"Something further along. Something I can trust in a run without second-guessing every transition." I glanced up at him and kept my voice level. "Close isn't enough."
His eyes held mine for a beat longer than necessary, and I knew he heard what I wasn't saying. Close wasn't enough in competition. And it sure as hell wasn't enough anywhere else.
"I've got another lead in town," I said. "The owner said her mare's been running locally with some success. I'm going to take a look at her tomorrow morning."
"Do you want me to go with you?"
"If you're still willing to evaluate."
"I said I would."
"Good." I turned toward my truck, doing my best to ignore the heat still coursing through my veins. "I'll text you the address once I confirm."
I didn't wait for him to reply, and I wasn’t about to look back to see if he was watching me. With my head still spinning from that damn kiss, I got in my truck and headed toward town to pick up some supplies.
Nelson's Mercantile sat in the center of Main Street, anchoring the small downtown. The building was brick and wood with wide windows that showcased everything from locally roasted coffee to hand-stitched quilts, and I caught the scent of fresh bread and huckleberries the minute I stepped inside.
I didn’t need much, just a few things to tide me over until I found a horse and could hit the road again. Living in my trailer had its challenges, but it was convenient and cheap and much better than staying at the Iron Spur with my cousins Slade and Sidney.
"Well now." The voice came from behind me, warm and sharp and unmistakably Ruby Nelson.
I turned around. Ruby stood near the end cap, her arms crossed, a cardigan covered in embroidered flowers draped over her shoulders.
"Waverly Kincaid," she said, like she'd been waiting for this exact moment. "I heard you were in town."
"Yes ma'am." I kept my tone polite and neutral. "Just picking up a few things."
"Mm-hmm." She moved closer, studying me with the kind of focus I usually reserved for evaluating a horse. "I also heard you've been spending time with Tanner Hollister."
I would have been shocked if she hadn’t. Nothing traveled faster than gossip in a town the size of Mustang Mountain.
"He's evaluating horses for me," I said. "That's all."
"Is that so?" Ruby's smile widened. "That’s funny. Word around town is that you two were seen at a certain arena earlier today. Together."
"We were just looking at a gelding."
"And how'd that go?"
"It didn't work out."
"That’s a shame." She tilted her head slightly, her eyes never leaving my face. "Though I suppose that means you'll be looking at more horses. With Tanner."
"If he's available."
"Oh, I’m sure he'll be available." Ruby's eyes sparkled. "That boy doesn't take on clients lightly. The fact that he's working with you at all says something."
She was fishing for information, and I refused to take the bait. "I’m not an official client. He’s just giving me his opinion on a few horses."
“And what’s in it for him, sugar?” One of her eyebrows arched.
I didn’t have a good answer to that. I’d pretty much tricked him into helping me to avoid public humiliation. I wasn’t proud of my tactics but challenging him in a public setting was the only way I thought he’d say yes. And I needed his help if I wanted to participate in the season. A barrel racer is only as good as her horse, and I wanted to be the best.
“Maybe he’s doing it out of the goodness of his heart,” I offered.
"Maybe." Ruby's eyes narrowed just a bit like she was considering the unlikely possibility that Tanner Hollister might have a heart. "People are curious, honey. Hollisters and Kincaids don't work together. They haven't in decades. So when word gets out that you two are spending time in bars and arenas, folks start wondering what's really going on."
"Nothing's going on."
