Ryan shook his head. “The opposite. The fact she hasn’t charged at the door or kicked up her legs means she likes you quite a bit.”

When Amy had toured the rest of the barn, having asked a flurry of questions concerning the horses’ diet, grooming, and exercise routines, and after finding out why all the horseshoes on the wall were hanging the wrong side up (which Ryan explained was to catch all the good luck), they finally returned outside. Amy had enjoyed herself so much that she could have stayed the entire afternoon, but the taxi would probably be along soon, and she didn’t want to overstay her welcome.

“Thanks. That was so much fun.”

Ryan lifted his hat. “My pleasure.”

They strolled back across the forecourt.

“And thanks again for letting me use your phone.”

“Did you have any luck?”

“No one answered, but I left a message. Hopefully someone will be along soon.”

“You’re welcome to wait up here.”

Amy smiled. “That’s kind of you, but I really should let you get back to your day.”

“What’ll you do, though? Wait down by the gate?”

“No, I’ll start walking.”

“You can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re a long way from town. What if they haven’t picked up your message yet? Actually, what will happen if no one collects it till morning?” Ryan nodded ominously toward the hills. “It’s over five miles to Seabrook—if no one comes, you might end up walking the whole way back, and with the way the roads are out here that could be pretty dangerous.” He came to a stop and turned to face her. “Of course, you could stay here, and if you want you could come out riding with me instead?”

Amy, who suddenly had visions of being stranded on the edge of a deserted dirt road, thumb out, hitching for a ride, hadn’t registered a word of what Ryan had just said.

“Sorry, what was that?” she asked.

Ryan cleared his throat. “I said that you should stay and come out for a ride. I was heading out on the trails, so how about I saddle up another horse and you come along too? I can give you the guided tour, show you around the place, and as soon as we’re done, I’ll drive you back into town myself. How does that sound?”

“You’re serious?”

“Of course.”

“But you can’t.”

“Why not?”

“You hardly know me for a start, never mind that it sounds like a pretty big imposition on your time.”

“It’s not, and besides, you’d actually be doing me a favor.”

“How so?”

“If you came along then that would mean another horse could get some exercise too.”

“But what about the part where you have to drive me back to town?”