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his hormones, thank God. At one time in his life he wouldn’t have been able to teach her how to ride without giving in to temptation. But he had to have faith in himself and believe those days were behind him.
    When she’d first asked, he’d shied away. But now that he’d heard her story, he was glad he’d eventually said he’d do it. He wanted to help remove this block to her creativity. He believed in her future as an artist, and if he could contribute to that, great.
    â€œI could work on this drawing forever, but I think I’ve kept you long enough.” She carefully started tearing the pages from her sketch pad.
    â€œThat’s okay. As I said, the carpet can wait.” And he didn’t want this moment to end. He’d have to watch himself. He might be able to keep from reaching for her, but if he started craving her company that would be almost as bad.
    â€œI’m sure you’ll feel better if you get a start on it tonight.” She stood and handed him the drawings. “These are for you.”
    â€œOh, I couldn’t take those.”
    â€œYou don’t want them?”
    â€œOf course I
want
them. But your stuff is worth a fair amount of money these days. You can’t go giving away a—”
    â€œYour time is also valuable, so consider this the beginning of our barter agreement. You’ll need some art for the walls of your house, anyway. You can get Georgie to mat and frame them for you. She’s really into that these days.”
    â€œShe’s good at it, too.”
    â€œThank God for that. You can’t imagine the damage I can do with a sharp blade.”
    Mac nodded. “Yes, I can.”
    â€œHey, you’re not supposed to
agree
with me.” She tucked her sketch pad in her messenger bag and slung it over her shoulder. “You’re supposed to say I just need a little more practice, or I’m probably not as bad as I think I am. Something along those lines.”
    â€œSorry.” He grinned at her. “I’ve been hearing stories ever since I moved here. According to those stories, you’re a brilliant artist but you’re also a klutz. I’m glad Georgie’s convinced you to let her mat and frame for you.”
    â€œShe didn’t exactly convince me as much as order me away from the matting knife on pain of death. That was after I nearly sliced open an artery.” She held out her arm to show him the cut. It had healed, but an angry red slash remained on her delicate skin.
    He winced and resisted the urge to lean down and kiss the spot. “Does Georgie know you were planning to ask me for riding lessons?”
    â€œNot yet, but I’m going to tell her unless you don’t want me to.”
    â€œEven if I didn’t want you to, we couldn’t keep it secret. We’ll be using Jasper and probably Cinder, so Ed and Vivian will know. Eventually the rest of the town will figure it out, too, but they don’t have to hear the whole complicated story.”
    â€œI’d appreciate that. Like I said, I’m no longer terrified of repercussions from my mother, but I see no reason to stir up old issues. Those horses were a source of friction between her and my stepdad.”
    â€œThen we’ll just say you need to learn so you can sketch the Ghost in his natural habitat.” He gazed at her. “It’s hard to believe you’ve never seen the meadow or Sing-Song Creek.”
    â€œOnly in pictures.”
    â€œWhy not hike out there? I know it’s a substantial distance, but—”
    â€œIt is, and I’ve never been much of a hiker. I keep stopping to draw something and before you know it, the day’s gone and I’m too far out to make it back before dark. I don’t know much about camping, either. On horseback is the way to go, especially if someone is with me who will keep me moving.”
    â€œI can do that, although I enjoy it when you start