Chapter 8 #2
I found him in the indoor arena, working a pretty red horse that had a white circle in the middle of its forehead.
Hawk held one end of a very long rope in one hand and a whip in the other.
But he didn’t use the whip like I expected, or had seen in movies and shit.
No, he just kind of held it out, flicking it occasionally, always keeping it behind the horse.
It took me a second to work out what he was doing, but it seemed like the whole point was just to keep the horse moving.
The whip was not for causing pain or pushing.
Which, considering his comment earlier, made complete sense. And my estimation of the man rose even more. Which was quite the feat, since I already held him in high regard.
For his horse training skills anyway. His people skills needed work.
I rested my arms on the top rail, wanting to call out to him but not sure if that was a good idea.
I didn’t want to spook or startle the horse, and if it was one of the rescues, that could be bad.
Like the one Gemma had told me about earlier.
When I thought of the abuse and mistreatment that animal had suffered, it made my blood boil.
I knew people could be cruel. Evil, even.
But I couldn’t fathom perpetuating that kind of behavior on an innocent animal who just wanted to please you.
“How’d it go?” Hawk’s voice broke into my thoughts, and I realized he’d moved a bit closer without me noticing. He was still working the horse in a circle, but now he occasionally glanced my way.
“Good. Really good. Do you have a few minutes to talk?”
Hawk didn’t say anything for a bit. He’d focused back on the horse and seemed to ignore me.
I wondered if he had even heard me, and half of me was pissed he’d asked a question and didn’t wait for the answer.
The other half was glad he was so focused on the horse, because it showed how intent he was on his work.
“Let me finish with her first. Then I can give you some time.”
I nodded even though he wasn’t looking at me. “How long till you’re done?”
“As long as it takes,” was his immediate and somewhat short response.
I held in the sigh. “All right. I’ll wait.”
Another beat or two, then Hawk used his whip to point. I looked in that direction and saw a set of stairs leading to the loft. “You can wait in my office.”
“Thanks,” I said, and knowing I wasn’t going to get anything else out of him until he was done, I made my way in that direction.
Hawk’s office was cozy, with a makeshift coffee bar and a couch, but a little chaotic. There were papers everywhere, on his desk and on the small table. But I knew organized chaos when I saw it so I made sure not to touch anything. But that didn’t mean I didn’t look.
Sometimes I was nosy as fuck. It was my only character flaw.
Most of it looked like notes on horses. I know he used some sort of computer software to keep track of things because it had been part of the contract and I read it in the testimonials too.
But it looked like Hawk made handwritten notes first and then put it in later.
That sort of made sense, since I knew he was busy.
I could imagine him jotting down thoughts between horses so he didn’t forget anything.
I wandered over to the little table and my eyes widened when I realized I was looking at blueprints.
Ah, the aquatic facility he’d been talking about.
I didn’t know enough about architecture, or equine therapy pools, to really understand what I was looking at, but I could tell it would be a big undertaking.
And if it was really as beneficial as Hawk said it would be, I hoped they managed to build it sooner rather than later.
Maybe they needed an additional benefactor?
Hawk had said that was the reason he took me on, but I could invest more.
I pulled out my phone and shot a text to Marielle.
Pull research on horse shoeing benefits. Also equine hydrotherapy. As many resources as you can find.
I tucked my phone away, not waiting for her confirmation. I didn’t have to. I’d probably have it in my inbox by the end of business. She was efficient like that. Damn, but I really wished she’d been open to moving.
I was still studying the blueprints when I heard Hawk on the stairs. I turned just as he emerged, and his neutral expression turned into a scowl when he saw what I was looking at. It was his fault for sending me up here when he knew they were out. I had nothing to be ashamed of.
“Coffee?” he bit out, a bit gruffly.
“No, thanks. I wouldn’t say no to water, if you have it, though.”
Hawk huffed, reached into a mini fridge under the coffee bar, and tossed a bottle at me. I fumbled it, but didn’t drop it. I hadn’t been expecting him to throw it. I caught the slight smirk before he masked it.
“What can I do for you?” he asked, dropping into his desk chair and staring me down.
My mind immediately jumped to exactly what he could do for me, which was ridiculous.
Just because I found him as attractive as he was irritating didn’t mean he returned it.
I quickly mentally ran through all the reasons the attraction was inconvenient and ridiculous so I could get my mind on business.
“What’s your training schedule look like for Ramona?”
Hawk crossed his arms over his chest and the T-shirt pulled tight on his arms and pecs. I focused quickly on his face, his expression hardening.
“Why? So you can breathe down my neck and make sure I’m doing everything to your satisfaction?”
He was fucking prickly. But I was used to it now. “No. So that I can plan my visits around when you expect to be working her. I’m not here to get in your way, Hawk. But I do want to bond with my horse.”
Hawk tapped the fingers of one hand against the opposite elbow as though he was thinking. After a long, very tense, few minutes, he dropped his arms and leaned forward, staring me down.
“You know, most of my training clients drop off their horses with me, take my word when I provide updates, weigh in if I need input, maybe visit once or twice, and then pick their horse back up at the end of the training year.”
He was repeating what he’d already told me.
I kept my gaze steadily on him, staring right back.
“Sounds like a bummer for them. I do want the updates. I do want to provide input when you need it. But you’re the expert here and I know that.
You set the schedule. I just want time with Ramona, and if I’m lucky, I’ll get those updates in person. ”
Was it my imagination or had my voice dipped lower at the end there? Considering the way Hawk’s eyes widened a fraction, it definitely had. To try and cover it, I cleared my throat and took a long pull from the water bottle. I wasn’t sure Hawk bought it though.
Fortunately, he didn’t comment on it. “I work with who needs it, when they need it. I try for a schedule, but it doesn’t always work out.
” He drummed his fingers on the desk, a staccato rhythm that sounded like a song I heard on the radio but couldn’t quite place.
After a minute or so, he added, “Afternoons are better than mornings. Just let me know when you plan on stopping by.”
“Okay,” I agreed, knowing it was the best I was going to get at the moment. I switched topics. “And which minion can I speak to about riding lessons?”
He narrowed his gaze but then seeming to realize I was teasing, he shook his head. “As I said, Demi is on maternity leave. I’ll arrange something for you once we figure out everyone’s schedule.”
Right, he’d said that. I was going to mentally blame his pretty mouth for causing my lapse in memory.
“Just let me know. I’m pretty flexible these days.” Christ, even to my own ears that sounded suggestive. “I’m on your timetable here, so I’ll make it work when you’ve figured it out.”
His brows went up and I knew he heard it too. Dammit. I had to be better at hiding it. He wasn’t going to let me come to the ranch at all if I didn’t. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to make my exit. Before I put any more of my foot in my mouth.
“Well, I’ll take my leave. Let me know when lessons are scheduled.” I stood, and was going to hold out a hand, but he was holding himself in a closed off way. “I look forward to the updates.”
Fuck, I just had to add that last thing didn’t I? He was going to ban me from the property for sure.
Two days later, I headed out of the house at a sprint, because time had gotten away from me. I’d meant to get to the ranch early to love on Ramona some before my lesson. But my meeting with Marielle had run long and she’d been the one to remind me of the time.
Hawk’s terse text had come the day before.
Riding lesson. 2 pm tomorrow. Barn 3
I glanced at the clock the second I turned on the Jeep and breathed a sigh of relief. I had plenty of time. Not to be able to spend time with my horse, but I’d make it to Blue Creek Ranch with at least fifteen minutes to spare. Maybe twenty if I sped once I made it out of town.
I put my foot down the moment I passed Briarwood town limits, just to gain a little extra time, but almost immediately, something caught my eye.
Was that a taillight? I slowed down, then screeched to a stop when I realized it was.
A vehicle had gone off the road, just one back tire and the corner of the SUV sticking out of the ditch.
I slammed the Jeep in park and jumped out, running to see if the driver needed help.
I was still five feet away when I heard the distinct sound of a baby screaming.
My heart jolted and put on a burst of speed, nearly slipping as I climbed into the ditch.
The baby was safely harnessed in its seat still, but the woman driving was slumped over the steering wheel.
Her face was turned toward me and she had a gash on her forehead, her cheek resting on the somewhat deflated airbag.
I tried the door and was able to get it open.
“Ma’am? Can you hear me?”
She didn’t even twitch and the baby screamed louder. I saw she was breathing but I still checked for a pulse. It was a little erratic, and felt too fast, but it was strong at least. I thought that was good.
I had to run back to the car for my phone, cursing myself for not thinking to grab it as soon as I stopped. I texted Hawk while I was running back to the woman and her screaming infant.
will be late
She was in exactly the same state. Maybe her breathing was a bit shallower. I dialed 911 and pressed the phone to my ear.