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By All Appearances

By Dawn Kinzer

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One

If Liana Tate’s instincts proved right, fantasy could change her reality.

She dropped her purse and car keys on the oak desk cov-ered with stuffed binders, fabric swatches, and catering menus. The antique furniture looked out of place, consider-ing its contemporary surroundings in her home. But her grandfather had penned stories at that desk—Liana couldn’t part with it.

Six months. She blew out a stream of air and rubbed her temples. What was she thinking? Stubborn pride had taken the place of common sense. Earlier that evening, while meeting with the hospital gala committee, she’d jumped in over her head and now needed a lifeboat to save her. The commitment involved rescuing one of the most anticipated yearly events in Seattle from sinking. With her reputation as an event planner on the line, if the revised plan failed, she’d be tempted to hide out deep in the Cascades.

If successful, she’d have all the clients she could handle. Then maybe she could finally afford an office in the city and an assistant to go with it. She slumped against the desk. In her heart’s secret and deep-rooted insecurities, she knew everything—including one day having a fancy office—came down to proving she was worthy of belonging to her high-profile family.

Even more important than a personal career boost, funds raised during the event would provide care to thousands of patients, regardless of their ability to pay. Liana couldn’t fail those needing treatment at the adult and pediatric trauma center. She could only imagine the stress and heartbreak of sitting by a child’s hospital bedside, fearing your family might be turned away when all resources were drained.

This was one of those moments when she yearned to have someone who would hold her and tell her everything would be okay. Of course, he’d be attractive—successful—someone approved and loved by her family. After all, her grandfather had encouraged her to dream big. But, that vision was often like watching clouds in the sky drifting off until they became barely wisps of vapor.

The corners of her lips slid into a slight smile as Kevin Carter’s image filled her thoughts. Now, there was a man she’d like come home to! It wasn’t that she couldn’t handle being alone. It would just be nice to know someone cared.

She may not have a husband to dump her woes on, but her father tried to be available, and he often served as a great listener and sounding board. Massaging her aching neck muscles, she slipped into her bedroom, where it took only a few minutes to change from a skirt and heels into jeans and tennis shoes.

Anxious to bounce ideas off him, Liana closed her cottage door and sauntered down the path to the stable, built on the family property by her grandfather while he was still alive. Since her dad ritualistically visited his beloved horses before retiring for the evening, she’d look for him there before trying the main house.

Several nights had passed since she’d checked on the animals herself, and she missed them. They deserved more attention, and her father had assured her the new caretaker he’d hired would also tend to the horses’ needs. Liana didn’t know anything about the guy, except that he was due to arrive in a few days.

The ground, damp from an earlier rain, gave off an earthy aroma. Tree branches waltzed with the wind, and the cool, May breeze raised goose bumps on her arms. As Liana neared the stable, she inhaled mixed scents of hay, feed, and animals.

An unfamiliar black Labrador stepped into the dimly lit, open doorway, wagging his tail. He barked once, pranced across the ground separating them, and nuzzled his wet nose into the palm of her hand.

“Aren’t you a pretty boy?” Liana leaned over and scratched behind the dog’s ear. “Where did you come from?”

The Lab trotted next to her until they crossed the stable’s threshold. Then he continued ahead and plopped down on the floor near an open stall where a man, almost hidden, spoke softly in a deep, rich tone to the Arabian, Lexus. Liana, mesmerized by the melodic quality, didn’t want the soothing words to end.

Inquisitive, she crept closer. The stranger must be the new hire. An experienced thief wouldn’t risk bringing a friendly dog on the property. So, the man had arrived earlier than expected. He must have a good reason. She should announce herself and stop acting like a spy.

Mitzi, the three-legged cat, rubbed against Liana’s leg. She picked up and cuddled the gray ball of soft, warm fur against her chest.

“Poor thing. Haven’t been getting enough attention?”

The stranger in the stall stepped out from the shadows, and Liana’s breath caught in her throat. His right eye drooped at the corner, and a patch of naked scalp enveloped the remnants of his right ear. Scars from his forehead continued down in a webbed pattern across his cheek and along the side of his neck.

Adrenaline surged through her body, and without inten-tion, Liana squeezed the animal in her arms. Mitzi meowed and struggled for freedom, her one back leg kicking against Liana’s stomach until she loosened her grip. The cat jumped to the floor and scooted into the night.

The man shielded the ugliness with a gloved right hand and turned slightly away. “Sorry—didn’t mean to scare you.”

“You’re the new caretaker?” She struggled to sound calm, but she hadn’t been prepared to see—that. What happened to the poor guy? Dad should have prepared her. Liana’s heart thudded in her chest still.

He slowly lowered his hand and extended it, keeping his unaffected profile tilted toward her. “Bryan Langley.”

After hesitating, she lightly grasped the gloved hand, the leather feeling cool to her touch. “Liana.”

Bryan’s firm grip lasted only a moment, but her willing-ness to touch him may have given him enough confidence to believe she could handle seeing him, because he faced her.

Like a voyeur driving past a gruesome accident, Liana couldn’t help staring. Listening to this man’s calm, strong voice she’d envisioned quite a different picture. The way he spoke to them—it was understandable that the animals sensed he was safe.

“I live in the cottage up the path,” Liana said, almost choking on her words. She tried to repress it, but curiosity mixed with the heartfelt compassion stirring within.

“Your dad mentioned it.”

Liana moved her gaze from the scars to his eyes, afraid of what she might see. But despite the disfigured face, Bryan’s eyes were warm and kind, like an innocent child’s hello, and for a moment—just a moment, they drew her in. Too quickly, he tilted his head away.

Did she made him uncomfortable? Liana averted her eyes from his face. “The Lab must be yours. What’s his name?”

“Rainey.”

“Friendly dog.”

“He likes people.” Bryan backed into the stall and closed the lower half of the wooden door. The metal latch clanked into place.

Was he trying to shield himself or make her feel more at ease? She could sympathize with the first, but sensing it was the later, his sensitivity to her feelings touched a vulnerable spot in her heart.

He switched the brush back to his right hand and focused on grooming the horse. “Your dad didn’t tell you I was here?”

Now only viewing his undamaged profile, Liana almost imagined two separate people living in the same body. “I knew he’d hired someone, but work has been crazy for both of us. We haven’t had much chance to talk.” Still, couldn’t Dad have mentioned something this important?

The brushing halted. Still not looking at her, he sighed. “And you didn’t expect to come home to …”

“I didn’t—I don’t know what I expected.” Liana shifted her feet. With the gala foremost in her mind, she hadn’t given much thought to anything besides that event. Regardless, if she’d been preoccupied or not, there was no way she could have anticipated this surprise.

“If you’re looking for him, friends invited your dad over for dinner.” Bryan matched her quiet voice. Still, there was something almost mesmerizing about his tone. He soothed animals, and somehow, he soothed her too. She’d been ruf-fled by his appearance at first, but the way he almost guarded her now by turning his face, and the way he spoke calmly, helped her feel calm. Like occupying her favorite beach chair at the lake, she wanted to linger in this peaceful place.

Her father’s horse hung his head over the stall door. Lia-na stroked the area between the Arabian’s eyes, trying to think of something—anything—she could say to relieve the tension in the air.

Liana chewed the corner of her lower lip. Part of her wanted to stay, but standing around while Bryan worked in silence was probably making him feel edgy. She’d give him some space. “I should get back to the cottage. There’s a pile of work waiting for me.” She attempted to lighten her tone. “It’s hard to get away from the job when you literally live in the office.”
Not that she intended to do any more. At that late hour and feeling exhausted, she couldn’t do much more for her clients at the moment. She only wanted an excuse to leave.

Accustomed to handling awkward situations in her line of work—like when a neurotic bride heaved at the altar—Liana still didn’t feel equipped to handle this one. She patted Lexus and turned to leave.

“Liana?”

She veered back around and regarded the man with two faces.

“I hope my working here isn’t—or won’t be—too disrup-tive for you,” he said, sounding genuinely concerned.

“No, of course not,” she blurted, sounding insincere to her own ears, while in her heart, desiring to emit warmth and acceptance. Her family’s social and professional circles believed a person’s physical attractiveness was the winning lottery ticket to happiness. Ironically, too often she didn’t feel especially happy with her own appearance, so she couldn’t imagine how someone with scars like Bryan could either.

“Liana, you’re home.” Her father strode into the stable. The dog leapt from the floor and flanked his thigh. “I’m glad you and Bryan have met.”

***

Despite the poor lighting in the stable, Bryan didn’t miss the relief in Liana’s face and her shoulders relaxing. “I scared her and the cat, but your daughter was still willing to talk to me.”

Dr. Tate smiled. “I guess we both need to be more careful. I’ve startled her a few times out here myself.”

Bryan sent a silent prayer of thanks for the discerning doctor. More than a physician to him in past years, Dr. Tate had been a friend and spiritual mentor. Leave it to him to say the right thing to make the encounter with Liana sound normal.

“How did the meeting go?” The doc adjusted a rope hung on a hook next to the stable door and tucked in the loose end.

Bryan didn’t know which gathering the older gentleman referred to, but the question was meant for Liana. It gave Bryan the opportunity to observe the interaction between the distinguished, graying father and the daughter with long chestnut hair. The way he beamed while the two talked made it obvious the man adored his girl.

Mitzi wandered back into the stable, and as the cat passed by, Liana scooped the feline into her arms and nes-tled the animal under her chin. If she could be so tender with a three-legged hyper cat with a mangled ear, maybe there was hope Liana could learn to be at ease with him. He didn’t have many friends left, and it would be nice to have someone to talk to now and then.
While they were near enough to touch, Bryan had been pleasantly surprised by her unusual fragrance. Unlike heavy, sweet perfumes, the scent was similar to the aroma of fresh oranges—or lemons.

Liana’s father leaned over the stall door. “We’re heading up to the house. Why don’t you call it a day and get some rest?”

Even though he wasn’t feeling it, Bryan gave a shot at flashing a smile. “I’ll finish up here in a few minute.” With-out looking at Liana, who had remained some feet away, he resumed grooming.

“Bryan …”

The caretaker halted, his hands resting on Lexus’s smooth, black coat. “Yes, Doc?”

“I’m glad you’re here.”

“Thanks. Me too.” Bryan glanced behind the surgeon to see Liana turn and head toward the stable door after giving a quick wave goodbye. His former physician may have been happy to have him there, but Bryan wasn’t convinced Liana felt the same way.

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