Page 40 of Blind Trust
She spun to find Hank, the stable master, holding the leads on two sorrels with beautiful red coats. Behind him another groom led a chestnut quarter horse, and her horse, Sir Winston, a black Dutch Warmblood gelding.
Perfect timing, Hank. She took Sir Winston’s lead. “Maybe we can catch up after?”
Mason nodded and took his mom’s arm. “It was nice meeting everyone.”
“Hank, I’ll help Elinor and Brynn, if you can get Jack and Nicolás ready.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
The second Lyla led them to one of the paddocks, leaving the guys with Hank, Brynn and Elinor rounded on her.
“What in the world was that?” Brynn whispered. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Garcia’s head spin.”
Lyla groaned, looking over her shoulder to where Hank was tightening the cinch for Jack. “I know.” She turned back. “I panicked and told her I was dating Nicolás. Mrs. Davenport has beentrying for years to marry me off to Mason. She can’t get it through her shellacked hair that we’re just friends.”
“Are you sure about that?” Elinor slipped on her helmet. “I’m not certain, but it seems like there was some sizing up between him and Garcia.”
“Yeah,” Brynn agreed. She stepped into the groom’s hand, and he lifted her to the saddle. “Garcia seemed really comfortable putting his arm around you.”
“Nicolás and I are total opposites.” Lyla tightened the cinch on her horse. “He needs someone who—”He can trust. It hurt that trust was the first thing that came to mind, but it was better to admit that painful truth to herself now than to let her emotions get the better of her. “Someone who doesn’t stress him out, which is pretty much all I seem to do.”
“Lyla...”
“You ladies ready?” Jack asked, interrupting whatever Brynn was going to say next. He and Nicolás led their horses over to the paddock. Kekoa followed, giving the horses a wide berth.
“So how does this work, exactly?” Elinor gripped her reins. “We’re not actually hunting foxes, right?”
“No.” Lyla smiled. “This is a drag hunt, which means no foxes or animals are being hunted. A drag man has already gone out on the trail laying a scent the dogs will pick up on. And then he’ll give what we like to call ‘hound music,’ a little cry or howl, and then we’re off to follow them. But this year we’re also hunting the clean boot, which means a human quarry’s out there and the first team to track their hounds to him wins.”
Brynn’s gaze flashed to Jack. “Wins what?”
“Bragging rights.” Lyla laughed, knowing she and Jack were highly competitive.
“I’ll take bragging rights.” Brynn smiled wolfishly.
“It’s a good thing I’m on her team.” Jack laughed.
The dogs’ excited yips had grown louder. They knew the hunt was getting close as riders mounted. Lyla slipped her booted footinto Hank’s laced fingers, and with a quick lift, he helped her up onto Sir Winston. “Thanks, Hank.”
“I can’t believe how calm the horses are with all the noise.” Jack patted Storm’s neck.
“They’re used to this chaos.” Lyla did a quick visual check of her friends—making sure their helmets were buckled and cinches were snug against the horses—looking anywhere and everywhere except at Nicolás, who had brought his horse next to hers.
“You coordinated your outfit with your horse?”
“What?” Lyla glanced down at her hunter-green coat and tan breeches tucked into her riding boots. He leaned over and reached for the end of her braid and gave the red ribbon a little tug. “Oh, you mean the ribbon?” Lyla pointed to the green ribbon tied to the tails of their horses. “Green means the rider is inexperienced. But don’t worry,” she quickly added, seeing Elinor’s eyes widen. “Hank put you all on the most experienced horses. The green ribbon will let other riders know to watch out for you.”
“And red?” Jack asked.
“Red means my horse likes to kick.”
“Like rider, like horse.” Nicolás smiled, looking at the ribbon in her hair. “Fitting.”
His teasing words made her smile. Lyla searched his face for any hint that he was upset with her. She needed to apologize for catching him off guard like that.
But before she could, the hunt master called for everyone’s attention. “Anyone in a red coat is a field master, and you don’t pass him,” Lyla quickly explained as they walked their horses forward. “We’re divided into three groups. Those with riding experience will ride with the first flight. Then our group, the second flight, will go out. It’s a moderate ride with no jumping. And if you want to slow your pace, you can join the Hilltoppers, or third flight.”
“I’m just gonna stay over here.” Kekoa backed away as more riders and horses started to fill in the space. “But I’m sending youa cheehoo, baby!” Kekoa made a heart with his hands and then sent Elinor a shaka.
