Page 27 of Saddles & Suits

He must see how deadly serious I am, because he sucks in a breath through his nose. Expelling it sharply, he says, “I’ll go. But you’re not helping the situation. I just want to look out for my little brother.”

Is… is he serious? “What?”

“You can see how it looks bad, can’t you? Warwick mentored you with the intention that you’d own a business similar to this. Then he dies, Jack inherits, and suddenly you and Jack are all loved up.”

Oh my god, he’s serious. “Was this your way of asking my intentions toward Jack?”

“No. Don’t be ridiculous. He’s a grown man. He can date whoever he wants.” His gaze cuts away from mine.

The Tarrant family dynamics are going to be the death of me, I swear. “Malcolm, this is probably a conversation you should have with Jack, but let me set your mind at ease on some points. I’m with Jack because he’s amazing, not because he owns the Vale. We talked about the fact that I work for him before we hooked up. I’m aware that dating the boss looks bad, but I’m not in a position to find other work right now. Any other concerns you have, you need to talk to Jack about, but maybe take a different approach to what you did with me, because he’ll probably deck you.”

He studies me, and for a second, I wonder if I’ve just made everything worse. “I’m not saying you don’t care about him?—”

“I’m not getting into this with you any further,” I insist. “If you’re going to stay, we talk about something else, or I’ll find you a mount and you can ride. Otherwise, it’s time to leave, and Iwillhave you escorted off the property if I have to.”

His mouth flattens into a tight line, but he nods. “I hope you’re on the up and up, because I think I like you. Jack needs someone who’s no bullshit.”

Before I can think of a reply, he heads for the door. “I’ve got plans for later, so I won’t stick around, but I’ll call next week to set up a good time for that ride. Oh.” He turns back. “I saw you opened the tennis court. That’s good—the property should be more self-sufficient, since Jack’s too sentimental to sell the land.”

I’m still staring at the empty doorway when Chris appears in it. “He’s going,” he reports. “What was that about?”

I shake my head. “Mate, you wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

When Jack arrives latethe following afternoon, I’m ready to have a Conversation, capital C, with him. I don’t know if Malcolm has spoken to him or not, but it’s time we address this. Now that I’m taking a more active part in his public life, it’s probably going to come up from time to time.

I meet him in the front hall, and he’s got a sheepish look on his face. “So… Mal came to see you.”

At least I don’t have to be the one to tell him.

“Yep. Did he happen to mention why?”

“He did, and I spent forty minutes yelling at him about it. I’m so sorry. You know I don’t believe you’re?—”

“I know. That’s not something I’m worried about.” I point toward the formal parlor, which rarely gets used. “Let’s sit.”

He grimaces. “In there? But that’s where…”

“Where serious talks happen and you used to get lectured as a kid? I know. I promise not to lecture, but this is a serious talk.”

Jack’s face goes pale. “You’re not breaking up with me, are you?”

“No.” I smile at him. “I’m definitely not doing that.”

Not looking all that reassured, he heads for the parlor and seats himself on the couch. “Okay. I’m ready.”

“Relax. We’re going to work this out together,” I assure him.

“Work out that my brother is an idiot with the mindset of a nineteenth-century snob? I could have told you that already.”

Sitting beside him, I try not to laugh. I don’t want to encourage distractions. “No. Here’s the thing: Malcolm wasn’t wrong. Not about me wanting you because of the business,” I hurry to add, holding up a hand to stop him when he parts his lips. “But that’s the perception a lot of people are going to have when they find out the details of my background. Idowant to own my own stables and riding school, and Warwick mentored me for more than fifteen years. Then he died and I hooked up with you. It’s not a huge leap for people to make.”

“But we’re not breaking up?” he checks, and I shake my head.

“We’re not.”

“I don’t like the alternative implication either,” he says. “The stables run really well under your management, and you’ve increased our profitsandour customer ratings.” He smirks at my surprise. “Yes, I look at the reports you send me, and I checked the books a while back. I leave you be to handle everything here because you’re doing a good job. I don’t want to have to find a new manager just because people are judgmental.”

Aw. I take his hand. “I appreciate that. If I’m being honest, I don’t really want to leave. I love it here, and I’ve worked hard to get it to where it is now. Plus, it’s part of Warwick’s legacy, you know? I want to be part of that.”

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