Page 96 of Sold to Her Enemy

Kurt lets out a long whistle. “Then I’m not worried.”

The stable is impeccably clean, with of dust anywhere. The stalls are modern box stalls, and as we walk down the aisle, a beautiful chestnut Morgan gives us a snort.

“This one is Grant, and the one across from him is his brother, Bogart. I’ve groomed them. They’re ready for you.”

Kurt must have seen my face fall.

“If I had known I had an experienced horsewoman coming today, I wouldn’t have.”

“That’s okay. I imagine I’m not your usual guest.”

Kurt chuckles. “No, that’s for sure. Follow me to the changing room.”

But before I step into line following Kurt, I give Bogart a pet and watch how he moves.

His coat is so glossy and shiny that I know these horses are living a good life.

We pass stalls with nameplates spelling out, “Tracey,” “Gable,” and “Wayne.”

“Is your friend an old movie fan?”

“Connor is a director,” Adrian winks at me.

Kurt opens the changing room door, a clean, functional space with lockers against one wall. On a shelf, clothing is neatly stacked and organized by size.

“You’ll find what you need there.”

“Thanks.”

“I’ll get the horses out of their stalls. Do you want to tack yourselves?”

I give Adrian a smirk. “Do you remember?”

His sudden, deep laugh startles me. It pulls on my bank, and I remember Adrian struggling to tack up properly.

“When it comes to horses, I’m as clumsy as ever.”

“Thanks for asking. I’ll handle the tack,” I say to Kurt.

Kurt nods. “I’ll give you your privacy.”

Once Kurt has left, Adrian steps into the changing room. “What do you think?”

My heart is thudding at the timbre in his voice.

“Thank you.” I stand on my tiptoes and brush my lips against his.

“You’re welcome.” He smiles so wide, I see all his straight pearly whites.

“This is the best surprise,” I return his grin, my heart fluttering because this feels so good.

“Get ready.” Adrian gestures to the shelves.

Twenty minutes later, we are leading the horses out of the stables. Bogart is frisky, eager to go, and alert. I can’t wait to ride.

There’s an outside arena, and Kurt showed me where the trails were on a map of the property that he sent to my phone.

As I approach the mounting block, Bogart picks up his step, and his tail swishes. “Are you a happy boy when you’re ridden?”

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