Page 14 of Omega's Refuge

“What makes you think I’m not doing that?” I frowned.

He lifted one shoulder. “I don’t know. Just a feeling.”

I avoided his gaze. “Well, you’re wrong. I may not love living in the city, but I’m perfectlyhappy.” My tone was snippier than intended.

He narrowed his eyes. “Did I offend you by suggesting you move somewhere you’d love to live?”

“No. Of course not.” I avoided his gaze, embarrassed I’d reacted so touchily. He really hadn’t done anything other than suggest I live a happy life.

What a monster?

He murmured, “You seem defensive.”

I grimaced. “Sorry, but it’s not always so easy to just pick up your life and move. It’s a nice thought and all, but sometimes there are things that keep you where you are.”

“Sure.” He shrugged. “But sometimes we’re just afraid of change.”

He wasn’t wrong. I was afraid of change. Or more to the point, I was afraid of doing anything that might make Steve leave again. If I dared to suggest we move to a more rural location, Steve would freak out. It didn’t matter if I liked the idea of living outside the city; insisting on that withSteve could cause issues in our already shaky relationship.

Perhaps because I didn’t say anything, he picked up on my reticence to continue the conversation and changed the subject. “Do you have family back home? Where is home, by the way?”

“Steve and I are from Billings.” I stared out at the mountains in the distance. “As far as family goes, my parents are gone. I was an only child, so I don’t really have any family to speak of—just a couple of aunts and uncles sprinkled around the country that I never talk to.”

“I see,” he murmured. “So, Steve is what keeps you in the city.”

“Not just him. Work also keeps me there.”

He wrinkled his brow. “But if you’re freelance, couldn’t you work from anywhere?”

I patted Spitfire, running my fingers through her coarse mane. “Yes and no. It’s easier to find work in a city than in a rural area. There are just more opportunities. Billings is one of the top cities for graphic design in Montana.”

“I see.”

“I doubt I’ll ever leave the city.”

“I hope you’re wrong.” He met my gaze and his eyes were as blue as the sky. “We don’t know the future, Tanner.”

“No, that’s true.” I pulled my gaze from his, my pulse spiking more than I’d have liked. Icleared my throat nervously. “Anyway, I’m glad Spitfire ended up being more energetic than I thought she’d be.”

He nodded, going along with the change of subject. “Yeah. Horses are like people.” His husky voice was just loud enough to be heard over the cattle. “You can’t tell much from the first meeting.”

“Oh, I can read people the minute I meet them.” I grabbed at my hat when a gust of wind tried to blow it off my head.

“You think so?” He arched one brow.

“Sure. It’s easy for me.” I gave a cocky smile, happy we’d moved on to a safer subject. “It’s a gift.”

Rex’s lips twitched. “Okay, so, what have you been able to discern about me?”

His question allowed me the chance to stare at him without having to hide my curiosity for once. I took in his strong jaw with just a hint of stubble and his thick black lashes that seemed ridiculously long for a guy. “Well, first of all, you’re obviously one of the smarter cowboys because you used the word ‘discern.’”

He laughed. “Oh, I get it. You think cowboys are dumb?”

I lifted one shoulder. “I don’t know many cowboys who use the word ‘discern.’”

“Should I have phrased it differently? Maybe I should have asked, ‘What did you done did guess ‘bout me, y’all?’”

I tried not to laugh. “Of course, and it would have been a nice touch if you were picking your nose while you did it.”

---