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Brynn grimaced on her way to the food stand with Piper.

“She is jealous,” I whispered.

Cole shifted nervously on his feet. “Don’t read too much into it. She’s wound tight and hates horses.”

I gave an unsatisfied, “Uh-huh.”

Maybe Cole was clueless, but his ex-wife clocked us a mile away. In fact, it gave me sweet satisfaction that she did. Just like Riley, people saw it. Cole was either terrible at reading women or he was in denial.

I turned Mack back to the warm-up. I’d only have a couple minutes to remember the course. Thankfully there were only four fences—mostly in a line—and a halt and back. Mack had only jumped fences twice at home outside of the chute Piper and I rigged for sale photos, but he could manage the tiny jumps ahead and I could dust off my half-seat.

I glanced over to Cole, but he didn’t turn. I wanted him to say something so badly—to admit that he knew people saw us and thought we were a couple. But similar to how Mack would never be what I needed in a dressage horse, I worried Cole might never be more than a friend I fucked. His avoidance worried me.

“You’ve got awhile.” Cole patted my boot.

“Yup,” I agreed, fighting the desire to tell him I wanted more.

Instead, I refocused, watching everyone in the go order before me take these tiny fences on this uncomplicated, accessible course. By the time the weekend warriors had almost all finish their rounds, Mack and I trotted in. We took the first fence at a slow, mostly collected canter. I prayed he stayed sensible. While he did try to pull one after the first fence, he collected again, relaxing. To my surprise, the show ring’s hustle and bustle hadn’t bothered him that much. Either he was growing up or knew his job well. We beautifully ended the course and trotted out. It wasn’t fast. It wasn’t fancy. It was a confidence builder for my boy, though.

“Good, boy! Good baby!” I said sweetly, very proud.

Even if we didn’t place, that would be the ride I was proudest of. I’d trusted him enough to believe in him and Mack had given me his all. As Cole approached with a wide grin, I knew he beamed with pride, too.

I gave him a high five. “Well, we did it. Still feel it was a bad idea?”

“You were right,” he sighed. “You know your horse.”

* * *

COLE

Returning a grooming kit to the trailer, I found Chloe. For the first time that day, we were alone. All day, I wanted to lavish her with real praise and thank her. Beyond that, I wanted to kiss her.

“I think she’s sold,” I said.

“Opal?” Chloe turned from where she organized her tack.

“Yeah,” I said. “It’s bittersweet. I bred that horse and raised her. She was probably the best youth horse I’ve ever turned out. I thought about keeping her as a broodmare, but that seems like a waste.”

“She is moving on to teach another kiddo.” Chloe understood.

“Yeah. Chloe, I don’t even know what to say—or how to thank you.”

She laughed nervously, stepping back. “It was good for us both. I helped her find a good home. I got some content for my channel. It’s… a win-win.”

“You know it’s more than that.” I grew quiet.

Her face and shoulders softened. “But like… it’s…”

She didn’t finish, her voice trailing as she met my gaze. Unable to help myself, I cupped her face in my hands and slowly kissed her. Relief rushed over me as she wrapped her hands around my neck and leaned into me. I needed this. I longed to want, protect, and comfort her.

She pulled away with my thumbs still caressing her cheeks.

“I’m gross, Cole. I have been sweating⁠—”

“I don’t care,” I laughed. “You smell like Pepi, horse sweat, and arena dust. But to me, you’re wonderful.”

She grinned. “I wanted to do that all day.”