GRACE
Ihad to get out of here. The guys were on rotation, which was the perfect time to pack up and leave. Scott was right. I was supposed to be using them for fun to pass the time while I was here looking for a new team, but I had failed at both things. I’d fallen in love, and I was no closer to being on a new team than I was the day I arrived.
I shoved my remaining things in my duffel and walked one more time around their house to make sure I hadn’t left anything else behind. Then I made my way to the bunkhouse to drop my stuff off before hopping in my truck and heading to town.
I needed to start my own research on teams. Without Blake’s help, it was going to be difficult. I didn’t have the connections she did, but then again, I’d been here two weeks and Blake hadn’t found me a team either. If luck was with me at all, I’d be out of here in less than three days before the guys got home from their rotation.
In less than an hour, I was sitting in the local coffee shop with my laptop open and a hot macchiato in my hand. I thought a good cup of coffee would help me focus, but instead it churned in my stomach as I sat there staring at multiple browsers open identifying riding teams around the country.
I didn’t really want to leave Texas but if I stayed here, it would remind me too much of Ty and Scott. There was another team in Florida I could go check out. Another in Tennessee I wouldn’t mind looking at either.
After my third cup of coffee and two emails later, I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes to think.
“Grace, hun, what are you doing here?” A familiar voice spoke up from in front of me.
Well, so much for thinking my mother would have gone home. I underestimated her.
“Mother.” I opened my eyes to see my mother sitting down across from me at my little table. “How can I help you?”
“Oh honey, I was just grabbing coffee on my way to find you at the ranch.” Did she forget all about yesterday? “I have excellent news. I found you a team to ride on.” A slow smile spread across her face that was reminiscent of the cartoon character Maleficent. Her smile spoke volumes and made a shiver go down my spine.
“You what?” I blanched.
“I found you a new team to train with.” The light was blinding me with how much it reflected off every single one of her teeth. “You really think I was going to let you stay there at that filthy ranch? You know I’ve been hearing some disturbing things about that place from the locals around here. We need to get you out of there quickly before you get associated with that reputation.”
I kept my mouth shut. There was no way I was going to divulge any information to her about King’s Ranch or the fact that I had already partaken in the escapades there.
“Come on, Grace. At least look a little more excited about the news. You haven’t told me what happened with Charlie, and I’m just trying to make sure my daughter has the best.”
“Fine, Mom. If you really want to know, Charlie left the whole team. He took all our money and sold his barn and left us all. I didn’t want to tell you because I didn’t want you to worry.”
“Don’t be silly, honey.” She laughed and waved away my concerns. “It’s my job as your mother to worry. We’ll just say that Charlie was your stepping stone to greatness. And let’s be honest, I never thought he made you look the best you could be. He stifled your natural talent, but this team will make all the difference. We’ll finally have the success we’ve worked toward. The Henderson name will be back on the top in no time.”
Us?Who said anything about us? It was my reputation that was on the line. My chances at the Olympics that was being halted.
Mom continued, not even waiting for me to give a response. It’s not like she cared about what I had to say, anyway. “I got you a place on the NetJets team.”
What?That’s impossible. The NetJets was one of the top teams in the country and was extremely difficult to get a spot on.
“Oh, don’t look at me like that, Grace. Did you really think I wouldn’t find you a spot that would practically guarantee a place on the US Team? We are winners and we deserve to be on the best team there is. Do you even know how many people are asked to go to the Olympics from the NetJets?”
Oh. My. God.My heart stopped. Of course, I knew. At least half of the Olympic team was usually comprised of members from the NetJets. If she’d really got me a spot on that team, then my chances of going to Brazil were significantly higher now.
“Hello. Earth to Grace.” My mother waved her hand in front of my face.
I blinked a few times to make sure I wasn’t dreaming, then let out a squeal and jumped out of my chair to give my mother a hug. She quickly extracted herself from my embrace. “Grace. Please, control yourself.”
“Sorry, Mother. I just can’t believe it.” And I couldn’t. How had she made this happen so quickly?
“Well, you better believe it. They expect you in Ohio in two days to begin training. I assume you’re still registered for Vegas in a few weeks, so that will be your first official event on the team.” She smoothed out her blouse and pants. How she was wearing that in Texas was beyond me. Anyone else would be sweating buckets.
“Okay. Let me pack up my things. I’ll borrow a trailer for Storm, and we’ll be up there in no time.”
Mother’s eyes narrowed. “Storm? Why on earth would you bring him?”