Page 17 of Take Me Home

My heart leaps that he remembers her. “Yes!”

He shakes his head with a smile. “She was our only foal that’s ever had a star.”

I smile. “She’s incredible, a great show jumper,” I say, wanting him to know all about her. “I’ve won my Olympic medal with her.”

“Wow, the Olympics? That’s impressive. You must train non-stop.” He stands calmly by Anita’s side, scratching the spot between her eyes.

I blow out a breath. For the past few days, I haven’t thought about training or competing and I won’t lie. It’s been a nice break. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been training. But it felt so good to ride for enjoyment this morning, to simply bask in the pleasure of being in nature and taking in the mountains and the landscape.

“I spend most of my time training,” I admit. “My life is practically eat, sleep, train.”

His eyebrows shoot up. “Are you competing next year, or taking some time off?”

My spine straightens as my body goes rigid with the thought of training and competing. “I’m registered to compete in all the biggest FEI shows this year.”

“So, Oakley is pretty well-traveled then,” he says, glancing down at his dirty cowboy boots. Something crosses his face that I can’t name. The expression is so fleeting I don’t have time to decipher it.

“She is. We’ve been all over the world together.” I smile.

Hank continues looking at his feet, his forehead wrinkled like he’s deep in thought. “Listen, I know Montana isn’t anything fancy, and probably not what you’re used to.” His head comes up, so he’s looking at me. “And I know you’re only planning to stay a week. But if it’s at all possible, I’d like you to stay longer.” He brings his arm up and scratches the back of his neck. Everything about his expression and body language oozes nervous tension, which tells me this is hard for him to ask. “Me and Dad would love the chance to get to know you a bit more.”

The mention of Otto makes me wonder if his dad put him up to this or pressured him into bringing it up.

Hank’s hands come up in front of him. “There’s obviously no pressure. I know you have a busy schedule back in California.” He sighs heavily. “But I’d like to get to know you.” Hank blows out a breath as if relieved to finish his speech.

“I can stay for a few weeks,” I answer easily. “I’d like to get to know you and Otto, too.”

“Really?” His shoulders slump in relief.

“Yeah.” I huff a laugh. “A week isn’t nearly long enough. My next show isn’t until February. I have plenty of time to train.” The lie falls easily from my lips. If I don’t stay on top of my training, I’ll quickly fall behind. Possibly lose my Burberry sponsorship, among others. But it’s suddenly more important to me to stay here. It feels right.

My mother and trainer will be furious…but they’ll just have to deal with it. It’s not every day a girl has the chance to get to know her father.

“Okay, good,” Hank says, a smile spreading across his face.

CHAPTER 7

Lincoln

Hank drives the ATV over to the guest cabin to drop Hattie off after coming back to the mare barn. I’ve just finished up and I’m ready to head home, but I need answers first. The man ambles out of his ATV and strides toward me where I’m putting everything away in my trailer. He stands by idly, watching while I load up.

Closing the trailer door, I cross my arms and stare at him. “Talk.”

He rolls his eyes. “Apparently, I’ve had a daughter for twenty-five years that I knew nothing about…until this morning.”

“Her mom never contacted you?”

“Nope.” Hank’s chest heaves as he shakes his head. “I don’t know how to handle this. I’ve contacted my lawyer, and he suggested confirming with a DNA test.” He blows out a breath, his expression turning sad. “It’s times like these I wish your dad were here. He’d know just what to do. He always did.”

I’m all too familiar with the sadness in Hank’s eyes as he speaks.

“Yeah, he would.” I screw my mouth to the side, thinking. “Sorry, I don’t have any words of wisdom. I’ve never been in this situation, obviously.”

“Yet,” he teases, lightening the mood.

“Yeah, right, I don’t even have time to date.” I barely even have time to grab a drink with the guys—which reminds me, I’m supposed to meet up for drinks with Owen and Jackson later this week.

He looks at me with concern, the same way my dad used to. “Can I help out more?”