Page 69 of Entwined

The loud ringing of my phone interrupts our hysterics. “Shit. It’s Sally at the barn. She never calls at night. It must be an emergency.”

“Answer it!”

I pick up my phone. “Hello? Sally?”

“Jessie? What in the hell is going on? I just signed for a horse… a mare; the papers list you as the owner.”

“What? There must be some mistake. I can’t afford a horse.”

“Are you selling this one? She’s a beauty. The papers say she’s a warmblood.”

My heart pounds. “Simone? Is it Simone?”

“Yes. There’s a man named Will here. He brought her down.”

“Put him on the phone.”

“Jessie?”

“Will? Oh my god, is this true? Is Simone here?”

“She is. He wanted you to have her. He paid in cash for two years of board and feed. All your tack is here too.”

I collapse on the floor clutching the phone, holding a hand over my mouth as tears leak from my eyes. Why? Why did he do this? Is this a goodbye gift? Or a sign he still thinks of me?

“Jessie?”

“I-I’m here. Thank you Will. Please get Simone settled. I’ll be right there.”

“Jessie?” My eyes snap up to Jecca’s.

“A horse. He gave me a horse.”

“Hmmm, that’s fitting. He still fancies you. Diamonds would be a goodbye; a horse is hello.”

“Maybe. Should I accept this gift?”

“How do you return a horse?” She asks.

“Good point. I’m keeping her. I love her so much.”

“Crazy horse girl.”

“I am. And knock it off if you want me to be your wing woman at polo.”

“It has horses. You’ll come.”

“What about Ben? Should I invite him? You have my blessing to go out with him.”

“Now you tell me,” she sighs. “It’s too late now. I only want Phillip.”

“What if he shows up with someone else?”

She cringes. “He might. My bloodline isn’t good enough. My family isn’t titled enough… I can’t compete against the girls more suitable for marriage.”

“Marriage?”

“Yes. I want a husband. A family. I’m not cut-out to be a career woman. College is just a box to be checked off.”

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