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“Megan tells me you’re staying at your uncle’s cottage.” Nicky made casual conversation.
Mike nodded, finding his voice once more. “Yeah, I live in the cottage right next door to Megan’s.”Did I just say that?He had to stop the urge to slap himself on the forehead over his stupidity.
Her eyes flickered with amusement for a second, and she pointed toward Scott House as he was standing with his back to it. “I should get going.”
Mike managed a half-smile, though his mind still grappled with the unexpected encounter. “Likewise.”Likewise?Pull yourself together, man, before she thinks you’re a complete moron.
“Well, then, goodnight, Mike,” Nicky said, stepping around them. “I hope to hear from you soon about my offer for the bookstore.”
With that, she started to walk off. Mike found himself watching her retreating figure. He couldn’t explain the odd pull he felt toward her—a sense that his life was about to be turned upside down.
“Geez Louise, that was so hard to watch.” Jade’s teasing voice snapped him out of his daze.
Mike turned to see her leaning against the cottage gate with a mug between her hands. Her eyes danced with amusement.
Mike rolled his eyes, though his thoughts lingered on the encounter. “What are you talking about?”
“I’ve never seen you like that before.” Jade chuckled, clearly enjoying his discomfort. “Uncle Mike, I could practically feel the awkwardness from here.”
He sighed and pushed the gate open, with her standing on it for a ride. “You’re imagining things.”
Jade’s grin only widened. “Sure, Uncle Mike. Whatever you say.”
“You shouldn’t be eavesdropping on other people’s conversations.” Mike took the hand towel from the veranda railing as he walked into the house, with Jade following him.
“I wouldn’t call whatever that was a conversation.” Jade laughed as he turned and threw his sweaty towel at her, which she dodged.
“Shouldn’t you be bathing and getting ready for bed?” Mike asked her as they walked into the kitchen, and he pulled a bottle of water from the refrigerator.
“Nope, it’s summer vacation, and I don’t have to be in bed until at least twelve.” Jade gave him a smug look. “As per your rules.”
“I miss the days when your vacation curfew was nine o’clock.” Mike sighed.
“I honestly don’t know why you even bother with your curfew rules.” Jade sipped her hot chocolate. “You never enforce them.”
“I do during school days,” Mike pointed out before downing the rest of the water. “Weren’t you going to tell me about this horse you want to buy?”
“Clever!” Jade nodded, raising one brow. “Tempt me into another conversation to avoid further embarrassment over you nearly knocking Nicky Scott off her feet.”
“This is your last chance to discuss the horse!” Mike closed the bottle of water and threw it into the recycling bin.
“Fine!” Jade relented, pulling out a chair from the small round table perched in the center of the kitchen. “His name is Midnight.”
“His name?” Mike’s eyes narrowed as he sat in a chair facing her. “Is he a gelding?”
“Wait!” Jade held up both her hands. “Can I finish telling you about him before you go all judgey about my choice?”
“If you mean all judgey over not wanting you to be riding a stallion, then no, you can’t finish telling me about him.” Mike leaned his elbows on the table. “You need a nice, docile mare or gelding.”
“Won’t you please hear me out?” Jade argued. “Midnight is an ex-racehorse that was retired because he hurt his leg.”
“Oh, so you want a crippled stallion?” Mike sat back and folded his arms across his chest, trying not to let his mind wander back to his run-in with Nicole.
“Midnight is not crippled!” Jade’s voice was filled with impatience. “You’re deliberately being difficult, aren’t you?”
“No, honey.” Mike shook his head. “I want to see the horse first.” His eyes met her blue ones, which were so like her mother’s. “We also made a deal that you’d find three or four that you liked, and we’d make a choice together.”
“So, I can get a horse?” Jade suddenly said.
