Page 116 of One Wild Chance

Sure, I’ve learned everything I could about the horses, asking Earl countless questions I was embarrassed not to have already known. These other horse owners know things I’ll spend years trying to catch up on. Even if I learn it all, though, knowing and belonging are two different things, and right now I’m very aware of the difference.

Gent’s colt goes through the ring next, and I already know buyers have checked out his leg ahead of time. For an agonizing thirty seconds, buyers hesitate just like Hank predicted. I worry that this sale is going to turn out the same as Dakota Lightning’s colt. I drag a hand over my jaw when a bid comes from the back. Then another bid comes in, and a few more.

The auctioneer picks up his pace, the numbers climbing past the reserve, then beyond what we’d hoped for in a yearling with a leg that’s still on the mend.

But Gent has a good reputation. Dad knew that, and purchasing that stallion was one of the best decisions he ever made. I guess that’s the gamble you make on a horse farm. Some horses cost you, while others keep you in business for another year.

Summer grabs my arm when the hammer falls above reserve. I total the numbers in my head from all the horses and realize we made it. Before I can turn toward her, she wraps her hands around my neck and hugs me so tight I can barely breathe.

“Jaxon, you did it!” she whispers in my ear.

“No, we did it,” I correct her.

Across the pavilion, Hank’s gaze meets mine before he turns to leave. There’s always next year, he’d said.

Turns out there’s this year too.

Chapter 33

Summer

Dinner at a steakhouse after Keeneland is Jaxon’s idea, and he books a table for our entire staff, including the farmhands. When the check comes, he slides his card in before anyone can argue.

“Jaxon,” I whisper.

He puts his hand on mine. “We made a bet, remember? You said if we cleared our number, I was paying.” He picks up a pen. “And we did.”

I stare at him. “I didn’t mean buying dinner for everyone.”

“I know. But I want to do this.” He signs the receipt, then slides it across the table to me. At the bottom, in his handwriting, I read:

YOU WON.

What I don’t tell him is that the moment he chose me is when I really won. I fold the receipt and tell myself I’m not going to cry tonight over this.

I barely succeed.

On the drive back while I’m half asleep against the window, Jaxon’s phone rings. I barely register him saying, “Hey, James,” then something about stopping by the farm tonight. I’m out again before he finishes the sentence.

When we return to Lucky Chance, all I want is to sleep for a few days, but there’s no time with the open house bearing down on us and a chance of frost in the forecast. We’re three days away from the event, and I can’t lose my best flowers now. I still have a food order to finalize and approximately four dozen emails to answer that I’ve been ignoring since I left.

Larissa shows up at the barn to help me with centerpieces the next morning, which is a true act of friendship, considering she sang at the Blue Moon Saloon until one a.m. last night.

I’m in the middle of giving Larissa instructions for tying the lavender bundles when Jaxon walks in with a cinnamon roll and a quick peck on the cheek before he leaves to check the horses.

My body warms at his touch. I am ridiculously in love with this man and completely unashamed of it.

“He’s so in love with you,” Larissa whispers as she watches him leave. “It’s honestly disgusting.”

I tap the table. “The lavender.”

“I’m doing it.” She holds up a bundle to show me. “I’m just saying, the roll and the kiss. Not to mention him giving you this barn. And have you seen the man?” She fans herself as she presses the flowers to her heart. “You have the whole package.”

“His brothers haven’t officially approved the barn thing yet,” I remind her. “They’re waiting to see how things go at the open house first.”

“They will,” she says confidently.

“Please focus on the flowers.”