Chapter Sixteen #4
Leon was staring at them in interest too. “Irish horse dealer, but of the dodgy kind. Even served time. He has his hands in everything—gambling rings, match fixing, you name it.”
“What did he serve time for?” Sage asked.
“Attacking rival stud farms,” Jasper said, and he quickly took out his cell and texted someone. His private investigator, I supposed.
“The security are at the stables with the horses. I checked in with them not long ago,” Leon said, his suspicious eyes following McGowen’s and McGuire’s retreating backs.
“Since when are they in bed together?” Atticus asked to no one in particular.
“He was close friends with Jake’s father.” Jasper breathed deeply. “I’d have thought Jake would have cut all ties after McGowen senior was sent to prison.”
“Asshole,” Sage said. “What was his father thinking? Why would anyone want to hurt a horse? Especially if it’s your business.”
“Money,” Atticus, Jasper, and Leon all said at the same time.
I sighed, feeling a little antsy. We were the only riders staying at this hotel, aside from some of Team France. And to my horror, Camille Dubois was on the third floor. I didn’t dislike people often, but just knowing she’d been with Jasper killed me.
“The fucker is pissed off,” Atticus said from the back of the car. I smiled at all the men in our little gang wearing plaid shirts and jeans. Their polished brogue shoes weren’t exactly on theme, but it warmed my heart that they’d tried.
Jasper looked hot, of course. He always did. None more so than when he had nothing on at all.
“Why’s he pissed?” Sage asked.
“Because we’re fucking crushing it!” Atticus said, his usual cheeky persona back in place. “Arsehole thought he only had me to go against this year, then two American cowgirls rocked onto the scene and started kicking his arse and stealing all the prize money.”
I couldn’t help but laugh, and I caught Sage smothering her (reluctant) laugh too.
“Look,” Leon suddenly said. We looked to the entrance of the hotel, and Jake and Danny McGuire were there again.
Danny was smoking a cigarette, but that’s not what got Leon’s attention.
Alexis Hobbs and Camille Dubois walked up to join the men.
Jasper had gone rigid. He lifted his phone and took a picture of them together.
We watched them for several minutes, until they walked into the hotel together and entered one of the restaurants.
“Nothing good will come from those four sharing company,” Atticus said.
“Are you worried?” I asked Jasper.
He tipped his head to the side in thought. “More like concerned. They might be just meeting up for a meal, but I want this documented just in case.”
“Have Phillip watch for them,” Leon said.
“Tell security to be extra vigilant too.” The car behind us was filled with security.
Jasper had decided to assign us all a personal guard.
They kept their distance, but they were always watching.
Jasper had assured me they had signed NDAs.
If they caught or suspected anything between me and Jasper, at least it wouldn’t be the end of the world.
Jasper signaled to the driver to go, and we made our way to the bar deep in Mexico City.
I’d been to Mexico a few times as a child.
Daddy would buy cattle here sometimes, and we caught the odd rodeo down this way too.
Even as a kid, Canyon had a magical connection with horses.
He would enter all the competitions where cowboys raced to be the fastest to back an unbroken horse.
Canyon used to clean up there. It was how he began helping others with troubled horses.
Fast-forward a decade later, and he was so sought after, he spent much of his time traveling around the US and South America, helping people who had unruly horses or worse, had been traumatized in accidents. His wait list was a mile long.
As if reading my mind, Leon said, “Jasper told me about Canyon, Hallie.” I turned to face my trainer.
The movement made my thigh press against Jasper’s.
The others were unable to see when he placed his hand on my leg and left it there.
Shivers broke out along my spine. Hell, even just holding my leg elicited an erotic response.
“Yeah, he’s incredible,” I said, forcing myself to speak when Leon looked at me expectantly.
“We grew up together. He’s a year older than me, but his daddy was my daddy’s right-hand man on the ranch I grew up on.
” I saw sympathy flash in Leon’s eyes. He knew my whole story, of course.
“When my daddy passed, Canyon’s daddy took over the ranch.
Canyon helps too when he can, but he’s more in demand than ever.
” I shook my head. “He hates the fame he’s acquiring in the horse world and the press that he’s been reluctantly getting, but hell, seeing him work with damaged horses is awe inspiring. ”
Leon and Jasper shared a long look. “What?” I asked.
“We were wondering, if he had time, if he would maybe look at Dahlia?” Jasper said.
I exhaled quickly. “How did I never think of that?” But then my heart sank.
“Only, Canyon barely leaves the Americas. He’s only just started taking on work in South America.
” Disappointment swirled in my gut. “He’s a rancher through and through.
Doesn’t like to leave his home for long.
His parents are getting on and struggle to run the ranch without him.
Plus, the amount of work he gets here is more than he can handle anyway. ”
Jasper’s hope fell if the dropping of his shoulders was any indication. “Nice thought, though,” he said, but then left it at that.
I glanced at Leon. “We’ll figure something out.
I’ll speak to Canyon. He might know someone closer to home who could help us.
” I thought of Genny and Lady Dahlia, and my heart sank.
I could see the pain on Jasper’s, Atticus’s, and Leon’s faces as another prayer for Genny and Dahlia’s recovery was shattered.
“I know Canyon, he’ll help in any way he can,” I said, knowing it was true. Canyon would be able to recommend someone. I was sure of it.
The car came to a stop, and suddenly the door was being opened. “Howdy, folks,” Canyon said, playfully putting on his thickest country-bumpkin accent. He took my hand and led me out of the car. I gave him a hug, and he whispered, “Nice to see you in real clothes again, Hals.”
Everyone else got out, and I followed Jasper’s gaze as he took in the sight before us. Music was playing, the night was balmy warm, and local ranchers wearing cowboy hats milled around, eating the most delicious food from the food trucks that made a u shape, with benches for dining in the center.
“Move aside, boys,” Sage said. “There’s some tacos al pastor with my name on them and a Mexican Coke bottle I’m about to wrap my expert lips around.
” Sage made her way to the taco truck, causing a wave of men to follow her pendulum hips as she did.
When I flicked a glance to Atticus, he was smirking at her antics.
They were the definition of cat and mouse.
“Fajitas, Hals?” Canyon asked.
“You know me so well,” I said. Jasper and Leon followed Sage to the taco truck, and Atticus beelined for the burritos. In seconds, he had two beautiful Mexican women laughing at whatever he said. I swear, the English accent was an aphrodisiac to most people.
Jasper and Leon talked, heads together, with Jasper looking up and checking on me every two minutes. I bit my lip to stop smiling when the hunger in his gaze made my nipples hard.
“Hallie Oakley,” Canyon said, as we waited for our fajitas. “You and the bossman, huh?”
“Wh-what?” I stuttered.
Canyon laughed, so loud it drew people’s attention.
I slammed my hand over his mouth. “Hallie, I never knew you had it in you!” he teased, throwing my hand away.
Canyon accepted our plates and put them down on the table nearest to us.
Everyone else was still waiting on their food, or in the case of Sage and Atticus, flirting with their many admirers.
“Ssh, no one can know,” I said, and Canyon shook his head. “What?”
“Just fate, I guess, or something like it.”
“What do you mean?” I asked. I groaned as I took a bite of my fajita and a myriad of flavors burst onto my tongue. I held it up to him. “Okay, ten points to you for bringing us here.”
Canyon tipped his hat to me, smirking. But then leaned forward. “What I meant,” he said, “is that it’s funny how you’re madly in love with the man who inspired you to ride all those years ago.” His voice dropped. “And by the look of it, he’s crazy about you too.”
“I’m not madly in lo . . .” I went to say, but something inside of me stopped me from saying those words. Madly in love. Was I? My heart kicked into a sprint.
Canyon laid his hand on my arm, pulling me from my panic. “It’s a good thing, Hals. After everything you’ve been through, you deserve someone to love, who clearly loves you in return.”
I turned; Jasper was taking his food off the vendor, and Canyon’s words rang true. Fucking hell. I was head over heels in love with Jasper Knighton.
My heart melted. “He deserves it too,” I said, and turned back to my friend. “His family has had a run of bad luck of late. Really bad luck.” I told Canyon about Jasper’s father, Lady Dahlia, and Genny’s accident.
“Shit, that’s awful,” he said, and sat back. “I know someone in Denmark who travels to the UK. He trained with me back in Texas, and he’s really good at what he does. I could give him a call and see if he could help?”
Leaning over, I kissed Canyon’s cheek. “You’re a star.” I sat back down, just in time for everyone else to come and join us. Sage sat on my left and Jasper sat beside me to my right. He pressed his thigh against me, and I leaned into him, drinking in his comforting warmth.
My pulse still raced. I loved this man. I truly did.