“Nope.” At least not his. He had her stomach in knots and she didn’t like it. “Not real partial to people. Animals are much better company.”

Trace laughed at her statement, sending a pleasant sensation over her body, like the sprinkle of a light rain.

“I have to admit to having that thought a time or two, especially in the ranch house. But the barn can be peaceful, even soothing. I like listening to the sound of a horse munching on dinner while another chuffs and moves around in the shavings.” He looked off in the distance as if seeing every detail. “As dusk comes on, you can hear the crickets, and the desert mice scampering back into their nests.” His gaze locked with hers. “Nature is more straightforward than man.”

Feeling a sense of kinship with him at his description, it took her a moment to catch the undertone of bitterness in his final statement. Her mind eased as she sensed he might understand. “Yeah, I get that. A horse lets you know exactly how she feels. You also know how a coyote or mountain lion feels the second you find yourself in their company.”

He grinned. “You in the company of those animals often up here?”

She shrugged. “Faust comes by when he’s hungry and—” At his intent stare, she halted. “Anyway, you were leaving, right?”

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