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Nathaniel had wanted to ith Thoroughbreds since he was a kid He owned a couple of retired racehorses, good for riding "One good stud can set you up for a great side business," he said The initial investoing to invest See what I can do"

"Why not show horses?" she asked

"That’s good, too, but I like the races"

"I love horses," she said "You knew that But did you know this? I’ve coer, of course Eventually it beca was never infor the Oly, I would teach beginner dressage Maybe even interht about inviting him out to the farm to meet her parents and horses, but realized he already knew them He knew them before he knew her, in fact So she invited him to see her little Fortuna house and she reat make-out couch, however," she warned him

"Doesn’t oing, but now that you’re all warainst the wall, the car…"

"I was so right about you You’re just arrogant"

He was also sentimental Nathaniel was chare The decorating was not prissy like a little dollhouse, but do colors and leather furniture The best part was, she had it coarland over the hearth, lights up on the outside eaves She had drizzled glitter on her huge poinsettia, had a Christea bush, lots of what his aws Ribbons, candles, potpourris, a Santa collection and, of course, a tree A real tree, decorated to old "And you’re not even spending Christmas at home," he said

"But I live here," she reminded him

"It just doesn’t make sense for me to put up decorations," he said "Mother left a ton of the before Christmas And I didn’t think anyone would be around to see the holidays, too I’ll spend nights here since it gets so crowded at the farm In years past, I’ve been known to loan the house to one of the brothers and sisters-in-law and kids and just take the couch Brad brings an RV, which the teenage boys prettysummer visits, the kids stake out the barn and front porch"

"Sounds like fun I think I would have liked that, growing up," he said "When they all get here, will you let me meet theh"

"Sure, but you have to be prepared"

"For what?"

"They’re going to treat you like you’re ainst him "What makes you think I’d have a problem with that?"

"I don’t think we’re in that place," she informed him "I think we just eat, talk, take care of puppies and kiss"

"Annie," he said as if disappointed "What do you think a boyfriend is?"

"Um, I never really…"

"Tomorrow is Sunday, your day at the farm with your folks," he said "Get done hatever it is you do by early afternoon Come for a ride with me Leta change of clothes so you can freshen up before we have dinner"

"I can do that," she said "I’d like that"

Annie had seen herself as plain and sturdy, until she’d been under the lips and hands of Nathaniel Jensen, because he was so much more than she’d ever reckoned with Handso, sexy--the list was endless And he made her feel like so irl When he kissed her, dared to touch her a bit more intimately than she invited, pulled his hands back when she said not yet, she felt sexy and pretty and adored This was ahim in sloith such pleasure

So she told Rose she had a date to go riding with the vet and was, of course, excitedly excused froet all worked up," Annie told herspecial We’ve becoht," Rose said "Still, could you wear a little color to bring out your hair and eyes?"