“I have no idea, and I really don’t care. As soon as Killian learned he left, he called me, and we did everything to make sure the animals were okay.”
“I see,” Drake says. “So, you’d buy a horse from him?”
I wait, knowing that Everett would never screw me, but still, a part of me hesitates.
“In a heartbeat. In fact, if I were a racehorse guy, this is the one I’d bet on,” he points to the horse in front of us.
“Why is that?”
Everett goes over the physical attributes as well as the spirit he’s seen. He details where his strengths are and then how he thinks with the right trainer, his weaknesses could be worked out.
Drake and I discuss more about the horse, and before I know it, he makes an offer.
For way more than I expected.
“You’ve got a deal,” I say, extending my hand. “We’ll send the paperwork to you tomorrow.”
Drake shakes my hand. “I’m going to make a lot of money with this horse.”
“I think you will too.”
And he’s right. This was one of my top options. Everything Everett said is right. He’s got a great build and he really loves to run.
Drake leaves a few minutes later, stating he’d like to see some of the bull riding still on the program, and I stay back with Everett.
Once he’s gone, I exhale for what feels like the first time in weeks.
“I can’t believe that,” I say, leaning against the stall door. “Do you want a job as a salesman?”
Everett snorts. “You can’t afford me.”
“Probably not,” I agree.
Right now, I can’t afford much, but with the last few sales—and the bachelorette parties—this place might just be okay.
Might.
Of course the cost of the rodeo cuts into a lot of these profits, but we’re selling horses again. If we can sell more after and get some people to board with us, then…it’ll have all been worth it.
“How has the rodeo gone so far?” he asks.
I push off the door and jerk my head toward where it’s still going on. “Good. It should be done pretty soon.”
“I’m glad. You seem to be smiling, which is something you haven’t done much lately, other than when you’re with Tessa.”
Of course he’s going to bring her up. He’s like a dog with a bone.
“I smile plenty.”
“Sure you do. So, how many horses did you sell today?”
“Three.”
“This is a good start for you, man,” Everett says as we start to walk out of the barn. “I think word of mouth and the fact that Drake is aware the rumors were crap is going to accomplish more than anything you could’ve on your own.”
He’s right.
“It was Tessa’s idea,” I admit.
