Total pages in book: 146
Estimated words: 143842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 719(@200wpm)___ 575(@250wpm)___ 479(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 143842 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 719(@200wpm)___ 575(@250wpm)___ 479(@300wpm)
I stared at his hand like it was a viper and I was about to get bit. With the way my chin had tingled for hours last night in the spot where he’d touched me, I figured it was a valid concern.
Still, it was my first day of work, and I didn’t want to appear rude, so I gulped around the reservations and stepped forward, trying not to shake.
I reached out, and he curled his hand around mine, swallowing it in his enormous grip.
The burn of him raced up my arm like a shock of electricity.
I swore, his temperature must have been a thousand degrees.
“It’s nice to meet you, too.” I lifted my chin, pretending like I’d never seen him, either. Silly, since who cared if we were acquaintances? But something about it felt like a secret. Or maybe like something that should be swept under the rug.
At my response, arrogant mischief twinkled in his gaze. The man was nothing but a tease and a player.
“And you work here?” he asked. His interest drifted over my shoulder to the enormous stables behind me.
I started to respond, only Tyrek beat me to it. “It’s Hailey’s first week, too. She was hired on as the new stable manager. I hear we were lucky to snatch her up. She came all the way from Boston.”
Lolly had let me know about the opening for the stable manager position at Cambrey Pines and encouraged me to apply. I’d been a riot of nerves when I’d sent in my resume, and I’d nearly fallen on my ass when they’d called for an interview.
I’d been so nervous during the Zoom call that I’d worried I was going to word vomit and make myself come across as incompetent rather than highly qualified, but the resort director and the outgoing stable manager had talked to me for all of five minutes before they’d offered me the position.
They’d basically begged me to get here as quickly as I could.
I didn’t doubt that my last name had helped. The resort had purchased their trail horses from my father for years.
But that didn’t make me any less experienced.
I’d given my entire life to horses, even when the last six years of it had been tainted. Still, I was proud that I’d been offered the position.
“That’s kind of you to say,” I told Tyrek.
He smiled slow. “I don’t think it’s any secret that you’re an asset to the resort. I’m not sure if you’ve had the chance to review the plans yet, but there are some landscape elements that are included in the project around the stables.”
He glanced at Cody. “Hailey will be your point of contact anytime you’re working near the stables. Extra caution is always taken around the horses as their welfare is our first concern.”
I swiveled my gaze back to Cody. He was still grinning. Still holding onto me with that giant mitt. “Of course. We’ve already been instructed we’ll be working closely with the stable manager.”
Suggestion filled his words.
I refused to let it get to me, and I cleared the roughness from my throat and somehow managed to wrangle my hand out of his so I could pull out the business cards I’d had expedited that were tucked into my back pocket.
I handed one to him.
“Here’s my card. Don’t hesitate to use it.”
Please hesitate to use it.
Wishful thinking. I was going to be stuck working and living next to this guy.
Cody Cooper eyed the information on the card like he was reading about the discovery of a new lifesaving drug.
“I won’t,” he said in that grumbly voice, that grin still plastered on his stupid, gorgeous face.
God, I kind of hated him.
“Right. Good. Well, I need to get back to work.”
I looked at his project manager who seemed to be trying to make sense of the awkward conversation, his attention jumping between the two of us.
“It’s nice to meet you, as well,” I added.
“Same to you,” Matthew said.
I tipped a forced smile toward all three of them. “Good luck, gentlemen.”
Golden eyes gleamed. “No luck required.”
My teeth ground.
Cocky Cowboy.
Turning on my heel, I pulled open the door situated at the end of the stables and stepped inside.
My heart squeezed at the sight.
The Cambrey Pines stables were a bit on the extravagant side, in keeping with the resort.
Long rows of stalls ran both sides. The ceiling was pitched and soaring, the dark-stained wood robust and maintained, the metal gates engraved and ornate. There were always at least ten hands on staff, keeping the floors and stalls immaculate and ensuring the horses were well cared for.
There were a bunch of different guides and instructors for the different trail rides and experiences offered for the guests, plus a full-time vet on site.
Pride welled in my chest.
I oversaw them all.
Smiling at a guide who passed, I moved to the stall three down on the right where I’d left off. I’d spent my morning familiarizing myself with each horse, its name and health and age.