Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 128313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128313 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
“No formalities, Horatio. You and I are going to be close friends.” Horatio smiled, and his cheeks blushed at Sage’s enthusiasm.
“I’m excited to be working with you,” he said, then went back to hold the mare. I winked at Mila, and she smiled back with the same excitement. This was a huge moment for us all. We were meeting our horses. The second half to our competitive unit.
Leon nodded to Horatio, and Sage’s groom threw on his hat and moved to the mounting block, stepping gracefully into the saddle. Immediately, the chestnut mare began prancing on the spot, filled to the brim with energy. Horatio was clearly a skilled rider, but he struggled to hold her back as they headed to the rail. His arm muscles flexed with the strength he needed to keep her fiery spirit contained.
“Lady Seraphina is a warrior queen,” Leon said. “Nine years old, seventeen-three, and an Irish Warmblood. She’s from one of the strongest lineages in our stud.” Horatio turned the corner of the arena, and it took everything he had to hold Seraphina back from taking off and him losing control. “She needs a rider who can match her spirit,” Leon said. “One who is fearless but solid.” I cast a glance at Sage, whose eyes were locked on the mare.
The inferno in my best friend’s dark eyes told me she had already fallen in love.
“Take her over the fence,” Leon shouted to Horatio, who moved Seraphina into a canter and headed for the jump that was set up in the middle of the arena. The moment Seraphina saw it, her ears pricked forward, and you could feel the excitement pulsing off her in waves. Horatio had no choice but to let her go. And go she did. Sage gripped my hand as her mare soared over the vertical jump, clearing it with ease.
“As you can see,” Leon said to Sage, “Seraphina is your typical chestnut mare. Feisty, independent—”
“And fucking insane,” Sage finished, just as Seraphina tried to throw Horatio off her back in an attempt to jump again. Sage tilted her chin. “Just like me.” Sage released my hand and turned to Leon. “I love her.”
He smirked. “The minute you signed on with us, Sage, I knew she was yours.” Leon shook his head. “We haven’t had a rider yet who can handle her.” He pointed at Sage. “Perhaps until you.”
Horatio brought Seraphina back over, and Sage was donning her helmet in seconds. As soon as she was on the horse’s back, my chest swelled. They looked perfect together. Sage turned Seraphina to the track, and within ten minutes was soaring over the jump, holding the exceptionally strong mare back with perfect precision. When she was done, Sage came over to where we watched.
Her face was flushed, and her eyes were sparkling. “She’s my horse,” Sage said confidently, and I could see them both in my mind, clearing the Grand Prix circuits and dominating the jump-offs, racking up wins one by one.
Leon patted Seraphina on her neck. One rider and horse pairing down. Then he waved at Mila and turned to me. I watched my groom climb on the dark-bay stallion she’d been holding. “Lord Huxley is a seventeen-two Irish Sport Horse. A stallion. Eight years old. A descendant of Lord Edward, one of the first stallions in the Knighton empire, and one of the most sought-after sires here at Golden Oaks.”
“I’ve read about him,” I said, awe in my voice as Mila turned the pretty stallion and kicked him on. He had a black mane and tail and every part of him was lean muscle and pure power.
“He’s calm for a stallion but still harnesses superb power in his hind end.” I was transfixed as Mila began to trot him, then pushed him into a canter before taking him over the jump. My heart was in my throat as he soared over the fence—as he flew. Mila brought him back to me, dismounted, and handed me the reins.
I moved in front of Huxley and let him breathe in and out, taking in my scent. “You are a beauty,” I said, pressing my forehead to his. I closed my eyes and stroked his wide cheeks. Canyon, my best friend from Texas, always told me to get to know the horse I was working with before I got on. To bond with him. That without that bond, the pairing would never be strong. Canyon was a natural horseman, or what some people referred to as a horse whisperer.
He was the best horseman I knew, so anything he advised, I did.
I stepped back and looked into Huxley’s eyes. They were a deep brown framed by long dark lashes. And they were kind. Goose bumps broke out all over my body. I didn’t know why, but some gut instinct I harbored told me deep down that this gentleman would look after me if I looked after him. I ran my palm over his topline and down his side. I laid my hand over his heart, closing my eyes as I felt it beat. I smiled when it was strong and steady under my touch. Moving back to Huxley’s face, I pressed my forehead to his again and exhaled a long, slow breath.