Free The Millionaire Cowboy's Secret by Karen Whiddon

that, I need to have a word with the fire department. You two go on and get some rest.”
    Dragging a hand across his forehead and rearranging the soot, José clearly wavered. “Are you sure?”
    “I’m positive.” Including Skylar in his look, Matt waved them away. “Thanks, both of you, for your assistance. Now the two of you should go on. Get some breakfast.”
    “I can help with all that,” José said, looking from Matt to Skylar and back. Crossing his arms, he made it plain he had no intention of going anywhere until she left.
    Ah, so the truce was already over.
    “José.” Matt shook his head. “Enough, amigo. I’m going to need you alert tomorrow to handle everything while I’m passed out. So go. Please.”
    “What about her?” José indicated Skylar.
    Ignoring him, Skylar tilted her head and eyed Matt, plainly considering her options.
    “Do you mind if I go with you?” she asked softly.
    Behind her, José made a sound of discouragement.
    Completely sick of the bickering, Matt shook his head. “I do mind. You go on back to your trailer. Both of you. Tomorrow, José can help me get the rest of this straightened out.”
    She stiffened as if he’d slapped her. Fascinated, he watched as she visibly composed herself, finally managing a weary smile.
    “Of course,” she said, interjecting a note of sympathy into her voice. “You’re right. I’m tired, too, so I’ll leave you and Saint alone. See you tomorrow.”
    As she turned to leave, José stood his ground, continuing to glare at her as she walked away.
    Only when she was gone did both men let out their breath in identical sighs of relief.
    “I’m not going anywhere,” José said. “At least until I’ve done everything I can to help you this morning.”
    Giving up, Matt led Saint over to the old barn. Once they reached it, Matt sent José out for one of the veterinarians. While he waited, he led the horse into the stallion stall and checked Saint out thoroughly. No cuts or scratches. Just a few burns.
    As far as he could tell, the animal wasn’t too badly wounded, though the vet would have to check out the burns.
    Now that he could no longer see the fire, Saint began to grow calmer. As he petted his long neck, Matt’s thoughts returned to Skylar.
    He shook his head. Despite who and what she was, which gave her the potential to ruin his plans, he actually liked her. She’d helped a lot and proved she had a backbone. She also appeared to actually care about his horses. It was hard to dislike a woman like that, especially when she came in such a beautiful package.
    Doctor Bertram hurried over, accompanied by José. “I brought Dr. Metcalf, too. He’s finishing up with your mares.”
    Luckily, the vet confirmed Matt had been right about Saint. Dr. Bertram cleaned the wounds gently and applied an antibiotic salve, then bandages. “You’ll need to change these out twice a day,” he said.
    José lingered in the doorway, trying to hide a yawn with his hand.
    “Go home,” Matt told him. “Seriously.”
    “If you’re sure...”
    At Matt’s nod, José turned and left.
    Once Doctor Bertram finished with the instructions, the two men headed back outside. The fire department continued to use their pumper truck to spray the flames and actually appeared to be making some headway. Of course, nothing would save the barn. All that would be left would be ashes.
    “Any idea what caused this?” Dr. Bertram asked.
    “No,” Matt answered shortly. “I wish I did.”
    Trudging wearily up to the main corral, they joined the other vet, Dr. Metcalf. He just finished examining one of the mares.
    “They all appear to be okay,” the doctor said, pushing back his baseball cap and scratching his head. “A few minor burns here and there. Oh, and that small filly had some wheezing from breathing in smoke.”
    “But all in all, I think they’re going to be okay,” Dr. Bertam put in.
    Matt nodded. “How much do I owe you?”
    “You can settle up with us