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)
“You’re doing that on the circuit?” Canyon asked, surprised.
“Not yet, just in private. My trainer knows I do it, but there’s no plans to take it to tour. Maybe one day, if Hux and I stay as a team for a while.” My stomach turned. I would be devastated if I lost the ride on Huxley.
With that thought, my mind drifted to Jasper and how he so cruelly shot me down the other night. God, I loved it here at Golden Oaks, but things between Jasper and me were strange, and it was casting an eclipse over my future.
“What’s happening, Hals?” Canyon asked, seriously this time. His brows were drawn down, and I knew I wasn’t getting away with not saying something about my mood.
“Homesick, I guess,” I said, not wanting to disclose the truth. Canyon was practically my brother. Even though he was only a few years older than me, he had always been my protector. He was wiser than his years. My daddy would say he believed Canyon had been on this earth before this lifetime. That he was an old soul who felt and thought deeper than most.
Canyon raised an eyebrow. “That’s the story you’re sticking to?”
A smile pulled on my lips. “It is,” I said with a firm nod.
“That tells me it’s guy business, therefore none of my business. That ’bout right?” he asked, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Let’s go with that,” I said, and Canyon shook his head playfully.
I kissed Huxley again as Canyon said, “You just remember whose daughter you are, Hallie-girl. You’re Texan, and we Texans don’t take shit from anyone.”
“I’ll remember that,” I said, feeling warmer inside than I was before. The sound of cows bleating in the background of Canyon’s cell sailed through my phone.
“Aw, hell,” Canyon said, groaning and giving me an apologetic smile. “Duty calls. A fence on the west side just came down and the cattle are making a run for it.” Canyon turned Rosie toward the broken fence, then held up the cell and showed me the view. My heart swelled in my chest, seeing the sun rise over the fields I knew so well, and in this moment, I could almost mistake Huxley’s head over my shoulder for my daddy’s heavenly hug as I looked out at our land, the land that meant so much to him.
“Texas misses you, Hallie-girl,” Canyon said, and tears built in my eyes. Canyon’s face appeared again. “And so does your family.”
“Love y’all,” I said, and wiped at my eyes. “Tell your mama and daddy I’ll call this weekend.” I spent some time every Saturday and Sunday calling Canyon’s mama and daddy and my aunt Jeanie and uncle Luke, telling them about my progress over here in England.
“Will do,” Canyon said, and I hung up the phone just as Canyon began racing Rosie toward the fleeing cows. I looked up and saw a robin on a nearby tree take to the sky above us. I put my cell back in my barn jacket and fixed my Stetson. I had work to do.
Turning, I stepped away from Huxley, seeing his ears prick and his tail swish in excitement. “Are you ready?” I said. Laughing, I started to run around the arena, and like the playful boy he was, Huxley gave chase. I was a huge believer in the fact that if you wanted a horse to perform for you, that you also had to give them what they needed. For Hux, that was grazing in fields, treats, and playtime. Horses were just big dogs in my opinion. They had personalities and loved silliness too.
As I ran around the arena, Huxley bucking in excitement as he chased me, I allowed the fun and levity to cast away the residual hurt in my heart. Breathless, I took off my hat and used it to fan my face. My cheeks were hot from the exercise, and Huxley came to stand beside me. I ran my hand down his neck and laid it over his heart to feel it thumping.
Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a Polo, held it to his mouth, and he gobbled it right up. I tipped my head back to the sky to catch my next breath when I heard, “That was wonderful to see!”
I snapped my head to the left, not realizing I had company. When I glimpsed over the fence, Genny Knighton was there in her wheelchair, a bright smile on her pretty face. My instant happiness at seeing her again was immediately washed away when I saw Jasper behind her, dressed in his usual barn jacket and flat cap.
My gaze flicked to his. His expression was tight, and his hands gripped the wheelchair handles so hard I thought he might break them. But Genny was all smiles, and I made myself ignore Jasper and walk toward them.