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“She does. And she’s gonna be pissed at me when I get home, smelling like Jose Swervo over there.”
I laugh, knowing exactly what she means, but before I can say anything more, we’re interrupted by one of Maria’s family members asking to have their picture taken. I walk around, taking several and chatting up the guests before I’m climbing in the saddle to head back to the ranch. We take the meandering way, but not so meandering the older folks start grumbling about sore bottoms. I casually wind us back to the firepit, which is already sporting a friendly fire and several Adirondack chairs courtesy of Case. Well played, sir.
I help folks dismount and accept their thanks, while also posing for a few more pictures. Maria jogs up as I’m leading Mab back to the stables and extends a hand, face down. Clearly a tip.
“Oh, that’s not—”
“I insist. My uncle Rodrigo is never impressed with American riders, but he won’t shut up about you and the trail. Well worth the gratuity. Please.”
I take the cash without looking and tuck it away. “Thanks.”
“I know you said you don’t race, but you also said you train. I could use a partner. Someone to push me and maybe even exercise Duchess whenever I’m on the road. I’d pay you for your time. Not when we’re working together, mind you. But, like, whatever work you’d do with Duchess. Please say you’re interested. I’ve had a hell of a time finding someone I trust.”
I gape at her for a minute, flustered. “You want to train with me? You don’t even know me.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’ve seen plenty.”
“You saw a trail ride,” I demur with a chuckle. “Anyone can—”
“Okay, fine.” Maria cuts me off, her expression exasperated. “Camilla Gutiérrez and my mom are best friends. Since they were kids. She’s like my aunt. She’s been bragging on you for months now, and so I might’ve used this trail ride as an excuse to finally check you out and see what all the fuss is about. Now will you say yes?”
I’m still in shock, but before I can overthink it, I nod. “Sure. Okay. But I insist you practice with me a few times first before you even think about hiring me.”
Maria holds out her hand again, and I shake it. “You have a deal.”
Maria and I make plans for her to return on Friday afternoon with Duchess so she can watch Mab and me run the clover in person, and then practice together. I still can’t believe all of this, but I’m giddy at the opportunity to even get to know Maria, let alone practice with her.
So it’s just as well I’m finally leading Mab into her stall when my phone buzzes, putting the kibosh on all my happy vibes. At first, I ignore it. Everyone who matters should still be at school,after all. But it immediately restarts. I slide the stall door shut and double-check the latch before removing my gloves and pulling my phone out the top of my boot. It’s the high school.
I groan and walk out of the stables, past a curious Case, and in the opposite direction of where Maria’s family is still congregated around the fire. I make it into the open air of the back pastures before hitting Call Back.
“Hi,” I drawl in my most professional tone. “This is Winnie Sutton. Someone tried calling me? I’m at work.”
“Hi, Winifred,” the secretary says. “So good to hear your voice, darlin’. Hold on just a moment. I’m transferring you over to Principal Butler.”
I shift my weight, waiting for the transfer, my brain spinning through all the different scenarios of why the school would be calling me. Even though I graduated last year and have never broke a single rule in my entire life, I gnaw the inside of my lip, worrying maybe it’s about me.
But of course it’s not about me. It’sneverabout me.
“Jesse’s been gone since third period, Ms. Sutton. I tried to call your home number, but there was no answer. You’re next on the emergency contact. While I have no reason to suspect your brother is in any danger, he’s off school property, and this is considered a truancy. And”—he clears his throat—“it’s not his first. I’m not sure how much longer we can go before getting the proper authorities involved. I realize things are difficult at home and parental supervision isn’t what it should be, but your brother is skipping classes, delinquent on a number of his assignments, and his grades are dropping. Last week, he served detention with Mr. Wright for disrespectful speech.”
I swallow a stream of my own disrespectful speech and instead thank him for the information. I end the call with shakingfingers. I crush the phone in my right hand, suppressing the urge to chuck it across the paddock. I can’t afford another one right now.
I drop to my haunches, my head in my hand, and whip off my thin knit hat, forking my fingers into my long hair and pulling until I feel the hot sting of tears burning behind my eyelids.
“Fuck!” I mutter under my breath. “Fucking fuck shit fuck fucking fuck.” I fall back on the packed dirt and sniff, drawing the back of my hand over my face.
“Bad news?” Case is behind me, and I let my head fall back with a groan.
“No, I’m fine. Just… resting.”
“That was a lot offucks for being fine.”
I don’t say anything, hoping he’ll take the hint and leave.
He doesn’t. Instead, he drops to the dirt next to me, stretching his legs out.
It’s like a switch has been flipped inside of me; my heart starts racing in my chest. “What are you doing?”
