Page 32 of Tye

“You got to trust me,” Demi argued.

“You don’t know that!”

“Yeah, I do. I have taught him. Red Raider is ready to jump in competitions,” Demi shot back.

Spike shook his head as the first gong went.

“Okay?” I questioned, looking between them.

“Pops doesn’t think I’ve trained a horse well enough to compete,” Demi stated, crossing her arms.

Spike glowered at her. “Didn’t say that. I asked if you’re sure he’s ready. Red Raider is high strung and a pain in the ass. The bastard hasn’t competed before, and we’ve no idea how he’ll handle a crowd.”

“Isn’t there some sort of baby competition you can take him to?” I questioned.

“Oh, look at you being cute,” Spike sneered, rolling his eyes. “No, kid, there’s not.”

“Actually, Ice may be on to something. There are a few smaller amateur competitions we can put him in. To see how he handles being surrounded by crowds,” Demi drawled.

Spike sent me an annoyed look, and I hid a grin.

“Smart ass, just like your daddy,” Spike muttered and stomped away.

“Did I upset him?” I asked with a laugh.

“Seems it,” Demi replied, grinning at me.

“If your Pops thought that comment was an insult, he’s wrong. I’m quite happy to be compared to Dad,” I said as I held my hand out.

Demi looked at it like it was alien before taking it. “Are you gonna hold my hand into dinner?”

“We’re skipping it. I have a date planned,” I said, pulling her close.

“Wow, you haven’t asked me!”

“You are gonna like this one. Go get some warm clothes on, you’re going to need them,” I ordered as the second gong went.

“Everyone will wonder where we are,” Demi demurred.

“Christian is going to say I’m resting. Mrs Ames will inform everybody she met you on the stairs, and you are having dinner in your room because you have a headache forming. And after arguing with your Pops, that’s believable!”

“He’s right, you’re a smart ass,” Demi muttered.

“I’ll wait for you at the bottom of the stairs. Be quick!” I said, and Demi laughed and dashed away.

???

Even the weather was playing ball with me, I thought as I stared up at the moonlight sky. There was snow falling around us, and everything was quiet. Nobody could say this wasn’t a truly beautiful night. Demi looked damn cute in a bomber coat and her jeans on show. She wore thick socks and boots. A white scarf wrapped around her neck, and a beanie was perched on top of her head. She was stunning.

“You’re so lucky,” Demi said as she took in the beauty surrounding us.

“Yeah. This is something we’d never take for granted. I don’t want to be crude or a braggart, but Mom put away a fortune tocare for this place when she is gone. She wants the Hall to be kept within our family. Fanatic will inherit it as the eldest, and her will ensures we can all visit. It’s the family home. Mom was terrified we might sell, so there’s a massive trust fund with more than enough money to keep it running for two hundred years.”

“Damn! I can’t imagine having that type of cash.”

“I don’t think my mother did either. She won the English lottery, and then shrew investments made her a billionaire. Now she’s a treble billionaire, or whatever you want to call it. She just laughs and lets her investment broker work his magic. I suppose people look around at the estate, the private jet, the yacht and see a rich bitch. But Mom would be as happy without the extras.”

“I was surprised to find out she still worked.”

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