Page 72 of The Billionaire and His Forever

“We need to focus, and you all are distracting,” she says mock-scoldingly, arms crossed over her chest.

“I told you,” Jude says, but a smile is still tugging at her lips.

“What, we can’t come to wish you luck?” Abbie says, leaning over the gate to kiss the top of Jude’s head. “Knock ‘em dead, kid. You’re going to do amazing.”

“Remember, my little warrior: you shall vanquish them.” I shoot her a wink. That’s the pep talk I’ve been giving her for weeks, every time her nerves have started to catch up with her.

Jude laughs and shoos us away. “Out! I have to get ready. Cassie needs to do my hair.”

“Fine, fine. We know when we’re not wanted, right, Poe?” I glance up at my favorite toddler. She blows a raspberry and giggles.

“We’ll see you at the winner’s circle. Now get,” Cassie commands.

So we obey. We wave goodbye and find our way to our seats, Posey begging for everything under the sun on the way there. She wants a funnel cake, she wants pink lemonade, she wantsfrozenlemonade, she wants a little flag to wave. Please and please and pretty please.

“There you go, love. There’s your flag. Wave it around, then,” I mutter, shaking my head and sharing a look with Abbie. “We’ve spoiled her rotten, haven’t we?”

Abbie grins. “Look how happy it’s making her, though. And plus it helps it feels like a party in here instead of just…watching horses prance around.”

“You know as well as I do that’s the whole bloody point.”

She laughs at me, rubbing her hand in circles over the back of a sleeping Max. He’s been an exceptionally good baby, which was a nice change after his colicky sister. Year four, though? Year four has been amazing.I remember Jude at this age. She was a joy and a wonder as well.

“Daddy?” Posey chirps. “Can we get a snack, pwease?Pwease?”

She clasps her hands together and I feel my resolve weakening. Here we go again.

I glance over at Abbie, who is shaking her head. “Onlyone thing, Graham. And she doesn’t need a bunch of sugar, or else we’ll never get her to sit still until it’s Jude’s turn.”

“I’ll try to find something healthy. Ish.”

Abbie sighs, but her beautiful smile still shines through. “I’ll go find our seats, you two grab the food. See you in a few.”

The second she turns her back, I make a beeline for the concession stands, Posey crowing with delight from my shoulders. We get funnel cake with raspberry jam, we get mini corn dogs, we get white cheddar popcorn. I even get her a balloon, because the way she says, “Pwease?” melts my heart.

“You’re absurd.” Abbie laughs when we finally reach our box seats, surveying the mess I’m carrying in my arms. “Absolutely absurd.”

“I’ll have you know these are vegetarian corn dogs and the popcorn is local and organic,” I tell her and give her a quick kiss.

“Ew.” Posey covers her eyes.

We settle in and watch the other riders, pointing out different techniques to Poe. She’s just starting her lessons now, with a pony that we let Jude choose at auction, but I can already tell that my youngest daughter is going to be good. How can she not be? Her older sister is a champion rider, and Cassie is the best instructor in the state.

Finally, it’s Jude’s turn. We all stand and cheer as she’s announced, and then quiet back down to watch her work her magic. She and Desi have an unbreakable bond, and Desi does everything Jude asks. Together they tear up that field, acing tricks with poise and grace. By the end, she gets a standing ovation from the whole crowd. I can’t keep the smile off my face.

“That’s my sissy!” Posey yells excitedly to everyone she can. “That’s my sissy!”

When they award Jude the first-place ribbon, my heart swells with pride. She’s worked so hard for so long, and the payoff is sweet as honey. I notice one of the boy riders going up to Jude to congratulate her afterward, and judging by his body language, I get the impression he fancies her. Looks like Miss Jude and I will be having a talk later. She’s far and away too good for him. Too good for any boy, if I have anything to say about it. Though I have a feeling that Abbie will want to put in her own two cents. May cooler heads prevail.

Back in the stables, we find Jude brushing down Desi, beaming brightly, hair sticking to her forehead from wearing her helmet in the summer heat.

She’s brilliant, my little girl, and growing up far too fast for my liking.

“Abbie! Dad!” she calls when she sees us. She pops out of the stall and tackles us in a sweaty group hug, grinning widely. “Did you see how well Desi did?”

“We saw how well youbothdid,” Abbie says. “You were amazing.”

“Phenomenal!” I clap her on the back.

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