“I see.” GJ stiffened. “Did he hurt you?”
That was a complicated question. “No. I’m fine, GJ. But he lied to…everyone.”
“That bastard.” GJ shook her head. “I’m sorry, Evie. I kind of pushed you two together. I thought that he was the right person to help you put your heart back together.”
“He tried to warn me.” I picked at the corner of the tissue. “He tried to stop us from falling…” My throat tightened. It was far too soon to say that I had been falling in love with Nick, but it was the truth.
“How could I have been so wrong about him?” GJ scratched her head.
Rocky stretched and then rested his head on his paws. “Is this dog really on the bed, Evie?” As if replying, Rocky rolled onto his side, exposing his belly.
“He’s a good boy.” I rubbed his tummy. “I’d like to keep him.”
GJ sighed. “He does seem like a nice dog, but sweetheart, that’s one rule that I can’t break,” she swiped my hair behind my ear, “even for you.”
I checked my watch. “That’s why I’m going to win this contest. I’m going to get my own place so I can keep Rocky. It will free up this room for more revenue too.”
My grandmother patted my hand. “If that’s what you want to do, I fully support you. But if you want to stay here, I’m sure we can find a good home for Rocky.”
At his name, Rocky’s tail thwapped on the quilt. “I need to get ready to go meet the Lumbers and Clementine. They’re bringing Nutmeg in for the contest.”
“You’re not using Kick-O, or whatever his name is?”
I laughed. “Now that would be interesting. Maybe next year.”
GJ took the handle of the leash that was still attached to Rocky’s collar. “I’ll take Rocky with me. I’m sure he’d like to watch you win that race. That is, if he’s good around horses.”
“He’s great. He’s been living at the ranch.”
Rocky followed GJ to the door. “Good luck, Evie. I believe in you,” she said.
“I love you, GJ.” I closed the door after she left. Feedback squelched and I pulled back the lace curtain to look outside. The course was set up and volunteers were messing around with the sound system. Trucks had started arriving and horses were being unloaded. I took a deep breath. GJ believed in me, and because of that, I believed in me too.
Clementine’sorange jacket was easy to spot through the crowd.
“Is Nutmeg not here yet?” I was nervous about the raceand didn’t need the extra stress of my horse being late—or worse, not showing up.
“They’re on their way.” Clem turned, and immediately I knew something was wrong. She usually had some kind of smirk or grin on her face, but today she looked serious.
“Are you all right, Clementine?”
She inhaled then unzipped her coat. That’s when I noticed her arm wasn’t in the sleeve—it was strapped to her chest in a blue sling. “I’m sorry, Evie. I slipped clearing my walkway this morning.”
“Is it broken?”
“It’s a fracture. I think I could compete, but Doctor Fillmore said if I did, he would fire me as a patient.” She rolled her eyes. “I wouldn’t usually listen, but he’s over there.” She jerked her head toward the organizer’s table. “I think he’s here just to make sure I don’t do something stupid.”
The vision of Rocky and me living in our own place fizzled out. My shoulders slumped. “I’m sorry you hurt your arm, Clem. I hope you’re feeling better soon.”
“Oh no you don’t.” She picked up a white garment bag and pushed it into my arms. “I’ve arranged for a replacement skier. I also found this in the back of my closet. It’s perfect for today.”
I unzipped the garment bag. “It’s…wow. White.” The leather jacket was straight out of the eighties, complete with multiple layers of fringe.
“There are matching chaps too. It’s going to look great with your hat.” She batted at the brim of my hat with her good hand.
“Who’s my skier?”
The emcee announced the first pair, a guy named Morgan riding a gorgeous black stallion, and his skier, another cowboy-looking guy named Brock, got set up at the starting line.
