Page 51 of Total Jane Wreck

Easier said than done.

This morning when I wake, Chet’s arm is draped over me.

I stretch my limbs and sit up. Chet stirs. “It’s so early,” he murmurs. His grip around my waist tightens, as if to pull me back down so we can spoon.

Tempting. But Axel Rose loves starting work at seven o’clock sharp. I remind Chet of this fact.

“Maybe I’ll fire her,” he grumbles.

“You wouldn’t dare.” I swat his butt and he releases me.

Good thing, because I need to shower, gulp down some coffee, and resume training Miss Adele and Betty. Getting the two of them to bond hasn’t been easy, but it’s a labor of love. After feeding the horses, giving them their morning exercise, and cleaning out all their stalls, I decide it’s time for Miss Adele and Betty to have some private ring time.

River strolls over, leaning against the other side of the fence. “Beautiful horse,” he says.

“Which one?”

“Both.” He grins. “Have you thought any more about backpacking along the Colorado Trail? It’s going to be amazing.”

River’s been trying to sell me on the trip for a while now, and it does sound incredible. The group is going to fly from Durango to Denver and then work their way east to west along the Colorado Trail. Tackling around twenty miles a day for a little over a month, the journey is the equivalent of hiking from sea level up Mt. Everest three different times.

No way am I tough enough for that. At least now, I have an excuse that doesn’t involve my personal failings. “Now that Betty’s here, there’s just no way I can be gone that long. She needs me to help her make friends with the other horses.”

“And how’s that going?” River asks.

“Okay, I think. But there’ve been ups and downs.”

River can see this for himself. At the moment, I’m gripping Betty’s lead line. Miss Adele sizes her up from across the corral. Betty drops her nose to the ground. Miss Adele paces in crescents just out of biting range, her tail high, ears trained on her competition. It’s almost like there’s a cartoon thought bubble over her head: New girl. Hmmm. Are you gonna test me, or am I gonna test you?

Hopefully neither.

River leans against the fence. “I bet Miss Adele and Betty will be best buds in no time.”

“Morning, River,” Chet nearly barks his greeting as he strides quickly up from the house to the horse ring.

River startles, turns toward Chet, and pastes on a sunny grin. “Good morning,” he says. “I was just getting back to work.”

“Excellent,” Chet says. He stands right next to River, maybe a little too close, as if urging River to get a move on.

“Talk to you later, Jane.” He waves to me.

“See ya, River.”

Once he’s out of earshot, Chet laughs a little under his breath. I reach over the fence and swat his shoulder. “Hope you’re proud of yourself. River is a nice guy and a hard worker.”

“Who has a massive crush on you.”

“Whether or not that’s true,” I say, “you’re like a dog, peeing on a tree to mark his territory.”

“Such a sexy metaphor.” Chet gives me a wicked smile. “Are you the tree in this scenario?”

“I’m the goddamn forest,” I tell him. “If you want to claim all of me, you’d better stay hydrated.”

“I’ll start drinking my Gatorade twelve-pack ASAP.” He gives me his trademark Chet scowl-smirk. Then, using his head, he gestures toward Betty and Miss Adele. “Hey, how are the girls doing this morning?”

“Okay,” I answer. “I was just telling River that they’re adjusting. But one of them will establish dominance. Unclear who though. Betty’s older and wiser, yet Miss Adele was born plucky.”

“Care to make it interesting?” Chet’s mouth quirks up. “Wager another five dollars?”