“Then why was she crying on Saturday night?” Cole’s body stiffened again.
“Because someone gave her bad information. A gentleman wouldn’t have used that situation to their advantage,” JT snarled and stepped closer to Cole.
“Nothing happened.” Cole rested his hands on his hips, looked at the ground, and shook his head. “Besides her telling me you were the only man she would ever love. I shouldn’t tell you that, but I want her happy even if it’s not with me.”
Cole looked up at JT and stared in his eyes.
“You going after her?” Cole asked. “Or are you finally gonna let her go?”
“I don’t have a choice,” JT replied, then turned to Howard. “I won’t leave the farm until I get a responsible boarder to buy it, that I promise.”
“You might like Minnesota, son,” Howard said as he clapped JT on his shoulder. “Give it a year before you take off. From the little I know about you, you seem to have a level head. How long did you think about moving up by Betsy?”
“A few years, I just needed the right situation.”
“So the farm fit you for more than just Betsy?”
“Yes Sir,” JT nodded.
“Then take care of my horses. Every thing you’re supposed to have will come in time.”
Chapter Eight
“Who’s the most awesome agent in the world?” Xander Norris, Betsy’s agent, asked Betsy a week later.
“I heard Violet Oliver got Sven a locked in seven year deal for three-hundred and fifty thousand a year. He just works weekends.”
“Violet Oliver is a lying cunt.”
“Probably. You want me to tell her next time she’s around.”
“How often is she there?”
“She’s just from Chicago so she’s up here quite regularly. You on the other hand I haven’t seen in years.”
“Does that change the fact that I’m the best agent in the business?”
“My contract isn’t up for negotiation for another year.”
“Your contract is always up for negotiation. Especially since you’re going to be breaking it.”
“Why would I be doing that?”
“Because like Sven you’ll be working weekends.”
“Alright, you’ve peaked my interest.”
“So glad I’m able to pull you into the conversation.” Betsy could hear Xander sucking on straw, probably the latest power shake. “Someone was singing your praises to your favorite Sunday football show.”
“No way.”
“Oh, yes way. How would you feel about covering the AFC South?”
“Um... I guess I could still live here right?”
“Why would you want too... but yes. Technically you just need to fly to the location each weekend, but why not move closer. I’d come to see you more often.”
“I’m not saying no, but I thought the NFC North spot was open.”
“It is, but you have a non-compete clause—”
“You mean you’re not awesome enough to fix that part of my contract,” Betsy let out a sigh to egg Xander on. “That’s too bad. When do I need to get back you about the job?”
“Get back to me? Betsy Flynn, just say yes. Less work, more pay. Isn’t that the American dream?”
“Say my phone is dead and give me a few hours.”
“Betsy, it’s yes or no.”
Betsy’s stomach cramped. Outside of Bert’s stupid rules she liked the people she worked with.
“Try to get me the NFC North gig and we’ll renegotiate your cut.”
“Excuse me?”
“Two percent more to save me from having to move.”
“I’ll call you back.”
With a click he was gone and Betsy was staring at her phone. Her finger swiped at the contacts list until she found a name that interested her.
“Betsy?”
“Cole, how about lunch?”
A half-hour later Betsy sat on the rooftop terrace at Seven Sushi Bar and took in the view at Hennepin and Seventh Street. Mini Times Square is the way she liked to think of it. The rest of the downtown skyline peeked over the tops of tall, but not skyscraper buildings at the edge of downtown Minneapolis. She traced her finger around the rim of her water glass.
Although Seven was an upscale club, at lunch it was a bit laid back, but if Cole hadn’t been a Minnesota Twin Betsy wondered if he’d been allowed in. In need of a shower Cole arrived in jersey shorts and a skintight workout shirt. The hostess that seated him tripped twice because she kept looking back. Not that Betsy could fault her. Cole’s smile and muscles were busting at the seams.
“You know with how much we’ve been talking lately I might get the impression you like me,” Cole curled into the chair and downed the glass of water in two large gulps, then looked to a random waiter to get it refill.
“Can you just leave the pitcher?” The waiter looked dumbfounded, but obliged.
“Drink much?”
“Unlike you I have a job that requires physical exertion.”
“That’s why you could answer your phone in the middle of practice.”
“You caught me in between drills.”
“Right.” Betsy laughed and finally opened her menu. “I got a job offer.”
“You have a job.”
“You’re not the only one in sports that can be traded.” Betsy kept her eyes on the menu even though she couldn’t make out any words.
“You’re moving?”
“I don’t know.” She set down the menu. “Was it stupid of me to offer my agent an extra two percent if I don’t have to move?”
“That depends, is he already getting under scale?”
“No.” Betsy crossed her arms and leaned back. “I don’t want to move. I’ve been here five years. I like the city.”
“When’s your contract up?”
“A year, but this would be a promotion and I’d be on my favorite show.”
“Baseball Tonight?”
“No, I’d be covering the AFC South. I told him if he got me the NFC North I’d give him a bump.”
“Now why would you do that?” Cole grinned and leaned his forearms on the table.
“Ron would cry if I left.”
“No other reason?”
Betsy sighed and raised her eyebrow at Cole.
“Okay, okay, I’m the doorman at the friend zone, I got it.”
“Is it because I say no that you want in?”
“Your ass isn’t a deterrent.”
“Good to know.”
“Oh I tried that thing you told me to try.”
“Widening your stance?” Betsy asked as she reopened her menu and tried to remember.
“Okay, I tried both things you told me to.”
“What was the other thing?”
“Talk to a girl.”
“Really, how did that work out?”
“She kept asking ‘why do you want to know?’ Then she’d giggle and stroked my... thigh.”
Betsy held in a chuckle.
“She seemed really interested in your bat...ting average.”
“Funny. You ruined me, you know that right?”
“I’m so sorry, Cole. What can I do to make it up to you?”
Cole wiggled his eyebrows up and down a few times.
“Realistically.”
“Actually it helps me out. I know who I need to be more protective around.”
“See, I’m not the enemy.”
“Not by far, but back to your issue. If you were reporting on the AFC South wouldn’t you be closer to JT?”
Betsy felt a cold chill as her head quickly snapped up.
“What put his name in your mouth?”
“I’m sorry did I cross a line?”
“It’s just... I...” Betsy began breathing heavy as she tried to steady herself. She’d set the limits. She was the one who said it would only be for the weekend. Even that had been too long for him.
“Have you talked to him since you left?”
&nb
sp; “No. We didn’t exchange numbers and I’m not going down that path again.” She bit her top lip and then sat back. “I shouldn’t be talking to you about him.”
“Why? You’ve never reciprocated my advances. Friend zone, this is my job. Some jobs suck, but I’m good with that.”
“I wish I would have taught you a year ago to talk to women.”
“I wasn’t ready then. Timing just sucks.”
“Well I’m sure JT will be out of my system in a few years.”
“Was that a chorus of angels singing?” Cole joked. “Oh, wait, no that was someone running over a cat.”
“Ha, ha.”
“You couldn’t get over JT in over five years, I doubt a few more will make a difference.”
They ordered and ate. Cole talked about the next few games and what he planned to do during the All-Star activities the next weekend.
“What will you do without me in town?”
“Your dad said I could ride his horses.”
“Why wait? Is your ankle healed?”
“Yes, it was just a sprain.”
“You working tonight?”
“Nope, Bert’s been weird since I got back. Maybe it’s best I’m leaving.”
“Go right now, if you leave before two you’ll miss traffic.”
“How far away is it?”
“Just Forest Lake.”
“Isn’t that past where the interstate is split?”
“Yes, the thirty-fives are one interstate. You’ll survive; it’s a quick ride. I know it’s not fall yet, but I heard there’s a little pond you could watch the sunset by.”
“Sounds romantic.”
“Peaceful. Clear your head. You have a lot to get out. I’ll tell my dad to let the guy know you’re coming up.”
The idea of a sunset horse ride sounded perfect. The hustle and bustle of the street below was enough to remind her sometimes she needed space.
*****
JT, the text message started, I have a friend coming up. She’s an experienced rider please saddle up a horse for her. She should be there within the hour.
Yes Sir, JT replied and bit the last of his ham sandwich as he walked out to the barn. He had plenty of time to toss a saddle on Reba, Mr. Gardner’s prize mare, but he wasn’t taking any chances. Especially after Cole learned he was boarding his dad’s horses. The last thing he needed was another strike against him.
JT brushed Reba to make sure she was shining and perfect. Reba was true to her breed—preened, perfect and in constant need of attention. Then again with how many horses the previous boarder had he was amazed she wasn’t starved for attention.
She nuzzled her russet colored nose against his palm. He gave her a carrot and rested his head on hers. It’d been a week of unpacking his few belongings and shopping for furniture, but everything he’d preordered had arrived in his absence. Rarely did things work out so well. He could see why Betsy liked the area. It was beautiful and things fell in place.
Sure he had to learn about the winters and the weird practice of putting goldfish in the warmed water trough in the winter. The previous boarder gave him that trick. If nothing else he knew how to keep the horses healthy, just not happy. He spent more time talking with the horses and getting to know their personalities than anything else around the house.
Reba was the oldest at six. Her previous owner probably spoiled her rotten. The instant JT started calling her pretty and singing to her as he brushed her coat she relaxed. Sumner, the gelding three-year-old, was another story. Howard had gotten him two years ago, yet he was still skittish to the touch. Howard had said he’d only ridden him once and the previous boarder was having issues breaking him. JT used caution when approaching him. Not for fear of being hurt, but fear of spooking Sumner. With two years of emotional neglect he was practically wild.
Majesty, the stallion, kicked the back of his stall and neighed in complaint.
“If you weren’t such a stud I could let this lady ride you,” JT called back to the horse. “You had your walk this morning.”
The horse let out a snort and went back to eating some hay. JT couldn’t wait until he got the fence fixed on the east side of the property. Then he could let the horses out to wander during the day. Now he was still teaching them where to go and letting them know he cared about them.
Reba’s deep black eyes had begun to respond positively to him.
“You gonna be okay with a stranger?” He asked as he stroked her neck. “I know it’s been a stressful move. Even the best owners don’t know how to spoil you guys right.”
Reba knocked JT’s baseball cap off with her nose.
“Hey, I don’t have to be pretty for this rider. Just you. Keep your fashion advice to your self.”
Reba gave him a snort, just like her cohort Majesty.
JT heard a car pull up right as his phone buzzed in his pocket and saw a new text message had arrived. It wasn’t from Howard though. It was from Cole.
You’re welcome.
Chapter Nine
The farm house had a classic feel, even though it looked newer. With a porch wrapping around the sides and front of the two-story white house, it looked like it needed a swing and few chairs to complete the front view. The people that lived here must be comfortable. There was enough room for a family to stretch out for sure. Betsy was just about to walk on the porch when she heard a horse neigh.
She turned to see the white metal barn with its double doors open. The sun was shining through the center and all she could make out was the outline of two black figures. One a horse and the other was a man with a delicious gait to his walk. He was pulling a baseball cap down on his head with one hand while holding the reins of the horse in the other. Betsy walked to meet him, but as soon as he came out and she finally had a full view of him, she stopped short.
Her heart pounded hard in her chest and for the second time in a week the vision of JT had made her feel weak as she reached for something to steady herself. Only this time there wasn’t a gate to grab. Cole wouldn’t be there when she turned around, and most importantly JT looked as if he wasn’t just visiting. She turned to see a silver pick-up with New Mexico plates pulled up outside the garage.
“Now I understand that text,” he said as he stood with a beautiful russet colored Arabian horse at his side.
“What text?” Betsy asked as she tried to find moisture in her mouth, only to come up empty.
“Cole sent me a text saying you’re welcome.”
“Why are you here?”
“It’s my house.”
“Yours?”
“Yep, and in two months I’ll have to make my first mortgage payment.”
“You planning on cussing for the whole week before it’s due like your dad?”
“Not until December, I think. You ready to ride ma’am?”
“Ma’am?”
“It’s my place, but I still work for someone.” He walked closer to her and she reached to pet the russet colored horse, only to have JT shake his head no. “I’d hate to have you tell Mr. Gardner that I wasn’t treating you or the horses right.”
“Okay.”
“This is Reba, she’s still a bit skittish. They all are really,” he sighed. “But as long as you meet her halfway she’ll stay calm.”
“Halfway?” Betsy said with an arched brow.
“She’s been burned before. Physically she was taken care of,” he said solemnly as he stroked the side of her head. “But emotionally she’d been ignored. The last boarder didn’t believe in the give and take in a relationship.”
“We still talkin’ about Reba?”
“In some ways I’m better with horses because I understand exactly what they need.” JT kept his head down and passed Betsy a carrot. “Don’t give it to her until you can see in her eyes that she’s comfortable with you.”
Betsy stepped closer and held out her empty hand to Reba.
“Hey Reba, has JT been spoiling you right?”
The horse took
a half step back, but JT stopped her with the bridle.
“Come on sweetie, this is my friend Betsy, she wants you to take her for a ride,” JT said softly as he patted the horse along her neck. When she stepped forward and let Betsy pet her nose, JT stilled. “That’s my lady. Okay, now you can give her the carrot.”
Betsy did and she could actually see the muscles relax down Reba’s whole body.
“You’re great with her.”
“She’s easy.”
“You want to ride with me?”
“I thought you wanted to clear your mind. Wouldn’t I muddy it?”
“Damage is already done.” She looked into his cocoa colored eyes. She wanted to kiss him, for him to pull her into his arms and tell her he’d met her halfway.
“It might take me awhile to get Sumner calm enough to ride, but he does need to get used it.”
“Sumner?”
“The other horse. You stay here with Reba.” He passed Betsy the reins. “Just be ready to calm her down when he comes out.”
Betsy watched as JT walked toward the barn, his ass nicely cupped by a pair of worn in jeans. The gait of his walk in the old cowboy boots he’d probably had reshod more than once hadn’t changed in all the years of hard rodeo life. Then again he controlled the horses, not the other way around. He didn’t get thrown; he stayed safe. Why was he here? The sold sign was on the highway as if the farm had recently been bought.
He couldn’t have closed in the last week, especially since Howard had talked about his new place where he was boarding horses. JT already planned to move by her.
“Eyes off my man,” Betsy scolded Reba who was watching JT walk away with the same longing Betsy probably had. The horse snorted. “Fine, I’ll share. I don’t like when he brushes my hair anyway.”
Betsy stroked Reba’s neck. It was taking JT awhile to get Sumner out. Maybe she shouldn’t have pushed. JT knew the horses better than she did. She just assumed they’d be all good to go. Betsy didn’t know anything about breaking in a horse. She had the same one her whole life.
“You wanna impress JT, let me hop up on you.”
Betsy reached for the horn of the saddle and placed her left foot into the stirrup. When Reba didn’t flinch she took it as a good sign and pulled herself up and over.
“Good girl.” She patted Reba and guided her toward the barn to see what was taking so long.
Red Hot and BOOM! A Sizzling Hot Collection of Stories from the Red Hot Authors Page 54
