Page 29 of Parading the Cowboy Billionaire (Bluegrass Ranch 4)

“Perfect,” he said. “Blaine said he’s cooking for Tam, and we’re welcome to join them for dinner at the homestead. How do you feel about that?”

“That sounds great,” she said. “I always enjoy Blaine’s food.”

Cayden finally straightened, and Ginny felt the absence of him against her neck and cheek. “You never did ask me to sponsor your race,” she said.

“No,” he said. “I didn’t want you to feel like you had to.”

“I’m surprised you think I’d do something I don’t want to do.”

He chuckled as they reached the railing and gazed over the gardens in front of them. The last light of the sun cast everything in an orange glow, and Ginny said, “This is a stunning garden.” She looked up at Cayden. “I’d love to do something for your race.”

“Yeah? Because you want to? Or because Colton Winchester will think he made the deal happen?”

Cayden was extremely smart, and Ginny saw no reason to lie to him. “Both,” she said with a grin. “Let’s discuss it whenever you can come to my office.”

His eyebrows went straight up. “Your office?”

“Yes, sir,” she said. “I do business deals from my office, and no one will think it odd if you come there to get this deal done.”

“I see.”

Ginny looked up at him, the sexy curve of his mouth making her so happy.

“When should I come get the deal inked?”

“Let’s see,” she said. “I’ll have Mel check my schedule and set something up with you.”

“Perfect,” Cayden said.

9

Cayden walked down the aisles of the family stable, the scent of horseflesh and dirt calming him in a way he couldn’t explain. He loved being outside with the horses, and he didn’t get to do it nearly often enough.

His boots scuffed against the ground, and the jeans he’d pulled on in his office felt like soft cotton for how dirty they were. A smile touched his face as he approached Raven’s stall. “Hey, girl,” he said softly.

He felt more like himself with the horses than he did in suits and shiny shoes—not that he wore those. Even last night at the Winchester party, he’d worn cowboy boots. They were shiny though, and they’d never visited the outdoors here at Bluegrass Ranch.

The blue roan lifted her head over the gate and sought Cayden’s palm. “I need to come see you every day, don’t I, girl?” he said to her, bending his head down to get closer to hers. “Sorry I haven’t. I will, okay?” He stroked both hands down the sides of her neck and watched her eyes close halfway.

“You’re going to take Ginny on your back today,” he said. “She’s got eyes about the same color as your coat, and all this long, dark hair she thought about dying blonde but never did. She’s gorgeous, and kind, and I kinda like her.” He smiled at the horse, who’d keep his secrets until the day she died.

Not that how he felt about Ginny was a secret.Only from her mother, he thought.

Cayden had moments where everything between him and Ginny was plated with gold and nothing could go wrong. Other times, he spiraled into self-doubt, and he’d call or text her and try to get the reassurances he needed that they were okay.

She always gave them too, patiently, and Cayden wished his insecurities weren’t so strong.

“Who should I ride today?” he asked Raven. “I think I’m gonna go with Honeyduke.”

Cayden always rode Honeyduke, and he loved the palomino more than anything. He’d bought her several years ago, and she’d produced three golden colts in that time, remained his best friend, and knew all of Cayden’s secrets, inside and out.

He looked down the aisle, but Honey’s stall wasn’t open. “Be right back,” Cayden said, digging in his pocket as he went. He pulled out a single serving of honey roasted peanuts and ripped open the bag.

Several horses lifted their heads over their gates at the rustling of the plastic package, and Cayden grinned at them. “Not for you guys,” he said, knowing Spur wouldn’t be happy about Cayden feeding the horses peanuts. Especially his, and Cayden went right past All-Out’s stall without hardly a glance at the horse.

He arrived at Honey’s stall and unlatched the top half of the door. She met him there, and he did feed her a few of the candied peanuts. “Hey, my friend.” His soul finally soothed all the way, and he couldn’t let so much time pass between now and his next visit.

He did get out on Honey every Sunday afternoon, but he hadn’t yesterday because of the Easter dinner. His thoughts wandered to Ginny, and he’d already told Honey all about her.

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