“I have no idea how. I’m going to be hungover for a week.”
“You all did go a little wild.”
I shrugged. “I suppose it comes with the territory.”
“She’s happy as ever,” Hank said. “I love that for her.”
I did a double take.
“What?” Hank chuckled.
“You’re remarkably well-adjusted for a straight man. That’s all I’m going to say.”
He snickered. “Betty is one of my longest-time clients. I selfishly love when she’s happy. It makes things much, much easier for me. I get the focused, composed version of Betty not the scatterbrained, confused version.”
“I worry I will distract her,” I admitted.
“Nah. She’s very motivated. I worry much more for you than Betty.”
“Why?”
“Because… you’re being dragged along.”
My face dropped.
“No, not like she’s leading you on. It’s not that. To competitions?”
“Yeah. I assume, anyhow?”
“I guess, yeah? I’m still wrapping my head around these beasts, honestly. I don’t mean to sound like a complete wanker, but I do not see the appeal.”
“They’re special to people like us. Nothing you tell us will change that. Betty has been riding since before she could walk. If you try to take the horse from the girl, it won’t work.”
“I’d never dare. I just have no idea what she is saying.”
He patted my back. “Stay with us long enough and you’ll get it. The horse husbands always adjust if they’re going to last. Even if they complain, they get over it. Although, you’re not a horse husband. You’re more of a horse wife.”
I giggled. “Horse wife?”
“That’s about right. You are the one to hold the horse, dust the boots, and wipe hay slobber off a bit.”
I pulled a face.
“Look, I don’t make the rules, but you’ll do it—for her. They all will. Unless you’re too good for the task?”
“No, no, of course not,” I said, confused. “I love her. I want to support her like she does me. It’s more of… timing. I have a huge European tour coming up and worry I’ll never see her.”
“She’s going to be doing her own European tour. I promise I will go easy on her as long as I get her attention when I need it,” Hank said. “I want this to work for her. She deserves that much. Betty is one-of-a-kind.”
I grinned. “She is, yeah. In a beautifully infuriating way sometimes.”
“You’ll figure it out, Mary,” Hank said. “I have a feeling.”
“How does everyone say that?”
“Don’t you feel the same?”
I kicked my shoe in the dirt. “Yes! And that’s what worries me.”
