Page 16 of Training the Heart

Wade doesn’t miss a beat, stuffing a couple dollars into a tiny cowboy boot on the shelf beside the kitchen island, shaking his head, muttering something like “she has supersonic hearing.”

“It’s true. I don’t even have any candid pictures of him until after he was ten, he was never wearing anything. That boy’d be outside in the yard in his bare feet and shorts, collecting bugs and making mud pies. At home in the wild,” Jo says as she stands on her tippy toes and plants a smooch on his cheek. “He was a free spirit back then.”

“Nothing like keeping things professional at an Ashby dinner,” Wade grunts, and I smirk as I sip my bourbon. Damn, it’s good bourbon.

Cole leans in and cracks a smile; he has the same dimples as Wade, only he doesn’t seem to be afraid to use them. “Rumor has it he still keeps a hand on his no-no parts any chance he gets.”

Wade cuffs the back of Cole’s head, knocking his hat to his lap.

“He doesn’t grip those reins harder with his right hand for nothing,” Dean barks out from the den, earning a hearty laugh from Nash and Cole.

“Too far, Dad.” Jo wrinkles her nose. “Sorry, honey,” she says to me. I just smile and wave it off.

“I thought you wanted to talk about the derby, isn’t that the whole reason we’re doing this on a Tuesday?” Wade asks, trying desperately to change the subject.

“Yes, let’s talk derby. Wade, mash those potatoes and dinner will be ready. Then we’ll chat. And we’re doing this on a Tuesday because it’s the only chance we’ve got. I’m leaving with Sandy and Theresa to go to Wears Valley for our girls’ week tomorrow,” Jo reminds them all.

The guys all nod.

“Do I have to eat Dad’s cookingall week?” Mabel asks from her makeshift salon, looking horrified.

Cole chuckles. “You’re right, Mabes, how dare she leave us all to fend for ourselves for a week?”

“You know how to cook just fine, boy. You just don’t do it unless you absolutely have to. I taught you just the same as I taught the rest of them.”

“Don’t be too hard on him, Mama, some people are just born with more talent in the kitchen,” Wade says.

Cole makes a face at him as he pops more nuts into his mouth.

“But I have to agree, to close this kitchen down for almost a week? It’s plain unacceptable. Two stars on Yelp from me,” Wade bites out. He’s looking way too serious for just making a rather witty little joke.

I giggle in response and his eyes flit to mine.

“Hush your mouth, both of you. At least Wade cooks. You know, it wouldn’t hurt you to find a lady friend to bake your biscuits for you, Cole, since you won’t do it yourself,” Jo says.

“Even if she just let him look at her biscuits, it’d be a start,” Dean hollers in.

Cole grunts something no one can hear.

Jo winks at me as she hands me the cutlery.

“Set the table, honey? We all earn our keep here; we don’t believe in guests.”

“Suits me perfectly.” I nod and take the silverware from her and smirk all the way into the dining room.

Younger Wade sounds like he was a far cry from the serious, straight-laced bridge troll I’m working for now. I can’t help but wonder if it’s possible to catch a glimpse of him. I look back at him in the next room as he grimaces at something Cole says

Right now, it doesn’t seem too possible but I’ve got time. I think I want to find out.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Wade

“So, we’ll leave on the 26th and be back on the 28th,” I say as we eat. I’ve just filled the family in on what we have to do in Nashville and the yearlings we’re looking at.

“I’m in to help Haden and the boys as much as possible. I’ve been thinking about taking a step back from the bar a little if you need more help,” Nash says as he takes his seat next to CeCe at the table.

I nod. “Much appreciated.”

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