It felt as if her gut were on fire. Shay held her father’s gaze, felt the anger like barbs going through her. Fingers curving into her palms, she whispered in a hurt tone, “I’m trying the best I know how—”
Ray slammed his fist down on the bed with all his strength. “It’s not good enough!” he screamed.
Tears burned in her eyes. She blinked several times, forcing herself to try to relax. Shay remembered him when he was vital and would cock that fist at her. She always felt terror so deeply, as if she were going to die if he struck her.
Mouth dry, her throat aching with unshed tears, her voice wobbled as she said, “I’m sorry I’m such a huge disappointment to you, Father. I’m not doing this to upset you.”
His breathing was harsh and raspy as he glared silently over at her. “You make us look weak. Like we’re beggars, Shaylene. I’m going to go to my grave humiliated, knowing the people of this valley will think little more of us than scum.”
“I-I don’t think they will. You are still respected—”
“Get out.”
“But—”
“You shame me, girl.” He dismissed her with a weak wave of his hand.
Turning, blindly heading for the door, Shay pulled it open and walked out. Choking, she shut the door, pressing her hand against her eyes. Making a muffled sound, she quickly walked down the waxed floor toward the bathroom.
Pushing open the door, Shay found the restroom empty. And then, she let go of the sob that had become a huge lump in her throat. Leaning against one of the wash basins, she struggled to stop crying. She knew someone would hear her and she was embarrassed enough without that, too. Grabbing several paper towels, she wet them and pressed them against her hot face, her eyes red rimmed as she glanced in the mirror. God, she couldn’t go home just yet. Shay wanted none of the vets to see her like this. She had to get ahold of herself. She just had to.
*
“Hey, Reese?” Noah called, ambling into the barn where Reese was unsaddling Smoke in the cross ties.
Reese looked over the back of the gelding. “Yeah? What’s up?” He had already hauled the saddle and blanket off Smoke and was currying him with a soft brush. Reese saw darkness in Noah’s face. He wasn’t a man to give much away, still suffering from PTSD. Now, Reese saw concern in the vet’s eyes as he walked toward him, hands stuffed in the pockets of his jeans.
“I just saw Shay drive in.” He hitched a thumb across his broad shoulder. “I was out at the picket fence painting it when she came home.” Halting on the other side of the horse, he said, “Something’s wrong.”
Reese’s hand stilled on the rump of the horse. “What kind of wrong?”
Shrugging, Noah said, “Red eyes. She’s been crying. Bet it’s that old man of hers. Every time she goes there, she comes back tore up. This is getting old.”
Gut clenching, Reese’s mouth thinned. “What do you want me to do about it?” He studied the vet. The last couple of weeks, the three men were turning to him more and more for advice or counsel. Reese wondered if it was a natural response to the fact that he’d been an officer. He didn’t know, and he wasn’t comfortable with the change, but had said nothing. He was still trying to get his own life in order, and was not ready to be a manager of others. He saw Noah look steadily at him.
“She likes you. You know that, right?”
Reese froze inwardly. He swallowed hard, staring at the vet. “No . . . I didn’t know.” And he didn’t. What the hell did Noah see that he couldn’t? The news elated him in one way, but scared the hell out of him in another. Never had Reese thought Shay could like him as he liked her. Never.
Noah rubbed his square jaw. “I just know it,” he said stubbornly. “I feel it. Things change when you come into the kitchen. There’s a softening in her eyes and voice when you’re with us. I see her look at you sometimes when you don’t realize she’s staring at you . . .”
“Is this your horse intuition talking?” Reese said, trying to tease, hoping against hope that Noah was right. The vet had damn good intuition and used it training his animals. Why hadn’t he seen her signals if Noah saw them so clearly? It told Reese how numb he was to those around him. When in the military, he’d had a sixth sense about his Marines. He could always tell when one was hurting or in trouble. Just the same way Noah was picking up on Shay and how she felt toward Reece. He saw Noah’s mouth curve sourly.
“Could say that, Reese. Didn’t you pick up on it? I’m surprised. When a woman looks at you like she does, her heart is involved in the mix. I honestly thought you’d caught on.”
Reese felt heat in his cheeks. He avoided Noah’s glance and began to brush the horse down. “I didn’t pick up on anything.” And he wasn’t about to tell Noah about their middle-of-the night talks.
“God,” Noah said, his mouth lifting, “you live under the same roof with this lady. I’d think you’d have figured it out.”
Frowning, Reese growled, “I’m not aware of her liking me any more than any of you.”