Page 75 of Tempting Wyatt

His wide eyes turn to mine as if to ask,can you believe it?

The wild thing is, I can believe it. Because Ivy has this way about her.

She’s stronger than she looks. As delicate as she appears, there’s some barbed wire around her. But beneath that, there’s this soft gentle energy that won’t be ignored.

She didn’t like seeing Lucifer out there all alone so she showered him with attention and affection until he opened up to her. Or the poor bastard just accepted that she might be more stubborn than him and wasn’t going away.

A prickling sensation crawls across the back of my neck. The sight of her beaming smile aimed at him is familiar. I shake my head but say nothing to Antonio.

The truth is, Icanbelieve what I’m seeing. I’m pretty sure what’s happening to that horse is the same thing that kale and granola eating, spandex-wearing woman is doing to me.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

ivy

AS SOON AS I DRIVE THROUGH the gates of Triple Creek Equestrian Center, I’m hit with a wave of peaceful energy.

The property is sprawling, but the facility is on the smaller side, nestled in a quiet valley surrounded by rolling hills. It feels like something out of a postcard—green pastures, horses grazing lazily. It has an undeniable charm, and I can see why Willow has carved this space out for herself, separate from the chaos of the ranch.

I roll the window down and take a deep breath, inhaling the crisp, clean air. The smell of fresh hay, leather, and the earthy scent of horses mingle around me.

I’ve never been to an equestrian center before, but there’s an undeniable heart to this one that I suspect is unique. I can feel the love and care Willow has poured into every inch of this place, and I can’t help but admire it.

Once I park on the gravel path, I make my way to the stables, where I figure I’ll find her.

When I push open the large wooden doors, Willow isseated at a desk near the back, surrounded by piles of paperwork. She’s tapping away on a laptop, her expression focused but relaxed.

She’s dressed in a loose black shirt and a pair of jeans that have clearly seen their fair share of hard work. Her black riding boots reach her knees. Her long hair is pulled into a low ponytail, and her skin has that sun-kissed glow of someone who spends most of their time outdoors.

“Hey,” I say, leaning against the doorframe. “I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this is amazing. It’s got such a peaceful, welcoming feel.”

Willow looks up, a wide smile brightening her face when she sees me.

“Ivy, hey! I’m glad you could make it. If you give me just a sec, I’ll give you the grand tour.”

“Sounds good.” I step farther inside, looking around.

The barn-style stables are a beautiful mix of rustic charm and practicality—old wooden beams, soft light filtering in from the high windows, and stalls lined with fresh hay. The few horses in stalls look over at me with curious eyes.

“It’s a work in progress, but I’m getting there. It’s still a small operation, but we’re growing, which is exciting.” She gestures to the desk covered in paperwork. “Just sorting through some résumés for a new hire. It’s not glamorous, but it’s part of the grind.”

I walk over to her desk, glancing at the stacks of papers. “Anyone promising?”

“So far, there’s this one candidate, Caroline. She’s from Utah, and she has a lot of experience with show horses. She seems like a good fit for the type of work we do here. She’s coming for an interview later this week actually.”

I nod, impressed. “Sounds like she could be a great addition. How much of the work do you do yourself?”

“Almost all of it,” she admits with a half laugh. “I’m spread a little thin right now, so I could really use the extra help. But I’m picky about who I hire. I need someone who gets the heart of this place and is willing to put in the time, even though I’m not exactly paying competitive wages at the moment.”

“I’m sure whoever joins the team will feel lucky to be part of it.”

Willow looks up at me, her eyes twinkling. “If you want to stick around, I’d be happy to hire you.”

My face breaks into a smile. “Honestly, if I was ever looking for employment in Montana, this would be the first place I’d apply.”

She beams.

I hesitate, remembering why I reached out to her to begin with. “Actually, I could use your help with something.”