Harry rubbed his cleft chin. “I see. Does he still know who you are?”
“Yeah, thankfully.” Jamie shoved his hands into his pockets, raising one shoulder in a shrug. “Just gets confused and angry. Forgets shit sometimes, you know?”
A plume of smoke bellowed from Harry’s nostrils. “Well, at least he remembers you. You’re welcome here anytime, Jamie. My doors are always open for you McGrath lads.”
In the distance, Shannon spotted Niall heading toward them before anyone else noticed. He strode with his back straight, his floppy hair flapping with each step, his expression twisted as though he smelled something foul.
“Didn’t know you were having company today, Da,” he said, eyeing Jamie.
“This is my son,” Harry announced. “Niall, this is Jamie McGrath. He’s here to see Shan.”
Niall’s head jerked back, followed by a snarky grunt.
“I’ve heard the name before. Why the hell are you here to see her? She’s no jockey. Barely even a decent rider. I doubt she’s worth your time.”
“That’s enough, Niall,” Harry snapped, shoving hisshoulder into him. “Shan’s the best rider in the yard. And everyone knows it.”
Shannon’s cheeks flushed. All the riders at Meadow Dawn knew Niall was too stiff and cranky in the saddle. However, Harry had never…ever put her above his son like that before.
Niall widened his stance like he was ready for a fight. “Bullshit, Da.”
Jamie folded his arms across his chest, stepping closer. “I heard she qualified for the Championships. She must be one hell of a rider to get that far.”
“Sit on the right horse, and it’ll take you places. She just has to hold on.” Niall laughed under his breath.
If she could have cut him open right then, Shannon was sure poison would have spilled from his veins.
“Will you be competing in the Championships?” Jamie raised an eyebrow, the look on his face making it clear what he thought of Niall.
Before he could respond, Harry cut in, aware that Niall hadn’t qualified and never would.
“Niall, let’s head up to the house and grab a coffee. It was great to meet you, Jamie.” Harry nudged his son in the ribs, giving him a curt nod to follow.
Shannon gathered the reins and squeezed her legs, nudging Trixie closer to the fence. She leaned forward and swung her leg over the horse’s back, dismounting.
Her hands trembled as she rolled up the stirrups. How could she be so fearless on an unpredictable animal, and with Jamie only a few feet away, her heart raced and her body tingled with nerves?
Last night spiralled in ways she hadn’t expected. It brought her back to her teenage years, when she never quite fit in.
Jamie was the popular, good-looking guy who moved between the pretty girls, so stopping his fun would’ve made her the boring, nerdy girl all over again.
They’d worked him over like pros, both getting him off, while his dark gaze made her realise she was way out of her depth.
Just watching him, having his eyes on her, hearing him tease her, it lit something deep inside, heat pooling between her thighs, her clit throbbing.
But competing with other women wasn’t her thing. So, she bailed before it went too far.
With her back to him, Shannon pulled the reins over Trixie’s ears, nuzzling her cheek into the horse’s warm neck.
She inhaled deep into her lungs, unsure how to act around him now, before letting the breath out.
“So, this is the love of your life, huh?” His voice slipped over her shoulder.
Her belly flipped when she turned to face him, and the corners of her mouth pulled into an unstoppable smile. “Venatrix Meadow Dawn, meet Jamie.”
Jamie’s hand drifted closer. His long fingers brushed the white star between Trixie’s brown eyes, swirling his nails over the patch of white fur.
Trixie lowered her head in response, at ease under his touch.
