Fields stretched in long, clean sections, fencing running in straight lines that disappeared into the distance. Horses lifted their heads as they passed, ears flicking, then settled again.
Izzy slowed, taking it in.
“This is… a lot,” she said.
Grant rested one arm along the back of the seat, easy, grounded. She didn’t lean back—but it would only take an inch.
“Yeah.”
She glanced at him. “You say that like it’s normal.”
“It is.”
She smiled to herself and looked back out over the land.
The wind picked up enough to move her hair as she turned her head toward him.
“That’s the south pasture,” he said, nodding ahead. “Mares out there. Foals in the spring.”
Izzy followed his gaze.
“They’re beautiful.”
“Yeah.”
A beat passed.
She adjusted the wheel, guiding them along the path.
“So Naomi,” she said lightly, “does she always look at people like she’s deciding whether they’re useful or not?”
“Pretty much.”
“And her current assessment of me?”
“Pending.”
Izzy huffed a small laugh. “Excellent. I thrive under scrutiny.”
“She cares about the horses,” he said. “That’s it.”
Izzy nodded slowly.
“That I understand.”
They drove a little farther.
A few of the hands were working along the fence line, one of them glancing up as they passed, giving Grant a quick nod—and Izzy a longer look.
She pretended not to notice.
The cart slowed as they crested a small rise.
From here, the whole place opened up.
Barn. Pastures. Tree line. Rolling land stretching out in every direction.
Izzy let the cart idle.
