Caison glances at me. “Yeah.”
“As in Wildhaven Storm’s trainer?”
Pop nods, clearly pleased with himself. “Not anymore. Giles started here just after Caison arrived.”
That surprises me. “You’re kidding.”
Pop smiles like a man who just won a hand of poker. “Been with the Storms since you kids were knee-high. But I made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.”
“For what?” I ask.
“For Pharaoh’s Secret,” Pop says, his voice swelling with pride. “Descendant of Secretariat. The horse I’m building my next venture around. And the one I plan to see in the Triple Crown winner’s circle before I die.”
Ah, yes. His big plans to become a racehorse powerhouse.
“I saw Giles out by the corral earlier,” Pop adds, phone buzzing in his hand. “I’ve got a call to take. Ruby, you have fun riding, sweetheart.”
He kisses the top of her head and disappears down the aisle.
Ruby looks up at me, eyes shining. “Can we ride now, Daddy?”
I smile. “Let’s talk to Giles first.”
We leave Caison behind and head toward the corral. Giles is easy to spot—leaning against the fence, hat low, eyes sharp as he watches a ranch hand working a horse with a drag rope.
“Giles,” I call.
He turns, squints, then breaks into a slow grin. “Well, I’ll be damned. Waylon Ludlow.”
I laugh. “Guess you remember me.”
“Sure do,” he says, then looks down at Ruby. “And who’s this?”
“My daughter, Ruby.”
He crouches to her level. “Pleasure to meet you, miss.”
She beams.
I ask him about Aurora or Goose. Giles studies Ruby thoughtfully, then shakes his head.
“I’ve got just the mount for her,” he says. “But first, we need a saddle that fits.”
He leads us to the tack room, efficient and gentle as he fits Ruby with a helmet and a tiny saddle. Then he takes us to the barn and introduces us to a honey-colored pony, appropriately named Honey.
Ruby falls in love instantly.
“She’s little, like me, Daddy,” Ruby breathes.
We tack Honey up and head to the round pen. I lift Ruby carefully, guiding her through each step. She listens, learns fast. Natural as breathing.
Giles watches from the fence, arms crossed.
“She’s got it,” he says. “You should sign her up for lessons at Wildhaven Storm.”
I blink. “Why would I do that when we’ve got horses and pens here?”
“Because Charli and Shelby are exceptional trainers,” Giles says simply. “Especially with kids. Patient. Skilled. They know how to teach.”
