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Finally, their little skit ended. Dodge collected his horse, saying nothing to me. I supposed I wasn’t cool enough to warrant a hello with someone like him. Jerry, though, gave me the tightest, most unexpected hug.
“Oh. My. God! It’s Cole Hayward!” He screeched, nearly knocking me off my feet. “What the hell are you doing here?”
I stepped out of the hug and adjusted my shirt collar. “Just here to see a horse. I popped in and then I’m headed to Germany for Christmas.”
“Oh, yes. How is Pipes?”
“She’s having a lot of fun,” I said. “When she calls me it’s for about five minutes—an endless stream of her experiences—and then she is off to the next thing.”
“That’s great,” Riley said.
“A horse?” Chloe asked.
She appeared, towering down over us on the rail. I looked up to her and couldn’t help but smile. Somehow, she was even more radiant than before.
“I may have a lead on a Dutch warmblood,” Riley said. “But if I do, it’s tenuous at best.”
“I got the full amount for Opal as promised, so I was able to fly down and peek. If she works out, Piper will get the best homecoming present ever.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” Chloe asked Riley.
“Well, you were busy working with Dodge and I just found out. He literally hopped right on a plane.”
“Oh,” she didn’t refocus on me, just walked her horse to the center and dismounted.
It was odd. Normally, Chloe was altogether kind. But ever since that day in the driveway, I’d felt like we barely talked. I’d tried texting her several times, but got mostly short, professional answers. Had I upset her? Was Chloe angry with me about something?
“Sorry. I should have told you,” I said as Chloe approached the gate.
“Oh, you don’t owe me anything,” Chloe assured.
“Yeah, but… I was hoping you might take the horse out for a spin. I trust Riley but you and Piper are similar sizes and riders, so it might make sense—”
“I’m not taking on new horses,” Chloe said, not unkind, but clipped.
“Just for a trial—”
“I’m not riding green horses,” Chloe said. “Take Jerry. I’m busy. Sorry.”
Riley and I exchanged a confused glance as Chloe traipsed ahead.
“I mean, I’d be glad to hop in,” Jerry said. “I’m sure she’s a nice ride. But, Chloe, you know Piper—”
“As do you.” Chloe called, rounding the corner to the aisle without us.
“Did I do something to piss her off?” I asked.
“I don’t think so. Did you all have a fight over something before we came down here?” Riley wondered.
“No. I spoke to her about Mack last week and all was well.”
Riley shrugged. “She’s been weird lately. I would blame in on the book thing.”
“Book thing?”
“Yeah, her publisher switched it all around. Her new book is actually going to be the third one so they’re having her shelve the second for over a year and re-write her draft for book three. She doesn’t have a lot of time. She’s been nose-to-the-grindstone this whole time.”
“Oh. She never said anything.”
