Page 144 of Lost Trust

A shiver runs through me. “Stop flirting with me, Trust. I still have a few sessions I have to get through here.”

“What time will you be done?”

“Ruby wasn’t feeling well, so Shelby went to pick her up at day care. So, I’m covering her last session. Which means dinner is gonna be late.”

“What about little man?”

“Mom’s dropping him at the academy before she leaves. He’ll just have to wait around here until I’m done working.”

“He can hang with me. I’m done for the day after I see Jovie,” he says. “I’d better start heading that way.”

I look over at him and narrow my eyes. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

I let my eyes run over him. Stopping on his vest and chaps. “You and my little hell-raiser together? Sounds like trouble to me.”

He smirks. “I won’t get him on the back of any bulls.”

I give him a look that says I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him. “Anything with four legs,” I say.

He chuckles. “I promise. No livestock. Ryder and I can hang out and do whatever it is four-year-olds are into these days.”

“We’re talking about my four-year-old.”

“Right. Maybe I should bring my students’ tapes. Ryder and I can analyze their last rides, see if we can pinpoint what they’re doing wrong.”

I study him for another beat.

“Little man’s got a good eye.”

There’s something about the way he says it—so casual, so certain, like spending time with my son is the most natural thing in the world.

My chest tightens.

I look away before he can see what that does to me.

“Fine.” I sigh. “I’ll make dinner for the three of us when I’m done.”

“The three of us,” he repeats, tapping his fingers against the metal rail. A slow grin spreads across his face. “I like the sound of that.”

He gives me a wink, then turns and saunters out of the arena like he didn’t just send my heart into a tailspin.

“Don’t get used to it, cowboy,” I call after him.

He lifts a hand without looking back.

But damn if I don’t like the sound of it too.

Marina

The arena is finally empty when I get Rowdy through the gate.

My shoulders ache. My feet hurt. And my stomach is growling loud enough that Rowdy is looking at me sideways.

It’s been a long damn day.

All I want is a shower, something hot to eat, and to get home to Ryder and Royce.