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“I focused on the future, on the career I would have once I finished school.”
“I’m not sure I could give up what I do.”
Hadley shrugged. “You’ve never had to.” She considered his expression as he guided her through the doors that led into the arena and wondered what it would be like to be him, to never give up something because of circumstances. “Have you ever considered what would happen if you lost Wade Ranch?”
His grin was a cocky masterpiece. “I’d start over somewhere else.”
And that summed up the differences between them. Hadley let life’s disappointments batter her. Liam shrugged off the hits and lived to fight another day. Which is exactly what drew her to him. She admired his confidence. His swagger. What if she hadn’t let guilt overwhelm her after Anna’s accident? What if she’d stood up to her parents about selling Lolita and changed her major when she realized teaching wasn’t her cup of tea?
“I wish I’d gotten to know you better back when I was racing barrels,” she said, letting him guide her toward a narrow wooden observation deck that ran the length of the arena.
He handed over Maggie. “You could have if you hadn’t disappeared after my advice helped you win the sweepstakes. You were supposed to thank me by taking me to dinner.”
“I thought you were kidding about that.” Only she hadn’t. She’d been thrilled that he’d wanted to go out with her. But Anna’s accident had happened before she had the chance to find out if his interest in her was real. “Besides, I wasn’t your type.”
“What sort of type was that?”
She fussed with Maggie’s sweater and didn’t look at him. “Experienced.”
* * *
Liam took the hit without an outward flinch. Inside he raged with frustration. “I’m not sure any woman has a worse opinion of me than you do.” It was an effort to keep his voice neutral.
“My opinion isn’t bad. It’s realistic. And I don’t know why you’d care.”
Women didn’t usually judge him. He was the fun guy to have around. Uncomplicated. Charming. With expensive taste and a willing attitude. But Hadley wanted more than an amiable companion who took her to spendy restaurants and exclusive clubs. Glib phrases and seduction wouldn’t work on her. He’d have to demonstrate substance, and Liam wasn’t sure how to go about that.
“I care because I like you.” He paused a beat before adding, “And I want you to like me.”
Without waiting to see her reaction, he strode across the arena toward the horse being led in by one of the grooms. He’d selected four young horses to show Hadley in the hopes of enticing her to get back in the saddle. Why it was so important to see her ride again eluded him. As always he was just going with his gut.
Liam swung up into the saddle and walked the gelding toward the raised viewing deck. “This is a Blue son. Cielo is three. I think he has a great future in reining. At the moment I personally own eight horses and I need to pare that down to five. I’m going to put him and three others through their paces, and I want you to tell me which you think I should keep and which should go.”
Hadley looked appalled. “You can’t ask me to do that. I’m no judge.”
“When I’m done riding all four you will tell me what you think of each.” He bared his teeth at her in a challenging smile. “I value your opinion.”
He then spent ten minutes working Cielo through his paces all the while staying aware of Hadley’s body language and expression. With Maggie asleep in her arms, Hadley had never looked so beautiful, and Liam had a hard time concentrating on his mounts. After he rode all four horses, he ha
d a special one brought out.
“You might recognize Electric Slide from his video.”
Hadley’s color was high and her eyes were dancing with delight, but her smile dimmed as he approached with the colt her former mare had produced. “I can’t get over how much he looks like his mother.”
“Want to give him a try?”
She shook her head. “It’s been too long since I’ve ridden, and I’m not dressed for it.”
He recognized a lame excuse when he heard one. She’d worn jeans and boots to the barn and didn’t want to admit the real reason for her reluctance.
“Next time.” Liam swung into the saddle and pivoted the colt away.
Disappointment roared through him, unfamiliar and unpleasant. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d invested so much in a project only to have it fall flat. Was that because he didn’t throw himself wholly into anything, or because he rarely failed at things he did? His grandfather would say that if he was consistently successful, he wasn’t challenging himself.
Isn’t that why he’d quit dating a year ago and refocused on Wade Ranch? He’d grown complacent. The horse business was growing at a steady pace. He enjoyed the companionship of several beautiful women. And he was bored.
Liam’s mind was only half on what he was doing as he rode Electric Slide. The pleasure had gone out of the exhibition after Hadley turned down a chance to ride. After a little while, he handed the colt off and strode across the arena toward her.
