I squinted at her. “You did the research. I told you to find me the best horse trainers in the west and Hawk Harrington was the top choice. He had the best recommendations. You saw the testimonials. You, yourself, talked to his former clients. Andnowyou’re questioning it?”
She bristled at that, as though I was questioning her ability to do her job. Which I wasn’t. I was pointing out how good she was at it and her competence was the reason I trusted this guy in the first place. He hadn’t even balked when I gave him my very specific request. I mean, I was sure the obscene amount of money I’d thrown at him had helped but I didn’t care. He was going to find me what I wanted.
“It’s been nearly six months and he hasn’t produced the requested animal,” she pointed out.
“But he will.” I was sure about that. The mare I was looking for wasn’t easy to find. I knew from the jump it was going to take a while. “Marielle, are you refusing to do what I asked?”
That snapped her out of it. She straightened and smoothed out her features. “Of course not, Mr. Cahill. Forgive my rudeness.”
I chuckled. “Come on, a minute ago, I was Carter. Even though you were just trying to stress the importance and make sure you had my attention. Go back to that.” I gave her a little nudge. “And you weren’t rude. You were looking out for me. As a PA should. But I know what I’m doing.”
Probably. But I wasn’t going to say that out loud.
“Of course. I’ll contact the realtor and get the process started. Are you ready to list this place as well?”
“Yep. Do it. I’m ready for the next big thing.” I clapped my hands and stood. I glanced back at Marielle. “Are you sure I can’t get you to move with me?”
Finally, I got a real smile out of her. She pushed her glasses up her nose and then focused on gathering up her papers and laptop. “Not that the offer isn’t generous, but no thank you. My family is here. But don’t worry, I’m not leaving you. And I’m sure you’ll be flying me out plenty. Perhaps you should get an account to collect air miles?”
I threw my head back, laughing from my toes. That was the spirit. Every time she let her personality out, I was reminded exactly why we worked so well together. She never let me get away with shit while she kept me organized.
“Make that happen, too. The first time I fly you out, bring your wife with you. We can work and you can have a bit of a vacation on me. Sound good?”
That startled her. Then she smiled, showing off that rarely seen dimple. “Elisa would like that. Thank you, Carter.”
I grinned. I was winning all over the place today.
The call I’d been waiting six months for came a few days later. I was lounging on the couch, trying really hard to get into the life sim game that everyone raved about. With all the free time on my hands, I bought the console just for this game, but fuck. The grind was real and I could not settle in. I was bored.
When my phone rang, I was so glad for the interruption, I snatched it out of my pocket so fast I nearly dropped it. I did drop the controller but who cared? I’d just buy another one if it was broken.
I didn’t recognize the number, but the 303 area code meant Colorado so I swiped to answer.
“Cahill.”
“Mr. Cahill, it’s Hawk Harrington,” the caller said in a rich baritone. A shiver went down my spine. Oh hell, he sounded good.
No, Carter. Focus.
I sat up straight and tried to remember what it was like to be professional. “Please, call me Carter. Do you have good news for me?”
There was a gust of wind, or maybe a heavy sigh? But then Hawk Harrington spoke. “Yes, sir. We found a mare who fits all your specifications. She’s due to arrive here at the ranch on Saturday.”
“Saturday?” My heart leapt. “You bought her already?”
There was a heavy pause. “Yes. Your instructions were clear, Mr. Cahill. It’s why you wired the fee ahead of time, right?”
“Yes, yes. Of course. I was just surprised. I’ve been waiting for…never mind. You really found her?”
“I did. That’s what you paid me for.” It wasn’t my imagination that he sounded a little exasperated.
Was it wrong that I found it somehow endearing? Probably. His smooth, deep voice was messing with my head. I don’t know what I expected him to sound like, but it wasn’t this. Maybe a drawl, even though that was ridiculous. He was from Colorado, for fuck’s sake, not the deep south.
“Mr. Cahill?”
He was definitely fed up with me now. “Carter, please. And that’s great. When can I come see her?”
Another heavy pause. “She’s your horse, Carter. You can come whenever you want.” There was a beat and then he added quickly, “As long as you give me advance notice.”
