Page 27

The farm was located in the Hudson Valley region, which boasted mighty mountains, twisted country roads, and offered stunning views of the Hudson River. Gardiner was a small town full of shops, cafés, and farm stands, offering a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and baked goods. Apple picking was huge, along with specially crafted beer and wine trails to rival Napa. As she took her first walk to the barn area after settling in at the inn, the Shawangunk mountains rose before her at the edge of the valley, halfway hidden by low-riding clouds. The muted colors of earthy brown, rust, and forest green contrasted with the moody blue-gray sky. Even the air rushed in her lungs differently, clean and crisp and chilled. The scents of earth, oak, and apples rolled into one, reminding her of the first whiff of a perfect chardonnay.

It was paradise.

“Told you,” Chloe squealed, taking in the look on her face. “It’s beautiful, right?”

“Now I understand why you’re drawn here,” she said, her boots kicking up dried leaves and gravel. “You’re a city girl reborn.”

“Just don’t quit your job and run one of those dude ranches,” Jonathan cut in, tugging on his daughter’s braid. “Or I’ll have to kill Ethan for putting the idea in your head.”

“It’d be a dudette ranch, Dad,” she teased back. “And Ethan is more hardcore than you about my job. He said it’s not just a calling. It’s a necessity to protect the animals who can’t fight for themselves.”

“I’d say Ethan finally got one thing right.”

Alyssa cocked her head, wondering if Jonathan was jealous of his daughter’s affection for the man who’d introduced her to the horse rescue farm, but there was only a look of gentle laughter on his face.

Chloe practically skipped down the trail like Tigger. Alyssa loved seeing her so animated. “I want to introduce you to a few of the rescue animals here. Harper was able to expand the farm and the property after Phoenix almost won the Triple Crown, so now they house more animals for rehabilitation and adoption. Oh, that’s Phoenix over in the field.”

She pointed to a sleek, smaller type thoroughbred, black as night, with a zigzag of white on his forehead. The famous horse had come from fifty-to-one odds to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile as a two-year-old, then had moved on to the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, capturing America’s hearts forever. A goat stuck right to his side as they munched on hay together, seeming to soak in the final rays of sun on this early winter afternoon. “Is that Captain Hoof?”

“Yep, they’re rarely apart.”

Alyssa had heard about the half-blind goat who’d been rescued by Harper and her husband, Aidan, then slowly bloomed to health on the farm. The goat’s journey had seemed fated to bond with Phoenix, who needed a calming companion on the road when he raced at the various tracks. She smiled as she looked out at the pair. They reminded her of an old married couple in their twilight years.

A whistle cut through the air. Alyssa turned to see a very tall, dark-haired woman making her way across the pasture. Phoenix and Captain Hoof looked up, then obediently began trotting after her as she led them toward the barn. “Chloe, can you lock up barns six and seven for me?” the woman asked. “Aidan’s on his way home, and I still have to stop in and feed the dogs and Figaro.”

“Of course. I was just giving my dad and Alyssa a brief tour before we head to the inn.”

Harper smiled and reached out her hand. She wore no makeup, and her green eyes gleamed with a calm light of happiness that immediately put Alyssa at ease. “Nice to meet you. Chloe’s been dying to have you up here for a while. Gonna do some horseback riding?”

“Going to try,” Alyssa said, smiling back.

“We’ll get you a gentle one. How are you, Mr. Mayor? Have you and Mia settled on a plan to take over the world?”

Jonathan laughed. “I’ll settle for the state. Mia can have the rest.”

Phoenix nipped at Harper’s hair, and she playfully swatted him away, grinning. “Well, Ethan already warned her work needs to be limited while you’re here. We all know your tendencies toward workaholism.”

He threw up his hands. “Guilty as charged. But these two women will keep me in line.”

Alyssa’s cheeks heated at the pleasure his comment gave her. Since they’d arrived, she’d watched him soften and relax into the environment in a way she rarely glimpsed. She loved seeing the other side of him, hanging with his daughter, just being a dad rather than the mayor.

“I feel a bit guilty going riding when Ophelia is in the kitchen all day,” Alyssa admitted. “I tried to help, but she and Kyle shooed me right out.”

Harper winked. “Take my advice and stay out. Those two are experts when it comes to cooking, and Ophelia enjoys putting on a big spread for Turkey Day. Our time will come with the cleanup. That’s bad enough.”

Chloe wrinkled her nose. “Yeah, I saw a million pots and pans and trays in there that will all need washing. Kyle and Ethan always disappear around that time with some excuse.”

“Your father is excellent at washing dishes,” Alyssa said primly. “I’m sure he’ll dive right in.”

Jonathan’s face fell. “I thought I was a guest.”

Harper patted him on the shoulder. “Nah, you’re family now. Aren’t you lucky?”

A strange sound like a giggle burst from Alyssa’s lips at the horror on his face. His gaze caught hers and softened, lingering a bit longer than it should. She swallowed back the ache in her throat and refocused on Chloe, who was speaking.

“Why don’t you and Dad head to that barn and get acquainted with Flower and Bambi? They’re already tacked up and ready. Carrots are on the shelf. I’ll be right back.”

Harper spoke up. “Have a good ride, guys. I’ll meet you at the inn within the hour, and we can get ready to feast.” They waved goodbye and watched as Phoenix and Captain Hoof followed her down the path and disappeared into the back barn.