The other three men tried to suppress their laughter, but it rang out, despite their effort.

Luke held her gaze, his direct and intense, to let her know he meant those hushed words.

She could almost feel a caress heating her skin, though they stood yards apart.

He may be looking out for Margaret’s interests, but he also had an eye on her. She appreciated that he saw more than faults.

But could she trust that the attraction was real and not a means for him to get close to her so he could try to find things to use against her?

Luke sighed out his reluctance and uncertainty, but finally scooped up both boys. “Don’t make me regret trusting you.” He carried them out of the stables.

Seeing her boys safe in his strong arms endeared Luke to her even more than how much he cared about his horse.

And she appreciated his reluctant trust.

She’d do everything possible to help Ace and do it without incident because she didn’t want to disappoint Luke.

Chapter Eight

Sarah went straight to work on Ace, brushing him and singing to him once again. Calm, he stood still and watched her move around him. As she passed one of the guys, she took the lead rope from him and nodded for him to back away, leaving only one man holding him, giving Ace some room to breathe and the space he needed to feel safe.

She kept singing and brushing and rubbing her hand over him. When she finally had him completely calm, she addressed the vet for the first time in ten minutes.

“Do you have all the shots ready?”

“Yeah, I’ll just begin—”

She held her hand up to stop him. “Just stay where you are. I’ll give him the shots.”

“Excuse me.” His authoritative voice boomed though the massive stables. “I’m the doctor here, and I don’t appreciate you usurping me, especially in front of Luke.”

“Obviously this horse doesn’t like you or want you near him. Now, step back. I’ll give him the shots.”

“You’ll do no such thing. I won’t allow you to harm this horse by improperly giving him injections.”

“Step back, Doc,” a man still holding a rope on Ace and supervising ordered. “Let her be. You heard Luke. He wants her to take care of Ace today.” The man turned to her. “I’m Jerry.”

“Sarah.” She gave him a smile, appreciating him backing her up.

The doc threw his hands up in the air and let them fall. “Luke’s crazy letting this woman near Ace like this.”

Jerry looked him in the eye. “We’re all here watching, so if something goes wrong, you can be the first to tell Luke, ‘Told you so.’”

Sarah picked up all four shots and, as quickly as possible, expertly gave each one to Ace. The horse didn’t even flinch, and she rewarded him with another cherry candy. He accepted it and nuzzled his nose at her neck again. She moved on and checked each of Ace’s legs, stroking her hands over his strong muscles and tendons, searching for any tender spots. Nothing came of it, so she moved on to cleaning out each of his hooves, still singing Ace into a calm trance.