Chapter 23

23

D espite all of Tabby's outward confidence, she was painfully nervous, and she knew that Logan would feel it through her knees.

This wasn't just a country show or a state fair demonstration. She was competing against the best horses and riders in the state.

But they weren't riding Logan.

He nickered and nudged her reassuringly as she checked all of his straps again. The last thing she needed to do was fall off like an amateur in front of everyone because her tack had failed. She'd seal her ranch's fate and humiliate them both, kibosh the sale, and end up in the poorhouse after all.

The smaller shows they'd done had been casual and inclusive, but this was a bigger show, with a bigger prize. The other riders all seemed to already know each other. They swirled around in little cliques chatting about their TikTok channels and trips to Europe. Tabby smiled at them and got chilly nods in return. She had pinned her hair neatly back under her helmet, but hadn't remembered to put on makeup and she knew that no amount of polish could perfectly hide the scuffs on her worn boots.

The worst part of it was seeing Veronica Chase walk by, garbed in a designer jacket and boots.

Her fleeting hope that Veronica wouldn't recognize her was squashed when the woman paused at Logan's stall as Tabby did some last-minute touches to his mane. "Oh, Swiftwater Ranch," she said condescendingly to a rider giggling beside her. "I wouldn't do business with them . Very…second-rate, you know?"

"Pretty horse, though," her companion said diffidently. They both seemed determined to ignore Tabby, though she was standing right there brushing the same part of Logan's mane over and over.

"Pretty isn't everything," Veronica sniffed. "Breeding matters. They let anyone into these competitions, I swear. Anyway, they are only doing the jumper courses, not the hunter trials, so beauty doesn't do them any good." The two strolled past, snickering.

Tabby caught herself grimacing when Logan tipped his head into her shoulder reproachfully. He'd undoubtedly heard the woman's snipe.

"We've still got this," she reminded herself. They couldn't say a word against her gorgeous horse, but Tabby herself was an easy target. It was a common tactic among the truly competitive to work to make other riders nervous. A nervous rider made mistakes and gave their horse mixed messages.

A nervous rider lost.

When the hunter princesses had passed out of earshot, continuing to lament the fact that the board let just anyone compete, Logan snorted and swiftly shifted.

"What are you doing?" Tabby asked, though she didn't protest when Logan pressed a kiss on her mouth. "You can't be caught like this!"

"I wanted to tell you before you were called up, I'm not the only shifter."

" What?"

"I sensed them when you led me in. We're not the only ones trying to pull a fast one here. This isn't a level playing field at all."

Tabby steamed. "Did Clancy know that?"

"Probably. I don't know what his long game is. We can still win it, though. We're a good team."

They were, Tabby agreed, and she gave him a lingering kiss until a rattle at the far end of the stable had Logan stepping back from her and shimmering into horse form. She checked his tack for a fourth time.

Any lingering reservations that she'd had regarding the ethics of riding Logan in a competition vanished in the wake of her chilly reception and the knowledge of the stacked deck. The other shows had been sporting competitions full of warmth and welcome, but everyone here had come to win at any cost. It was clear that she was considered a threat to be frozen out and taken down.

Nothing made Tabby dig in her heels more than unkindness.

Clancy was waiting outside the arena by the mounting block. Tabby steeled herself for an unpleasant encounter, but he was clearly on his company behavior, all slick smiles and flattering attention. Although he had some similar features, he was less handsome than his cousin, Tabby thought, like a cheap knock-off.

"What a beautiful pair you two make," Clancy said, with the same silky voice that had sold her Logan in the first place. "I'm sure you'll wow them all. "

Tabby let Logan shuffle forward and stomp threateningly in the sand by Clancy's foot.

Clancy didn't flinch, but he did frown a little. "Temper, temper," he said. "You know this is a solid plan." To Tabby, he said slyly, "You should have kept his original name."

Tabby kept herself from snapping that Clancy was the one who'd better behave .

Logan heaved a sigh and sidled into place by the mounting block. Tabby climbed up and settled into the saddle. Would this be her last chance to ride Logan?