Miranda leaned forward to engage Breanna. "Your ride had the crowd on their feet. You were really flying."
Breanna's knee bounced beneath the table. "I wasn't sure Domino had it in him. With so few riders left and the delay from Buster going lame, I wasn't sure how near we were to first place. Not until the sun started coming up."
Adam had naturally angled his chair toward hers and now used the opportunity to slide his boot across the floor until he could nudge hers.
Her gaze slid to his.
He made his voice grave. "I'm going to have to tell Domino you doubted him."
She laughed and shook her head. "I still can't believe he had that last little push in him."
Adam tapped her boot with his. "I told you."
"Too bad you didn't wager onhim," she murmured. Then she turned to Reggie. "How did you find the journey? Adam had mentioned you were homebound."
"Difficult." Reggie admitted it with a wry shake of his head. "But not impossible. If only I could leave my pride behind." He glanced at Adam before focusing on her again. "I suppose I had to prove to myself that I could accomplish it before I could ask my brother to believe in what I can do."
She shook her head, uncomprehending.
Adam leaned back slightly in his chair. "Reggie wants to run theExplorer. He's apparently always dreamed of taking over Father's job."
"I'd given up on the idea until Miranda rubbed my face in my self-pity as if I were a puppy who'd messed on the carpet."
Breanna stifled a giggle while Miranda pretended affront.
"I did not do that."
Reggie looked at her, his affection clear on his face. "You didn't have to. You gave that little disapproving sniff—that one, yes thank you for the demonstration—every time I sulked. Which was all the time," he told Breanna. "It didn't take me long to realize that if someone as intelligent and vital as Miranda believed I could be something, that maybe I should start believing in myself again too."
Breanna raised her coffee mug to him. "It takes a smart man to recognize that his woman is always right. And you were smart enough to ask her to marry you."
Reggie slid a glance to Adam. "I've always been the smart one."
Heat sliced up Adam's neck and into his face with painful intensity. Maybe having Reggie back in his life in a meaningful way wasn't as great of an idea as he'd thought.
Breanna only laughed. "You remind me of my brother Matty. I have to say I'm delighted to know you."
It seemed that she remained delighted as they enjoyed a leisurely breakfast. They were loitering at the table as the cafe emptied of its breakfast crowd, the two women distracted and conversing in low tones when Reggie leaned toward Adam.
"Miranda was right," he said. "About you being the family's legacy. When I saw that photograph in the Chicago paper, I was inspired. You had this look about you. Well, I can't describe it, but you were determined to win."
On that first day, he had been—determined to win Breanna.
"My first trip out of the house was to Father's office,” Reggie continued. “I bribed Clarence to send me a copy of your telegraphs before they made it to print. I had to know about the race. How you were faring.That'syour talent. Inspiring people—with your words, and yourself."
Adam laughed outright. "All right, you flatterer." He held his hands up in front of him. "I surrender. You've convinced me. I'll speak to Father with you, and we'll see where it goes."
Reggie lit up. Adam hadn't even known that his spirit had been dark until his excitement shone out of his eyes.
Breanna looked over at them, though she was drooping over her empty coffee mug.
Adam wasn't much better. Exhaustion had set in hours ago. "Let's walk back to your parents' hotel. You need to sleep. Reg, Miranda. If you'll excuse us."
Breanna wobbled a bit as she got to her feet. "Muscles locked up," she murmured as he steadied her with a hand at her waist.
It was as good an excuse as any to offer his arm, and she took it, leaning into him as they stepped out onto the sidewalk.
He could get used to this.
