"As I've said before and I'll say until the day I join my William, the past is no place to return. You work on today and look towards the future." Her green eyes stared Caitlin down, making it impossible for her to move. This lady meant business, only she didn't know what haunted the older woman.
"Aren't we supposed to learn from the past?" Caitlin did not like hounding the older woman, but she needed to know what haunted this lady.
"Hogwash. Pure hogwash." As if something hit her on the head, Mrs. C. returned to her cheery self. Her green eyes shimmered once again to which Caitlin smiled and shook her head.
"You're a hard case to crack, but one of these days, I intend to do it."
"Good luck, but you won't find anything." Rachel waved her blue handkerchief as Caitlin returned to her car and headed home. The car had a different plan and led her to the Second Chance ranch.
Garrett was working with a new horse in the corral, using a lead rope. His gentle manner with horses still left her amazed and envious. It was like he knew what the horse thought and he could convey his own wishes through a touch of a hand or a gentle voice. It would be easy to sit here for hours and watch and never grow bored.
"Hey you," he said and motioned for her to follow him. "What brings you by?"
"Not much to do until Harry's brother stops by with the plans so we can finalize them and make a supply list." She shrugged and then smiled. "Anyway, this place has always been my home away from home."
His gaze never left her sweet face. "Go inside and make yourself at home. I'm almost finished here and then I'll take a quick shower." Before she left him, she threw her arms around him and planted a long, sweet kiss on his full lips.
"Caitlin, I'm filthy."
"Grandma Emmaline never minded, so why should I?" She winked and then strutted herself into the house, while Garrett watched and whistled. She turned, blew him a kiss, and then ran inside.
Only one room ever captured her full attention and that was the study. She went to the right and stared in awe at the oval room with built-in bookcases filled with horse, history, and poetry books. Window seats offered a resting place where you could watch the sun set over Second Chance ranch. How many times had Caitlin sat here and done it? Christmas and New Year's Eve parties Barbara had thrown were boring. No one from Valley View had ever made the guest list. There was no dancing; only chamber-type music, fancy finger foods, and too much champagne carried on sterling silver trays by waiters in tuxedos. Barbara never did understand that parties around this area were casual, comfortable, and fun. "No wonder she never invited anyone from here."