His eyes grew serious and they pierced right into her when he murmured, “You have the upper hand already, Hallie. More than you know.”
She tilted her head. “What is that supposed to mean?”
He shook his head and glanced back at the board. “Best two out of three?”
Snorting, Hallie got to her feet. “No thanks. I’d rather you not make a fool of me. I’m already dealing with plenty of that on my own.”
He frowned. “Hallie…”
Hallie waved a dismissive hand. “I’m exaggerating. I haven’t heard back from the competition. You know… that one where I submitted my picture? I think we were supposed to hear back by today and I haven’t heard a peep.”
“You neverdidshow me what picture you chose to submit,” he reminded her. He’d asked about it a few times, but she’d brushed him off. Until she knew if she even reached the finals, she wasn’t ready for even Jacob to see what she’d considered her best work.
“I think it’s time we get some ice cream and snuggle on the couch. You can read or draw or something. And I’m going to finish that romance I’ve been too distracted to stick with.”
The mischievous curve of his mouth told her he knew exactly why she hadn’t managed to finish reading the book. Each time she’d gotten into it, he’d been the one to pull her from the story. One time he’d plucked the book from her fingers and read her the scene where the couple kissed for the first time. Then another time, he’d pounced and tickled her until it turned into a pretty heavy make out session. Other times were filled with requests to go for walks or rides on his property.
She held up a finger to warn him off. “I mean it, Jacob. I want to finish this book. No, I need to. Sammie has this book club meeting next week and I’m supposed to bring a book I’ve read from cover to cover that I can recommend.”
“Well, clearly you can’t recommend that one because it’s far too easy to distract you from finishing it.” He smirked triumphantly in her direction.
Hallie rolled her eyes. “If I have to tell the girls that you’re the reason I couldn’t stay focused then I’ll be telling a wholedifferent story from the synopsis of a book they’re expecting.” She pulled out her phone when a notification pinged.
It was an incoming email and she swiped it open without thinking.
Her eyes bulged when she read the first line aloud. “Ms. Bronson, we are thrilled to inform you that your picture titled,Evening Cowboyhas been chosen to enter the finalist stage of our photography competition.” Her eyes snapped up and clashed with Jacob’s.
He was grinning ear to ear as he charged toward her. “That’s amazing, baby!”
She squealed and threw herself into his arms. “I’m a finalist!”
Jacob spun her around the kitchen and they both laughed. He allowed her feet to touch the ground before he buried his face in her neck and murmured, “I knew you could do it.”
His warm breath and loving words had goosebumps starting all over her body. She clung to him tightly, not wanting to let go. “I couldn’t have done this without you,” she said, her voice breaking with a mixture of relief and excitement. “You’re the one who believed I could do it.”
“And you’re the one who had the courage to try,” he reminded her. Jacob pulled back and curled her hair behind both ears. “Does this mean you’re going to show me what you submitted now? If it’s good enough to reach the finals stage, that means it’s good enough to show me, right?”
She flushed so hot she knew she resembled a tomato. Biting down on her lower lip, she inwardly cursed that she chose a picture of him. The pictures of Jacob were her favorites becausethey seemed to encapsulate everything she loved about Rocky Ridge and country living. He was her muse. “Yeah, I guess I can.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
“You’ve got the all-clear, son.”
Jacob couldn’t be hearing Dr. Smith correctly. He had to be imagining things. It was like his brain short circuited and all he could do was stare at the doctor.
Both doctors, actually.
Drake stood a few feet away, his arms crossed over his chest and a broad smile pulling at his lips. There was pride shining in his eyes as he gave Jacob a curt nod. “Your strength has improved immensely. You still get sore after each session, but not nearly as much as before. I want to continue seeing you and working you up to your maximum abilities, but at this point I have to agree with Doctor Smith. You’re cleared to ride and start your practice regimen. I don’t foresee any additional issues arising between now and the competition in December.”
Jacob’s mouth hung open. He was hearing everything they had to say but it wasn’t registering. He’d come into this consultation expecting the worst. Heck, last week he’d given himself a charley horse and he’d figured that put him back a few steps.
Kai clapped him on the back then grabbed both of his shoulders and gave him a little shake, reminding Jacob he was the only one who had come with him to this appointment. It had been for moral support and while Jacob would have loved to have Hallie at his side, he hadn’t wanted her to see him react when he got the bad news.
“This is excellent news, man!” Kai’s voice startled Jacob back to the present. It was loud and bordered on obnoxious—but only because Kai’s excitement seemed to surpass his own. Then reality hit him.
Hard.
He sucked in a deep breath and whirled to face his manager. “You hear that?”
