“I know, I forgot to borrow some from Bailey.” She winces, scraping poop off her heel as I try not to laugh.
“Just mind your step.”
“Wow,” Sadie mouths as I turn my head. She’s in awe, her eyes round as she takes in the stables. “Now this is awesome.”
Pride fills my chest. I’ve worked hard on the barn and stables, it’s my pride and joy other than the tree farm.
We’re closest to Pepper, so I reach my hand into her stable and pet her nose. “She’s almost five, and one of the sweetest horses I’ve ever owned.”
“She’s beautiful, look at her mane.” Sadie hugs herself, a little afraid, but excited like a child. She’s quite adorable, and I find myself staring at her in wonder.
“She’s an American Quarter Horse. Pepper loves the walking trails. You can pet her if you want, she’s friendly,” I say.
Sadie bites down on her bottom lip and the gesture makes my dick twitch.Holy shit.
I mean, she’s an attractive woman, there’s no doubt about it, but my body’s response isn’t what a boss should be doing. My eyes trail down her back to her ass, where her pants hug her perky butt.Eyes up, asshole.
“Which one is Zeus?” she asks.
I nod over to the far wall. “The stable made for a king. He’s a thoroughbred.”
“I’ll bet he knows it with a name like Zeus,” she laughs.
I smirk. “He’s a big boy.”
We head his way, but Sadie lets out a cry as I turn and grab her arm before she slides over. “Okay, I’m officially banning those damn heels.”
Our touch is electric. She hangs onto me for dear life, then composes herself with a deep breath. “Thank you. I’m sorry. These were the closest thing I had to enclosed shoes. I didn’t have time to shop for snow boots.”
“We’ll remedy that,” I mutter.
We pass by the other horses. Sugar and Delilah. The other two, Stormy and Louis, are over at Bailey’s because she and Jed are farriering their hooves after the trail ride.
“Sugar,” I say. “And Delilah, they’re both sweet like their names, and kids love them.”
“They’re gorgeous!”
One thing about her? I can tell she isn’t lying when it comes to the animals. Sadie is in complete awe.
“And this is Zeus.” I pat his head as he shakes his head.
“Wow, he is impressive.”
“The other horses, Stormy and Louis, are out on a trail hike with Bailey. You can meet them another time.”
“Oh, you still go out in winter?”
I glance at her. “Of course, the farm never stops. The trails are less crowded this time of year, and the horses are more comfortable in a colder climate.”
She nods as we turn to leave. “It’s a really nice place,” she says, tucking her hair behind her ears. “No wonder Bailey never wants to leave.”
I smile to myself. Why would anyone want to leave Alpine Falls? It’s a magical place, especially this time of year.
We hop back on the UTV and I continue on our journey.
“Next is the lodge, a big income earner for the farm and runs year round, as well as the cottages dotted around the property with views of the lake. While we’re decently staffed, there will be times you may need to go over and help with housekeeping, or the main desk. Mainly, I need help runnin’ the farm because I can’t be in ten places at once,” I say. “I don’t know how much Iz told you about the position, but it isn’t just sittin’ at the desk taking money for trees. Sometimes you’ll have to accompany the customers out into the field, because if I know one thing about the people of Alpine Falls and surrounds, it’s that they love to pick their tree. It’s a tradition around here.”
“Aren’t people cutting it a little close? I mean, it’s not that long until Christmas.”
