Last Chance Cowboy

“Not until you tell me—”

“It’s none of your business.”

His intense blue eyes drilled into her. Held her in place. “If this involves Dan, it most certainly is my business.”

“Why?” she snapped. “Because he’s the local horse trainer?”

“Because he’s my partner in the stud and breeding business. The one I’m starting with the mustang. And he’s also my financial backing.”

Shaken to her core, she retreated a step. “No, no, no. We’re not working together.” She shook her head vehemently. “The deal’s off.”

“The hell it is.” His voice rose. “You agreed.”

Her reply was cut short by Cassie leading the old horse into the stables, Isa still sitting astride him. Both the girls’ faces registered alarm.

“Dad? What’s going on?”

Chapter Four

Sage was still shaking. She only half heard the exchange between Gavin and his daughter, too caught up in her own whirling emotions.

“Everything’s fine,” he answered Cassie’s question with admirable calm.

“It didn’t look fine.” She faced him, her puppy tucked beneath one arm, the old horse’s reins wrapped in the fingers of her free hand. “It looked like you were arguing.”

“We were just talking.”

“Yeah.” Cassie’s narrowed gaze pinged between Sage and her father.

Fortunately, Isa was oblivious to everyone and everything around her save the horse.

“Chico, you’re such a good boy.” She leaned forward over the saddle horn and gave the horse’s neck an affectionate squeeze. He lived up to his reputation by bearing the attention with gentlemanly grace. “Did you see me riding, Mama?”

“I did, mija.” Sage went over and placed a hand on Isa’s knee. “You were awesome.”

The minute Dan paid the back child support—and he would, she’d see to it—she was going to buy Isa that pony. She should have purchased one sooner, but the cost of keeping and feeding a second horse was more than she could comfortably afford on her income.

Damn Dan again for denying Isa the money that was rightfully hers. And damn him for putting both her and Sage through the ordeal of a paternity test—though she suspected it was just another postponement ploy.

Last evening, her cousin and Roberto had tried convincing her that a positive paternity test would only strengthen her case against Dan. They were right, of course. The knowledge, however, didn’t lessen her angst.

“Are you sure?” Cassie demanded, returning Sage to the present.

“Ms. Navarre and I were just discussing the best method to go after the mustang.”

“Loudly.”

Sage bit back a groan. Gavin talked to his daughter as if she was Isa’s age. Did he not see how astute Cassie was and that very little got past her?

The sound of distant voices reminded Sage of her and Isa’s precarious situation. She had to remove them from sight before Dan noticed them. She began looking for another way out of the stables.

“You okay, Mama?”

“Just a little tired.” She sent Isa a reassuring smile. In truth, Sage was perspiring profusely, probably from the giant invisible fist squeezing her insides.

She still couldn’t believe Dan had failed to recognize his own daughter. Granted, children changed a lot between two and six. But even so …

“If it’s none of my business,” Cassie grumbled, “say so.”

Gavin quirked an eyebrow. “If I do, will you get mad?”

“Honestly, Dad.” She expelled an irritated sigh.

Sage didn’t blame her. She’d tried reasoning with Gavin, too, and it had gotten her nowhere. How he managed not to chase away every customer on the place with his confounding obstinance was a mystery.

“Fine.” Cassie deposited Blue on the ground by her feet. He immediately stumbled over to Gavin and launched an assault on his boot, gnawing the rounded toe. Gavin bent and scratched the puppy behind the ears.

Interesting, thought Sage. He was tolerant of small, defenseless dogs, passionate about the plight of wild horses and hadn’t mentioned her meltdown to his daughter.

Which meant he wasn’t all bad.

Figures.

If only he weren’t in partnership with her ex.

That was one shortcoming Sage couldn’t overlook or dismiss regardless of how good-looking she found him.

Fresh thoughts of Dan squashed whatever fleeting and irrational attraction she felt toward Gavin. Her glance strayed yet again to the stable entrance, and her ears strained for the sound of his truck starting up and leaving.

No such luck.

Sage began to fidget, her mind searching for an excuse to leave—if not the ranch, then at least the immediate vicinity.

Gavin beat her to the punch. “Cassie, why don’t you take Isa inside for a little while?”