My father is standing at the entrance to the stable, holding Titan’s reins. And wearing a thundercloud on his face.
Other than stiffening when he saw him, there is no other evidence that Trick is the least bit affected by Daddy. He guides Runner right up to him, brings him to a stop and dismounts. He even ignores him while he helps me down off Runner. Then, very calmly, he turns to take the reins from my father.
“I’ll take those, sir.”
“What the hell is going on here?”
I’m surprised my dad waited that long to lay into him. I think he’s a little thrown by Trick’s demeanor, too. Most people tremble in their boots and kiss his ass. Trick does neither.
I can’t help but think that’s hot!
“Cami was nice enough to come and help me exercise the horses. Unfortunately, a rattlesnake startled Titan and he threw her. I was just bringing her back.”
He turns his murderous expression on me. I see it soften, but only minimally. “Are you all right? Did you get hurt?”
“No. Just took my breath for a minute, but I’m fine.”
That’s all he needs to hear. He’s furious again, and it’s directed toward Trick.
“Is this how you show you are responsible enough to take care of things in Sooty’s absence?”
“Sir, the horses are fine.”
“What was my daughter doing on Titan anyway? Both of them could’ve been seriously injured!”
My father loves me. I know this. But I’m not fool enough to think that he puts me that far above his horses, his business. It’s times like this I’d like to strangle him.
Angrily, I step between Trick and him. “It was my idea. I insisted that I could ride Titan. I told you I want to learn more about the business and the horses. You said it was fine.”
“I told him to stay away from you,” he fires back at me.
I see red.
“You what?”
I can see him retreating the instant I call him on it.
“I mean, I told him just to—”
“Let’s get something straight here, Daddy. I’m an adult. I can do what I want, when I want, with whomever I want. Unless you want me spending my summer elsewhere, you’d better just back off of Trick. He didn’t do anything wrong. I told him I could ride any horse in this stable.”
“And what’s worse is you bring her back on Runner, when I’ve told you a dozen times he’s too wild,” he says, turning his anger on Trick again.
“Why did you even hire him if you don’t trust him? Trust his opinion? I’ve spent all of a couple hours with him, Daddy, and I can tell you he’s good. Very, very good. And that horse minds him perfectly. Now stop treating me like a baby and stop harassing Trick.” With that, I turn to Trick. “Thank you for letting me help and for bringing me back. I’m sorry to have caused you so much trouble.” I loop my arm through my father’s. “Daddy will walk me to the house, but I promise you I’m fine.”
Trick, still seemingly unaffected, nods to me then nods to my father. I might be crazy, but I think I see a little admiration sparkling in his eyes.
And even though it shouldn’t, that makes my stomach all warm.
As I walk away, I want to look back to see if he’s watching me. I feel like he is, but I can’t be sure. I make myself face forward, though. Daddy doesn’t need anything else to bitch about.
“Promise me you’re not going to fire Trick because of this.”
He says nothing. And, truthfully, I’m a little alarmed. I will never forgive myself if Trick loses his job because I couldn’t stay away from him.
“Daddy, he really needs his job. And I really want to learn more about this place. Just give us both a chance.”
He stops and looks down at me. His expression is still dark and I must admit he can be pretty intimidating. He’s 6’3” and has dark hair, dark skin and light blue eyes. He’s handsome for sure, but his ice cold eyes can be bone-chilling. Especially when he feels something important to him is being threatened. Fortunately, I grew up with it and I’ve learned to deal with it.
Somewhat, anyway.
“Please, Daddy,” I add for good measure.
Finally I see that I’m making a dent.
“No more screw ups, young lady. And I meant it.”
“Yes, sir.”
********
Hours later, I’m standing at my window looking down at the light shining from the windows in the stable. I really want to go down there and see what Trick’s doing. And just talk to him some more. But there are a thousand reasons that’s not a good idea. One of which is that I have a boyfriend, a boyfriend who I’ve thought of very little all day.
I’m going to have to keep an eye on that.
I sigh, mainly because I just can’t help it. Lately, I feel like I’m chained to Brent. Or maybe it’s that Brent represents chains to me. There are tons of great things about him—he’s from a good family, he’s smart, well-educated, successful, handsome, doting. He’s also my father’s choice, which makes things much more difficult in some respects. Easier in others.
But lately, since meeting Trick, my relationship with him just seems…constricting. And my feelings for him seem…trivial. Especially compared to the way Trick’s been setting my blood on fire.
Trick passes in front of the stable windows, drawing my attention back to the present.
My phone rings and I jump. For a second, I hope it’s Trick. But then I chastise myself. Number one, he doesn’t have my number. Number two, why would he be calling me when he’s a few hundred feet away? Number three, I shouldn’t want it to be.
I look at the caller ID and discover it’s Jenna. She doesn’t even give my time to answer. She starts talking the instant I hit the talk button.
“I’m plotting and I need your evil genius mind to help me work something out. You busy?”
“I guess I am now,” I reply. She’s the perfect thing to get my mind off Trick. “What’s up?”
“I need you to get that lickable stable boy of yours to bring Rusty to your house. Can’t you institute a bring-your-hot-friend-to-work day or something? I think it’s a great idea. And who knows? It might catch on. It could take the nation by storm and earn you the Nobel Peace Prize or something.”
“Have you been drinking?”