by Danni Roan
Gordon settled at the countertop with his son, the smell of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and all things Thanksgiving filling his nostrils with delight, though this was his third dinner considering that Dash had shown up early only to rush off again as soon as he had finished his meal.
“Maybe you need to understand her a little better,” Gordon suggested lifting his fork. “Understand where she comes from.”
Collin nodded, not sure if he wanted to bother. The petite blonde would be gone before Christmas, and he already had too much to do during the busiest season of the year.
“I thought your performance the other night was terrific by the way,” the older Holliday commented as they both dug into their meals. “Miss Reese was also impressed, and that is good for the resort.”
“Terrific?” Collin asked blinking at his father. “I could barely keep that little horse on the right lead. She kept fighting me the whole time. It was dreadful.”
“That’s not what the crowd thought, and I’ve never seen Starlight move with such a smooth fluid gait before either.”
Collin slammed his fork down on the table. “That’s just the problem,” he growled stepping away from his meal and running his hands through his dark hair. “I’m a World Champion equestrian sportsman, and that little girl climbed up on top of my most difficult horse and pranced around like it was the easiest thing in the world.”
Gordon Holliday watched his perfectionist son pace the shiny kitchen of his little-used mansion and grinned. Apparently, Miss Reese had been right and the intrepid Ashley Bowlings, from Needful, Texas was a match for Prancer’s too tightly wound attitude.
Gordon was proud of all of his sons, and he was proud of all that Collin had accomplished including the Championship he had won at the Equestrian World Event for Dressage, but it was time he settled down and found a new passion for his heart.
“As far as I know, she’s not even classically trained,” Collin continued pacing between the stove and the large walk-in fridge. “She turned everything upside down.”
“Sit down and eat your dinner,” Gordon said sensibly, secretly pulling his phone from his hip pocket and texting Miss Reese about the setback. “If it makes you that crazy, why not set up another show or something where you can do it over again, and this time make sure that every step is perfect?”
Collin spun on his heel a bright light gleaming in his eye. “That’s a great idea,” he said, then scowled. “But I think she’s leaving next week.”
Gordon glanced down at his phone and smiled speaking quickly. “I can ask her if she can stay and do some classes or demonstrations, or whatever you do,” his savvy businessman father said. “It can’t hurt to try.”
Collin scowled again but nodded. “I need to get home,” he said. “I need to look at my schedule and see what’s next,” he said tossing a wave at his father as he headed for the door.
Gordon looked down at his plate and then glanced at his phone again; another son was dropping by for dinner shortly. Shaking his head, Gordon Holliday placed his third plate in the sink. He was glad the caterer had simply left the perfectly prepared dinners in the oven for him. It looked like Thanksgiving dinner number four was next.
Chapter 15
“I don’t understand what you’re saying,” Ashley spoke into the phone pinching the bridge of her nose as she listened to her father on the other end of the line. “They want me to stay and do some workshops and lessons?”
“Yes,” her father’s deep voice boomed. “They’ll pay your usual rate, and then top whatever is earned as a gift to the hospital. You need to do this, Ash.”
“I don’t know Dad,” Ashley said. “Mr. Holliday and I seem to have a very different take on things and knock heads at every turn.” For a brief second, she thought of the secret kisses she and Collin had shared, and she had to admit that she didn’t mind that kind of head butting.
“Maybe he’ll learn a thing or two from you,” her dad urged, “then at the end of the training, they’ll do a showcase of riders and you two can do that swap thing again.”
Ashley groaned not wanting a repeat of that event or the aftermath, but perhaps this time, if Collin would just go along and loosen up things would be better. It could prove to be a huge hit.
“Alright,” she finally agreed. “But only because they agreed to donate to the charity again.”
“That’s my girl,” her dad chirruped over the line. “Go get ‘em,” he added as the phone went dead.
Ashley brushed her teeth preparing for bed. The morning had started out so lovely. She wasn’t even sure how things had turned into such a mess.
After the tragic ending of the sleigh ride with Collin, she had tried to do a bit of riding, but her heart wasn’t in it, and she soon slipped back to her room to read a book.
Thanksgiving dinner had only made her miss home and family more, so when her father had called it had lifted some of the gloom that has settled over her on what was usually one of her favorite days.
Could she work with Mr. Holliday, and do the things her father had asked? Perhaps she wouldn’t need to see the stubborn, pig-headed, mule-hearted man again for a long time and that was just fine with her. If he couldn’t see that his uptight attitude was the problem then that was his worry, not hers.
Turning to look out the window of her corner room, she gazed at the twilight glow of sunset. Here in Alaska, at this time of the year the sun began to go down early, but being so far up on the globe meant that the light still covered the island in a soft gray glow.
Pushing all thoughts of Collin Holliday from her mind, Ashley pulled the shades and toppled into bed. Tomorrow she would be up before any of the guests and work each horse until they all felt wearily accomplished.
Ashley loosened the rein on her big palomino mare, letting her ease her way across rows of jump bars, stepping smoothly over one and then another. The older mare was a well-mannered horse, and she moved beautifully with a little urging from Ash.
“You’re a sweet girl, aren’t you Goldie?” she asked. “Calm and relaxed.”
As they passed the last obstacle, Goldie hesitated, and Ashley looked up to see none other than Mr. Holliday, in his crisp blue coat and white jodhpurs leading a flashy bay gelding onto the floor.
Turning her horse, Ashley cantered easily toward the entrance. “I’m sorry,” she said looking into Collin’s dark eyes. “I didn’t realize anyone else would be here so early. I’ll go.”
“That’s alright,” Collin said stiffly, “There is plenty of room for both of us. I’ll work the far side of the ring, and you can have the rest.”
“But this is your arena,” Ashley protested gesturing around her. “I don’t want to infringe.”
Collin smiled stiffly. “The ring is for everyone to use,” he said, “and from what I understand, you’ll be using it for many things in the near future.” He knew his voice was cold and part of him just wanted to apologize, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it, though his heart all but shouted at him to do just that.
“If you’re sure,” Ashley said lifting her chin. “I’ll get back to work.”
Collin watched Miss Bowlings move back to the arena her horse on an easy rein as it moved from pace to pace, spinning, pivoting, and turning at her lightest touch. There was chemistry between the woman and her leggy, golden horse. A partnership, that he suddenly felt was missing in his riding.
Shaking his head at the ridiculous thought, he climbed into the saddle and started toward the far end of the ring, his heart envious of the seamless transitions Ashley and her horse made. It was a different discipline, he reminded himself. He didn’t need to let go, his horses needed tight control just like his hotel.
Ashley leaned over patting Goldie on the neck then turned her toward the gate. She was going to bring Soot out next and see what he thought of the fancy steps Collin’s bright red bay was performing.
When she walked Goldie back to the stall area Ashley smiled. A groom had saddled her old buc
kskin and offered her the reins as he took Goldie from her. For once she was grateful for the fancy resort’s well-trained grooms.
“Thank you,” she said swinging back into the saddle and letting an eager Soot trot out to the ring.
An old hand at all things showmanship, the buckskin lifted his feet high, his black boots a stark contrast to his tan coat. “You’re an old ham,” Ashley laughed, the sound tinkling into the brightly lit ring as she eased her horse toward Collin where she pulled the reins in a bit and began to mimic his every move.
It was all Ashley could do not to laugh as her oldest horse arched his neck and pranced in place, tail, and feet a little higher with every step. If she was going to do the whole swap routine again, this time her mount would have a handle on how Collin Holliday liked to ride. This time he wouldn’t blame the horse for his own heavy-handed faults.
Perhaps his horses needed a tight hand, but she, like her father, wanted a horse to move from will, not be a fight every step of the way. Years of careful breeding and management had given her three perfect mounts, and together, she and her little team had won prizes across the states.
Ashley let Soot parallel Collin and his towering bay, ignoring the scowl he shot her as her gelding mirrored his every move, changing strides, in a rhythmic dance, like two lovers who knew each beautiful part of a familiar set.
Lifting his chin, Collin concentrated on making Christmas Kringle move in perfect step as the buckskin sidled across the dark floor then back at the slightest touch of the reins. He would push his prize winning gelding to outperform, the western horse.
Even as Prancer tried to prove he was the best rider, he desperately wished he could let go a little. If he listened to Mrs. Jared and lightened up this whole thing might have been fun, but at the moment, he was sure that the beautiful blonde, in the white Stetson was mocking him. Trying to prove that she was the better rider, and he was determined to prove her wrong.
Continuing to push for more and more complex steps with every change, Collin could feel the sweat trickling down his back, as Kringle, worked to reach perfection, but beside them, the buckskin, matched them step for step.
Chapter 16
Ashley bit her lip trying not to giggle as Collin pushed his horse into more and more complicated steps while she matched his every move.
Soot was having fun tucking his nose to his chest and prancing like a carousel horse. Her practiced Quarter Horse, used to her ways, moved smoothly beneath her, practically reading her mind as she flowed from Passage to an extended trot, then on to the Piaffe where they appeared to march in place.
Grinning, Ashley thought that Soot’s black flashing legs, stepping high in an exaggerated motion were striking, but the glare that Collin Holliday shot her confirmed that he didn’t think the same.
For Ashley this was fun, a chance to let her horse do something new and the fast springing motions were like an especially exciting carnival ride.
“You think you’re funny, don’t you?” Collin said pulling his horse to a stop. The big bay chomped his bit, twisting his tail in impatience as the tall man with the dreamy eyes glared down at her.
“Yes, I do,” she said. “Sometimes fun is important. It can’t all be hard work, and practice.”
Collin wanted to snap at her, but he didn’t have time for this, so he kicked his bay into an extended stride canter.
Picking up the joy of his rider, Soot matched step following the bay like a black and tan shadow.
Collin concentrated on his ride, keeping Kringle in check and on the correct lead while the annoying woman paced his every step. Deep inside he recognized the sheer skill of her ride, and though her broad-chested buckskin was not the kind of horse a dressage rider would choose, the animal was doing a commendable job of keeping up with his own leggy Hanoverian. Collin was so busy trying to out-do the beautiful woman that he hadn’t even noticed some of the students filtering into the arena, silently taking seats to watch the show.
If Collin were to tell the truth, he was mesmerized by Ashley Bowlings. She had such a sense of fun and joy as she rode, and it seemed to translate to her horses as they turned, bright and lively through every motion.
How long had it been since Collin had experienced that joy in his riding? When had it all become a job with only one goal; to win? Something in his heart ticked over as he remembered the early years, and the excitement he had felt each time he climbed into the saddle.
Mr. and Mrs. Jared had not only been his instructors they had been mentors, who loved horses the way he had so long ago. Now, watching the bright smile on the young woman’s beautiful face, he realized that he had lost more than he had won as a championship rider. He had lost his joy in riding.
As a boy, he had loved horses. He hadn’t been bothered about confirmation, breeding, or performance. To him, a horse was a horse. His father and mother had indulged him in his mad passion and his drive to prove that he was as good as his older brothers had pushed him to higher and higher goals until he reached the highest award possible.
Losing his train of thought completely, he loosened his grip on the reins and Kringle hopped hunching his back and trying to break away.
The titter of girlish laughter made Collin look up to see a smattering of young riders sitting in the bleachers and his face flushed red.
Once again, Miss Bowlings had caused him to lose control of his well-managed life, and he glared down at the young woman, who simply turned her horse and cantered to the far side of the ring where she started doing tricks for the entertainment of the students.
Taking control of his horse once more Collin seethed. Miss Bowlings was an upstart in the world of equestrian sports. She was showing off for the teens who gushed with delight at each turn. The simple cowgirl didn’t know that these teens were the children of multi-millionaires who expected perfection from well-bred, expensive horses.
She could have her fun for now, but he knew that when she was gone, things would get back to normal, and he could pull the reins on his life tight once more.
No there was no permanent place for Ashley Bowlings at the Holliday Islands Resort. She was out of her league.
Ashley giggled at the scowl on Collin’s face as his horse did a rebellious cow hop, making him focus his attention again. It served him right, she thought as she did a low slide along Soot’s stirrup, hanging from the saddle horn with her boots almost touching the ground, to the delight of the young riders in the audience.
The delight on the younger crowds faces made her giddy, and she touched the ground with her boots and then spun back up into the saddle facing the wrong way as Soot cantered on an easy rein in a slow circle.
Reaching behind her and grabbing the saddle horn with one hand Ashley pivoted on the spot settling into the saddle as she doffed her hat and raced from the arena at top speed, the cheers of the youth riders, here for top training at the resort following her out.
Sliding to a stop at the arena entrance Ashley jumped from the saddle hugging Soot’s face. She was thrilled at the way he had performed and couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the crazy ride.
Looking up as Collin trotted sedately to the entrance, Ashley met his stormy eyes.
“This isn’t a rodeo or country ho-down,” he snapped. “Those riders are serious athletes with big dreams. Your little games won’t help them win in tough competitions.” Collin watched, his heart pinching as the brilliant smile and light of joy flickered out on Ashley’s face. He had done it again.
Ashley stared at the handsome man on the leggy bay, noting how the horse hopped in place as it absorbed some of the nervous energy from its rider.
“Maybe I won’t be able to help them win every competition they have their heart set on,” she snapped, her blue eyes blazing as she fought back the tears. “But at least I might be able to help them remember to love what they’re doing,” she finished spinning on her heel and hurrying toward Soot’s stall.
She had a class in fifteen minutes and as far as s
he was concerned Mr. Collin Prancer Holliday could go soak his head.
Chapter 17
Collin handed his horse to a groom and headed for the shimmering doors of the elevator. He was tired, frustrated, and above all angry with himself. Why had he said such a terrible thing to Ashley?
“You headed home?” Mrs. Jared asked matching his stride as she fell in next to him, their polished riding boots clicking on the glazed concrete floor.
“Yes,” Collin said wondering why she was following him. “Is something wrong? I thought you’d be starting classes by now.”
“I’ll go in soon, right now Miss Bowlings is teaching a class, and it should be a good one. That girl remembers a lot of what you seem to have forgotten,” the older woman said.
Collin couldn’t help but feel like that novice kid from years ago all over again under her dark gaze. She and her husband had been his first riding instructors, and when his father had built the Holliday Islands Resort, he had hired them both to help organize and run the Equestrian Retreat.
“You seem to have forgotten what’s important,” Mrs. Jared said. “You used to love riding, now it’s just another job to you. I’m glad your father taught all you boys to be responsible and to go for what you wanted, but now that you’re back at the resort and not competing professionally, you could try to find some joy in the sport again.” With her final word, the older woman turned away down a spotlessly clean aisle, leaving Collin alone with his dark thoughts as the elevator to the top floor arrived with a ding.
Was he truly that uptight? Collin wondered. He couldn’t imagine anyone else talking to him the way Mrs. Jared just had. In fact, he knew he wouldn’t have tolerated it from anyone else. Perhaps he had lost his joy somewhere along the way. As responsibilities and the need to be the best at what he did had taken hold, much of what he had once enjoyed had turned into work.
