Page 26 of Fall With Me (Sugarland Creek)

I’m in bed by nine p.m. every night.

Wash, rinse, repeat.

No social life included to get where I am and where I want to go.

This is what I worked hard for and won’t take any of it for granted.

My parents pay my way and most of my earnings go right back into it, minus the amount I put into a savings account.

Barrel racing is an expensive hobby. Even at the career level, you’re still hardly breaking even when you consider the training and boarding costs, maintenance and upkeep of your horse, traveling expenses, and rodeo fees. I’m lucky to have a mom and dad who support me in doing what I love. Focusing on this helpskeep me out of my depression cycles, and I enjoy doing it, so it’s a win-win.

After almost four years of pro rodeo, I have things down to a T on what helps me prepare for each event. I’m strict with my schedule and workouts, and I stay on top of my training and Ranger’s health, as well as my own. It takes a lot of time and energy to practice each day.

But if there’s one thing—or rather,person—guaranteed to mess up my day, it’s Landen Hollis.

During my first year of training with Noah, he’d show up a few times a week to watch me and whisper to Noah about what I was screwing up. Then she’d agree and tell me how to fix it using his suggestions.

The bastard’s smug smirk after seeing it work is what drove me to hate him even more.

The next few years after that, he’d pop in and out while I trained. Sometimes he’d silently watch while I pretended his presence didn’t affect me and other times he’d make himself known by giving unsolicited advice.

Today of all days, I find him in Ranger’s stall, petting and murmuring to him after I actively ignored his presence yesterday in the training center when he was with Antonio.

“What’re you doin’ in here?” I snap, causing him to jump and whip around so quickly, his cowboy hat falls off.

He doesn’t wear it often, usually only during hot, sunny days when he plans to be outside for hours and wants to prevent a sunburn.

I hate how much I like it on him.

Once he’s picked it up, he looks at me. “Goddamn, you need a bell ’round your neck so you can’t just sneak up on people.”

“You’re not supposed to be in his stall,” I say, opening the door and wedging myself inside.

He steps toward me, caging us closer together. Well, fuck, this was a bad idea.

“You’re aware I work here, right? Cleanin’ and feedin’ are all in my job description.”

I snarl at his mocking tone. “Don’t pull that shit with me. The stables ain’t your responsibility.”

He manages the breeding operations, across the ranch, which is the biggest perk of being at the stables. He rarely needs to be in here.

His arms twist behind his back as he tilts his head in a cocky gesture. “I’m so glad you know more about my duties than I do, but today, I’m takin’ over for Ruby. She’s got the flu.”

Well, shit.

Thanks a lot, Ruby.

“You must not be doing a good job, then. She’s usually done with Ranger’s stall by now,” I respond smugly, mocking his posture.

Landen steps back, giving me much-needed space to finally breathe, and then waves out his hand. “Let me give you the tour, Miss Donovan. There’s fresh straw on the ground, his water bucket is full, he ate his breakfast of hay and grains, and I even lunged him in the corral afterward. I was just finishing up groomin’ him for you.”

I’m right on time, so I don’t know how he managed to do all of that before eight a.m.

“I lunge him every mornin’,” I counter. “And groom him afterward.”

The corner of his lips tilts up slightly. “Now ya don’t have to. He’s ready for whatever you need to do today.”

I grind my molars, annoyed he’s taken an hour out of my schedule without even asking. Most would be grateful for it, but this is Ranger’s and my quality time each day. Bonding isimportant before we go into work mode. It helps maintain our relationship and trust.

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