Page 70 of Training the Heart

“You’re welcome anytime, honey, we sure are grateful you’re here.”

I smile back at her. “I am too.”

“Big day tomorrow.” She grins as I pop my cowboy hat on. “Sleep tight, say goodnight to Wade for me,” she singsongs as I head out.

I can’t help but notice the little gleam in her eye as she says it. A gleam that says Wade’s mother may have some idea that something is going on between us.

The air is unseasonably warm for early November as I make the short walk from the big house to the main barn just after dusk. I struggle over the events of this weekend and the predicament I’ve got myself in. Involved with a man I work with,again. Wade isn’t Brad, and this whole situation is different. Wade treats me like I’m his equal, and as gruff as his personality seems I know there isn’t a mean bone in Wade Ashby’s body. Still, I’m leaving at some point soon, I’m a stand-in. Where does that leave me and my boss when I have to go across the country for another job?

I blow out a breath and try to shake free of my overthinking. Something I always do. We’re just having fun, we’re attracted toeach other and it’s just sex. Really incredible, mind-blowing sex. Wade is a man like any other, right?

And as long as we’re smart about personal-work boundaries, there is no reason we can’t keep a good working relationship and still have some fun together. I can stop at any time if said mind-blowing sex gets in the way of work.

I’ve almost got myself convinced as I remind myself of all the ways I’ll be able to keep the perfect work-sex balance with Wade when he comes into view on horseback.

His cowboy hat shields the last of the day’s sun from his face, his flannel sleeves are rolled up to his elbows as they usually are, showcasing those strong forearms while he grips his reins tight with one hand and with the other holds the reins of another steed who’s trotting happily beside him. His body moves effortlessly with his horse Apollo, as if he was born on horseback. His perfectly worn in Levi’s are hugging his powerful legs all the way down to his boots. The biggest Tennessee-made cowboy boots I’ve ever seen.

He spots me and smirks at me as he gets close enough for me to see those beautiful green eyes.

“Ride with me,” his deep tenor commands over the empty field.

Who am I kidding? I am so screwed.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Wade

“See if you can keep up, Chief,” Ivy says as she hops up onto the steed I’ve brought her, Sheffield. And then in one split second, she’s gone, holding her cowboy hat to her head, her hair flying out behind her like the wings of a raven.

I knew Ivy could ride fast, but what I didn’t know was how fucking beautiful and effortless she would look doing it. I squeeze my boots around Apollo, signaling him to speed up to catch the little spitfire.

For someone who just healed up an ankle she doesn’t seem to have any worries of getting hurt. That tells me either she’s damn good on a fast horse and she knows it or she simply has no fear. Either answer is just as fucking sexy as the other to me. We ride like this for some time through the property until I finally breeze by her. She might be fast and impulsive but I’m good with the long haul and know how to work my horse better than anyone.

“Gotta pace him,” I call as I pass her, winking as I tip my hat.

Ivy grunts the cutest little sound as she catches up to me at the same time I slow, so we can ride side by side at an easy jog.

“Your family’s land is so beautiful,” she says as the sky begins to litter with stars.

We are almost at my favorite spot on our 650 acres. The large pond we learned to fish in as boys with my dad. There is a tiny cabin at the base of it where we’d camp in the winter to ice-fish. It feels like a late summer night out here tonight, as Ivy comes to a halt when the water comes into her sightline.

“Stunning. This is all still yours?” she asks

Hard to believe when she puts it that way. Mine. My job to carry on his legacy.

“Yep,” I say.

“That’s a lot on your shoulders, isn’t it?” she asks. “How do you feel about that? Is it a weight you welcome or weather?”

I blink because fuck, in my entire life no one has ever asked me that before.

“It’s my birthright,” I answer.

Ivy rides over to me, circling the space where Apollo and I have stilled.

“That’s not what I asked you. What I asked was, do youwantit?”

I huff out a breath and try to be as honest with her as I can.

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