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Chap.4
Eliot brushed the animal gently, all the while talking softly to him. Calming the horse didn't take that long. Once the big guy was calm, Eliot kissed his head and murmured into the mane.
"You're good with him. Well really you're good with all of my animals."
Eliot ran his hand down the horse's neck before he spoke.
"I guess I am. Animals can't lie to me or deceive me. As long as I respect them and treat them right, they do the same for me."
Allen stepped closer to Eliot and reached out toward the horse. The huge animal nuzzled his hand awaiting the apple it knew to be there.
"There you go boy. It's all yours. Did you grow up on a ranch or a horse farm?"
Eliot sighed. Was this guy ever going to let this go?
"My father has a ranch."
"You're too good with animals not to have some experience. Did you grow up on your father's ranch?"
"What does that have to do with this job?"
"Not a thing."
"Then drop it!"
As Eliot walked away, Allen cursed himself for his stupidity. He knew he couldn't just walk up and talk to this man. He had made mistakes. He would have to rethink his strategy where Eliot Spencer was concerned.
Hardison heard door swing open and saw Eliot walk through. The hitter headed for the kitchen.
"Eliot, you ok man?"
"I'm just peachy Hardison! How can you guys stand to be around that man?"
"Allen? He's cool man."
"Cool isn't the word I would use to describe him."
"You're just mad because he wants to know about you. What's so bad that you gotta hide it man?"
"He asked about my family, Hardison! How do I know he won't use that information against me?"
Grabbing a bottle of water Eliot slouched at the table in the breakfast nook. Damn! He hated feeling off his game.
Allen found the man in the gym. He felt bad for the bag the younger man was punishing. Had he set the guy on edge so much? Grabbing the bag as it flew through the air, Allen captured the attention of the punisher.
"I'm sorry if I crossed a line earlier. I never meant to do that. You just intrigue me, Eliot."
"I intrigue you?"
"Yes. You're very intelligent, yet you try to hide that. You're an emotional person, and again you hide that. Obviously something happened to make you so guarded. Nate was under the impression it might have been your military training. I beg to differ. This goes way back doesn't it?"
The flash in those blue eyes warned Allen that he had hit the proverbial nail on the head. Would Eliot talk to him now he had the man pegged?
"As you've probably figured out, I didn't have the best childhood. No I don't want to talk about it. Yes, it still bothers me sometimes. No, I will not let it affect this job."
Eliot headed toward the bathroom to shower before dinner.
"Eliot, it wasn't your father was it?"
"No. My father isn't capable of something so horrendous."