Page 14 of Fool for You
“That’s where my ranch is, isn’t it?” I dropped the horse's breakfast and grabbed the pitchfork to scoop the hay. She made her way over to the black bowl of food, gave me a small nudge, and slowly began to eat.
“Well, perfect,” he sighed, a grunt in his voice. “I’m heading to Boise. I’ll come visit, pull you out of the stupor you’ve gotten yourself into.”
“I’m not in stupor. I’m helping my sister while she’s low on staff.” Not technically a lie, but not the truth either. Abi didn’t need staff to make the place run smooth.
Sam was silent for a beat, then said, “She asked about you, man.”
“Who?” I asked, my interest piquing.
“Montana. You think I had the runner-up out of choice?”
“Kelly?” I raised a brow. “Why the hell is she asking about me?”
“Come on, man. She told me to remind you of that week.” I could practicallyhearhis wink.
“Okay, this conversation is done. I have stalls to muck.”
“See you in a few days, and don’t step in any more horse shit.”
“Get some sleep.” I slammed my thumb down on the red button, shoving my phone back in my pocket.
Kelly Fugal was the one girl last fall who almost—almost—made me forget about anyone else. Her year as a rodeo queen had officially started; she was on top of the world, and she took me right there with her for one week. If I didn’t catch her making out with a bull rider after waking up in my bed that same morning, I swear there could have been something more with her. Why the hell was she reminding me of the time we had?
Then a voice sang through the stables, getting louder as she approached. Hook neighed, and Charming’s head poked out of the stall. They knew her voice just as well as I did, and the thought of Miss Rodeo Montana, Kelly Fugal, vanished from my mind when Quinn Compton stepped into my view.
Five
Quinn
Charming’sfronthoovesdancedfrom side to side as he geared himself up, his heartbeat vibrating through him. Deep breath in, long breath out. I’d done it so many times you’d think I’d have it down by now, but even in the training arena, the tension still rose in my stomach. There was something different about being here—just me and my horse—versus being in a packed arena where the cheers motivated me. Here, all I had was Charming’s body moving underneath mine. Our deep breaths inand out, our heartbeats beginning to match, his muscles tensing, wanting to go. And right now, he wanted tomove.
I kicked him into a full gallop, the wind catching my hair and his mane as we bolted through the gate. I led him off to the right, to that first barrel, and he rounded it perfectly. The tip of my boot skimmed the edge of the lid, but it stayed up.Phew,I had to make those stay up, especially in training. Charming gained more momentum as he flew towards the second barrel, circling that one with just as much ease. We tilted off to the left, gaining a speed that could match a jet plane as we finally made it to the third barrel.
Piece of cake.
The barrel didn’t stand a chance.
Charming zoomed back to the entrance of the arena, his body buzzing just as much as mine was. He halted and let out a loud huff as the smile formed across my face.
I loved it. Everything from the speed to the pulling back just in time to stop. Some people got their adrenaline rushes from jumping off bridges, extreme mountain biking down a rocky path, something that they considered dangerous, which could potentially kill them. But for me, this right here, on the back of a horse, was it. Nothing would ever compare to it.
I had the feeling nothing could stop me, even if it tried.
I leaned down and wrapped my arms around Charming’s neck. “Good job, boy,” I said, rubbing my hand along his coat. “Good job.”
“Fourteen point nine!” I heard Cash shouting from the opposite end of the arena.
Pulling Charming back around, kicking him into a trot, I went right back to Cash, his dashing smile just as wide as mine must have been.
“Not bad. Best time of the night.” He took a step on the dirt, a small limp to his step. “A few more runs? Get Hook.” He nodded towards the stables.
I gave him a salute before dismounting Charming. Before every session, I saddled both of my boys, getting each ready for whatever Cash may throw at us. Sometimes I’d switch in between, giving both of them the time they need in the arena. Other times, I’d be on one horse the entire ninety minutes. If that was the case, I took the one who didn’t get to race on a long ride after. I was honestly hoping for a long ride with Hook, but it looks like we’d get to spend some time in the arena together racing barrels.
Hook was a stubborn boy; his affection only went towards certain people, mainly me. But the flash of Wyatt Hartwell handing him a peppermint and the way he talked to him sat in my mind, and it hit me in a way I wasn’t sure how to take. Instinct was telling me to be annoyed, to remind the man that Hook wasmyhorse, and he had his own, plus the other horses the Nova Luna Stable was boarding, he could bribe. But in reality, my stomach did a small flip when I saw the two of them together.
It was getting harder to pretend Wyatt wasn’t around. He was always in the stables, and I mean always. He floated from stall to stall, giving each horse attention before moving on to the next. He would joke and laugh with Cash, take direction from Abi, and always acknowledge me there, even if I didn’t pay any mind to him. Our eyes would meet for a brief second before the corners of his lips would tug. He’d nod and then break the contact, moving onto whatever he deemed worthy of his focus. But he’d always give me that same cocky smile, sometimes a wink.
And my damn stomach would do the same stupid flip.
