And Sal…he just came out of nowhere. I’m convinced he left the course midway, only to pop out at the end by taking the shortcut through the right field, but I have no way of proving it. All I can do is pass him and beat the cheater fair and square.
I urge Dexter on, but he doesn’t need me telling him anything. He’s pissed off now, too. Sal’s horse is as untrustworthy as he is—kicked Dad in the arm a couple of years ago and nearly broke a bone. And Reid’s horse could rival my brother in a Who’s Cockiest contest.
“Come on, boy,” I say to Dexter. “We’ve got this.”
Macey’s waiting for me at the finish line. And I can’t wait to see her face light up when I win.
Macey
I stand up straight and lift my head just as Logan catches up to Sal on the hill and blows by him like Sal’s standing still.
Now Dave and Ginny are screaming.
Only Reid is between Logan and first place. Reid has quite a lead, and I don’t know if Logan can catch him…
But Logan and his horse have other ideas. Dexter kicks into another gear, and Reid’s horse is clearly winded. He’s tiring, and he’s still got about a hundred yards to go. Logan’s gaining on him.
As they get closer to the finish line, I catch a glimpse of Logan’s expression.
And I nearly swoon.
The determined set to his jaw.
The fiery look in his eyes.
The “no way am I losing this fucking thing” scowl.
I cheer as loudly as I can, calling out his name over and over.
Dexter surges forward, dirt exploding into the air behind him.
Now Logan pulls even with Reid.
They’re neck and neck, two brothers who couldn’t be less alike.
I can’t breathe.
Logan and his horse inch ahead. By a literal nose.
The noise is deafening. The finish line is right there and?—
Logan crosses it first.
Everyone around me erupts in cheers as Logan punches his fist in the air in victory.
Holy.
Wow.
That finish was hot.
Logan’s breathing heavily, and he’s drenched in sweat. From his perch atop Dexter, he scans the crowd until his eyes find mine.
I smile and give him the thumbs up.
He points back at me. “Meet you in an hour, Henwood. Excuse me. Ms. Bennet,” he corrects himself as he tips his cowboy hat in my direction. His voice is gravelly from the exertion, and his face is flushed.
My stomach clenches as I walk up close to him still sitting high on Dexter. I give the horse a pat and place my hand on Logan’s leg.
