Over lunch Jade told them she had arranged, with a set of parents and a set of guardians of two clients who were progressing well, to have photos taken of the children riding horses. To protect their identity, the photos would be taken from the back and with the children wearing riding helmets. Tracy and Jacob were both appreciative of the trouble Jade had gone to on their behalf and of themagazine. Katy had spoken up saying that was Jade’s nature. Chase and Cash wholeheartedly agreed. Jade had explained equine therapy was designed to reduce anxiety and depression. The connection with a horse could not only help a struggling child develop empathy and affection, but it could also increase a child’s confidence and self-esteem. Jade wanted people to know about equine therapy and to trust the horses trained to help traumatized children.
After lunch, Tracy and Jacob left on a tour with Jade and Colton. Jade started with her in-home therapy office and then they moved on to Katy’s office. With an adjoining door to Jade’s office, in Katy’s office, Chase had installed a private door to the outside for clients. Then Tracy and Jacob headed out to the stables with Jade and Colton where the trained thoroughbreds and ponies were housed along with other Triple C-Central horses.
“Jade and Tracy seemed to hit it off right from the beginning,” Chase said.
“Yes. Everybody loves Jade. You’re a lucky man, Chase.”
“I know it.”
Standing behind the wet bar in the den, Chase placed crystal tumblers on the counter as Cash stood opposite him, with Dude at his feet. Chase poured two shots of his finest bourbon.
Little Courtney had gone down for her nap after lunch. Per the baby monitor, she was sound asleep in the nursery. Good thing, because according to Chase, the little girl knew at least a hundred words and was good at putting two or three together in short sentences.
“At least Courtney can’t repeat any of this conversation,” Cash joked.
“Yeah.” Chase chuckled. “For now.”
With a smile at Courtney via the baby monitor, Cash said, “I want one. Or two.”
“Not that it matters, but Jade and I like Tracy. She’s genuine. She fits.”
“Coop, Sam, and Kellie have all said the same thing about her.”
“Reason to celebrate,” Chase said. They raised their tumblers and clinked. “The turn of events in this relationship with Tracy is a first for you, Cash.”
“Yeah, I don’t know how it happened so fast,” Cash admitted. Though he’d never thought of himself as a confirmed bachelor, neither had he ever thought of himself as being in love. “I’m still getting used to the idea.”
“It just happens.” Chase chuckled and shrugged. “When you meet the right woman, somehow you know in your gut she’s the one.”
Cash tilted his head and asked, “That’s how it happened with you and Jade?”
“Oh, hell yes.” Chase nodded. “When I opened my front door and found her standing on the porch, I could have sworn there was an aura floating around her.” He smiled and added seriously, “I had no idea what we’d face or if things would work out, but I remembered what Dad always told us.”
“If it’s worth fighting for, be a warrior, not a deserter,” Cash said.
“Yes. Sounds like to me you’ve been fighting for her from what you’ve told me about the two people at her magazine who are sitting in jail and detox,” Chase said. “What about Tracy?”
“Tracy stood with Beau and Ed and me against Moles when he started trouble and she wound up smacking him across the face.”
Chase chuckled and nodded. “So, she’s fighting for you too.”
“What’s your best advice?”
“Don’t let her be the one who got away.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
“What’s on your agenda today?” Tracy asked, lying in Cash’s embrace early Thursday morning.
“Ropin’ and rawhide,” he said around a stretch and a yawn.
“What do you mean?” she asked as Cash’s arms closed around her again.
“Marty fix-it-man Martinez, or Martyman for short, and Mean Pete, who you met the other day, are herding some of Chase’s cattle over here this morning. The dude ranchers were so interested in the cattle, we’re gonna demonstrate for them how a cow gets branded.”
Tracy was falling more in love with this man, his ranch, and his family every day. “I’d love to include that in my story.”
“Done,” Cash said. “While Chase’s crew is keeping the guests busy, my guys will pack up the covered wagons. After lunch, we’re riding out to the fishing pond for an overnighter.”
