Chapter 5
five
. . .
Axel
Laughter bellowed from the small kitchen area in the warehouse. Jonah, Benji, and Coby were all mesmerized by Wren. I didn’t join them for lunch, as I normally ate while I worked, but I kept looking up because they were loud as hell.
She’d brought a new energy to the place.
A place where she lived and worked now.
My home.
She’d picked wildflowers out on my property when she’d gone for a walk earlier, and a vase filled with colorful flowers now sat on the table in the kitchen where they ate. She’d apparently made a lasagna last night and brought it for everyone to eat for lunch.
She’d offered me a piece, but I’d said I had my peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and I was fine with that.
Not sure why I was drawing the line in the sand about taking food from her, when the girl was living and working a few feet from me.
I continued cutting a few more pieces of wood, all while listening intently to what they were saying. Then my phone rang.
Bridger’s name lit up the screen, and I picked up. “Hey, B.”
“I’ve got that information you asked for, and I’ve got good news for you.”
“Let me hear it.”
“I know the guy who bought the horse,” my cousin said. “He’s an investor, and he bought him dirt cheap, and he’s agreed to sell him back for the same price. But you aren’t going to like the next part of what I’m going to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“The horse wasn’t sold to him from Charles Waterstone. At least he didn’t negotiate the deal.”
“Who did?”
“Her brother Collin put the deal together,” he said, not hiding his disdain for the dude.
“What? He told her he’s trying to find out where Wrax is. He’s the one who sold him?” I asked, keeping my voice low.
“He sure as fuck was. I’m sure Charles tasked him with the job, but he’s clearly lying to his sister when he says he doesn’t know where he is.”
“For fuck’s sake. Who the fuck does that? And why didn’t Charles do it himself?”
“My guess is that it wasn’t about the money, so he really didn’t care. He wanted Wrax gone, so she’d be forced to ride a different horse. He’s clearly a controlling prick.”
“Didn’t we hear he was having financial issues?” I asked, because I remembered being surprised when Bridger had shared what he’d heard.
“Turns out the rumor stemmed from the fact that Sylvie Waterstone was seeing one of the most well-known divorce attorneys in the country. She’s going to take it to him, and he’ll be forced to liquidate his investments.
However, they are still rich as fuck, and this horse transaction was definitely not about the money, because he could have gotten way more for him. ”
I glanced up at the kitchen to make sure she was still in there, and I watched while her hands flailed around as she told them a story, all three of them completely entranced by her. She was smiling and laughing, and it was good to see Wren acting like herself again.
Even in just small little glimpses.
“Well, I’m glad to hear that. He’s also the trustee on her trust that funds her training, so he’s definitely trying to control the situation.”
“Yeah, sounds like it. But Wren doesn’t strike me as a girl who’ll be controlled for very long without pushing back.”
He was right. And up until now, they probably hadn’t had any issues, since she was winning and her father was happy.
“All right. How much to get the horse back?”
“Twenty grand.”
“Twenty grand? He just won the fucking world championship a few months ago. He’s one of the most decorated horses in the sport. Even if he’s considered a senior horse, he’s still competing at an elite level with Wren. I assume they could have gotten six figures for him?”
“They didn’t spend any time shopping him around, or make an attempt to sell him to someone in the horse world.
Maybe they knew anyone in the equestrian world would feel bad about purchasing her horse?
I don’t have a fucking clue. But it’s clear that they wanted him gone fast, and this was the quickest route. ”
“And this guy will sell him to me for what he bought him for, when he knows he can get ten times the amount for him?”
“He’s an investor in my company, and this isn’t big money to him, so he’s willing to do me a favor. Do you want the horse?”
“Yes. I can wire the money to him right away.”
“I’ll have Brenner handle the sale. Where do you want him delivered?”
“To my barn,” I said, relief flooding me. “Thanks, B.”
“You don’t need to thank me. You’re the one buying an old horse, buddy.” He laughed loudly.
I nodded, knowing this was the right thing to do. Wren needed a break, and I was in a position to give her one.
Regardless of where we stood today, this girl had been my best friend my entire life. And this horse meant everything to her.
Hell, I was attached to Wrax, too.
He belonged to her, and that was where he should be.
To be honest, I was prepared to spend a hell of a lot more to bring him home.
“I appreciate it.” I ended the call just as Wren walked out, carrying a plate and walking toward me.
Her lips were in a straight line, giving nothing away, her long legs on full display.
She wore cutoff denim shorts, a white tee, and cowboy boots, with a long braid hanging over one shoulder.
She set the plate down on the table beside the trailer.
“You know you’re out here with your stomach growling because you love lasagna. Just eat the damn meal and don’t read into it. It’s not a friendship bracelet—it’s some pasta with meat sauce.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “You gave me a place to live, and I’m giving you a warm meal.”
“Well, there’s salad and garlic bread on there, too,” I said, a slight chuckle escaping me. “Seems like more than just pasta with meat sauce.”
“There’s plenty, and I know you want it,” she said.
“You think you know what I want, Wren?” I asked, my voice suddenly gruffer than usual.
Was I actually flirting with her now?
“I used to know what you wanted, but I definitely don’t know what you want anymore, Axel.” She sighed. “But it’s just lasagna. Nothing more.”
And just like that, she was making sure I knew this was not a peace offering.
And we were definitely not flirting.
At least one of us wasn’t.
“I hear you loud and clear.” I reached for the plate as she turned to walk away. “And you were right, I definitely wanted it.”
I saw her shoulders bounce the slightest bit, and I knew she was laughing, even if she was doing everything that she could to hide it.
Easton
Are we meeting at Booze and Brews tonight? I mean, everyone but Clark.
Clark
Thanks for that. I’ll just be at a game killing myself while you all enjoy a few beers.
We’ll be watching the game there, so go out and kick some ass.
Rafe
We’ll be cheering you on from here, brother.
Bridger
Just show the fuck up. I don’t have time for losers.
Clark
Easton
Damn. I wanted to say that, but I didn’t want to sound like a dick.
Bridger
Nice try. You’re the biggest dick I know on the pickleball court.
Archer
I could not agree more. But yes, let’s get the win tonight, Clark.
Clark
Well, since you’re all going to be sitting at a bar, and knowing that losing will annoy you—that’s all the motivation I need. It’s not the hours of training and work that have gone into it, it’s all about keeping you fuckers happy.
Bridger
Well said.
Rafe
Thank you. Winning just makes for a better evening for all of us.
Damn. We do sound like dicks.
Rafe
Easton
Moving on… Henley and Lulu met Wren last night. Emilia invited her to their book club.
Rafe
Yep. Lulu said they all hit it off. They even had Eloise on FaceTime. What’s going on there, Axel?
Nothing. She works for me. We aren’t friends.
Archer
She also lives with you.
Fuck off. She lives above my garage.
Bridger
He also bought her a horse.
That motherfucker couldn’t help himself.
Easton
Clark
Damn, dude. Pulling out all the stops for a girl you claim you aren’t friends with anymore.
Fuck you, Bridger.
It’s not like that. It’s a horse I grew up with, too.
Archer
So the horse is for you?
Rafe
You bought your childhood best friend’s horse? A woman you claim you aren’t friends with anymore, so you could keep the horse?
I’m not keeping the horse.
Easton
And who is keeping the horse?
It’s Wren’s horse. Obviously, she will keep him.
Archer
It’s a generous gift for someone you aren’t friends with anymore.
Rafe
It’s a step up from Bridger gifting Emilia a toilet.
Bridger
The best shitter ever made, and you know it.
Archer
Does she know you were there when she won the world championship?
Easton
Also somewhat over the top for someone you weren’t speaking to. You sure you don’t want to tell us what’s really going on?
Clark
Back off. He has a history with her. He’ll tell us when he’s ready.
I knew you were my favorite, Clark.
Bridger
Hey, I got you a fucking killer deal on a horse. A world champion horse at that.
Clark
That doesn’t make you less of a dick.
Bridger
Touché.
I’ve got to get back to work. See you at Booze and Brews. Kick some ass, Clark.
Everyone texted a similar sentiment, and I was setting my phone down just as another text came through from Brenner, Bridger’s executive assistant. He’d arranged the deal for Wrax.
Brenner
Hey. Everything is done. Money is transferred. Paperwork is signed. And the horse is on his way to Rosewood River. Should be here in a few days.
Thanks, dude. I appreciate it.
Brenner
Not a problem. I’ll keep you posted.
I walked out toward the warehouse, hot coffee in hand, and glanced over to see Wren in the barn once again. She was out there every morning, feeding and caring for the horses and the chickens. She spent her free time with Honey, but she’d yet to ride her.
She missed Wrax, and I understood her loyalty to him.
But he’d be back in a few days.
I hoped then that the sadness I saw in her eyes would go away.