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you start meeting other breeders.”
    “I can do that.”  There’s a long pause, during which I know I’m being appraised.  That always makes me uncomfortable.  “So, I met the new guy yesterday.  What’s up with him?  What happened to Ronnie?”
    “Found out he was mixed up in some…undesirable affairs.  I let him go.”
    “So where’d you find his replacement?”
    “Some locals knew of him.  He grew up around horses.  Supposed to be real good with them.  Has some veterinarian training.  Thought I’d give him a try.  He’s young.  If he works out, he could have a long career with us.”
    “How long has he been here?”
    “About six months, I guess.”
    “How’s he working out?”
    Daddy nods in that way he has that says he might be a little impressed.  Might be.  “He’s doing pretty good so far.  I think he has a lot to learn, but I don’t see any problems with him being able to do that.  Eventually.”  Sharp blue eyes narrow on me.  They make me want to squirm.  That look always precedes something I don’t like.  “Why the twenty questions?”
    I shrug and try to be as casual as I can, even though nothing about Trick makes me feel casual.  “Just normal curiosity about the new guy.  Nothing special.”
    “I’m sure Brent wouldn’t want you hanging around with the young, male help.”
    I feel my hackles rise.  What a snob!  It amazes me that Daddy, having come from a meager background, can act like he’s had money all his life.  Drawing lines between us and “the help,” like some of us were born with silver spoons. 
    I hold my tongue for a minute so as not to say something defensive that might give away my interest in all things Trick.  “I don’t plan to hang around with the help, Daddy.  Any more than I ever have.  But you know I love to ride.”
    “Well, you can do that in the evenings then.  Between enjoying your summer and learning some of the business, your days will be pretty full.  Speaking of, I think Brent is coming over with his father later today.  Perfect day for a swim.”
    Thwarted!  Damn!
    I smile. I hope it’s not as tight as it feels. 
     

 
    CHAPTER TWELVE- Trick
     
    Why did I drink so much last night?
    Four Tylenol and nearly a gallon of water into the day and my head still hurts.  I’ve already taken Titan through his paces and groomed him, exercised Knight-Time and groomed him and rotated Reverie to a different pasture for a few hours.  Surely that’s a whole day’s worth of work in about four short hours.
    I’m walking Lonesome, the brood mare, out to the North pasture when I hear a splash. I look toward the house and I see a dark head break the water in the pool.  As I walk, I watch it swim across the length and then stand up in the shallow end. 
    It’s Cami. 
    Wet, her hair is much darker.  Like a rich coppery brown color.  As she walks through the water and more of her body emerges, Lonesome and I both stop in our tracks.
    She slicks the water out of her hair and mounts the couple steps that bring her all the way out of the water.  And then, God help me, she turns in my direction to walk toward a lounge chair where her towel is lying.
    My stomach aches a little at the sight of her.  She’s wearing a shiny bronze bikini that looks like it was made for her.  The bottoms are high cut to show off her long legs and flat stomach.  The top is nothing more than two tiny triangles that hang on to each perfect breast. 
    Oh hell!  She looks even better than I thought she would in my head. 
    I’m standing here, kind of spellbound, watching her rub the water from her arms and legs when she looks up.  Her head snaps up fast, almost like she can feel my eyes on her.  I wish she could.  I’d really give her something to smile about.
    She stops drying off and just stands there with her towel in her hands and looks at me.  I feel like there’s a piece of yarn tied between us and the longer she stands there, the tighter