Page 6 of Destry

My pulse sprinted. “I don’t need?—”

“Mirage is good, but he isn’t built for barrels,” Destry continued, ignoring my protest. “If you’re serious about training, you need a horse that knows the pattern and a horse that knowsyou.”

I folded my arms. “And you just happen to have one lying around?”

He shrugged. “Maybe.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Why would you help me with a horse?”

His sexy grin returned. “Because I like watching your pretty ass ride.”

Heat traveled up the back of my neck, but I refused to let him see I was bothered.

“You gonna tell on me?” I asked instead.

Destry tilted his head, considering me for a second too long. Then he grinned. “Guess that depends.”

I sighed. “On what?”

He took a step closer and lowered his voice just enough to sound even more sexy, like I needed more of that. “On how nice you are to me from now on.”

I rolled my eyes. “Unbelievable.”

Destry laughed. “Relax, sexy. Your secret’s safe with me.”

I didn’t trust him further than I could throw him but if he was offering a horse…I wasn’t about to say no.

CHAPTER

FOUR

Destry.

The smell of fresh coffee filled the kitchen as I leaned against the counter, staring out the window at the endless stretch of land beyond my porch. The morning sun hovered over our cattle ranch and the pastures stretched as far as the eye could see.

This was peace.

My house sat on the far side of my parents’ property, away from the sprawling, multi-million-dollar estate they occupied. Their place looked like something out of a damn magazine with glass windows, marble floors encased in a custom wood design. The kind of luxury most folks around here only saw on TV.

I occupied a two-bedroom ranch-style home that was simple and private. Exactly the way I liked it.

I took down a large gulp of coffee, letting the warmth wake me up, then set the tumbler down and headed to my room. I pulled on a pair of well-worn jeans, a white T-shirt, and myboots before grabbing my black Stetson off the dresser. I rolled my shoulders as I walked back through the house to work out the stiffness from yesterday’s practice rides, grabbing my coffee tumbler before heading to the door.

By the time I stepped outside, the morning air had lost its chill, promising another hot day. I climbed into my truck which was the only thing that stood out against the rest of my lifestyle. I liked nice things and worked my ass off for them, regardless of the wealth this ranch passed down to me.

The engine rumbled to life as I pulled onto the dirt road leading away from the ranch. The fairgrounds weren’t far, and by the time I got there, the first person I saw when I neared the arenas had me grinning.

Savvy was already working, moving with frantic motions like there was a time clock running, just like yesterday. I pulled into my usual spot, killed the engine, and stepped out, adjusting my hat as I strolled toward her. She must have felt me coming because she turned before I even said a word and her hands landed on her hips while her eyes narrowed the second she saw me.

“I’m surprised you’re up after that late night you had,” I said, smirking.

She sighed. “What do you want, Callahan?”

I stopped a few feet away and crossed my arms. “Just checking to make sure you’re not sneaking any more midnight rides.”

Her jaw clenched and her eyes darted around to make sure we didn’t have an audience. “I wasn’t hurting anything. Can you let that go?”

“You still broke the rules, though. Guess I’ll have to keep an eye on you all day.”

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