Page 12 of Training the Heart

You knew I was thinking about it. It’s what y’all want isn’t it?

BOSS LADY

It is. I just don’t like hearing information second hand on my own ranch.

BOSS LADY

Invite Ivy tonight. You both can tell me all about it.

I’m sure she has better things to do. I can fill you in.

BOSS LADY

Fine, I’ll ask her myself, she won’t say no to me, we get on like chocolate and peanut butter.

I grimace and face the inevitable before I answer.

Goddammit, Mama. I’ll ask her since she’s standing right here.

BOSS LADY

Good. I’ll see you both later then.

I can almost see my mother’s satisfied grin from here. No one ever says no to her.

I huff out a breath and clear my throat. Time to stop my resident horse trainer that no one seems to be able to get enough of before she walks out the door with Haden.

“Ivy …”

She turns to face me expectantly.

“You have plans for dinner tonight? My mother has summoned us to talk derby with her.”

Ivy’s smile spreads across her face like there’s nothing on earth she’d rather do.

“An Ashby dinner? Hells yes.” Her eyes light up even more, as if that’s possible. “Tell your mama I’ll bring a pie.” She hums as she heads down the hall, and fuck if I don’t watch her perfect ass go before standing up and spying something cherry red on the corner of my desk.

Another goddamn scrunchie.

CHAPTER FIVE

Ivy

Ithink Wade Ashby has dimples when he smiles. Today is the first day I’ve ever seen the hint of them because it’s the first day I’ve ever seen him kinda, sorta grin. And Lord have mercy, it’s a sight. He’s always striking-looking, but when anything other than a scowl takes over that man’s face?

He’s on a whole other level.

I want to see more of it. I’d like to dive in and make a home in that smile. The promise of that smile makes me think there was a time in his life where he might have given the best hugs. Like maybe once upon a time he was someone else.

I’m sure that smile is the very line between his Jekyll and Hyde.

What I don’t get is why he doesn’t use it more often. I get that everything on this ranch has rested on his shoulders since his dad’s death, but aside from that and his recent divorce, I can’t imagine what could have happened to make himthismorose all the time.

At the end of the work day, I head to Spicer’s Sweets on Laurel Creek’s main drag to grab a lemon pie as a gift for my spirit animal Mama Jo. I would do anything this woman asked me to;she is easily the coolest person I’ve ever met. Kind, tough-loving with all her kids, understanding, wise, and funny as all get-out.

She’s the mama I used to know but there’s just something more about her. She’s the perfect cross betweendon’t even think about messing with meandcome on in while I bake you some cookies.

I smile to myself as I hop back into my truck to drive back to the ranch. It feels nice to have actual plans tonight, to be included. Leaving a relationship and the life you know, even if it isn’t one you’re happy in, can be lonely. I can feel myself slowly weaving into the threads of Silver Pines and I’m here for it. I should probably keep reminding myself it’s only temporary but I’m more of alet the universe guide youtype of woman, and this place is a joy I want to be in the moment with right now.

---