Chapter Three Ivy

CHAPTER THREE

Ivy

I ' ve never put much faith in people. It's not that I don't like people, I do. I just find it easier not to get too close to most of them, keep them at a distance. It's much easier for me to relate to animals, especially the horses I work with. People are fickle and will almost always let you down or leave, given the chance. Especially men. In my experience, most men are easy to read. The ones I've met or worked with over the years are one of two things: they're either afraid of me or doing their best to try to fuck me, both figuratively and literally. Most men don't take me seriously and they almost always think they know better than me. The equestrian world is full of these types of men, so I'm no stranger to getting a read on a man and learning where I stand with them real quick.

Until I met Wade Ashby. Wade is certainly not afraid of me, nor does he look at me like he wants to fuck me. Wade Ashby might be the only man I've ever met that is wearing a sort of scowl twenty-four-seven, but oddly enough, despite that, working with him comes easier than with any other man I've ever worked with, because Wade is something else entirely.

Strong, professional, smart as hell, respectful, and so fucking in control all the time it makes me wonder if there's ever a time or circumstance where he loses that control even for a minute. At first glance he appeared unassuming and kind of mysterious, like a sexy Henry Cavill—if Henry was 6′5″, played the part of a horse rancher and wore a constant grimace.

Then he opened his mouth, and I learned pretty quickly that Wade Ashby was not going to be the ‘get to know you better' type. I've been struggling to keep up with his two moods—grumpy and really fucking grumpy—since I arrived. How furrowed his brow is over those deep green eyes that stare through my soul when he looks at me tells me every morning what kind of day I'm in for. One thing is certain, they're almost always staring at me with a look of disapproval, because Wade is very set in his ways and likes to remind me every chance he gets that my more modern way of training isn't his style.

Since I've recently made a promise to myself not to let anyone fuck with me or my emotions ever again, I give his attitude right back to him most of the time, which oddly enough he seems to appreciate. Most days, Wade's mood is very predictable. But today? Today is the first day he really threw me for a loop and surprised me.

I don't know why Wade decided to firmly commit to finding Silver Pines a new racehorse, but I don't care either. I'm running with it. Twenty-nine years old and training a potential derby horse? Hells yes. It's a far cry from the Winding Eagles trailer park I left behind in Jellico, and it's my shot to make a real name for myself as a trainer.

I've been hoping since the day he hired me that my boss had a sense of adventure under that gruff exterior somewhere, but I wasn't holding out for it. Until now of course, because now he's taking me horse shopping in less than two weeks. I'm so excited I could scream it from the rooftops.

I continue my work with my newest horse buddy, Nutmeg, getting on the thinking side of his brain. I met this horse my first day here. He's come a long way and is Wade's seven-year-old niece Mabel's favorite riding horse. Which makes sense.

My father was a horse vet and he always thought that horses—all animals, really—have kindred spirits, and so far, Nutmeg seems a lot like Mabel, rambunctious and needing a lot of play time. I give him his wind down exercises as I feel my phone buzz in my pocket. I ignore it for a few minutes as I work, then I turn Nutmeg loose into the pen and pull my phone out.

CECE

Thank you so much for playing guitar for us last night. I hope you had fun.

Have I mentioned—my cranky boss aside—I am in love with his family? They have made me feel so welcome, so of course I said yes when Nash asked me to strum CeCe's favorite Shania Twain song as he proposed last night. Everyone has been ultra-sweet aside from Wade, but I don't take it personally because he looks at all of us like it just annoys him to no end that he can't do absolutely everything on this ranch without help.

It was my pleasure, I had a great time. The Not Angels know how to party.

CECE

Yes, we do it well.

I'm not sure how much fun your brother had though. He didn't seem too pleased to have to drive me home.

CECE

He's never pleased, I just tell people it's part of his charm.

Tell me about it, he even seems annoyed about making a potential derby run, which in my opinion is super exciting and a cause for some serious celebration. Does he even know the word celebrate?

CECE

He's decided to make a derby run? For sure?

Shit. I type, then stop myself. Then type again.

Well, we're going horse shopping so I think so? He didn't tell you?

CECE

I must have missed that announcement.

I think I just shoved my foot in my mouth, so act surprised when he tells you?

CECE

Your secret's safe with me. Whatever the reason, I'm glad he's thinking of going for it. We'll be cheering you on and we're willing to help any way we can.

Thank you, for not saying anything, and your support.

CECE

Of course. Us girls need to stick together.

For the second time today, Wade catches me off guard. Why wouldn't he have told his family if he's already booked us hotel rooms?

My phone buzzes again but this time it's not Wade's sister. It's my ex's sister.

CHELSEA

I hate to bug you. Brad won't leave me alone about reaching out to you. I'm sorry to get in the middle and I miss you, I hope you're doing okay.

I sigh and put my phone back in my pocket. Not today, Satan .

It's three months since I left Bellingham Ranch and the devil himself, aka Brad. I used to respond to his sister Chelsea and his mother; I actually felt like their family for a time. I try not to be upset with them. I know how persuasive Brad can be when he wants something.

Now I spend my days mostly ignoring them all if they reach out. What I really need is a new cell phone and number. My phone is ancient but it's all I can afford with the financial obligations still weighing on my shoulders. I tried to block Brad's number in the beginning, but then he got creative, messaging from his family's phones or calling me from his ranch. I keep telling myself it will be short-lived. Brad doesn't do well alone. I've been hoping that he'll find someone new to attach himself to and leave me the hell alone. So far, he hasn't figured out where I am and I'm hoping he never does.

I go to fetch Nutmeg and start bringing him to his stall as I ask myself for the millionth time how I ever fell for Brad's manipulation. I not only fell for it, I dove right in, head first. He's the Prince of Bellingham Ranch, old money. The kind that seems highbrow on the outside but it's all really a disguise for what lurks underneath.

Although I didn't know it at the time, Brad is a narcissist through and through. One with a mean streak, a side I got heavily acquainted with over the last few years. I grew up like many other little girls, hearing the words "don't ever let a man treat you poorly." And "know your self-worth." I had a great dad who taught me to be strong and bold. But it was so calculating and happened so slowly that I didn't know the emotional hold Brad had on me until I was in it, deep in it. The more dependent I became on him and his ranch, the less he tried to hide his ways. He played on every insecurity I had and made me somehow believe he was the best chance I would ever have of stability and security.

Somewhere in those years with Brad, I lost my own version of myself—the version I was raised to be. Looking back, I believe now my dad was looking down on me and he helped me leave. When the man I'd known since I was a baby, my mentor at the American Quarter and Thoroughbred Association and one of my dad's best friends, told me about Silver Pines looking for a new trainer, something in me said, This is your chance. Take it.

It wasn't an easy road to get here, but I made it.

And now, as long as I can keep my new boss from combusting with pure, unfiltered irritation for the next few months, I have a home and a job I'm really loving, not to mention a great addition to my resume when it's my time to move on.

I pop the leader rope and halter on the front of Nutmeg's stall, close it up and breathe out a sigh, taking in the mountain beyond the barn. Brad Bellingham isn't ruining my mood today—no one is, because Ivy Grace Spencer is about to train a derby horse!

HADEN

Sarge is looking like he's going into overdrive waiting on you, he's pacing around on the phone and shit.

HADEN

Better hurry up and get in here before he changes his mind about looking for a new horse.

I grin.

Maybe you should try giving him a hug, he sounds like he needs one.

HADEN

I'd like to keep my arms