Page 32 of Reining Her In

E P I L O G U E

Constance

“She looks good.” Doc Mills gives Ruby’s nose a rub before he steps out of her stall. “Ready for another win I think.” He stomps some of the pine shavings that bed the stall off his boots and slides the wooden door shut. The metal latch clanks a bit as he slips it in place and locks it down.

“As long as she’s healthy, I’m not that worried about the win.” I smirk over my shoulder then whisper dramatically, my hand cupped next to my mouth. “But my trainer? He’s a different story. Win at all costs type.”

Reed smacks his tongue in his cheek and spins his cane up to point at me.

“Me? You’re the one that told me last night you want to be the youngest professional rider to ever win four Grand Prix Championships. So, let’s keep it real here. Seems you’re the one that’s developed a killer instinct.” He walks toward me, slipping one hand around the back of my neck and kisses my cheek. “I think you just enjoy showing that other trainer you used to have...hmm, what is his name?” Reed looks up into the rafters of the barn rubbing his chin.

“Uh huh. Well, you two can have your little argument without me. I’ve got a fiery red head sitting at home I can argue with anytime I like.”

“Thanks, Doc.” I smile and give Reed a little jab in his belly as he pulls me next to him, one arm draped over my shoulder.

It’s been just over a year since we walked out of my parent’s barn that night. Travis is no longer in the industry. Seems his greed overshadowed his intelligence. Once word got around, he was laughed out of town.

We got married a month after that night here at the farm in his house. Just a few of the staff as witnesses and a local preacher who Reed’s known for years. I didn’t want much. But Reed managed to make it an amazing day.

First of all, he didn’t actually propose to me. He told me we were getting married, told me I could pick the date as long as it was within the next thirty days, then he put a ring on my finger that nearly snapped my wrist it weighed so much.

Then, he said, “I love you.”

I, of course, said, “I love you too.”

Then, my sweet, arrogant Reed replied with, “You better.”

Swoon.

We negotiated on that monster ring though. I’m just not the big diamond kind of girl. So we save the Tiffany five karat solitaire for nights out. We settled on a simple platinum band for every day.

A bit after that, we found out I was pregnant. I considered quitting my riding career, but I really didn’t want to and Reed supported me whatever my choice. So, I’m about to embark on my first major show since Mallory was born.

I’ve managed to mend the fences with Mom and Dad as well. In fact, with Reed’s encouragement, when my father speaks to me in any manner other than I think I deserve, I turn it right around on him and let him know the days of his beating up on me are over.

Turns out, he’s just a big bully. And with some help from Reed backing me up, for the first time in my life, I can have a normal adult conversation with my dad. Both my parents actually.

I do think there is a bit more to it than just me finding my backbone. Reed took my parents out to dinner a couple nights after that blow up in the barn with Travis. He never told me the specifics of what they’d talked about that night, but after that they both seemed a lot different with me.

Never again did they tell me what to do, nor speak to me like I was a child. In fact, at first, when my father would start to fall back into his old ways, I would watch him look at Reed. Then he would stop, re-group and with much effort, change his tone.

It’s a beautiful thing when your man has your back like that.

“Ready, beautiful?” Reed’s lips swoop down for a lingering soft kiss and my knees nearly buckle. He’s still got that something. I hope it never wears off.

“Ready. Mallory’s all set with Jessica and the car is packed.”

“Are you okay?” His voice softens and he cups my chin forcing our eyes together.

“Yes. It’s just a few hours.”

We’re going out on our first date since Mallory was born. She’s three months today and that was the agreement. When she turned three months, we would start going out without her. Reed loves to take me out and I love to be on his arm. I’m not sure which of us is prouder to be with the other. It makes my heart swell thinking of how he beams whenever we are together.

“One thing first.” He turns my shoulders toward the back of the barn.

“What’s that?”

“I have a surprise for you.” His usual rumbling tone turns playful.

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