Phoenix whirled past in a dizzying black cloud. And kept going. And going.
By the time Maximus crossed the finish line, Phoenix was already happily trotting, as if imagining a crown of roses around his neck.
Elmo turned. “We win.”
Harper laughed, adrenaline pumping in a mad rush through her bloodstream. “Hell yes, you won. I didn’t even see you coming.”
Aidan walked over. Excitement etched the carved lines of his face. “That was incredible time. Seems he has no problem with a bit of competition. I think we’re right on track to enter the August third race at Saratoga. He’ll be matched with a bunch of juveniles who are all testing their limits.”
“You think he’ll travel okay?” she asked.
“I don’t know,” he said truthfully. “But we’ll find out. I’ll keep working with his limits to get him in the proper headspace.” He gave each horse equal praise and motioned to Elmo. “How much did you have to hold him back?”
“Enough. He’s a pacesetter. With more horses? Maybe a stalker. Didn’t have to push when I asked for more. Won’t like being boxed in.”
Aidan nodded. “Yeah, and if we have too many battling at the front, he may get confused. Gonna have to see how he feels about the rail, too. We’ll have to work with some different scenarios. Can you hot walk them for me? I need to talk to Harper.”
Elmo led the two horses back to the barn, where iced oatmeal cookies waited as a reward.
She tilted her head. “What’s up?”
“I’d like to run another practice with more competitors. You have any other horses we can match up with Phoenix?”
She ticked through the horses and their abilities. “Not to match him. He’s way too fast.”
“That’s okay, I’m more concerned with quantity now. Your whole family can play jockey, right?”
“Sure, I just need to let them know when.”
“Good. I’ve got to run out and get some supplies. Meet you back here in a few hours.”
“Need any help?”
He hesitated. She recognized the sudden hungry gleam in his eye when he looked at her, but it was shut down so quickly, she might have imagined it. “No. I’m good.”
She refused to acknowledge the disappointment. “Okay. See ya later.”
“See ya.”
She didn’t look back and watch him walk away. It was too pathetic.
It was better this way, of course. Less to lose. He had proven to be a man of his word and did everything she’d asked.
Yeah, life was just great.
Aidan bumped along the narrow, twisty roads and tried to keep his mind off Harper.
He’d been good. Two weeks had passed without an issue, and he’d kept himself under control. No moony eyes or casual touches. No conjuring up new ways to make her laugh. He’d stuck to business and kept his distance and his promise. Ophelia had told him a room would be opening up soon at the inn, so he could eventually move back.
The problem?
He didn’t want to leave Harper. He’d gotten used to seeing her face first thing in the morning and last at night. He’d grown attached to her animals and her crazy Herculean coffee. He liked being able to talk about racing and all the details of his training plan with someone as passionate as himself. He’d spent his whole life roaming the world, happy with his own company and freedom, only to succumb to a sweet summer crush on his boss.
He groaned and focused on the road before him. So stupid. They were both walking a tightrope, and if they weren’t careful, one of them was going to crash. He just had to keep reminding himself the goal was too damn important. Phoenix had to win. His future depended on it.
He knew leaving Ireland had been a risky move. Walking away from a champion horse in his prime stirred up questions and doubts regarding his ability as a trainer. He knew gossip and rumors had ignited, and his ex-partner had exploited his departure. Shame burned at the idea his once-spotless reputation was now tarnished, along with a simmering frustration and need to prove his worth. If he could get Phoenix to the Triple Crown, everyone back home would realize Aidan was still a winner. His decision to train in the States would look like a brilliant move rather than a failed retreat. And he’d finally have something he’d itched for since that fateful day in the barn when his best friend betrayed him.
Justice.
Thoughts whirling, he tamped down on the surge of emotion and refocused. No need to travel down memory lane. He had one job to do now, and he’d focus all his energy on it.
He completed his various errands at the feed store and neighboring farm, then parked to head into the Market. It’d become one of his favorite places in town, offering fresh, home-cooked food for people who didn’t cook.
Perfect for him and Harper.
Fighting a grin, he perused the prepared-food aisle, trying to decide between the lemon chicken and fresh cod, when someone tapped him on the shoulder.
“Aidan! Where have you been? I specifically told Jeff to make those magic bars you love, but they sold out too fast. Next time, I’ll put some aside. How’s Harper? How’s Phoenix?”
He grinned. Fran owned the Market and had immediately introduced herself the moment he stepped into her place. He was used to Kildare, where everyone knew everyone else, so he didn’t take offense at her probing questions and general gossip.
She had tightly permed dark hair, brown eyes, and a smile that was always genuine. Her regular outfit of jeans, a short-sleeved button-down white shirt, and sneakers was casual, but the big name badge declaring MANAGER pegged her as the one who personally greeted her guests, learned their food preferences, and made sure to deliver.
“Sorry, it got busy and Ophelia cooked, so I didn’t need to come yesterday. We’re all good and working hard.” He shot her a sheepish look. “But I need dinner for tonight. How’s the cod?”
“So fresh it may wriggle out of the bag.”
“That sounds scary good. I’ll take two fillets. Can you put that lemon-pepper sauce on it? It’s Harper’s favorite.”
“Of course. I’d recommend the sweet potatoes with it, and the peas.”
“Harper hates peas. How about the asparagus?”
Fran smiled, but it seemed smug and full of interest. “Perfect. How nice you know exactly what Harper likes. Does she come over to the inn with you to eat?”
“Oh, no, I’m staying at her house for a bit while I wait for an extra room to open up.”
The moment the words popped out, he knew he’d made a terrible mistake. Those dark eyes lit with a mad glee that warned him the entire town would be gossiping about their relationship within the hour.
Crap. Harper was going to kill him.
“How wonderful!” Fran crowed, patting his arm like he’d done something truly magical. “You have no idea how happy this makes me! Harper has always been such a loner. So passionate about her animals and causes—the whole town admires her—but we’ve been worried. You’re a perfect match!”
He refused to blush. Real men did not succumb to such weakness. “Umm, actually, we’re not involved in a relationship. It’s strictly for the benefit of Phoenix so I don’t have to stay at the Hampton. I need access to the barn twenty-four hours a day.”