Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 86808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86808 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Hell, I’m just not the dating type. I am a man who gives everything to make something succeed. I suppose the reason I’ve never bothered with a relationship is that I don’t have the resources to ensure it would succeed. I hate failure so it’s never been worth the bother.
And yet… Marcie might be worth the effort.
I know that I’ve been looking forward to seeing her at the show today. I also know that I’m having a hard time dragging my eyes away from her as she watches Carmen circle the arena.
“Carmen,” Wade calls out from my left. “Change your diagonal.”
I blink hard because Carmen is breezing past my position, bouncing once in the saddle to change her posting so that she rises from her seat in rhythm to Lady Beatrice’s rail side front leg. It is something that I should’ve observed as Carmen approached my position, but I’ve been stupidly staring at Marcie.
“That’s good,” I say, loud enough for Carmen to hear as she recedes away from me. “Hands up.”
I make sure to keep my gaze pinned on Carmen for the remainder of her ride, refusing to look over at Marcie again. I study the harmony between horse and rider—the blend of elegance, discipline and connection—as she works hard to put into play all the things she’s been taught.
When the show riders are finally called into the final lineup, my pulse slows a little. The trainers are allowed to meet them in the ring and Kat runs out to stand before Carmen, who sits up tall and proud in her saddle. Some of the other trainers need to take the horses by the bridle to keep them calm but Carmen has Lady Beatrice parked out impeccably, maintaining absolute control the entire time.
I didn’t watch the other riders so I can’t say how the pint-size Blackburn rider performed against the other horses, but I know she performed very well over all. I’m not surprised when Carmen’s name is called out and she receives the blue ribbon. A rousing cheer ripples around the arena, including Sylvie jumping up and down as she claps for her friend. I let my attention drag back across the ring to see Marcie out of her seat with her arms extended overhead, clapping for her niece as she yells. Her blue eyes shine bright and her happy smile is near perfection.
Unbelievably, and as if she knows I’m watching, her gaze flicks over to me. The exact spot where I’m standing, which means she’s been aware of exactly where I am in the arena, just as I knew where she was.
Marcie gives me a quick wink before returning her attention to her niece who is starting her victory lap.
Damn if that wink doesn’t make my lips quirk in response—a spontaneous smile that is an utter rarity for me.
I’m definitely going to attend the show’s after-party and hopefully get some time to talk to Marcie again.
CHAPTER 15
Marcie
Tipping the beer bottle for a tiny sip, I let my gaze sweep around the crowded pavilion. My sister just walked off to talk to some fellow horse friends, leaving me feeling a bit out of place. I’ve been to all of Carmen’s shows over the past three years, but I’ve never attended a social event with Michelle. Hell, I wouldn’t be attending this one if not for the invite from Ethan.
I’m not sure what it means. There are signs, I think. But I could totally be reading something out of nothing.
On the one hand, he directly invited me to this event. Could that be because he enjoyed spending time with me at dinner the other night? Or was he being polite because I’m Carmen’s aunt and part of her fan club?
I felt him watching me during the show. The weight of his gaze alone sent my pulse tripping and I’m not sure what possessed me to wink at him. I’m not sure what possessed me to take my attention off my niece, who’d just won a blue ribbon. But something made me flirt with the man from across the arena.
It’s practically scandalous—I’m not into Ethan.
Okay… that’s not true. Any woman with breath in her lungs would be into a man like him. But he is clearly not into me. From all I can tell from the past three years of observing and listening to my sister, Ethan Blackburn doesn’t do relationships.
No, I assure myself. I’m making stuff up in my mind. There is nothing there. Ethan is a nice guy to everyone and just because he happened to look at me across the arena doesn’t mean anything.
“Enjoying yourself?”
My body locks tight and had I been trying to attempt another sip at the god-awful beer my sister pushed into my hand, I probably would’ve choked. As it is, I order myself to remain cool and turn to look at Ethan who’s appeared at my side.