Page 17 of Never Bargain with the Boss

I can’t help but smile at her excitement. “Do your thing. I’ll be right here.”

When she disappears back into the barn once again, I close my eyes and take a deep breath, enjoying the warm sunshine on my face and the beginning hints of fall in the air.

“Can I help you?” a voice asks.

My eyes pop open and I see a guy in faded jeans, a blue T-shirt, and a cowboy hat. His face is tanned like he spends a lot of time in the sun, but I’d still estimate him to be in his twenties. Resting one booted foot on the edge of the bleacher, he lets a friendly gaze skim over me like he’s trying to figure out whatI’m doing here, which is understandable given my leopard print skirt and tennis shoes don’t exactly scream ‘cowgirl’ the way his dusty, work-worn outfit says ‘cowboy’ loud and clear.

“Oh, hi. I’m Riley, Grace’s new nanny.”

Tipping his hat, he says, “Nice to meet you, Riley. I’m Miller, Grace’s coach.”

“Nice to meet you too. She should be right back with Pegasus. She was very clear that getting him ready for her lesson was part of her job.”

He chuckles as he glances toward the barn. “That it is.” When his eyes find me again, he says, “I’ve been on vacation but heard Grace had family bringing her for lessons. Guessanothernanny bit the dust?” There’s a cynical tone to the question, like he’s seen it all before.

“Seems so,” I answer, “because I’m here now.”

He licks his lips slowly, a smile blooming on one side of his mouth. “That you are. Too bad those Harringtons go through hired help faster than I can go through a six-pack of beer on a Friday night.” He pats his flat stomach, and despite the complete lack of a beer belly, I get the sense that he can put a six-pack down.

“So I’ve heard,” I say, good-naturedly acknowledging the truth of their previous hires and fires.

“Miller! You’re back!” Grace yells, grabbing both of our attention.

She’s dressed similarly to Miller except in place of a hat, she’s wearing a helmet. She’s beaming as she leads Pegasus by a leash. Okay, I’m sure that’s not what it’s called, but I don’t know its actual name. The horse now has a blue blanket and a brown saddle on his back and matching brown leather straps over his nose and around his head.

As I have these thoughts, I realize that I have a lot to learn about horses if they’re this important to Grace. I didn’t know athing about volleyball before Jordan made the team, but there was no doubt I was going to be her loudest cheerleader, so I put in the effort to learn, and I will do the same for Grace.

Even if it’s only for a few months.

Grace starts to run and Pegasus follows her direction, trotting alongside her. “Did you meet Riley?”

Miller flashes me a bright smile. “I did. She’s already better than Beatrice. Didn’t ask for my birthday” —he drops his voice, talking out of the side of his mouth— “May seventeenth.” Back in his normal tone, he says, “Or how much a cowboy makes? And if I’m single?” Lower again, he mumbles, “Not enough. And as a Pringle if you want to grab a beer Friday.” He tacks on a practiced wink to the nonchalant invite before turning to Grace. “Maybe try to keep this one around a little longer? I like pink.” He lifts his eyes to my hair, and unconsciously, I reach up to push it behind my ear.

I fight not to smile, but he’s easily charming me and Grace simultaneously. She even laughs outright as she promises, “I’ll do my best. Come on, I want to show you what Shana taught me while you were gone. Wait till you see my canter.”

I have no idea what a canter is, but if Grace wants to show it off to her coach, I want to see it too.

“Well, get in there and warm up then,” Miller instructs, gesturing toward the ring.

And though Grace goes in the ring, Miller stays by me, both of us watching as she begins making slow loops around the fence line.

“What do you think so far?” When I tear my eyes away from Grace, glancing at Miller in confusion, he clarifies, “About the Harringtons.”

This feels like a loaded question, but I’m not sure if he’s a spy gaining intel for Cameron or a fellow Harrington employeewanting to dish about the boss. It could go either way, but honesty is always a good policy. So is humor, though…

“Grace’s aura is blue and sparkly, like her eyes. Cameron’s is more charcoal gray, like a staid suit.” Even with his hat pulled down, I can see Miller’s eyebrows climb high, and I chuckle. “Gotcha. I don’t know a thing about auras, but I heard the last nanny was a star sign girl.”

“Thank fuck. I thought you were a Beatrice 2.0 there for a second.” He laughs, good-natured about the tease. “She tried to give me a piece of rose quartz one time, said it was a symbol of love.” He pauses dramatically, making sure I’m ready for this, and then grins. “Only problem was, it was a chunk of one of the horses’ salt licks, not a crystal or rock at all. She wasn’t too happy when I told her that.” He shakes his head, feigning sadness but not doing a very good job of hiding the grin lifting his lips.

“Probably because she was trying to flirt with you. I mean, you don’t go around giving rose quartz to just anyone. Well, I presume not, anyway. I wouldn’t actually know.”

“One point, Riley.” He draws a tally mark in the air, and then we both turn our attention back to Grace. “Looking good. Take it up to a trot, but drop your shoulders a little, keep ’em steady.”

I watch Grace adjust her posture and guide Pegasus into a faster gait.

“Seriously, though? The Harringtons?” Miller asks, obviously not letting this go, so I decide to reveal a bit more.

“Grace is a riot. Her energy is infectious, and she’s so animated about everything.” I can feel the smile stretching my face as I watch her. It’s like she’s becoming one with Pegasus, and when they pass us by, I wave and give her two thumbs up. “Get it, girl!”

---