Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 128313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
“Ladies,” he greeted, then jumped on the elevator as we exited.
Sage nodded her hello, just as I said, “Hi, Atticus.”
“I left my hat upstairs. I’ll see you at practice,” he said.
As the doors closed, and we walked outside to our car, I said, “Inquiring minds want to know if large endowments run in all the Knighton men?”
Sage choked. “Don’t, Hals. I’ve managed to block all memory of that particular cock.”
She quickly changed the subject to talk of this weekend’s course.
“Yes, baby boy!” I said, as Huxley got us another clear. I stroked his neck and kissed his mane. “I’m so proud of you, baby. You are such a good horse.”
I was the anchor rider on our team today. Sage had gone early in the class and had set the time for the fastest round on Fefe. They had flown over the course like bats out of hell. No one came close all class until Atticus, riding eleventh, smashed her time by three seconds.
I glanced at mine and Huxley’s time and smiled. Once again, we Knighton riders were dominating the top three, only with Sage in second place this time, and me and Hux in third. Atticus, of course, was firmly in first place.
By the time the final few riders completed the course, we still held all the top spots. After receiving our trophies and ribbons, and taking our victory gallop around the arena, we dismounted and led them to the stalls. I had just finished kissing Huxley and giving him a treat when I saw Jasper in the distance. He was chatting to some other riders, and I couldn’t help but want to throw him into a stall and ride him too.
Like in Doha, Jasper came out of his private box before I rode and stood with me to keep me calm. But I was better this time. Now that I had a Grand Prix under my belt, my nerves were low level. Still, having Jasper beside me before every ride was certainly something I could get used to.
I had just taken off my hat and unbuttoned my riding jacket when someone covered my eyes from behind me. “Guess who?” I couldn’t help the beaming smile that pulled on my face when that familiar gruff voice and strong Texan accent drifted into my ears.
It couldn’t be . . .
“No way!” I said and turned around. Canyon Hayes stood there in all his Texan cowboy ruggedness, and a lump clogged my throat.
“Hey, short stack,” he said affectionately, pulling on the end of my braid. I threw my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.
Canyon hugged me back and a few stray tears fell from the corners of my eyes. When he put me down, I stepped back to look him up and down. A rush of homesickness washed through me, seeing him dressed in his typical red plaid flannel shirt and well-worn jeans with battered cowboy boots. His light-brown, shoulder-length hair was as thick and wayward as always, and he looked just like he always had when we grew up side by side on my daddy’s ranch.
“What are you doing here?” I said, holding on to his arms. I chuckled. He was still as muscled as always. But I hadn’t seen Canyon in over a year, our schedules not allowing us the time. Seeing him now before me, I realized just how much I’d missed him.
“What?” he said, his tongue wrapping around his vowels. “You think I wouldn’t come and see my Hallie-girl kick ass in her fancy-ass horse competition just south of the border?” He balled his hand into a fist and pretended to punch my arm. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
Gratitude hit me like a tidal wave. I hugged him again, tighter this time, and Canyon pulled back and asked, “You gonna introduce me to your new man?” My heart fluttered at that, and I naturally sought out Jasper. He was nowhere to be seen. But when Canyon pointed to Huxley, I realized he meant my new man of the equine sort.
Get your head on straight, Hals.
I turned to my beautiful horse and ran my hand down Huxley’s nose. Huxley huffed his warm breath in my face. “This is Lord Huxley, the current main man in my life.”
Canyon ran his hand down Huxley’s neck, and like all horses, he leaned into his touch. “Howdy, boy. You better be keeping my girl here safe.” I lost myself in studying Canyon’s movements. He continued running his hand all along Huxley’s body, studying his build, sizing him up, while my horse relaxed under Canyon’s touch. The sound of a throat clearing behind me made me jump.
Jasper stood behind me, a furious look on his face. My heart raced at his expression—nothing, and I meant nothing, was as hot as Jasper Knighton going all alpha and claiming me as his, whether it be with words or body language alone. And when Canyon turned around and glanced between Jasper and me with a raised eyebrow, I knew I’d have to have a talk with Jasper about his obvious jealousy. We were meant to be keeping our relationship secret, but if he kept acting like this, we wouldn’t stay a secret for long. And that couldn’t happen.