Page 29 of Stick Around,
I carefully raised my arms and wrapped them around Junebug’s neck in a gentle hug. “Hi there,” I whispered to her. “I guess we’re friends now?”
The mare nickered softly, and I felt we were having a silent conversation.
The perfect moment lasted approximately six-point-nine seconds before chaos erupted in the form of Eggatha, who burst into the arena like she’d been shot from a cannon.
The chicken charged across the dirt, wings spread, squawking indignantly as if we’d been having this lovely moment without her express permission. Junebug’s head snapped up, her body tensing beneath Reid’s steady hands.
“Eggatha!” Kellan warned. “Don’t you dare!”
But the chicken was already circling Junebug’s hooves, clucking what I could only assume were chicken obscenities. Junebug backed away from me as Reid worked to keep her calm.
I stared at the ridiculous standoff between an irritated horse, a delusional chicken who thought she was a horse, and three shirtless cowboys trying to mediate between them, and suddenly couldn’t contain my laughter.
It was one of the weirdest days of my life but also kind of the best.
Chapter 10
It’s A Date
Enzo
The spreadsheet blurred as I squinted at the screen. I was three hours deep into reconciling boarding fees, and my mid-day coffee had gone cold an hour ago. Staring at numbers shouldn’t have been this hard, but somehow every cell required double-checking today.
La Cuesta’s boarding income was crucial and was where most of our income came from. My head throbbed as I added another note about a late payment for the fourth month in a row. And don’t even get me started on the missing payments from summer camp enrollees.
The camps were a whole other logistical nightmare with liability waivers, snack budgets, activities, and emergency contacts. I rubbed my temples, reminding myself that the camps brought in good money and that my cousin handled most of the work once the camps were in session. All me and the guys had to do was show up on our assigned day to help.
A burst of female laughter cut through my concentration, followed by Kellan’s deeper chuckle. I tried to ignore it, but she laughed again, ending with an unexpected snort.
“Focus,” I muttered to myself, staring harder at the computer screen.
The next peal of laughter broke my resolve. I snapped my laptop closed and followed the sound to the indoor arena. Kellan was holding his phone up while Quinn pranced around on her stick horse.
“Okay, this time with more enthusiasm!” Kellan directed. “Like you’re winning!”
Quinn backed up, then charged forward toward a hurdle. With surprising grace, she leapt over it, making exaggerated faces of concentration that dissolved into giggles as she landed.
“Perfect! This is going to break the internet.”
I leaned against the railing, arms crossed, watching their back-and-forth. There was an ease and flirtatiousness between them. While I hadn’t asked, I was sure lines had been crossed between them.
Kellan tucked a stray strand of hair behind Quinn’s ear. They had to be sleeping together. Not that it was my business. Or that I cared.
Kellan looked up and spotted me. “Enzo! Just the man we need.” He waved me over enthusiastically. “Come film this next part for us. I need to demonstrate proper stick horse form.”
“I’m in the middle of invoices and preparing for the camps to start next week.” I hoped the tone in my voice prompted him to help.
“On a Saturday?” Kellan raised an eyebrow and then checked his watch. “I need to prep for that trail ride in a bit.” He handed his phone to Quinn. “Record yourself doing a few more jumps and I’ll edit it all tonight.”
He jogged toward me, slapping my shoulder as he passed. “Don’t be such a killjoy, Perez. Social media is bringing in half our new clients these days and could bring in so many more.”
After he left, I lingered next to the arena, telling myself I was just taking a break before diving back into numbers. Quinn set the phone up against a bucket and hit record, backing up with her stick horse. Her face was flushed from exertion, hair escaping her ponytail as she charged forward and leaped over the hurdle, letting out a victory whoop that echoed through the arena.
She circled back around, still galloping, and grabbed the phone, laughing to herself as she watched the playback. When she finally looked up, she caught me watching.
Her face lit up, and she waved me over. “I think I’ve really got this jumping form down.”
Against my better judgment, I walked toward her. There was something about being around her that both put me on edge and put me at ease. It was like my brain knew if I got too close there would be no hope for my heart and body.
