Free Fear of Falling by Catherine Lanigan

will be when he wins a few races. We got shut out of a few things lately because...” Reality reared its head again. Rafe felt that stone in his heart turn ice-cold. Heavy and foreign as it was, it had taken up residence and he didn’t know what he could do to dissolve it. His eyes traveled over Olivia’s lovely face; for a few moments she’d helped him forget. Brief as they were, he was grateful. He was amazed at the alteration he’d felt, like spring after an empty, frigid winter.
    â€œBecause of your dad?” Olivia finished for him. He nodded. “Angelo liked to race horses, as well?”
    â€œVery much. More than me, actually. He was obsessed with racing.”
    â€œObsessed,” she repeated. The light in her eyes seemed to dim, and her smile disappeared from her face. Her demeanor reminded him of an animal reacting to a looming predator. Fight or flight.
    What had he said? They were just talking about the horses. She folded her arms across her chest and gazed absently at the line of stalls, lost in her own world. Was it too soon for him to ask what she was thinking? Why would the mention of horse racing bother her?
    She’d dropped her hands to her sides and was no longer touching Rowan.
    â€œYou look...sad,” Rafe said carefully.
    â€œI guess I am.” She came back around and kissed Rowan’s nose. She looked at Rafe with the unhappiest eyes he’d ever seen. “I have to go.”
    â€œYou can come back,” he blurted. “To see Rowan, I mean. I think he likes you.”
    â€œAnd I like him.” She smiled, though it did little to decrease the melancholy in her eyes.
    Who was she thinking about? Rafe’s curiosity was dusted with a tinge of jealousy, which confused him. He barely knew Olivia—and that was the problem. He most definitely wanted to know a whole lot more about her.
    â€œIt’s been a long day. I’m beat.” She exhaled and rolled her shoulders.
    â€œSure,” he replied. It had been a long day for the Barzonni family, too, but she’d been the one doing most of the work. He turned to walk her to the door.
    â€œThanks for introducing me to your... Rowan.” She smiled again and this time there was no trace of sadness or tension. Just pure joy. He was mesmerized.
    â€œAnytime,” he managed to say. “You’re welcome back anytime.”
    As she continued to gaze up at him, he found himself swimming in her brown eyes. He had no idea what was the matter with him, but he couldn’t talk. He could only stare.
    â€œThanks again, Rafe,” she said and walked out the door.
    â€œBye, Olivia.”
    As she turned, her camera flashed in the moonlight.
    â€œOlivia,” he called.
    â€œYes?”
    He walked toward her. “Those photos you took. They’re just for you, right?”
    â€œYeah. Just for me.”
    â€œGood.” He smiled at her. “Enjoy them.” He gave her a little two-fingered salute.
    â€œI will. Thanks.”
    Impulsively, Rafe bent and kissed her cheek. Her skin was smooth and cool like fine marble, but soft as down. He closed his eyes. If he lingered, he could get addicted to this bliss.
    â€œBye,” she whispered and walked into the shadows.
    As she disappeared from his sight, Rafe felt lost again.
    What was he doing? He should go after her. Walk her to her car. Maybe he could hold the door for her. Hold her. Maybe kiss her again. Really kiss her.
    Rowan sauntered up and nudged him, pushing Rafe against the door. The handle slipped out of his hand and the door slammed shut.
    Rafe turned around, hand on his hip. “So that’s the way it is, huh? You like her, too?”
    Rowan’s head shot up and he whinnied.
    Rafe burst out laughing. He patted Rowan’s neck and led him back to his stall. “Come on, boy. I need to close up this stable.”

CHAPTER SEVEN
    O LIVIA PULLED HER van into her spot in the old