“You’re a big bully,” she hissed against his ear. “I’m not giving you an apple unless you treat me nice.”
He ducked his head low as if to jolt her off, and she let out a half shriek, clinging to his mane. Just as quickly, he rose back up and was standing with perfect innocence once Tristan turned around.
“Syd, you okay?”
“He’s the devil,” she accused. “He tried to knock me off!”
“I have an idea. Why don’t you get ahead of me in line? Then I can help from the back.”
“Fine. I can’t believe you’re taking the horse’s side. He’s lying.”
Bam Bam docilely walked around Tristan, and the rest of the ride went without a hitch. She enjoyed her daughter’s excited chatter and relaxed until the ranch came back into view.
Jim turned around. “We’re going to try an easy trot up this hill. Nice and easy. Just follow me.”
Jim’s and Becca’s horses fell into a graceful trot, and her daughter’s giggles rose in the air. Bam Bam began to move at a bumpy clip, and Sydney’s ass slammed up and down in the saddle, her body being thrown side to side as he seemed to deliberately make choppy movements and hit every rock and pothole along the way.
Tristan’s horse lengthened his pace until he passed her, legs gracefully pumping into an almost canter with smooth, graceful motions that looked like poetry in vision.
And that’s when it happened.
Bam Bam gave a mad snort and trotted faster, throwing her off balance until she clutched the saddle and prayed. She pulled up madly on the reins, but he ignored her, charging forward and then—
Stopped short.
Her ass collided back in the saddle with a sharp slap. Her teeth clattered together. Her body shook, off balance, and then he jerked his face around, saliva dripping from the bit he chomped madly on, brown eyes glinting with glee as he pulled back his lips and grinned at her.
“You did it on purpose!”
He snorted. Turned. Then began walking calmly the rest of the way, while the others gave her a thumbs-up sign.
They reached the top of the hill. “Did you see what he did?” she asked wildly. “He stopped short when no one was looking! He’s manipulating you all!”
Jim, Tristan, and Becca gazed at her with a hint of sympathy and plenty of amusement. “Bam Bam has never caused any problems on the trail,” Jim said with a frown. “He’s one of the best horses we have.”
“Yeah, Mama, look at him. He’s sweet.”
Bam Bam cocked his head with a mournful expression.
Tristan shook his head. “Umm, it’s okay, Syd. It was your first time, and you didn’t know what to expect. Just don’t blame your inexperience on the horse.” He patted Bam Bam on the head, and the horse gave him a gentle nudge for more. “See? Sweet as pie. Let’s get you an apple, boy.”
“No apple! I told him no apple!”
Becca gasped. “Mama! Don’t be mean!”
Jim tightened his lips and helped her swing down from the saddle. “Not everyone is an animal person,” he said with a touch of indignation.
“I love animals,” she said. “I swear.”
“Sure.”
With one last look, he led Bam Bam back into the stable along with Becca and Tristan, leaving her behind. But not before his tail rose and an awful stench shot right at her.
She clapped a hand over her nose and gagged.
Ugh, gross.
She could hear his laughing whinny as he walked away.
Horseback riding sucked.
Tristan walked through the renovated kitchen of house number seven, looking for any imperfections. The cocoa-and-cream-splashed granite melded perfectly with Tuscan brown walls and Italian tile. Expensive looking but lower in cost than a consumer would expect. The wall removal gave it the much-needed open concept, and Sydney’s suggestion of crown molding on the outer doors gave it a touch of elegance. They’d stripped and refinished the wood floors, going darker, and added a built-in shelf to help modernize the space.
Cushman would fucking love it.
He headed out the door toward the next job site. Sydney stood before the old, torn-up fireplace, already seemingly in deep negotiations with the bricklayer. He was amazing with brick design, and Sydney was focused on retaining his services. For the right price.
He stayed a few feet behind and listened to their discussion.
“I’m not laying out a whole wall of brick for wholesale,” Paul said. He was a stocky guy with sandy-brown hair, a goatee, and light blue eyes. His business was thriving in Harrington, but Tristan bet dazzling Cushman could only grow his portfolio. He wondered whether Sydney would take that approach. If not, he’d be here to step in.
“Not the whole wall,” she pointed out. “I’m going to do a detailed edge about two inches down.”
“Still not enough. I hear this developer has deep pockets. Why screw your local contractors for a big-city guy?”
Sydney crossed her arms and studied him intently. Tristan knew what it was like to meet that emerald stare, full of determination and stubbornness. She ended up wearing down her opponents from sheer grit. It was sexy as hell.
“Let me tell you what I see, Paul. I see you hovering to expand, but there’s not enough jobs in Harrington alone to break out yet. You do this job, and I’ll make sure Cushman sees this as the focal point of the home. He’s ready to buy up a hell of a lot more houses, as is Pierce Brothers.”
Paul considered, stroking his goatee. Leaned forward a few inches. Why was he getting so close? “Land is scarce. Not gonna be much more property to buy.”
“Yes, you’re right, around the marina. It’s time to build up the outskirts, and we’re right in the center. Get on board with me now, and you’ll get a piece.”
Pride stirred. Nice work. She was smart, but she also knew exactly how to present her case without getting anyone defensive. It was critical when working with so many male egos.
Paul chuckled. “A solid argument. As usual.” His gaze seemed to narrow with interest. Tristan shifted his feet, suddenly uneasy with the man’s intensity. “I’ll come down another twenty percent. No more, or it’s not worth it.”
Her smile dazzled, gripping at his heart. “Done. You won’t regret it.”
“Hope not. Maybe we need to go over more details over dinner. Tonight?”
A growl rose from his chest. He managed to strangle it back just in time. Had Paul just asked his wife out on a date?
Her laugh was a tad nervous. “Oh, I’m sorry, Paul, I guess you didn’t know. I’m married.”
“Oh, crap, sorry. I didn’t see a ring.”
She stuck her bare finger up in the air, smiling wryly. “Yeah, I forget to put it on sometimes.”
Paul frowned, as if trying to decide if there was still an opportunity to take her on a date. Anger pumped through Tristan’s system, blinding his vision. She’d forgotten her ring? Was she fucking serious?
Refusing to wait another second, he strode over until he stood beside her. Then got straight to the point. “Did you just ask my wife out on a date?”