Page 106 of All We Carry Home

The class was large, the arena almost twice the size of that in Redmond. We’d have more space to fly. And I had an extra trick up my sleeve that I knew would truly dazzle the crowd.

The announcer called out the start of my class. Gramps’s voice drifted through my mind. He was always there on the railing right at the entry gate, offering a wink and a final word of comfort and advice. “Show ’em what you’re made of.”

The line of horses and competitors moved forward, and I swallowed back the nerves.

My heart tripped over itself. There he was. In Gramps’s spot.

Warren.

He leaned against the wooden railing, and he tipped his head in a reassuring nod. He exuded confidence—in me.

I put on the smile I’d practiced hundreds of times, but for Warren, it was real.

I led Phantom on that wave of energy into the arena, and he followed each command. The judges’ attention never waned from my gray, bloody shoulder colt. He stood out from the other horses with his unique markings, the flow of his gait, and his pristine build.

Despite his dark past, he looked upon the crowd and reveled in the attention. He arched his neck further, his tail curved even higher, and his flowing mane and tail were like a silk sail on the wind.

If there were such a thing as a unicorn or Pegasus, it would pale in comparison to Phantom’s display in that arena.

As we lined up in the middle after the judges had evaluated the horses at a walk and a trot, I couldn’t contain the utter joy that flowed from within.

Then the judges’ placings came over the speakers.

Warren

Every soul in the arena saw what Eva and I had seen in Phantom when he’d arrived in Kötzting.

And yet, I only had eyes for the horse’s handler. She shone. Phantom was a unique figure, yes, but she was the magician who had the world transfixed. With her pale blue suit, matching eyes, and the smile that drew everyone’s attention, she had honed this diamond with her careful hands.

It was no surprise to anyone, except perhaps Eva, when the announcer named her and Phantom the grand champion of the class. She accepted the rose garland and a long, flowing blue ribbon and nodded her thanks to the judges—three men in tan suits and fedoras, still staring in wonder at the horse.

As was custom, she was to lead Phantom in a victory lap around the arena. She moved him clear of the line of other competitors and then lifted her arms. Phantom reared, pawing the air in a breathtaking display. There was no element of fear or lack of control.

The crowd broke out into applause and cheers, which only excited Phantom more. He stomped and snorted, and as they trotted the final lap, his hooves seemed to hardly even touch the ground.

The stands continued to shake with excitement long after they’d left the arena.

I followed her out, but my attention shifted to Keith. His expression was twisted, his shoulders hunched as he stalked out of the arena, jerking needlessly on his horse’s lead rope in frustration. He’d only placed fourth. A far cry from what he was used to.

We’d kicked the coiled snake.

I followed him at a distance from the arena, where he went straight to his trailer and truck, barking orders at his grooms and demanding they pack up the other two horses they’d brought to show.

I doubted this was a reprieve of any kind. When he returned home and notified Victor of Eva’s success, Birkstrom Ranch would be directly in their sights. After the last show, they’d tried to burn the ranch down. What might happen now?

I made a call from the arena’s office to warn Mason, and he assured me the men at the stables were on alert.

I couldn’t avoid Eva any longer. I needed to face her understandable wrath with Kenneth’s news and my lapse in judgment.

Had I kept the information because I wasn’t sure I’d even go through with it? No, I’d never wanted to back out. I owed it to Kenneth. He’d always looked after me and my men in the 42nd. If I withdrew, I’d leave him without the additional support he needed in the Senate to pass the legislation he was working on.

I defied the rules that I felt were unnecessary, pointless. I pushed back against the pressures when it put my men in danger. I wouldn’t back out of something I’d promised a brother in arms. Especially when I had no future here, not when Eva had made it clear our relationship was strictly business.

Despite our moments of connection in Arizona and on the plane, she’d avoided me since then. Perhaps I’d hoped for something that was never meant to be.

Cheryl fell into step next to me as I walked back to the stalls to find Eva and the rest of the crew. “Congratulations.” She elbowed my arm excitedly. “People will talk about that performance for years.”

“They should. It was all Eva.”