Chapter Thirty-Six Ivy

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Ivy

" S o what are your first steps with her?" Cole asks me as we clean up from dinner. I've stayed back to help clean up while Wade and Haden work on the stall that my new baby is going to call home very soon.

"Getting her comfortable with all her tack, a rider, and gate schooling—and then, if all goes well, workouts begin. Rowan will get used to working with her and then we'll take her to Florida and see if she's got what it takes."

"Three months, is that enough time to get her ready for testing?" Cole asks with genuine interest.

"I think so, they've been working with her a bit at Robicheaux Ranch—they've been warming her to the saddle, working with her a little. Time will tell." I grin, Cole nods.

"So, y'all will drive?"

"Probably, Florida isn't that far. We'll have gear to bring and Dusty can tow her with the diesel," I say, mentioning the monster Ford truck the Ashbys keep for hauling.

"Spending almost ten hours in the truck with Wade. Whatta treat." Cole chuckles as he wipes the counter down.

They look very similar to each other, as brothers should. Cole's just an inch or two shorter than Wade, and has Jo's friendly eyes. Wade is all sharp angles and smoldering.

"Something tells me Ivy doesn't mind Wade's company too much. I mean, I haven't seen you swing at him yet and you've even been his roommate," Nash says while he places dishes in the dishwasher.

I shrug. "I'm getting used to him."

"Takes a special kind of soul to work for Wade, he's very … particular. There were days Sam wanted to sock him one," CeCe says from her place at the island, reminding me my time here is limited. Last I'd heard, Sam was planning on returning to work in April.

"Ever since Janelle, he's just always had a big old chip on his shoulder. Wade was always the serious type, but still … before her, he was kinda fun," she adds.

"I'm glad he's got a new endeavor to focus on, keeps him busy," Nash says as they clean. "He was with Janelle a long time, and I know she's not done with him yet."

"I'm hoping he'll tell her to hit the bricks for good if she comes back again." Cole shrugs and pops the rest of his cookie into his mouth.

"Not if, when . The moment she's done with what the town has to offer, she'll be back begging for Wade. He was way too good for her, and the moment she realizes what she gave up, she'll be back," Nash corrects.

I listen to them all talk about Janelle like she's the female version of Brad, and my heart goes out to Wade, he does deserve so much better than that.

"Maybe he's already let her go," I offer without thinking, ignoring the knot in my gut at this conversation.

Nash looks at me in a way that feels too knowing and then speaks.

"The funny thing is I don't even think he loved her by the end. Janelle is just really good at manipulating."

"Here's to hoping his Janelle days are over," Mama Jo quips as she sweeps. "I'm still holding out hope for him to meet a nice girl. He deserves to be happy," she adds as she smiles at me.

I clear my throat.

"Thank y'all for dinner. It was delicious. If it's all the same, I'm going to go see if Wade needs a hand readying anything for Angel," I say to them all.

Jo makes her way over to me and pinches my cheek gently. How an almost sixty-year-old woman can look this good will never cease to amaze me. I hope I'm still as hot as Mama Jo when I'm older.

"You're welcome anytime, honey, we sure are grateful you're here."

I smile back at her. "I am too."

"Big day tomorrow." She grins as I pop my cowboy hat on. "Sleep tight, say goodnight to Wade for me," she singsongs as I head out.

I can't help but notice the little gleam in her eye as she says it. A gleam that says Wade's mother may have some idea that something is going on between us.

The air is unseasonably warm for early November as I make the short walk from the big house to the main barn just after dusk. I struggle over the events of this weekend and the predicament I've got myself in. Involved with a man I work with, again . Wade isn't Brad, and this whole situation is different. Wade treats me like I'm his equal, and as gruff as his personality seems I know there isn't a mean bone in Wade Ashby's body. Still, I'm leaving at some point soon, I'm a stand-in. Where does that leave me and my boss when I have to go across the country for another job?

I blow out a breath and try to shake free of my overthinking. Something I always do. We're just having fun, we're attracted to each other and it's just sex. Really incredible, mind-blowing sex. Wade is a man like any other, right?

And as long as we're smart about personal-work boundaries, there is no reason we can't keep a good working relationship and still have some fun together. I can stop at any time if said mind-blowing sex gets in the way of work.

I've almost got myself convinced as I remind myself of all the ways I'll be able to keep the perfect work-sex balance with Wade when he comes into view on horseback.

His cowboy hat shields the last of the day's sun from his face, his flannel sleeves are rolled up to his elbows as they usually are, showcasing those strong forearms while he grips his reins tight with one hand and with the other holds the reins of another steed who's trotting happily beside him. His body moves effortlessly with his horse Apollo, as if he was born on horseback. His perfectly worn in Levi's are hugging his powerful legs all the way down to his boots. The biggest Tennessee-made cowboy boots I've ever seen.

He spots me and smirks at me as he gets close enough for me to see those beautiful green eyes.

"Ride with me," his deep tenor commands over the empty field.

Who am I kidding? I am so screwed.