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“No buts. Do not miss any more riding lessons with Grayhawk, either. Chad is doing me a huge favor by letting him take time out of his duties to teach you.”
“It’s not exactly a favor. Chad has tons of hands, and Rafe is being well paid.”
“Yes. By me. May I remind you that you have nothing?”
Angie’s throat constricted. Had someone punched her in the belly? Sure felt like it. Tears welled in the corners of her eyes.
“Daddy…”
“Crying won’t work on me anymore. I’ve said my piece and I meant every word. Now go on. You have a busy day tomorrow.”
* * *
“You had to do it, Wayne,” Maria Bay said to her husband.
He nodded. “I know. It was just so much damn harder than I thought it would be. I still see that sweet little girl in a pink dress.”
“She’s still your little girl. She always will be. But now she’ll have a means of supporting herself.”
“I don’t have to do this. She’d easily have enough money to live on just with her profits from the ranching operations.”
“But you said yourself when we started discussing this—she’d never grow. And that’s not what we wanted for any of our children. No one handed anything to you. Why should you hand it to her?”
He raked his fingers through his hair. “I know, I know. I stand by the decision. This is my fault.”
“You spoiled her. We both did. She was the first, and a girl. But stop blaming yourself. It’s counterproductive. And it’s wearing on you.”
He sighed. She was right, of course. “I need to get to bed, Mia.”
“I know. Come on.”
* * *
Well, there she is.
Rafe blinked.
Was it a mirage? A sexy mirage with dark hair in two ponytails, and yes, it was true—actual worn cowboy boots? Still hadn’t gotten the riding tights, but jeans would do. Jeans that fit her sweet little rump just right. He willed his groin not to respond.
Angie Bay was not only up and in the stall before he got there at six a.m., she had Belle almost ready. Too bad all deals were off.
“Morning.” He tipped his cowboy hat.
“Good morning.” She smiled as she ran the finishing brush over Belle’s sleek ebony flank. “I’m all ready to get going.”
“Sorry. You missed your lesson yesterday. We no longer have a deal.”
“Yes, I know.” She cleared her throat. “I’m sorry about that. I…er…wasn’t feeling well.”
“You could have called.”
“Don’t have your number.”
“Give me your cell.”
She handed it to him and he quickly programmed his number into it.
“There.” He tossed it back to her. “Now no more excuses.”
