“No, sweetie. Predicament is mild compared to the shit storm you’ve skied into, and we both know just how unbalanced you are when it comes to skiing.” Someone called out to him in the background. “I’ve got to go now, but I’ll call you as soon as I can, okay.”
“Sure. Love you.”
“Love you three.”
When I disconnected the call, I swung around and was surprised to see the stables in front of me. I headed there as one of the two men standing outside entered the building and walked out with a large, beautiful, white horse a minute later.
“Oh, my God, he’s gorgeous,” I gushed, nearing them. “Hi, I’m Sianna.”
“Frank and Jose.” Frank offered a pleasant smile while Jose nodded shyly. “Her name’s Rebel.”
“Rebel?” I smiled. “Can I touch her?” He nodded. I inched closer and ran a hand down her head. “Hello, Rebel. God, you’re stunning.” I’d never been this close to a real horse before and found the enormous animal intimidating. But when she neighed then nuzzled my shoulder, I laughed.
“She likes you,” Frank said.
“How do you know?”
“If she didn’t like you, she’ll stomp the ground and walk away. Bit of a rebel in her.” Now I understood her name. “Do you ride?”
“No. Wouldn’t dream of it—”
“Take a risk. Just for the sheer pleasure of it.”
I swung around. Drake stood behind me, his lips curled in a freaking gorgeous smile. For his size, one would think the man could never be light-footed. I hadn’t even heard him approach. I needed to look away from those distracting grays. “Those are Trent’s words,” I babbled.
“Part of my speech to him when he was reluctant to go into the restaurant business despite dreaming about it most of his life.”
“Oh.” I had nothing else. It seemed like Trent trusted his uncle’s advice. I shifted my gaze back to the horse.
“Try it.”
“What?” I glanced at him.
“You know, we all have that one moment in life, Sia. That moment that can either change, make, or break us. I’ve experienced all three—”
“How, dad?” Rayden came up behind him. I tensed, suddenly hopeful he hadn’t seen anything between his father and me.Quit being paranoid, girl.
Drake smiled at his son as Rayden neared me. “The day I saw a beautiful woman sitting on the floor in the middle of a busy terminal crying,” he explained, his demeanor cool, calm, and collected, unlike me.
I hoped he wouldn’t elaborate further. “Your father says I should try getting on a horse,” I said hastily.
“Why don’t you?”
“I like my feet on the ground, thanks.”
Rayden laughed. “My dad’s a pretty good teacher. He’ll show you the ropes.”
I shook my head a little too quickly. I wanted my feet on the ground when it came to the senior Princeton. It was so damn easy to float away with him around.
“Why do I get the feeling my father makes you nervous?”
“He doesn’t.” I shot Drake a ‘help me’ look. He merely cocked a brow, and the corner of his mouth twitched. I resisted the urge to scowl at him.
“Come on, babe, show me them balls. I know you have them.”
My jaw dropped, and Drake laughed. “Don’t force her, Rayden,” he said, but the challenging smirk was unmistakable.
“Fine. I’ll do it,” I snapped, earning another chuckle from father and son. I scanned the big horse, contemplating the easiest way to get on without making a fool of myself.
