Chapter 24

24

W hatever else went wrong in the world, it always felt right to have Tabby on his back.

Logan felt better with the press of her long legs and the feel of her hand on his neck, patting him like he was an animal that needed reassurance.

His stallion snorted. You are an animal that needs reassurance. You like to think you're better than me, but you're just as basic, and you need your herd.

Logan ignored him, and let Tabby ride him in to the waiting pen as the rider before them finished the course on their final day.

He used his watch-without-watching trick to observe them carefully. It was one of the shifter horses that he'd sensed on his way in, and while the pair did a better-than-average job because of the mare's human senses, she was not the jumper that Logan was.

More telling, her rider was mediocre at best, and the horse couldn't compensate for all of their failings. Several times, she had to give a little hitch to keep her rider balanced, and there were times that the rider was giving messages that the mare was ignoring. She was showy, but faulted several times and her rider was clearly the weak point. Logan bounced in place and felt Tabby settle in her seat. He wouldn't have that problem.

The pair went off, disqualified, and Logan was more confident than ever. He shook his head and felt Tabby give-take the reins in rebuke.

When their name was called, she guided him forward and let him step out freely, using all of his long stride to best advantage.

They had done a test walk through on the course before the competition, so Logan already knew what to expect and how to place his feet. He cleared every rung that was put up, and soared over the water long-jumps with inches to spare.

His stallion was singing in his head, pleased to have all of the attention on them, glad to have a rider that could show them off so perfectly. We are grace and beauty! he cried. Everyone should admire us!

Tabby's tireless drilling kept them moving between the jumps like water. No motion was wasted, and being airborne with her was like making music.

They ended to more enthusiastic applause than any previous rider had received and Logan felt a rush of pride and delight that wasn't just his stallion's.

They'd done it.

It didn't even require a jump off, his win had been so clear and clean. Veronica Chase, disqualified early, watched them accept their prize with a sour look.

Tabby dismounted and took Logan on a cool-down walk before returning to his stall to be groomed and watered.

Clancy was already there with a collection of well-dressed investors and was passing himself off as Tabby's agent. "Ah, here is Miss Swiftwater, hero of the hour, and the beautiful Beau."

Logan did a masterful act of arching his neck and keeping his steps fresh and springy, like the course had taken nothing out of him and he was ready to go out and do it again.

"You're thinking of selling him?" one of the men asked speculatively.

"I'd consider selling him to the right buyer," Tabby answered coyly, just as they had practiced. "He's a valuable asset to my ranch. Oh, here's my card. I do have training, boarding, and lesson openings."