Page 30 of Holiday Hire

What is this woman doing to me?

She's the enemy.

Get her off the ranch and move on with life.

"I should get my clothes on," she declares.

"Oh...right." I step aside, and she disappears inside her bedroom.

I close my eyes and shake my head, wondering why I'm acting like a schoolboy with a crush, especially toward a woman who is anything but good for me. After I beat myself up a bit, I take a deep breath and go into the kitchen, just in time to hear Wilder and Ace arguing.

"Good morning," I boom out, then kiss both of them on the head.

"Dad, tell Wilder I can run my horse as fast as he can run his," Ace whines.

I groan. "Doesn't this same breakfast argument get old after a while?"

Wilder sits back in the chair, a cocky grin on his expression. It always reminds me of Jagger. They have a lot of the same features. And Wilder loves getting under Ace's skin and always knows how to do it. He states, "It's okay to admit I'm a better rider than you."

"You aren't!" Ace claims.

"Isn't that an easily solvable question?" Phoebe interjects, stepping into the kitchen, wearing skinny jeans, a tank top, and a flannel.

"How?" Ace asks.

"We can have a race after school," she answers.

"That's a good idea. Then we can put this argument to rest so I don't have to hear it every morning," I grumble.

Wilder crosses his arms. "I've already proven it."

"No, you haven't!" Ace shrieks.

"Sure I have," Wilder claims.

Phoebe softly laughs.

We all stare at her.

"What's so funny?" I question.

She assesses Wilder and then questions, "Are you scared to race your brother?"

"No!"

"You are! Scaredy cat!" Ace accuses.

"Am not!"

Phoebe calmly says, "Then we'll have one more race. We'll do it after school so we can solve this argument about who's faster. But after today, you're not allowed to debate this. The loser of the race can rechallenge the winner only once a month, and it'sthe only time you're allowed to discuss this topic. The winner can't brag either. Understand?"

"Fine. I'll beat him," Wilder declares.

"No, you won't," Ace retorts.

Phoebe continues, "Shake hands on the deal. No more discussing this topic unless it's once a month to rechallenge. And if anyone breaks the rule, your dad will hand out the punishment, which will be..." She glances at me.

Shocked I never thought of this, and happy I won't have to keep hearing them argue every morning, I answer, "Barn duty for a week."

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