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)
“I know, Jas,” Genny said with a slight edge to her voice. Her eyes welled with tears. “But even so, I didn’t want you to sacrifice everything you loved because of it.” She sat up straight. “Do you know how guilty I feel over that? You love riding. Being a horseman is you. And you stopped because of me and became reclusive and miserable. A shadow of your former self.”
“No,” I said, shaking my head, but those words hit me like a crowbar to the chest. “This is my choice, Gen. I’m the one who decided to devote my time to all this. There should be no guilt on your part. It’s something I feel compelled to do.”
Genny lowered her head and said, “I just want this all over with, Jas. And I want you to start living again.”
I brought my sister in for a tight hug and said, “I will. When I finally find out who is trying to hurt us.” Genny’s shoulders sagged in defeat, but I wouldn’t be deterred. Genny wanted me to leave it to the police. But this was the horse world. This sport made people exceptionally wealthy. The crazy shit people did to rivals was on another level, and the lengths people would go to bring them down were insane.
And we were now the target.
When I pulled back, I said, “Come on, I’ll walk you back to your rooms.”
Genny shook her head, just as Geraldine came through the door to the kitchen with a tray of popcorn and drinks. “No need,” Genny said, face brightening. “Me and Geraldine have got a night of binge-watching Love Island ahead of us.” I laughed as they moved to the sofas. I helped Genny get settled, then turned to leave with a wave.
“Night, guys,” I said.
“Jas?” Genny called out. I turned back to my sister. “Don’t be on your own tomorrow, okay? Come and find me, and we’ll get through it together.”
I gave her a reassuring smile. “I will,” I promised, knowing that was a blatant lie. I left her and Geraldine to their trash TV. As I entered the hallway, I let my head fall back against the door and exhaled a long breath. The lightness that had filled me over dinner vanished the moment I was left alone with my thoughts.
My feet itched to leave the house. Moving down the hallway, I made my way to the back exit through the mudroom. I threw on my flat cap, wellies, and wax jacket and stepped into the freezing night. I let the ice-cold wind hit my face and began the moonlit walk to the only place I ever felt whole. The place no one, not even Forrest, knew I still went to. The only place that reminded me I was still alive.
Chapter Three
Hallie
I squeezed Sage’s arm in excitement as two horses were led into the large indoor arena. Mila held one, and a man I assumed to be Horatio, Sage’s groom, held another. When they came to a stop before us, Horatio waved at Sage. He was tall and slim, with the most attractive face. All blond hair and blue eyes and wide smiles.
Sage went to go and introduce herself when a man I instantly recognized came rushing into the arena.
Leon Turner.
“Sorry I’m late!” he said, his southern English accent thick. He was dressed in a Knighton Equestrian–branded beanie, a heavy barn jacket, black breeches, and tall riding boots and gloves. He immediately stopped before us. I rubbed my gloved hands together just to feel some warmth in my fingers; the English winter was no joke. This Florida girl was struggling.
“Sage,” Leon said, shaking her hand. “It’s great to meet you. I’m Leon.”
Sage laughed. “We know,” she said, and shook his hand back. “Honored to be here, sir.” Leon nodded his head in acknowledgment.
Then he moved to me. Leon’s smile was wide. “Hallie Oakley, I’m so happy you agreed to join us this season.” I shook his hand back.
“The honor is all mine, sir,” I said, butterflies whirling in my stomach at having the best trainer in the world standing before us. Was this reality?
Leon then addressed us both. “I’ve been watching you closely for years. You’ve done amazing in the Unders, and if we work hard, I know we can get you to the top of the game in the Overs.” Leon stepped back to show our grooms, who were still standing with the horses.
“I take it you’ve met Mila and Horatio?” Leon asked.
“Mila, yes, but not Horatio,” I said. Horatio handed the reins of the chestnut mare to Mila, and he came toward us. He shook my hand first. “Hallie. Huge fan,” he said, his accent holding a strong lilt.
“Irish,” he said, pointing at himself, clearly reading my mind.
“Nice to meet you,” I said, and then Horatio turned to Sage. Horatio held out his hand, but Sage wrapped him up in a tight hug.