Sun Kissed by Catherine Anderson

unearth. And you weren’t more likely to find it simply because you traveled to a different place. If you were fortunate, love just happened, most times when you least expected it, according to his mother.
    His thoughts circled back to the afternoon and that first moment when he’d seen Samantha Harrigan. He’d felt something when he was with her today—an expectant feeling he’d never experienced before. Had she felt it, too? Or was it just wishful thinking? She was a pretty lady, and he’d found a lot in her to admire during theirshort acquaintance. But chances were he’d never see her again.
     
    The stable phone started to ring just as Samantha offered Blue the last of his apples and oatmeal. She allowed the stallion to nibble her palm clean before leaving the stall to answer the call.
    “Hi, Dad,” she said without waiting to find out who it was. “No, I haven’t set the alarm yet. Yes, I’m out in the stable after dark. I’ll be going in and battening down the hatches in about ten minutes.”
    Her father said nothing for a long moment. Then he cleared his throat and replied, “I’ll give you a call back in ten minutes, then.”
    Samantha gritted her teeth. As much as she appreciated her father’s concern for her safety, his habit of constantly checking in with her was a pain in the neck. If she decided to have a long soak in the bathtub after calling it a day, she had to make sure she took the portable phone into the bathroom with her. If she needed something from the store and made an evening grocery run, God forbid that she forgot to let him know.
    “I’ll be all right, Dad. Jerome is right upstairs in the stable apartment if I need him, and Steve hasn’t shown his face around here in over a year.”
    Frank said, “I know that, Sammy, and chances are good that he never will again. But there’s still no harm in playing it safe.”
    Samantha mouthed the words, An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, while her father recited thefamiliar refrain in her ear. When he finished speaking, she said, “I love you, Dad.”
    “I love you, too. Make sure you lock up tight when you go in the house.”
    “I will,” she promised.
    “And if you hear any odd noises, don’t hesitate to call me.”
    “I won’t.”
    “There’s my good girl.”
    As she broke the connection, Samantha said, “That’s me, Daddy’s good girl.” Replacing the phone in its cradle, she returned to Blue’s stall. Looping her arms around the stallion’s neck, she pressed her face against his salt-and-pepper coat and soothed herself by breathing in his smell.
    “Am I horrible, Blue?” She sighed wearily, wishing the horse could respond. He was her best friend, after all, and that was what friends were for, to give advice. “I just want a little privacy once in a while. Is that so wrong?”
    Blue nudged her with his nose, bumping her off balance. She laughed and patted his shoulder. “I know, I know. I’m an ungrateful brat. The ranch, the house, and the very dirt I’m standing on were gifts from him. He even lent me the money to pay Steve off so I wouldn’t lose this place, and he never says a word about me paying him back. I should be more appreciative.”
    The stallion snorted and dipped his head as if he were nodding. Maybe, Samantha decided, he could impart some advice after all. As she left the stall and closed the gate, she glanced at the telephone, tempted to call her father back. But, no. He’d be calling again in precisely—she glanced at her watch—six minutes. She’d just make it a point to be nice when she answered.
    As she crossed the indoor arena, she called good-night to Oregano and Nutmeg, promising to bring them treats in the morning. At the personnel door she stopped to look back at the forty spacious stalls that lined the riding area before she turned out the light. A gift, her early inheritance, a dream come true. If her last name weren’t Harrigan, she would have none of it. She needed to