Read Online Racing Hearts by Melissa West - Free Book Online

reason he’d left. She’d wondered that very thing too many times to count, but it didn’t matter now. Now she needed to act tough. It was easier to throw attitude at him than allow herself to feel all the things her heart wanted to feel.
    â€œTell yourself whatever you want,” Trip said. “But I know you, and I know this—” he motioned to the cane—”is beneath you. If you plan to work for me, then you do it without that cane.”
    Emery pointed at Trip, and Kate, sensing her friend’s feistiness coming to life, darted forward, pulling Emery back. “Em, let’s look around first. Then maybe you can—”
    â€œI want to see the colt. Now,” she said to Trip, refusing to back down. “You know as well as I do that it’s a smart decision to hire me. I’m the best female rider in—”
    â€œFine, have it your way. Clark?” he called, glancing over at the man. “Saddle up Prankster Pit. Let’s let Ms. High and Mighty show us what she’s got.”
    Emery’s hand dropped to her side, all the blood draining from her face, her lungs refusing to take a breath. “What . . . what are you doing?”
    â€œYou’re a rider. So ride. Prove it to me.”
    He was challenging her now, and she hated him all the more for it. “I don’t have to show you anything.”
    Trip laughed. Laughed! “You really are something else. This is my farm, not your daddy’s, and you’ll follow my rules or you can go. Simple as that.” He crossed his arms and, unable to stop herself, Emery stepped up in front of him, refusing to accept this mean, arrogant man in front of her. He might know her, but she knew him, too. And this wasn’t Trip.
    â€œI can’t do that,” she said, her voice low as she lifted her head to look him in the eye. “But I will. If you know me like you think you do, then you know I will. For now, I’d like to see him.” She motioned to the horse behind them. “Please.”
    Trip exhaled, his gaze locked on hers, his heart beating noticeably in his chest, and she thought maybe she’d pushed him too far, maybe he wanted her to leave, when he released another breath and with effort said, “Fine . . . after you.”
    The gate seemed an eternity away with the cane in tow. Emery considered tossing it, but then, how would she stand? How would she brace herself when she reached up to stroke the colt’s mane? Rushing would only make things worse, so she took her time, sliding the cane in the dirt, then taking a step, until she reached it, ignoring the stares from both Trip and Kate. She could handle almost anything but pity, and it rolled off both of them in nauseating waves.
    Trip unhooked the gate and held it open for her to step inside. Immediately, she felt the presence of the horse across from her, heard his breath rush out in uneven bursts. She remembered the white diamond shape between his eyes, the way he’d gotten up immediately after he’d been born, like he couldn’t remain still—like he was ready to run.
    â€œWhat’d Sarah name him?”
    Trip stopped just behind her. “Craving Wind.”
    A smile spread across Emery’s face as she pictured the name at the races. “It’s perfect.”
    The sound of Trip taking another step toward her hit her ears, his body undeniably close. If she leaned back, she would touch him. “It is?”
    Emery turned but remained where she stood. Her five-two height left her a full head and a half below him, so she tilted her head up, squinting in the morning sun. “I saw him being born, and it was like he couldn’t wait to take off. Like his spirit yearned for the track.”
    Sounds of the farm’s staff at work echoed all around them—commands from other assistant trainers managing the morning workouts, the quiet chatter from those busy in the stables. She knew she