Page 22 of Training the Heart

Fuck sakes, Janelle. I repeat the mantra,the day my name is off this goddamn house can’t come fast enough. I type a quickon my waybefore I tuck my phone in my back pocket.

As I’m leaving the barn, heading over to tell Mabel she’s going to have to come with me, I see CeCe pulling up the driveway.

Mabel skips over to give me a hug goodbye from where she was watching Ivy work. I approach Ivy—now mounted on Cosmic—and she trots over to me, guessing I want to talk. Fuck, she looks good up there. Her cowboy hat is letting just enough ofthe day’s sun on her face to amplify her violet eyes. She looks at me expectantly as I just stand there dumbfounded, taking in how pretty she is.

“Boss?” she asks, the hint of a grin playing on her lips.

I blink and come back to the present from last night’s dream, which is playing like a reel in my head.

“Uh … when those boys get here, get them to finish up what I was doing in stable four. Still two pallets to unload. I have to … take care of something.”

Ivy nods. “That’s why I’m here, Chief.”

I turn quickly so I can avoid staring at the enticing way her body moves on the horse as she rides off.

I spend the next couple hours going over the roof job on my not-house with Jake and shooting the shit with him. We went to school together, so we always have lots to gab about. By the time we’re done, we decide a drink and a burger is in order so we head to the Horse and Barrel and convince Cole to come meet us for dinner in the middle of his shift. Partway through the best burger in town, my phone is buzzing and lighting up on the table.

“Who’sTrouble?” Jake asks, looking down at my phone as Nash slides into the booth with us.

Nash looks down at my lock screen and grins.

“Little late to be working, ain’t it, Sarge?”

I give him ashut the fuck uplook as he chuckles and then I check to see what Ivy is after.

TROUBLE

I’ve been doing some research on the auctioneer that’s running the show in Nashville. If we want a yearling at the best price I think maybe we could offer him a little convincing. Now hear me out …

The fuck?I watch as the bubbles appear, then disappear for a moment as I hear Nash say to Cole and Jake, “Must be a work emergency.”Dick.

TROUBLE

Nothing too unprofessional, maybe flash a grin or undo a couple buttons in the front row during the auction and we could distract him enough to get Rustling Winds for under a million.

What the fuck is this woman talking about?

There’s not a chance you’re doing any such thing to get a horse. We’ll pay whatever we need to get the right yearling. And I don’t think his wife would appreciate that.

TROUBLE

Oh no, Chief I didn’t mean me, I meant you. And rumor has it his husband won’t be there.

I scrub my face with my hand as I stifle a grin.

Cole whispers to Nash, “Must be a funny work emergency?”

Jake pipes in, “What the fuck am I missing?”

I continue to ignore them. Maybe it’s because I like seeing her name light up my phone but I can’t stop myself from playing back.

You trying to sell me out for a horse? I’m appalled.

TROUBLE

Just looking out for the ranch. Be open-minded, think about it. I don’t condone doing anything wrong, just flirt a little. Harmless.

I’m a respectable man, stop trying to pimp me out.

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