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)
But then the threat against her had come true, and it had been all my fault. She didn’t know her big brother had kept things from her, didn’t know she had to be vigilant for people trying to hurt her. She didn’t know I’d failed to stop her getting injured. Her and her precious horse, who was so spooked she now had to be housed alone and away from a herd.
The guilt that wrapped around my heart over that was so stifling, most days I didn’t even know how I breathed.
What the fuck had Dad done to inspire such a vendetta against our family? He was my dad, so I had a view of him no one else did, but he was a nice, kind man. He hadn’t ever hurt anyone to my knowledge. When our mother died, Dad took the helm without a thought. He didn’t foist us off on nannies or send us to a boarding school. He was there for us. So what could he possibly have done to make someone want to kill him? To hurt me and Genny and anyone who has any affiliation with us? The letters addressed to him made out as though he was almost evil. What they said about him was a far cry from the man I knew and loved. But I refused to believe my view of him was incorrect.
I knew him, damn it.
I knew him.
I wanted to be like him. Even though my attitude of late was anything but. Hallie’s hurt expression sprang to my mind, making my heart feel like lead. Forrest wanted me to be happy. He thought I liked Hallie—and he wasn’t wrong.
But it was best that she hated me.
I refused to be an albatross to anyone else.
It was better this way, with her despising the ground that I walked on. I’d admire her from afar and watch her soar on the tour. Because despite everything I said today, she was the best natural rider I’d ever seen.
She was incredible.
And she deserved to be kept safe.
Chapter Eight
Hallie
I rubbed my chest again, then shoveled another scoop of Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food into my mouth.
It felt like I’d been punched. In a way I had, but with Jasper’s words instead of fists. His venomous, nasty words. I followed the ice cream with a sip of rosé and said, “My leg wasn’t too far forward. I saw the photo Steve took. My position was perfect.”
“It was,” Sage said, holding up her middle finger. “Fuck him and his sexy eyes.” I turned my head to Sage. She held up her hands in surrender. “He’s a douchebag for speaking to you like that, Hals, but he’s still a hot douchebag.” I’d told Sage all about my interactions with Jasper. I could never keep anything from her for long. In true Sage fashion, she had lapped up every detail with vigor, whooping and hollering with every spilled word.
I sighed, and my head fell back against the couch. “He was today, and he made me feel about an inch tall in front of everyone in the arena.” I cast my eyes out the window, at the fields that led to the main house. “But I don’t think he is usually.” I curled onto the couch and faced Sage.
“Last night in the car, he was stiff and unapproachable, until he wasn’t.” I blew out a frustrated raspberry, and Sage laughed. “He swings back and forth so much I have whiplash.” It was true. Last night, I thought we’d finally gotten somewhere. He’d mellowed toward me. Today . . . Shit, that was rough.
“He’s had a tough couple of years,” Sage said. “Maybe that’s why he’s gone from Smiley to Moody Jasper.”
I glanced down at my outfit. I was still dressed in the turquoise set from the shoot. The one he’d picked out especially for me. I didn’t understand the man. And despite the fact I should keep the hell away from him and his epic mood swings, him pushing me away made me want to know him more. I wanted to find out where the Jasper of old had gone.
I was a glutton for punishment. But I didn’t want him to be sad, and some kind of Spidey sense within me told me he was. That the way he was acting toward me was a front, a ruse. Perhaps maybe a shield. A way to keep anyone from getting too close.
“You need to just focus on the riding, Hals. It’s what we’re here to do. No distractions,” Sage said with a firm nod. She shoved a big spoon of ice cream in her mouth to cement her point.
I raised an eyebrow at Sage. “What?” she said at my knowing expression.
“No distractions?” I questioned.
Sage pointed her spoon at me like a weapon. “Don’t you dare. Do not even dare mention that heathen in my presence.” For the first time since my reprimand this afternoon, I felt a spark of humor ignite inside of me.