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.Sitting on the railing of the corral where barrels were set in a standard cloverleaf pattern, Lexie watched her arch rival work her gelding through his paces.Jackson stood off to the side, giving advice and encouragement.With Aiden’s approval and the other cowboys pitching in, he’d set up the corral with the same barrel lengths she’d be racing.Bart Baker had handed the Lupine a check to help his daughter win the Bordello Border Rodeo competition because “She’s a Baker and Bakers don’t lose.”Resentment curled through Lexie.Cora didn’t need the $15,000 winning purse.The woman probably spent that much money on her riding outfits.Lexie needed it to help Nikita save the ranch from foreclosure.While Cora’s father and Ambrose were overseeing Big Boy’s stud duties, Lexie and Cora practiced riding in the arena.Cora’s rhinestone-covered shirt and matching white pants glittered in the sharp sunshine.She sparkled like a jewel as she leaned Mark XI into his paces.Lexie glanced down at her rumpled chambray work shirt and faded jeans.Nikita had sent over her clothing, but her best clothing for rodeo days didn’t come close to what Cora wore to practice.Even Lupines could have fashion envy.Winning counted more than looks, and to win she needed speed and accuracy.Lexie narrowed her eyes and gauged her competition’s moves.Cora was fast between the barrels, but had a slight hesitation when racing Mark XI around them, cutting too wide a path.She didn’t have the kind of trust with her horse Lexie and Diamond shared.And no amount of coaching from Jackson, one of the best riders in Montana, could help her.Cora finished and Jackson clicked a watch.“Time: Twenty-five point eight seconds.”Confidence filled Lexie.She could beat her.The Skin cantered over to the gate.She dismounted and handed the reins to a waiting Lupine acting as a groom, whose worshipful gaze tracked Cora’s every move.Peter, she remembered.His jaw bore a slight bruise, as if he’d run into something or someone punched him.“Lexie!” Jackson whistled and waved a hand as Cora left.“Your turn.”As Peter led Mark VI out, Cora climbed the fence to watch.Lexie mounted Diamond and gathered the reins in one hand.Jackson patted the mare.“Remember, start with a gradual arc, then sit down and steer her close.Diamond’s a pro and so are you.I know you can beat her time.I have faith in you.”“Don’t worry.I like it fast.”He squeezed a hand around her calf and then tickled her behind the knee.“I want you to finish in less than twenty-five seconds.”Lexie winked at him.“Something you’ll never hear me ask of you over the next few nights.”The smart ass remark stunned her.Maybe deep down, she anticipated mating with Jackson.He threw his head back and laughed, a deep, masculine sound that resonated down her spine.In the saddle, she was a queen.And Diamond knew it as well.Lexie took a deep breath and whispered to her mare, “Let’s do it, girl.”They took off.Wind whipped at her hair and the familiar feeling of freedom rushed through Lexie.Riding her horse, taking her through the paces, this was what she was meant to do.In the saddle, she felt free as a Lupine in wolfskin, using her horse’s legs to run faster than her wolf ever could.Adrenalin pumped through her veins, the exhilarating rush making her want to laugh with pure joy.Lexie could almost do this with her eyes closed.She guided Diamond, applying pressure with her knees, and tore through the cloverleaf pattern.The stopwatch clicked.Jackson looked up and beamed.“Eighteen point two seconds! Knew it!”She slid off Diamond and grinned.“Told you I liked it fast.”“As long as you don’t mind it slow in other places,” he teased, and his warm gaze caressed her.Still exhilarated, Lexie glanced at the fence and the pouting Cora, who stalked away, hands jammed into her pockets.All of her daddy’s money couldn’t buy her a better time.Or the friendship Lexie shared with Diamond.They were a team.Lexie patted Diamond.“Ready to try again, girl?”They did several practice rounds, each one beating Cora’s best time.On the last round, she even beat her own record time, earning a loud whoop of approval from Jackson.Then she led Diamond out of the corral, tired but proud.Jackson glanced at the sun sinking into the sharp blue sky.“Getting late.Aiden wants us all to eat with Bart and Cora tonight.Let’s stable Diamond.Brush her down and then go back to the cabin so we can wash up and then join them at the lodge [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]