Page 115 of Here With Me

“Everythin’ alright?” he asks, calling his personal cell.

“It will be,” I deadpan, then glance over my shoulder and notice Fisher staring at me intently.

If Ian being a pain in my ass isn’t enough, Magnolia and Ellie rush over and pull me aside.

“Craig’s here. Saw him sneakin’ ’round the barn actin’ really suspicious, but Ayden told him to get lost.”

Goddammit. Am I an asshole magnet or something?

“Great, I just sent the sheriff here to get rid of Ian. Do ya know where he went?”

“No, but I suspect he won’t leave of his own free will.” Magnolia groans.

The mutton-busting event begins and we cheer for all the little kids who enter. It’s cute watching them hang onto the sheep for their dear lives, but it reminds me of Craig’s presence and how he could easily put so many innocent lives at risk. I’m still on edge after he scattered nails in here and can’t help but be suspicious of him sneaking in today.

When Sheriff Wagner arrives with Deputy Scott, I inform him of Craig’s unwanted attendance so he can keep an eye out for him, then I ask him to escort Ian out of the arena and tell him to leave.

It might be extreme, but he’s making us uncomfortable and tried to blackmail me.

It’s one thing to be an asshole.

It’s another to do it on my own property at the event I’m hosting.

As they approach Ian, the three of us keep our backs to the bleachers. I catch a glimpse of him out of the corner of my eye as he stomps down the stairs and glares at me.

“Thank God,” Magnolia mutters. “He fucked around and found out.”

People come up to me and introduce themselves between events, some even asking if I have openings in my training schedule. I book a year out but tell them to email me anyway in the event a spot opens early. Others come up just to tell me how much fun they’re having and enjoying the shows.

People walk in and out to grab food and drinks, and although I’ve been to many events since I was a teenager, I like these types the most. It’s low-key but fun and exciting. Everyone is there to have a good time, eat, and socialize.

When my dad announces the next break, he reminds them to return for the showmanship event and then the awards ceremony, where I’ll announce all the winners from each event.

Once the cash prizes were handed out, Landen brought over the silent auction totals so Momma could total everything. Between that, the tickets, each rider’s entry fee, sponsored booths, horseback riding sign-ups, and food truck percentage donations, we handed Mr. Billings a check for one hundred and twenty-three thousand dollars.

That’s over six months’ worth of the charity’s annual budget, which means they’ll be able to continue to help a lot of horses in need with medical and physical care. My heart was so full by the time everything came to an end. Despite Craig and Ian showing up, the day was a huge success, and I hope from now on we can make it an annual thing. I’d love to be able to raise money for different charities each year.

The bonus was meeting other local trainers and their clients, seeing all the townspeople enjoy themselves, and the small businesses coming together to help make it all possible. The networking I was hoping to do was a success. I feel much better about the friendships I’ve made within the industry and what that’ll mean moving forward.

I nearly cried at the end of my speech as I gave my thanks and appreciation. Then I made the mistake of glancing at Fisher and wanted to cry for another reason.

It’s nine o’clock by the time I get home. We had a lot of cleaning to get things back in order. I helped the riders load their horses in their trailers and thanked each one of them for coming. I jump in the shower and change into comfy clothes before Fisher’s expected to come over. I have a feeling I won’t like what he has to tell me, but if we only have this one final night together, I’m going to make it count.

ChapterTwenty-Four

Fisher

After an eventful day at the ranch and being out in the heat, I’m exhausted. My nerves are on fire, knowing this moment was coming. Noah and I couldn’t speak about anything personal with her family and everyone else around, so we resorted to texting. I’d let her know how proud I was of the hard work she put in to make this a successful fundraiser. She’d asked how things with Jase went last night, and I gave her a quick recap of visiting Lyla’s gravesite and some of the things he said he went through after I left. Then she asked if she and I were still talking after the fundraiser. As much as I wish I could put this off for another few days, I can’t. Noah deserves to know what’s going on and not be left wondering.

I rub my sweaty palms down my jeans, take a deep breath, then knock. I didn’t bother parking at The Lodge this time. Instead, I leave my truck behind her house between two trees.

When she answers, I quickly step inside, and she closes the door behind me. Her thick golden hair is tied up in a messy bun, and her face is freshly washed of the makeup she wore today. She’s traded her olive-green sundress and cowboy boots for comfy sweat shorts and a tank top.

She takes my breath away.

As I inhale sharply, my heart hammers as I contemplate doing what I know I have to do.

“Hi.” She smiles hesitantly.