“It’s all aboutwhyyou’re breeding the horse. For instance, Spirit is from a line of championship barrel racers. We want to breed her with a horse who has a similar bloodline. Hopefully, her foal will also have the genes to make a great barrel racer someday—or even a better barrel racer.”
“Do you have rodeos here on the ranch?”
He laughed. “No. Horse breeding is…well, it’s like a side gig for Liam. He raises mainly quarter horses, but he also has a few thoroughbreds he’s bought and bred. As a matter of fact, he owns a colt right now named Jumping Joy, who’s a pretty good contender for the Triple Crown.”
“As in, the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes?”
His brows flew up. “You know your horse races.”
“Mygrandmotherknew her horse races. She loved them and would watch them every year. We used to dream about attending the Kentucky Derby, all dressed up in fancy clothes and hats.”
Larson smiled. “Well, that dream may just come true for you, Mallory.”
I was certain my eyes nearly popped out of my head, and I could hardly contain my excitement at the idea of going to the Kentucky Derby.
“Let’s get this finished, and I’ll take you to the other barn and pasture.”
“Other barn?”
He winked. “The one where the expensive horses are kept.”
“Ooh!” I said with excitement as we got back to work.
##
Larson and I sat on the fence that overlooked a large pasture. It was dotted with beautiful horses—not that the quarter horses weren’t just as lovely, but there was something special about these animals.
“My goodness, they’re so gorgeous.”
“They are,” Larson said, beaming with pride. “That chestnut over there, that’s Jumping Joy. Liam’s pride and joy.”
“He’s stunning.”
“That he is. And that dapple rose gray over there, that’s Rose Ma Bella, named after her coloring. Liam and I think next year she’s going to be the horse to beat.”
“Really? I’d like to see that, since it seems like males dominate the sport.”
He nodded. “They do, simply because they have more speed and power, but Rose…she gives Jumping Joy a run for his money every single time. Give her a year, and she’ll be leaving him in the dust.”
“I’d love to watch when you train her. Or any of the horses, really.”
Larson grinned. “No problem. I’ll be sure to let you know next time we do a training session.”
The sound of a truck pulling up caused Larson and me to turn. I smiled when I saw it was Liam. When he got out of the truck, my heart did a little spin in my chest. He was so handsome, dressed in jeans, cowboy boots, and a black cowboy hat.
“You’re going to catch flies if you keep your mouth open like that, Mallory,” Larson whispered, laughing as he jumped down and offered his hand. I took it, laughing when I stumbled slightly after my not-so-gracious dismount.
“I see Larson has been showing you around,” Liam said as he walked up and kissed me soundly on the lips. My knees went weak for a moment, and I had to steady myself by grabbing hold of his arms. “What do you think of the horses?”
“Oh, Liam, they’re all so beautiful. The quarter horses and the thoroughbreds—all of them are stunning.”
He grinned and looked over my shoulder to the pasture. “The racehorses are more of a passion project for me and Larson.”
“I’ve learned so much about them today.”
“Good, I’m glad. I need to run into town to order some feed, feel like you might want to go?”
A part of me screamed no, but the other side that was dying to get out replied, “I’d love to go. Grass Range or Lewistown?”
