Change Rein (Willow Bay Stables #1)(23)

She scowls as she approaches us, and I wonder if it’s simply my presence alone that irritates her, or if it’s some kind of bitch resting face she has going on.

“Where is Street?” she asks.

“He’s—”

“Did you turn him out with the other horses?”

Aurora bites her lip out of the corner of my eye, presumably to keep from laughing, before leaving the barn with Jack.

Abandoning me two days in a row. Nice.

Briefly, I consider messing with Charlotte, because it seems like it would be fun to watch her run around like a chicken with her head cut off some more, but for the sake of the horses and, likely, my eardrums, I opt to clear up the misunderstanding.

“Street is in the north paddocks.”

Charlotte opens her mouth to speak, but I raise a finger to shush her, politely of course.

“He’s facing the back of the property, in the individually sectioned area.”

“He can’t—”

“He can’t be turned out with the other horses, because he has hind shoes on. I, too, was raised in a horse stable, Charlotte, and while I appreciate the”—I nod towards her, not exactly sure what she’s doing here—“help, I don’t enjoy being spoken to like an imbecile. Perhaps if we could tone down the condescending manner in which you seem to have deemed so appropriate to talk to me, then I think we can resume a professional working relationship during your time here at Willow Bay.”

Her mouth opens and closes, but no words come out.

“I’m glad you agree.” I flash her the debutant smile I perfected during my years in front of the camera. “The tack you had delivered has been sorted and arranged in lockers with the corresponding horse, and there’s coffee in the lounge.”

With that, I leave Equestrian Barbie standing in the aisle of my family’s barn, choking on her own rudeness.





ELEVEN-EIGHTEEN.

I was hoping to arrive earlier than this to surprise my girl with our first date, but the break-in at the office had stolen most of my time this morning. It was a particularly odd break in—although not our first, given that the location of the office is in downtown Edmonton—but nothing was taken. Just a weak attempt at hacking our client records, e-mails, and personal information. After a three-hour meeting, I was assured that the system was secure and the faults in the security system were being rectified immediately.

As I come up the driveway, I can see why her father would entertain almost any option to keep this place. Given my profession, I harbor a deep love and appreciation for not only a good piece of land, but also the structures on its grounds. Willow Bay Stables is among some of the most gorgeous farms in Alberta. Pride tugs at me for being able to help this family afford to keep it. I am deeply invested in earning a blessing from Larry Daniels, but I would proceed without one if that were my only option.

Just as I pull the truck up outside the main entrance of the barn, I see her. Wild, blonde hair is being tossed around by the wind, and she seems indignant, muttering under her breath. She’s sporting the same cut-off shorts as yesterday, her mile-long legs tucked into faded cowboy boots.

Perfection.

Her head swings up at the sound of my door slamming, and the frown on her face fades a little. “Good morning.”

“Mornin.’”

Her body quivers as my hand settles over her hip.

“You look lovely,” I praise before kissing her on the cheek.

I know she hates it, but I’ll admit I’m inclined to torture her a little after the show she put on last night. Her brazen behavior caught me off guard, but only further showcased the fire under her otherwise settled demeanor. Nonetheless, all of it left me with a raging hard-on and a long drive back home.

“What are you doing here?” she asks as I spread my hand across the small of her back.

Feigning sadness, I playfully growl at her. “Not happy to see me?”

She rolls her eyes, placing a palm on my chest. “I didn’t say that.”

Her fingers graze my heart as if there’s no barrier between her and it. She’s simply able to touch it whenever she pleases.

“I’m here for our first date.”

“Oh.” Her head tilts up, excited, blue eyes finding mine. “And what might that entail?”

I skim the edge of her denim shorts with my fingers. “Well, after last night, I was thinking we’d start off by getting you”—I tug on one of her belt loops—“wet.”



“This is not exactly what I had in mind,” London pouts, looking at the ground between her feet and back up at me for the third time in a minute.

After tying the slipknot on Street’s lead rope, I bend under his neck and come to stand behind her. “Is that so?” My voice is intentionally a husky whisper, and I’m rewarded with the small goose bumps that pebble her fair skin. “What was it you had in mind?”

She involuntarily sways back against my chest when I wrap my arm around her. “You know . . .”

“I’m not so sure I do.” My lips trail over her shoulder. The devil himself surely would be proud of the tease I’m giving her.

As if reading my mind, she grumbles and straightens her body. “You’re the devil.”

“I was entirely chivalrous, Miss Daniels.” I reach to take the hose from her hand. “I believe it was you who started this particular facet of our relationship.”