Page 98 of Bad Decisions & Back Roads

Marty gave me a worried look.“Be careful.”

I texted Timothy before I headed to the equine complex.

Gia:Off to see Amanda Green.If she pushes you for the date, do it.Get it over with.

Rye:Ok.Might need you to bust in wearing the boots.

Gia:Counting on you to take everything else off.

Gia:Maybe not in the restaurant per se.

As I walked through the recovery barn, I spotted several of the techs who’d helped with Artax’s surgery.I thanked them.One proudly informed me the horse was already eating and had pooped once.

I didn’t see Amanda Green anywhere obvious, so I drifted toward Artax’s recovery stall and stepped inside.The mare lifted her head when I approached.Her incision looked clean.The fluid line was running steady.Her color was normal.

“You’re a strong girl,” I murmured, patting her neck while I double-checked the catheter.

“Touching,” Amanda Green said from the doorway.“Maybe after you’re done playing horse whisperer, you can explain why you thought you belonged in my surgery suite yesterday.”

I turned.

Amanda leaned against the stall door like she was posing for an ad for generational wealth.Every strand of curly brown hair was perfect.Her makeup was flawless.The scrubs were wrinkle free and fitted.She carried herself with the absolute confidence of a woman who’d never once heard the word no from a man.

“Don’t you ever step foot in equine surgery again without permission,” she said.“You don’t work in that department.”

“Hudson Raynes had full permission to be in there.”

“He might’ve, but you didn’t.”

“I made a call to save a horse.He needed assistance during the procedure.”I glanced back at Artax’s chart.“Thank you for watching her today.She looks good.Really good.”

Amanda laughed once, sharp and humorless.“Wow.You think kissing my ass is going to fix this?”

“No.I think complimenting competent care is good manners.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly at that.“Maybe nobody explained this to you, but there are lines in this clinic.You don’t get to jump departments, charm clients, and parade around like everybody’s favorite little miracle worker.”

I crossed my arms.“If this is about Timothy Hurst, just say it.”

Amanda’s expression hardened instantly.“Are you thinking he’d choose someone likeyouover me?”she asked, looking me up and down slowly enough to make it an insult.“Please.Timothy likes a challenge, not a charity project.Justin Stevens was happy to let me know about your deficiencies while he was in town.”

That one hurt.Still, I kept my face neutral.Hours ago, Timothy had chosen me.“What’s your interest in Timothy?Are you looking for fun, or are you shopping for a husband with land and a retirement plan?”

“We’re dating now,” she said immediately, chin lifting.“Officially.”

The speed of the answer told me she’d been waiting to say it.

I shoved down every ounce of need to fight over him.“I’ve known him a long time.He can be a handful.”

Unfortunately, my brain immediately betrayed me with the memory of my hands proving said handful?—

Heat rushed into my cheeks.

Amanda’s eyes sharpened like a shark scenting blood in the water.

“Oh my God,” she said softly.“You’re actually jealous.”

“I have no reason to be jealous.”Thank God that came out more confident that I felt.