Page 26 of Lost Trust

“Cowboys!”

Bryce chuckles.

Ryder’s little boot-covered feet start kicking against the seat in excitement.

I turn back around, smiling.

“So,” I say, looking at Bryce, “this is your bride’s ranch?”

His grin widens. “Yep.”

I glance back out the window at the expanse of green pastures. “Charli’s family owns all this?”

“Been in the Storm family for generations.”

I expected a ranch, but I didn’t expect all of this.

“This is a working ranch?”

“Very much so.” Bryce slows a little as we pass a round pen. “They raise, board, and train horses. Everything from horses for riding and ranch work to sport horses. They have a pretty big operation. Charli is a phenomenal horse trainer. Rider trainer too.”

I smile.

That makes sense. Everything I’ve heard about Charli so far seems to fit the woman I imagine winning Bryce Raintree’s heart.

“Her oldest sister, Matty, is the ranch manager. Keeps the entire operation running.”

He nods toward the fields. “Then there’s Shelby. She trains riders for sport. Dressage, trick riding, jumping, barrel racing. Whatever someone wants to learn, she can teach it all.”

I turn so fast that I nearly pull something in my neck. “Shelby?”

Bryce looks at me.

“As in Shelby Storm?”

His mouth twitches. “Uh-huh.”

“Former junior barrel racing champion Shelby Storm?”

He laughs. “The one and only.”

I stare at him. “No way. I know Shelby.”

His eyebrows lift. “Yeah?”

“Knew her. Not well, but … yes. From the junior circuit. She was a year ahead of me.” A smile pulls at my mouth as old memories come rushing back. “She was incredible. I used to watch her ride and think she was practically untouchable. She taught me a few things.”

“I bet she’ll remember you too,” he says.

I look back toward the road, my smile growing.

It’s strange how small the world can be.

For years, I haven’t thought about those days much. The dusty arenas. The early mornings. The smell of leather and horse sweat. The nervous excitement before running into an arena with a stopwatch ticking in the back of your mind.

“They have a younger sister, Harleigh,” Bryce continues.

“What does she do?”