Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 120708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 604(@200wpm)___ 483(@250wpm)___ 402(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120708 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 604(@200wpm)___ 483(@250wpm)___ 402(@300wpm)
“You want to get into breeding as well?”
I shrugged. “I wouldn’t mind. My main focus will be the training and horse rescue, though.”
Kaylee smiled. “Is that not needed in Utah?”
“It is, but there are more trainers there than here. So, another point for Hamilton. To be honest, I wasn’t sure how many people competed in dressage, but there’s a large number in the area.”
Her smiled widened. “So, total freedom?”
I nodded. “Total freedom to finally do what I want.”
“And a chance to put the past behind you.”
“That too!” I said, trying to make my voice sound light, refusing to let the past creep into the now. It didn’t always work, though. I often had nightmares about my mother and the car accident. My father holding her in his lap. So much blood. The way he screamed her name. It was an image I knew I’d never forget.
“Hey, are you okay?” Kaylee asked.
I nodded as I pushed the memory away. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
She looked at me like she knew I was far from it.
I waved my hands to ward off the conversation. “Honestly, I want to put it all behind me and move on.”
She nodded and let out a sigh. Then she wiped a tear away.
“Are you crying, Kaylee?”
It was her turn to wave me off. “God, I’m so emotional. I just hate that that bastard hurt you like he did. I hate that your daddy is a jackass, and I hate that you’re still thinking of moving to Utah!”
I laughed. “It’s in a distant second place as of right now.”
She gave me a wobbly grin.
“Kaylee, I’m not running from anything. I just want to do what I want to do with my life right now.”
She looked away and shook her head. “I don’t know why our parents have to be so...I don’t even know the word I’m looking for, to be honest with you.”
I reached for her hand. “I know, Kaylee. I know.”
“I’m so sorry your daddy is the way he is. I hate it for you.”
With a forced grin, I squeezed her hands. “It is what it is.”
Kaylee sighed, then changed the subject. “Does Candace know you’re leaving Atlanta?”
I scrunched up my face and nodded. “Yes, she knows, and it broke my heart telling her. I’m hoping she’ll be able to come visit me wherever I end up settling.”
Kaylee winked. “It’ll be Montana.”
A chuckle slipped free. “It is beautiful here.”
“I’m going to spend the next few weeks convincing you that this is home. This is where you belong, here with me, I just know it.”
With a half shrug, I replied, “Maybe. We’ll see.”
“Grrr, you’re so stubborn.” She stood and wiggled her brows. “And then there’s Tanner. He’d make a great guy to move on with.”
My head jerked up and my gaze caught hers. “Tanner? You’ve got to be kidding. I’m not the least bit interested in him.”
Lies. Lies. Lies.
She laughed. “Please. Everyone in that room saw the way he looked at you when you walked into the kitchen. And you tried to play it off, but I saw it in your eyes. They lit up when you realized he was already home.”
I stood. “Don’t be ridiculous. Nothing lit up.”
“Uh-huh. You can tell yourself that, but I saw the spark between y’all.”
“You’re mistaken and clearly riding on the high of your own romance. There was no spark. The short amount of time I was here for the wedding, I got an earful about Tanner Shaw. Have you forgotten?”
Kaylee walked over to me and kissed me on the forehead. “Oh, sweet cousin of mine. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about the Shaw brothers, it’s that you cannot believe everything you hear. Really, you can’t believe anything you hear. Just enjoy yourself, Timberlynn. Tanner really is a sweet guy and fun to be around. I promise you.”
I forced my body to relax. “I’m sure he is, but I’m not interested in starting any sort of relationship with a guy who travels damn near a hundred percent of the time for his job. And look at the man! I’m sure women fall at his feet.”
“I can’t argue with you on any of that. But I can tell you that it’s okay to have a little bit of fun while you’re here.” She gave me a sinful smile.
My mouth dropped open. “Are you seriously telling me to sleep with him?”
She winked and headed toward the door. “I never said that, you just assumed it’s what I meant. Your brain went straight to the gutter obviously.”
“Ha ha, very funny. But that’s good because it isn’t going to happen.” Even though a part of me wanted it to happen. It had been so long since I’d been with a guy. I didn’t have much experience with men. A couple meaningless hook-ups with guys who were friends, but that was the extent of my experience. I had a feeling Tanner Shaw was wise beyond his years when it came to sex. The thought of Tanner simply kissing me, though...Lord, I knew if that ever happened, there would be some serious emotions that went along with a kiss. And emotions are not what I was looking for. Not now, anyway.