stiff and formal, but the middle of the reading circle felt goofy to her. In the end, she settled for leaning against the open door wearing what she hoped came across as a welcoming smile. Her students started coming in, and she felt her confidence wavering as they brushed past her and went through what was clearly a well-ingrained morning routine.
Once they’d put everything away and settled in their seats, she checked the hallway to make sure there weren’t any stragglers. Satisfied, she closed the door and turned to face the room full of fresh, curious faces.
“Good morning, everyone.” Her voice sounded faint and strained, and she took a bracing breath before trying again. “I’m Miss St. George, and I’ll be filling in for Mrs. Howard while she’s out with her baby. I’ll do my best to learn your names quickly, but there are a lot of you, so I hope you’ll be patient with me.”
A cute blonde girl with bright blue eyes and freckles quickly raised her hand. “Miss St. George?”
“Yes?”
“I’m Abby, and my daddy’s here for show-and-tell.” She pointed toward the window in the door. “Can I let him in?”
“Sure. Go ahead.”
Abby sprang up to meet him, and Lily turned to say hello. Any thought of speaking left her mind when she saw that there, framed in the doorway, stood Mike Kinley. The formal gray suit had given way to jeans, a cowboy hat and a faded denim shirt with Gallimore Stables and a stylized horse head embroidered on the chest pocket. Being a woman, she had to admit this outfit suited him much better.
“Morning,” he greeted her in the mellow drawl she thought she’d never hear again. Eyes twinkling in fun, he added a slight grin. “Thanks for having me in today.”
Obviously, he didn’t want his daughter to know he’d already met her new teacher. More than happy to pretend they’d never seen each other before, Lily played along. “Thanks for coming to spend some time with us.” Turning, she noticed the kids gawking and couldn’t help smiling. “From your reaction, I assume you all know Mr. Kinley.”
Mike winced, and she couldn’t figure out why until Abby clued her in. “I didn’t tell you who he is yet. How do you know his name?”
“I’m on the visitors’ list for today,” he answered smoothly, giving Lily a nudging look. “That’s how she knew.”
Was he really? she wondered. She’d been so excited for her first day, she hadn’t thought to do more than briefly check in at the office. She hated to start out by lying to her students, but since she didn’t have any other brilliant ideas, she decided she had no option other than to allow his explanation to stand.
Thankfully, the overhead speakers crackled and a boy’s trembling voice prompted them all to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. The familiar phrases calmed Lily’s nerves a bit, and in her head she kept repeating, “I can do this. I can do this.”
She was keenly aware of Mike standing beside her, and while the children resettled in their seats, she couldn’t help sneaking a peek or two at their guest. When he looked down at her, he gave her a subtle wink and the crooked grin that had charmed her during their carriage ride. When he wasn’t growling about something, anyway.
She caught herself smiling back, then remembered where they were and quickly doused her response. But he’d noticed. The smirk he was wearing told her that much. He was probably one of those superobservant people who noticed everything that happened around him, she lamented with a sigh. Leave it to her to run across one of the last attentive males on the planet.
Anxious to move on, she clapped her hands to get the kids’ attention. “All right, everyone, let’s get in a circle on the story rug.” Once they were more or less quiet, she motioned to Mike. “You’re on.”
A flash that struck her as mild panic passed over his sunburned features, but he quickly recovered and sat down. Not in the adult-sized teacher’s chair she’d left open for him, she noticed with curiosity, but on the floor, cross-legged like the kids. Something about his desire to join them on their level made her smile. Maybe he wasn’t as standoffish as she’d assumed.
He introduced himself as a horse trainer, then opened his palms and spread them apart. “What would you guys like to know?”
Small hands shot into the air, and he answered questions ranging from how much does a horse eat to how often he cleaned their stalls. He took each one with a serious expression, and his respect for the children impressed her. Then one little boy stopped their guest cold.
“Do you still miss your dad?”
Mike’s patient smile froze in place, and he seemed to pull back into himself. Clearly, the class knew their guest much better than she did, and in an effort to save him, Lily jumped in. “Does anyone have something they want to ask about the farm?”
“No, that’s okay,” Mike said quietly. Giving the boy an understanding look, he asked, “Did your father pass away?”
“Last year.” Tears welled in his already large brown eyes, making them look even bigger. “I started baseball this year, and he’ll never get to see me play.”
Lily’s heart lurched in sympathy, but she kept quiet. Mike had connected with this child in a way she could never manage, so she thought it best to let him handle the sensitive moment.
“What’s your name, son?” he asked gently.
“Peter.”
“Well, Peter, I know it’s tough to lose your father, but you have to do your best to make him proud, even though he’s not here to see it.”
“How?”
“Do what you think he’d want you to, even if you’d rather be doing something else. Take good care of your mom ’cause she’s missing him, too. Do you have brothers and sisters?”
“Two little sisters.” Peter made a face. “They’re such a pain.”
Mike chuckled. “I hear you, but you’re the oldest, so you’ve gotta watch out for them. When things get hard, families have to stick together.”
“That’s what Mom says.”
“She’s right. Even when you think she’s not,” he added with a wink. The boy laughed and nodded, then sank back into his spot with a satisfied look.
Mike fielded several more questions, and when the kids seemed to be getting restless, Lily decided it was time to let him go.
Standing, she moved in behind him. “I’m sure we all want to thank Mr. Kinley for coming in today.” After a rousing chorus of appreciation, she held up her hands for quiet. “You have some seat work to do before our next visitor gets here. Please pick up where you left off on Friday.”
