“Yes, you can,” Chase said. “Happy birthday.” He pulled a silver money clip out of his pocket and peeled off five one-hundred-dollar bills. “The boots’ll help me get you back to Chloe’s safe and sound.”
Cash grinned and only took four of the bills. “Family discount, big brother.”
“No, please,” Jade said. “I’m returning everything, Cash.”
“I sure would,” Kendra said and, with a laugh, sidled up closer to Chase. “That green top with those red boots and belt make you look like Christmas.”
“Who doesn’t like Christmas?” Chase asked and walked away from Kendra to Jade. Snaring her arm, he gently tugged her off the bench. “Take your hat off.”
Jade did so, setting it alongside her sunglasses and sandals. “Wait.” She picked up her hat and placed it on the bench upside down as Chase had done with his hat on Chloe’s breakfast bar.
“That’s right,” Chase praised. “Helps the hat hold its original shape.” Then he slipped the red-and-black tee shirt over her head. She cooperated by sliding her arms through the sleeves. As she pulled her long hair out of the top, Chase tucked the front hem of the shirt in behind the silver belt buckle, letting the Triple C Ranch brand decorate her flat tummy. “Red and black. You’re color coordinated, and on the way back to my place, the shirt will keep you from getting,” he casually turned toward Kendra, “burned.”
“I brought a tee shirt for you, too, Cash,” Kendra said as if having given Chase one was no big deal. With a shrug at Jade, she added, “I didn’t know you’d be here, Jane.”
“Jade,” she corrected. Smiling at Chase and then Cash, she said. “I have a shirt to go with my hat, boots, buckle, and belt. Best birthday ever. Thank you!”
As he and Cash grinned, Chase was sure he could hear the steam hissing out of Kendra Desmond’s ears. She presented her back to him and urged Cash to try on his tee shirt. Cash politely declined. Turning to Jade, Chase watched her put on her hat and sunglasses. Sliding the glasses down the prettiest nose he’d ever seen, her eyes alone heated his entire body.
“Chase, I’ll repay you and Cash. My credit card is at Chloe’s house.”
“Nope, they’re birthday gifts. How the hell old are you anyway?”
“Twenty-five.” She laughed and added, “Not that it’s the hell any of your business.”
Chase laughed, enjoying the sassy comeback from this classy lady. Then he realized aloud, “It’s your silverjubileebirthday.”
“Ugh!” Jade said, pushing the glasses back up her nose. “I’m a quarter of a century old.”
“Hey.” Chase cocked a brow. “I’m five years older than you and Cash. Neither of you will get any sympathy from me.” With a wave at Cash, who could easily handle whatever Kendra threw his way, Chase motioned Jade to follow him.
* * *
Outside the building,he unwrapped the horses’ reins from the tethering post. He handed the mare’s reins to Jade and said too quietly to be overheard, “Now that you’re all cowgirled up, if you’re not too sore, let’s talk tips for mounting a horse.”
“Yes, let’s. I’m not too sore. When I said I’d love to ride, I didn’t mean I knew how.”
“Today was your first time on a horse, right?”
“Yes.”
“Watching you mount back at the bed-and-breakfast scared the hell out of me.”
“Scared me too.”
“I bet.” Chase’s heart turned over at her courage. Most women would have complained, whined, or wanted him to lift them onto the horse. But Jade had persevered. “My grandmother, Zoe, fell off her horse and died of a cerebral hemorrhage. Please tell me the truth from now on so you don’t get hurt. Deal?”
“Deal.”
“First, never mount a horse inside a barn or stable because if your horse rears up or bolts, you could be seriously injured. Always saddle up out in the open.”
“I have a lot to learn about riding.”
“Yeah.” Chase was thoroughly enjoying teaching her. “Next, when mounting, hold the reins in your left hand. Then place your left hand on the horse’s withers and—”
Looking up at him, she was a sexy mixture of naïveté and sophistication. “Where are the withers?”
“The ridge between the horse’s shoulder blades,” he said, placing his hand on the mare’s withers to show her. “Third, slide your foot into the stirrup just to the ball of your foot. The heel of your boot is for keeping your foot from slipping through the stirrup.”
