Page 28 of After You Returned

“Part-time? Must be nice not to have to work full-time.”

Must be nice to have a daddy who owns a business where he can fart around all day and say he works full-time when everyone on the island knows he doesn’t work past three every day.

“I also have my therapy practice.”

“I thought the therapy practice was a hobby.”

I inhale a deep breath through my nose before I snap at him. A hobby? I spent six years at college for a hobby?

“Not a hobby,” I manage to mutter. “Actually, I’m searching for a new job.”

“We have an open position here. It’s part-time. It’s perfect for a woman who’s planning to start a family soon.” He winks and I nearly gag.

“I’m not planning on starting a family anytime soon.”

“You might change your mind if the right man comes along.”

“I don’t have time for a man now. I need to find a new jobas a therapist.And then I’ll be busy concentrating on growing my practice and career.”

“This is the problem with women nowadays. They’re always worried about their careers when they should be busy having children and maintaining families.”

Wow. I knew Warren was a jerk. I didn’t realize he was a sexist jerk. Good to know.

“Where’s our picnic?”

“Shellshock Canyon.”

“Shellshock Canyon is at the bottom of Cannonball Hill. We can use Pirate’s Shortcut to get to Cannonball Hill.”

“Cannonball Hill is dangerous.”

“It’ll be fine.” I reach down to pat Ginger’s neck. “Ginger and I are looking forward to the challenge.”

“Pirate’s Shortcut will take twice as long to get to Shellshock Canyon than if we stay on the Tipsy Trail.”

“Not if we race.”

“Racing wouldn’t be fair. I’ll beat you by a mile.”

I smirk. “Oh yeah? Sounds like a challenge.”

“I’mnot…”

I don’t listen to him. I squeeze Ginger’s sides with my calves while commanding her to ‘hup’. She gallops away, leaving Warren in our wake.

I hear him behind us commanding his horse to hurry up but I don’t turn around. I intend to win this race and show this pompous, sexist, nepo baby women are as good as – if not better – than men.

Pirate’s Shortcut isn’t exactly a shortcut but lucky for me, I do know of a shortcut to get to Cannonball Hill. I make a sharp left at Hidden Keg Hollow and cross the path of the Tipsy Trail before reaching the top of the hill.

“You sure about this, girl?” I ask Ginger. She doesn’t hesitate. She gallops down the hill as if possessed. My hair flies behind me, my heart pounds in my chest, and the smile on my face stretches from ear to ear.

This is why I love this island. I doubt you’ll find bridal paths as wild and crazy as these anywhere else in the country.

I pat Ginger’s neck and slow her down as we reach Shellshock Canyon.

“You cheated!” Warren shouts as he catches up to us.

“How did I cheat?”