Free Finding Trust (Centre Games) by Natalie Gayle Page B

check in as scheduled.” He was just about to disconnect when it occurred to him. “Have you guys got any word on her father?”
    “Last update indicated that he had been located and our operatives were moving in for an extraction. I’ll advise the outcome when I know.”
    “Thanks, Brat—catch ya.”
    “Don’t enjoy yourself too much, Stud…” The call disconnected to the teasing laughter of his colleague.
    He let out the breath he realised he had been holding; maybe her dad would be okay. She sure didn’t need another body blow.
    He was just starting to move toward her when his senses picked up the unmistakable scent signature of a horse in distress. He looked up and around; the best he could tell, it was coming from down the paddock towards what looked to be a creek that seemed to tuck in under a bit of a hill.
    “Rihanna, come on!” he yelled and motioned for her to move towards him. Thankfully, she moved immediately on her feet and ran towards him.
    “What is it?” Her beautiful tear-streaked face was tight with alarm.
    “There’s a horse down that way in trouble.” He motioned with his arm the best he could. He grabbed her hand and started to run. “Come on.” They ran hand in hand down towards the creek, a thin sheen of sweat starting to build on both of them courtesy of the hot January sun.
    As they rounded the crest of the hill and started down towards the creek, the source of the distress scent he was picking up became immediately obvious. There snagged on the edge of the creek bank was a mare with her leg caught through the post and rail fence that ran right to the creek.
    Rihanna immediately walked quickly but calmly to the mare’s head and began stroking her cheek and neck.
    “It’s okay, girl; we’re going to get you out of here,” she crooned to the mare.
    Brayden quickly surveyed the scene and realised that the horse just needed a little help to get her leg out from between the rails of the fence.
    “Looks like she rolled in the cool mud and got a bit too close to the fence.”
    “Yeah, seems that way,” she agreed. “Do you think you can get her leg out or do you want me to have a go?” she asked.
    “I got it,” he said confidently. He gently took hold of the cannon bone in her front leg and placed his other hand under the mare’s shoulder. With a bit of genetic assistance, he easily took the weight of the horse’s shoulder, which allowed him to ease it from between the rails of the fence.
    The mare immediately rolled and then lurched to her feet when the pressure was released.
    Brayden casually approached and began running his hands down her legs, checking for any cuts or abrasions. The mare stretched her neck around and began to rub her head over his strong back as he checked her front legs.
    “She sure likes you,” Rihanna commented. What she was really thinking was, Lucky horse being able to innocently rub herself all over his delectable form. Half her luck!
    In response, Brayden just chuckled. “I guess I have a new friend.” What he didn’t let on was that the mare was silently thanking him and also recognising him as her alpha. He lazily began to stroke her neck.
    “You really do have a way with horses.” Rihanna seemed surprised. “You weren’t the least bit concerned about getting in there. You weren’t kidding when you said you had grown up around horses.”
    If only you knew, he thought. The words immediately hit him hard in the stomach. Sometimes keeping secrets just about ate him alive but on the other hand, she would probably run screaming from the hills if she learned the real truth about him.
    He cleared his throat to cover his uncomfortable fears and decided to go with another tack. He moved in beside her and casually drew Rihanna into a loose hug. The clean cinnamon smell of her hair immediately filled his nostrils and he pressed a light kiss to her forehead. He turned, leaving his right arm casually draped over her shoulders.
    “Come on, let’s