“I’VE NEVER SEEN anything like it.” Nelson paused to finish his beer.
Dave gave him a strange look.
“Really?”
“Really. I once saw one of those horse whisperers, and it was amazing. But Mariah isn’t a horse person. At least, she said she’d never been around them, and she acted like they might be dangerous. But Toby...”
Nelson was still in disbelief over the whole thing.
“Not just Toby,” Dave said into his mug.
Nelson raised his fist, then set it back down, frustrated. “Don’t go making something out of this. It was just...something I hadn’t ever seen before. It’s not like—”
He broke off, since he’d been about to say that it wasn’t like he was rushing to marry Mariah. Because, in actual fact, he had a countdown to when he was going to ask the woman to marry him.
A fake proposal, but still. Everyone was supposed to believe it was real. He’d thought it would be a hard sell, and he hadn’t been sure he could pull it off.
Maybe not. Maybe he had untapped acting skills. He decided to push.
“Tell me something, the truth.”
Dave put his glass down. “Like what?”
“You reacted like Judy and Kailey did. Like you thought there was something going on with Mariah and me. Do you? Think that?”
Dave picked up his glass and took another swallow. Nelson suspected he was buying time. Which meant his answer wasn’t no.
“I don’t know if I thought there was something happening, but you’re different with her.”
That was not the answer he expected.
“Different?”
“Yeah. She bugs you. I get it. But it’s like there’s something more. You can’t ignore her. So maybe it’s one of those love-to-hate things.” Dave shrugged. “That’s what Jaycee said.”
Nelson closed his eyes and took a long breath. This might make the proposal harder to sell, but he needed to be honest with his best friend.
“I didn’t tell you this, but Mariah worked for the wedding planner who organized my wedding.”
Dave’s eyes widened. “Really? Did Mariah work on your wedding?”
Nelson shook his head. “I heard her telling Grandmother that she’d learned everything she needed to know from her boss.”
“You mean the woman who did your wedding.”
Nelson nodded. “I said something to Grandmother about it, and she told me she trusted Mariah. And that Mariah had planned Zoey’s wedding just before coming here.”
Dave’s eyes nearly bugged out of his head. “Your Zoey?”
“My Zoey. So she might have some magical spell on Toby, but I have a hard time trusting her.”
Dave nodded. “I get that. Why didn’t you tell me before?”
“It’s not my favorite topic—how I ruined my own wedding and chased off my fiancée. And, maybe Grandmother was right. Maybe Mariah’s better now. I can’t imagine Zoey working with her otherwise. But...”
“Yeah. That’s a big but.” Dave stared down at the table.
Nelson shouldn’t have brought this up. It was unfair to Mariah. He knew he was anything but impartial. And it was going to make it harder to sell a big love affair with Mariah these next few weeks.
But he’d also been concerned about Dave. Dave hadn’t complained, lately, about his engagement party, but Nelson knew something wasn’t quite right. When the topic came up, times when they were hanging out with the girls, Dave’s expression tightened. Nelson couldn’t understand why Jaycee didn’t see it.
Dave and Jaycee had started to practice their dance. Jaycee had brought it up, not Dave. In fact, all Jaycee talked about these days was the party.
Nelson would have liked to talk to Jaycee, ask her if she was considering how Dave felt about all these decisions she was making, and the time and energy she was spending on it. But he’d promised not to interfere.
He’d compromised, telling Dave why he was skeptical about Mariah. He’d be there for his friend if Dave needed him. He was not going to charge in, telling people what they should do.
He’d been that guy and it cost him his fiancée, so he couldn’t be that guy again. For three years it had been easy. Now he was going to need dental work from grinding his teeth.
“Another game of darts?” It was time to distract his friend. Nelson had dropped his hint, and now he’d leave it up to Dave.
Dave blinked, obviously miles away.
“Sure.”
NELSON MIGHT HAVE doubts about Mariah as a wedding planner or romance coordinator, but he wanted her help with Toby. If she could bring Toby close enough for him to touch again it would advance his rehab. Unlike the other horses, Toby had a chance at a second life with people. The right kind of people this time.
It was worth asking her.
He wasn’t sure if she’d be interested in a return trip to the barn. It might not fit into her dating timeline since it wasn’t someplace people would see them. When she agreed, he wasn’t going to second-guess the opportunity, though, so he picked her up on his next afternoon off.
He’d brought a space heater, to keep the barn warmer. He hoped to spend some time with Toby, if Mariah’s magic worked again, and it wouldn’t help anything if Mariah turned into an icicle in the meantime.
Her one condition had been that he go with her to a couple of locations she needed to scout before they went to the farm.
Nelson almost bit his lip hard enough to draw blood, holding back the mocking question about whether she needed his help to navigate. She’d never admit it, he knew, and she’d probably claim this was to sell the dating story, but he liked his version better—that Mariah, the mighty navigator, needed his help to find her way around New York state.
He pulled up in front of his grandmother’s house, in what was becoming a familiar move. Mariah was ready. He had to give her points for promptness—she never kept him waiting. She was wearing a red coat that made her look pretty. She was carrying a briefcase and a duffel bag.
He got out of his car to open the trunk for her.
“Thanks.” She dropped the duffel bag into the trunk. “I brought a change of clothes for the barn.”
“You couldn’t have just worn something more casual?”
She frowned at him. “I need to look professional.”
Nelson was wearing jeans and boots with a jacket. He was dressed for warmth. No one had mentioned needing to look professional. “What exactly are we doing?”
“I’m doing research, looking for activities, points of interest and other locations for out-of-town visitors.”
Nelson sighed.
Mariah shot him a glance. “I’m not going to ask you to do anything, well, anything major. But you can give me a male reaction—just ‘I’d hate that’ or ‘I’d like to do this.’ I need more feedback. If you and I are going to convince people that we’re dating, I can’t very well ask some other guy from town to drive me around.”
He didn’t want to admit it, but she had a point.
“Plus, if I’m helping you with your horse, you should be able to help me in return.”
She shot him a challenging glance.
Nelson couldn’t think of anyone else who’d say something like that to him, and he had no idea why he liked it. “Where do you want to go?”
Mariah opened her briefcase and pulled out a sheaf of papers and her phone.
“I’ve got the first location here on my phone app. In case we lose connection, I printed out directions.”
Was she serious? She was angry when he offered a stranger direction, but she didn’t think he could find his way around the place he lived?
“No sextant?”
“I’m keeping that as a treat for the next time.”
An annoying voice on her phone instructed him to turn left as he pulled away from his grandmother’s house.
Once they’d left town, Nelson was able to ask where they were going. Mariah might have her app and her printouts, but he’d grown up here. He’d be able to navigate to anyplace around here better than an app.
Mariah fiddled with the scarf around her neck.
“A place called Evertons?”
Nelson took his gaze from the road to check if she was serious.
“Evertons?”
She nodded.
“I was told they have a corn maze in the fall and make maple syrup.”
“Yeah...did Grandmother tell you to go there?”
Mariah shook her head. “No, I found out about it from someone else. Abigail said she couldn’t help me but didn’t want to tell me why. She thought I should go in unbiased.”
Nelson sighed. “You should go in without me, then. The Evertons aren’t fond of my family.”
Mariah shook her head again. “No, I won’t present myself under false pretenses. I’m working with Abigail. I won’t hide that.”
“Then you’re not going to get very far.”
Mariah looked at him. “Let me guess. Long, long ago, a Carter and an Everton wanted the same land. They flipped for it, and after the Carter won, it was revealed that it was a two-headed coin. Ever since then—”
Nelson laughed and shook his head. Mariah tried again. “The Evertons started the mill and the Carters won the deed in a poker game?”
Nelson couldn’t help looking at her again. There was a teasing glint in those eyes. She might actually have a sense of humor under all her lists and plans. He wanted to find out. But the Everton story wasn’t a funny one.
“There was an accident at the mill about fifteen years ago. Mrs. Everton was hurt and died a few years later. The Evertons blame the Carters.”
Mariah was quiet for a moment.
“And what do the Carters say?”
Nelson took a long breath. “That Mrs. Everton was in a place she shouldn’t have been. If you want to be unbiased, I’ll leave it at that.”
“Thanks.” Mariah looked down at her notes. “I understand why Abigail didn’t want to influence me, but I feel better coming in with an idea of what’s going on.”
Nelson slowed, ignoring the voice on the phone app. “We’re almost there, so I hope you’re ready.”
Mariah gave him a worried look. “They’re not going to come out with a shotgun, are they?”
Nelson toyed with the idea of saying yes, just to see her reaction, but he wasn’t that mean. There didn’t need to be any more bad blood between the Evertons and the Carters.
“No. I don’t know of anyone around here who’s likely to greet visitors with a gun. But give them time—they don’t know you yet.”
The worry vanished from her eyes, replaced with a spark.
“If you haven’t driven them to it after all these years, I think I’ll be okay.”
Nelson hid his grin. He wouldn’t admit it to anyone, but he liked that she pushed back at him. After the fiasco with Zoey, Mariah was a relief. No one was going to push her into anything she didn’t like. He could relax and be himself.
He turned into the driveway, toward a house set back in the trees. As he pulled the car to a stop, a man his own age stepped out. He was dressed in work clothes and heavy boots, and a bushy beard covered the lower half of his face.
He had a dog on a tight lead beside him, something related to a German shepherd, and the animal was focused on them with a laser gaze.
Nelson had never seen this dog before, unsurprisingly, but he recognized it as a guard dog, undoubtedly dangerous in the right circumstances.
Jordan spoke, and the dog sat.
He wasn’t carrying any other kind of weapon, but the expression on his face was so far from welcoming as to make Mariah’s concern plausible.
Well, that and the dog.
Mariah was reaching for the door release, so Nelson quickly got out of the car. He didn’t want her to face the wrath of the Evertons on her own. Especially not with a guard dog at the ready.
“Nelson.” The bearded man’s voice was cold.
Nelson nodded. “Jordan. How’re things?”
Jordan ignored him to examine Mariah. Nelson had to fight an urge to stand between the two. “Mariah, this is Jordan Everton.”
Mariah stepped forward, hand outstretched. “I’m Mariah Van Delton, Mr. Everton.”
Jordan stood in place, ignoring her hand. The dog curled a lip.
“I’ve heard of you.”
His tone didn’t indicate that he was very happy with what he’d heard.
Mariah was unfazed. She dropped her hand with no indication of embarrassment.
“I don’t know what you’ve heard, so let me give you an introduction. I’m here to set up a new business in Carter’s Crossing. The business is intended to benefit everyone. I plan to make this place a destination for everything related to romance—weddings, anniversaries, proposals, weekend getaways. The town looks like a Norman Rockwell painting, has four seasons for variety and is located within a few hours of several large cities, so I have every confidence I can make this happen.
“I’m paid by my grandfather, who handles events in New York City, among other things. My room and board are provided by Abigail Carter, as I’m sure you’re aware. However, this is my project. And the project is for the benefit of everyone in the area.
“I intend to take advantage of everything the town has available—bed-and-breakfasts, restaurants, activities, special locations. Currently, Carter’s Crossing is almost invisible online, and there’s very little promotion for what Carter’s Crossing has to offer. That is going to change. I hope to get people to come here, provide business for those who live here and attract more investment and expansion in the town.
“I understand that you have a corn maze on your property in the fall and make maple syrup in the spring. I think both of those activities would work as an attraction for visitors, and I would like to work with you so that I promote your enterprise. I don’t mean to tell you how to run your business, but I can advise you as to what is likely to be lucrative with the people we’re bringing in.”
Mariah brought her pitch to a close and waited. Jordan stood, watching her.
“If I don’t cooperate, what then?”
Nelson had been impressed by Mariah’s spiel, though he’d never tell her that. She had some good arguments, but he also knew how stubborn the Evertons were. Jordan’s father was convinced that the mill was at fault for what had happened with his wife, and he’d passed that belief on to his son.
“Nothing will happen if you don’t want to be part of what we’re doing. You won’t be featured on our website. I won’t share with you my ideas to make your events mesh with our romance theme. I won’t tell you how I think you could keep people coming in during summer and winter.
“We won’t shun you. We won’t discourage people from coming here or spread rumors about your place. But I need partners in this enterprise, and I’ll focus my attention on them.
“If we bring in more people, I’m sure that will still benefit you, but not as much as you could if you cooperate with us. I do understand that there are things of more value than money, so I’m not going to pressure you. I would like you to work with us, but that’s your call.
“One last thing I’d like to mention. I’ve been working closely with Abigail Carter, as the original idea was hers. She’s determined to make this work and has plans to change the name of the town to Cupid’s Crossing, to help with marketing. That means your business would not be connected with the name Carter.”
Nelson shook his head slightly; not sure he was hearing correctly. Grandmother was going to take the Carter name away from the town?
Was Mariah serious? Or was she manipulating Jordan?
Jordan had his arms crossed, a frown on his face. “Your sidekick here doesn’t seem to be aware of that.”
Nelson clenched his jaw. He didn’t like being called a sidekick, and he didn’t like being caught unprepared. Not about something big like this, something that would affect not only him but also everyone else in town.
“I don’t think Abigail has told anyone but me. She wants to be sure this idea succeeds before she changes the name.”
Jordan shot a smirk at Nelson, enjoying his irritation.
“Well, Ms. Van Delton, I’ll consider what you’ve said. Perhaps you and I could talk about this further, if I decide I’m interested.”
Nelson didn’t like being cut out. He almost argued the point, but then paused, unsure why he felt this way.
He’d asked to be left out of the romance idea. He had no reason to think Mariah’s spending time with Jordan was a bad idea, even if Jordan did look like he was interested in more than talking business with Mariah.
He wasn’t her boyfriend...or was he?
They were supposed to be pretend dating.
He moved a few steps closer to Mariah. He didn’t think he could get away with wrapping an arm around her, but he reached out and tugged on her scarf.
“We should get going. You still had a couple of stops you wanted to make before we see the horses.”
Jordan gave them a mocking salute. “Call me in a week or so, Mariah, and I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks for listening to me, Mr. Everton.”
“Jordan, please.”
Mariah nodded. “I hope we can find a way to work together.”
“Me, too.”
Nelson wanted to tug Mariah and stuff her into his car. Jordan had no intentions of working with anyone connected to a Carter. He was just messing with Nelson. And unfortunately, Nelson was upset by that, because he’d agreed to a fake engagement because...it took him a few beats. Because he’d had a part in Harvey and Judy’s elopement and didn’t want his grandmother to lose everything in this plan she had to revitalize Carter’s Crossing, or Cupid’s Crossing, or whatever name they came up with.
And Mariah was supposed to help with his horses.
Mariah finally sat in the car, after he’d held the door open for her, and they left the Everton farm behind them, Jordan watching them drive away, the dog now on its feet.
He’d have to tell Dave about this. Jordan and Dave and Nelson had all been in the same grade going through school and been friends—until the accident. Jordan’s dad had pulled him out of school. It had been the end of their friendship.
That one, at least, wasn’t Nelson’s fault.
MARIAH WAS NERVOUS about going back to Nelson’s farm.
It was flattering, and a definite ego boost to be the horse whisperer her last time here, but she didn’t have any abilities in that regard. It must have been a fluke. She was going to feel awkward and out of place if the horse ignored her this time.
Too late to worry about that. They were at the farm, and it was time to discover if she had equine superpowers or not.
She opened her door without waiting for Nelson. She grabbed her bag from the trunk and changed her coat and boots, shivering in the cold.
“You could change in the barn—it would be warmer.”
Mariah finished buttoning up her coat. “It’s okay. I’m done now.” She wasn’t sure why, but she hadn’t wanted to change in the barn, in front of the horses.
Nelson stood staring at her.
“Is something wrong?” Was she dressed wrong? She’d brought the same clothes as last time. Maybe the horse had just liked her coat.
“Are you okay? You don’t really have to do this.”
Mariah let out a breath. Was she that transparent? “I’m afraid I might not be able to do it again.”
She closed her eyes. Why was she admitting this? She didn’t want to appear weak in front of Nelson. So often it felt like they were opponents. And this was being...vulnerable.
His response surprised her.
“You don’t have to do anything. Maybe Toby was just curious about you because you were new. If so, no harm. I still got closer to him than I’ve been able to when he’s loose.
“If he does want to come to you, that’s a bonus.”
Maybe they weren’t opponents. Maybe they were just people with different goals. Except for the next few weeks. Unless she found another couple ready for a proposal, they had a shared goal of appearing to fall in love.
Guess she should start with Toby.
“Okay, then, let’s see if I’m irresistible to horses.”
Mariah headed to the barn, but Nelson put a hand on her arm.
“If you’re warm enough, let’s just stand at the fence. The horses are outside, so we’ll see if you’re irresistible out here, as well.”
Nelson rubbed his hands up and down her sleeves. It was a nice gesture. And she couldn’t think of an ulterior motive for it. There was no one here to see them. He was being...nice.
The friction did help. She finally batted him away.
“Okay, I’m good now. I’ll go try my magic at your fence.”
She followed him to the fence, where they could see the five horses under some trees on the far side. A couple had their heads down, looking at something on the ground. Two had their heads on each other’s backs, and one was staring at them.
Within a couple of minutes the herd had started their way.
“Is that me?”
Nelson rested his forearms on the top rail. “Would you be devastated to know that the four of them always come to see anybody who stops by?”
“No. I don’t need to be the pied piper of the equine world. It’s just if Toby comes, right?”
Nelson’s eyes were glued to his horses.
“Right.”
“Should I hold out my hand or wave or something?”
The corners of his mouth quirked, but he kept his eyes on the animals walking toward them.
“No, just the power of your presence should do it. Sudden noises or movements are more likely to startle them.”
All five horses were heading this way. Was it working? She felt a tug of affection for Toby.
“So what will you do with Toby if he gets over his fear? Will he stay here with the others?”
“It depends on how well he does. If he could be useful, and enjoy himself, I’d try to find him a home. I have limited room here, and I can only keep so many horses. I need to be sure I have space for those who have no other options.”
This was a side to Nelson she hadn’t known before. She hadn’t realized the horses were a key to the Nelson lock.
“There’s no chance I could talk you into expanding to have regular horses, as well, to ride or do wagon rides or sleigh rides on your farm, is there?”
Nelson shook his head slowly. The horses were almost within reach. Toby was with the herd but hanging back.
“I’m not running a business out here. Having horses for those activities would require a lot of time and money. I have a job, one I’m quite happy with.”
Mariah turned sideways to watch him. The first couple of horses had stretched their heads out to touch him.
“Did you always want to be a vet?”
The first nose had reached Nelson, and he ran his gloved hand up the side of the horse’s face, rubbing behind the ears. The horse shoved his head against Nelson’s body, obviously enjoying the attention. The next horse reached in, wanting the same.
Mariah wondered how he could handle all four if they crowded around him. She wouldn’t be comfortable with that.
“As long as I can remember. I like animals.”
Then she felt warm air against her cheek. She stayed still.
“Did I do it again?” She kept her voice low and calm, imitating Nelson to the best of her ability.
Nelson had a warm grin on his face, one she couldn’t help responding to.
“You sure did.”
Then she felt a push, gentle, but still a push, that felt very much like what she imagined Nelson had felt when the first horse rubbed up against him.
“What should I do?” she asked, uncomfortably out of her element.
Nelson had better have been telling the truth about the horses not biting.
“Hold out your glove and see what he does.”
Mariah could do this. She braced herself and slowly held out her hand. A chestnut muzzle moved over it, snuffling a cloud of warm breath over her cold glove.
Mariah watched for a moment, mesmerized. Was this really her, charming a horse? Who knew? She looked back to Nelson.
“Don’t rub his nose—that can be sensitive. But if you’re okay with it, run your hand up his cheek.”
Nelson demonstrated on the closest head to him. That horse enjoyed the attention.
Mariah turned her glance to Toby again. Slowly, she moved her hand up to his cheek, expecting him to bolt any moment. Bolt or bite. Instead, after a slight hesitation, he leaned into her caress.
Mariah stroked back and forth for a couple of minutes, then turned to Nelson. “It’s working. I’m doing it!”
She felt a sense of accomplishment out of all proportion to the activity.
But Nelson grinned back, just as happy. At that moment she felt something.
Her smile faltered, but Nelson was pushing aside the heads next to him.
“Are you okay for a couple of minutes? I’m going to go grab some treats. We want to reward Toby for this.”
“Sure.” Mariah heard Nelson leave, while she focused back on Toby. She kept rubbing his cheek.
“Toby, it’s nice to know that someone here likes me, but what the heck was that with Nelson? It was just weird. Don’t tell anyone, okay, horse? Because Nelson might be happy that you like me, but he doesn’t like me or my job, at all.
“Do you know why that is?” she continued, stroking the horse, hand moving to his neck, which he allowed, as well.
“Nah, you’re new here, too, aren’t you? Well, if he does tell you, would you mind sharing it with me? Because it would be a whole lot easier to fake date this guy if he didn’t despise me.”
He hadn’t looked like he despised her a few minutes ago. But this thing with Toby? It was all Toby. She hadn’t done anything to merit this. She was just the person Toby decided to trust.
It was too bad Nelson couldn’t trust her, as well.