Page 16 of Hold Me Until Morning

He glanced at Cody. “Hailey will be your point of contact anytime you’re working near the stables. Extra caution is always taken around the horses as their welfare is our first concern.”

I swiveled my gaze back to Cody. He was still grinning. Still holding onto me with that giant mitt. “Of course. We’ve already been instructed we’ll be working closely with the stable manager.”

Suggestion filled his words.

I refused to let it get to me, and I cleared the roughness from my throat and somehow managed to wrangle my hand out of his so I could pull out the business cards I’d had expedited that were tucked into my back pocket.

I handed one to him.

“Here’s my card. Don’t hesitate to use it.”

Please hesitate to use it.

Wishful thinking. I was going to be stuck working and living next to this guy.

Cody Cooper eyed the information on the card like he was reading about the discovery of a new lifesaving drug.

“I won’t,” he said in that grumbly voice, that grin still plastered on his stupid, gorgeous face.

God, I kind of hated him.

“Right. Good. Well, I need to get back to work.”

I looked at his project manager who seemed to be trying to make sense of the awkward conversation, his attention jumping between the two of us.

“It’s nice to meet you, as well,” I added.

“Same to you,” Matthew said.

I tipped a forced smile toward all three of them. “Good luck, gentlemen.”

Golden eyes gleamed. “No luck required.”

My teeth ground.

Cocky Cowboy.

Turning on my heel, I pulled open the door situated at the end of the stables and stepped inside.

My heart squeezed at the sight.

The Cambrey Pines stables were a bit on the extravagant side, in keeping with the resort.

Long rows of stalls ran both sides. The ceiling was pitched and soaring, the dark-stained wood robust and maintained, the metal gates engraved and ornate. There were always at least ten hands on staff, keeping the floors and stalls immaculate and ensuring the horses were well cared for.

There were a bunch of different guides and instructors for the different trail rides and experiences offered for the guests, plus a full-time vet on site.

Pride welled in my chest.

I oversaw them all.

Smiling at a guide who passed, I moved to the stall three down on the right where I’d left off. I’d spent my morning familiarizing myself with each horse, its name and health and age.

My job might be to manage every aspect of the stables, but the horses were my main concern.

I unlatched the gate of a four-year-old foal named Giselle and stepped into her stall. Her coat was black and shiny, her eyes the color of pitch and brimming with soul.

I swore, horses saw everything. Felt everything.

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