Page 92 of Reckless Skye

Reaching forward, she gave Kai’s neck a pat. ‘You said he’s been training with Tia?’

‘Yeah.’ TJ shrugged. ‘He’s from barrel racing bloodlines. He’s got the heart for it. And I figured, if he ever needed to be rehomed, it would be better to have as many disciplines started on him as possible.’

That same unease she’d had the day before filled Skye, ruining the moment. The way he talked scared her. ‘Why do you do that – talk like that?’

TJ looked up at her for a long moment. Skye held her breath, certain he was about to tell her something vital. But instead, he smiled, said, ‘The minimum requirement as a horse owner is making sure your horse is well-trained enough to be rehomed if something happens to you. You know that. And I know that better than anybody else.’

Skye nodded, knowing he wouldn’t give her more. But far from satisfied with his answer, she added, ‘We’re not done talking about this, TJ,’ before she turned Kai back to the start to run again.

They pushed him through the pattern three times before Skye dismounted. ‘I think I’ve got his style down. At least enough to run him in Colorado. We’ll keep learning as we go.’

At her side, Kai was sweaty and tired. But he popped his head over her shoulder and leaned his big neck on her, making her laugh. Skye reached up and ran her palm down his forehead. ‘Charmer.’

TJ rolled his eyes. ‘Kiss ass, more like.’

They exchanged a mutually mocking glance.

And then both paused.

It might have been the first easy, friendly gesture between them since they’d reconnected.

‘Could we call a truce? Just through the season? It’s gonna suck travelling together if you hate me,’ TJ asked.

Skye frowned. ‘I never hated you, TJ.’ Odd that she might only just be realizing that now.

TJ opened his mouth to reply, but the sound of Skye’s phone ringing in his pocket stole his words. ‘Add that to the list of things we’re not done talking about,’ he said, before handing her the phone.

Skye took it, and froze when she saw Unknown Caller flashing on the screen.

TJ saw her face. ‘Who is it?’

‘I don’t know,’ Skye replied. But she answered the call and put it on speaker.

‘Hello?’

There was no reply, only the calm and steady sound of someone breathing over the line.

Skye momentarily closed her eyes as her blood ran cold.

But then she remembered Smokey. She remembered the warm, sticky blood on her fingers and the fact that, even then, her horse was locked in her trailer because Skye was too afraid to leave her alone in the stall she’d paid for. Her cold blood warmed, then blazed.

‘Just a reminder, Holden, that your rent’s due April first. Going rate for that property in that location is – what? – fifteen grand a month?’

Bandit, hearing her unusual, angry tone, whined on the end of his leash. Skye reached out and soothed her dog.

The breath on the line hitched, not with shock. With rage.

Skye grinned when she heard it. And she let her wild out. ‘Tell you what, Dad. I’ll give you a deal, for old times’ sake. Let’s call it fourteen thousand, nine hundred, and ninety-nine per month.’

Holden – for it could only be him – didn’t say anything.

He hung up.

Skye took a deep breath. ‘Coward.’

TJ, his face red with rage, shook his head once. ‘It’s just beginning – and you know it.’

Skye didn’t reply, only walked past him, leading Kai in one hand and Bandit in the other. ‘I’ll brush him down and put him in his stall. Why don’t you go shower? No offence or anything, but two days of horse doesn’t smell good on anyone.’