“Here. Hold your palm flat,” Hawk rumbled, and when I did, he placed a piece of carrot on my hand. Ramona nosed at it for a second, then snapped it up.
“Oh, those are good cronches,” I murmured.
That got another one of those half-smirk, half-smiles out of Hawk. He watched her for a minute, then spoke to me, though he didn’t look at me.
“She’s already got the basics, but I’ll be working on building up her groundwork first. Once I get through that, I’ll install the buttons you need.”
My forehead crinkled. “Buttons.”
Hawk side-eyed me. “Not literally.”
I rolled my eyes. “I know that. Explain what you mean.”
“Teaching her to walk, trot, canter, lope…all of that with the right kind of leg pressure and rein work. Among other things.” Hawk turned to me then, and his face was so serious, I would have thought someone died. “And I need to train you as well. Because I’m telling you right now, Carter. I’m not letting you take her until you’re a competent rider.”
My first instinct was to balk. I owned her. She was mine. I could take her out of here whenever I wanted. But fortunately, my good sense overrode my hot-headedness. He wasn’t wrong, really. I’d been on a horse a few times in my life, but that was group trail rides and hardly required any sort of skill. I had a lot to learn. I made a mental note to have Marielle put together a comprehensive packet for me to read.
“Fine. That’s acceptable.”
Hawk didn’t respond to that, and instead climbed over the rail. He picked up the halter he’d taken off Ramona when he let her loose, then selected a long piece of rope from a post.
“Let’s see what she’s got.”
After watching Hawk work Ramona for almost an hour, I left the ranch and stopped by my new house. Fortunately, the realtor was available and could meet me to let me do a walk through. The previous occupants had already moved out, something about moving to a different state, and they’d snapped up my offer as soon as it was made.
I took pictures of everything so that I would know what needed fixing or changing, made a mental note to have Marielle find someone to keep up with the lawn and landscaping, and headed back to the B&B where I was staying. I was heading back to California in the morning to tie up all the loose ends.
My new life was about to begin. I was excited.
There were still a lot of arrangements to be made. At Marielle’s suggestion, I decided to sell the penthouse partially furnished. Not only did that mean I could up the price slightly, but I didn’t have to worry about moving everything. Most of it wouldn’t fit in my new house anyway. I wanted a fresh start, and this seemed like the best way to do it. Only the things I couldn’t part with would be coming with me.
After dinner at a locally owned steakhouse that had the best Porterhouse I’d ever eaten, I showered and changed into comfier clothes, then sat at the tiny table in the corner of my room, laptop open.
Hawk had chastised me about not looking up Blue Creek Ranch. I was about to change that.
Three hours later, I’d scoured every inch of Blue Creek Ranch’s website and most of Fern’s social media for The Event Barn at Blue Creek. I sat back and sipped my whiskey, assimilating everything I’d learned. It was impressive, that was for damn sure. Founded by Michael and Jennifer Harrington nearly thirty years ago, they now ran it with the help of their children. Of which there were ten. I couldn’t even fathom that many kids in one house.
But what was more astonishing was their mission. And it wasn’t just lip service. I’d seen just a glimpse of it in action myself, but it was clear the Harringtons took their responsibility to the land, to the animals, and to people seriously. The reviews for the event barn, breeding program, and Hawk’s training operation were nothing but glowing.
Marielle had made the right choice when she put me in touch with Hawk Harrington.I’dmade the right choice in trusting her. Ramona was going to get the best care and training she could. And so would I.
As long as Hawk and I could get past the pesky animosity between us. I’d work on that. I’d been told I was quite the charmer when I wanted to be. In this instance, I definitely wanted to be. I didn’t yet fully understand what his problem was with me, but I’d figure it out. And once I did, I’d win him over. I was sure of it.
But until then, I had other things to focus on. I knew Ramona was in good hands so I could turn my attention to the move. Once I was settled into my home in Briarwood, it would be easy for me to spend time with Hawk and my horse. I’d show Hawk I was dedicated to this.
It wasn’t some whim, which is what I feared he thought. This was my next stage in life.
I wasn’t a “horse guy” yet. But I would be.
Chapter 5
Hawk
Goddamn Carter.
Well, goddamn circumstances, I supposed.
I was trying to fall asleep in my bed in the attic and I wasn’t having much luck. I’d been tossing and turning for over an hour, which meant sleep wasn’t going to come. Not here at least.
