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He glanced out the window to see Raine crossing the wide expanse of lawn to the guest house. He’d intended to schedule an afternoon session, but he didn’t have her phone number—a fact he’d need to rectify—and he wasn’t about to go chasing after her. Since it was only the first day, he decided tomorrow would be soon enough to set a firm schedule.
Returning his attention to the computer, he sent a message to Janine agreeing Moring Glory was ready to graduate, and yes, the Hamiltons would be a great fit for the mare. Then he confirmed a Friday morning showing with the couple who’d already adopted two horses from them.
As for the rest of today, he was going to take his unexpected afternoon off and get out for a ride. Yesterday’s schedule had been thrown off after he’d been ambushed by Mark, and Taz was as anxious for some exercise as he was for some solitude on the trails.
Though, come to think of it, the heaviness that usually settled in his chest after a
few days of being restrained to the barn was absent. In fact, there was an energy invigorating his body that had him looking forward to tomorrow morning when he should be dreading dealing with the headstrong brunette. But Raine provided a challenge—one he hadn’t realized he’d even wanted until she announced she was staying.
“I’m only staying to watch you fail.”
The memory of those words sparked a smirk. He was pretty sure she’d said that just to be contrary. It would make no sense for her to sabotage him on purpose, because if he failed, she failed. And he’d stake his job on that being the last thing she wanted.
For the rest of the morning and an hour after lunch, he took care of miscellaneous chores until it was time for a ride. In the middle of saddling his thoroughbred, his older brother strode into the barn. “Hey, Rey. You heading out or finishing up?”
He glanced at Dev over the saddle. “Heading out. Want to come?”
“Hell yeah. Who you got for me?”
“Morning Glory or Stimpy. Both could use the exercise.”
“No offense to Morning Glory, but Stimpy’s my guy.”
Dev headed to the tack room for a saddle and bridle, and Reyes noted his limp was almost undetectable today. It became more pronounced in damp weather, but even so, his brother had progressed in all areas since January. Thanks to time and therapy—and Shelby.
It had seemed strange at first, Dev with the youngest of the Diamonds, but she’d been a key part of bringing him back to the man he used to be. Of making him realize he still had a whole hell of a lot to offer the world outside of the military. Their whole family had loved her before, but now, they’d be forever grateful.
“Shelby working at the clinic?” he asked as they rode out side by side a few minutes later. She’d had the grand opening of her veterinary clinic for low-income families a couple of weeks ago. And Dev had set up a self-defense and tactical training gym right next door.
“She’s at the guest house visiting her cousin, so I decided to tag along.”
“Ah. Should’ve guessed that.”
Dev shot him a sideways look that held a combination wince and grin. “I hear you’re her new trainer.”
He laughed as he worked at containing Taz’s energy beneath him. “If that came from Raine, I imagine you heard quite the earful.”
“She’s not a fan,” his brother confirmed with a chuckle. “Shelby sang your praises, but Raine was having none of that.”
Reyes shrugged. “My job is to get her back to competition level in her jumping, not gain a groupie.”
“A groupie?” Dev scoffed. “You fancy yourself a rock star?”
“I was sticking with the ‘fan’ analogy, that’s all.” He made the turn for the trail leading into the forest, and his brother reined Stimpy to follow.
“Shelby was telling me on the drive over about Raine’s accident last year.”
“Yeah.” He slowed Taz until they were riding side by side again. The afternoon sunlight slanted through the trees, throwing dappled shade over them and the horses. “As far as I know, she hasn’t been over the jump she wrecked on since the accident. She insists she and her horse are fine, but I saw it this morning—she’s scared spitless when they head for that jump.”
“And you’re going to fix it?”
“I’m going to try.”
“I wasn’t aware you were working with horses and riders now.”
“I’m doing a favor for Mark.”
Like Dev had also done a favor for the senator when he’d agreed to be Shelby’s bodyguard back in February.
