Have you read this book from the 2 Hearts Rescue South series?
Erin Salcietto focused on one thing--dressage. In high school her horses were her refuge, as an adult they allowed her the work she loved training and raising horses, as well as operating Two Hearts Rescue South in Missouri, the counterpoint to the main Two Hearts Rescue ranch in Wyoming. She hadn't thought about her best friend's brother, high school quarterback turned assistant football coach at the local college, Bryan Dent, but when he shows up at one of her shows, the sparks fly.
Bryan had always wanted Erin, but had thought she was too smart, too focused for him. In high school he'd been the jock, coasting by on his good looks and football skills. Now that he was an assistant coach with a winning football team, he'd achieved all his goals--or so he thought. A chance encounter with Erin reignites old flames, and soon, this jock is wondering how he fits into the Dressage Queen's world, because he really wants to. And it's important that he proves to her that he's more than just a former high school jock.
A portion of the proceeds from this book is donated to animal rescue causes and animal rescue efforts.
Excerpt
His sister dismounted and led Pokey in his direction. “It’ll be a bit before they announce the scores,” she said. “Let’s go back to the barn.”
“Okay.” A few moments later, he heard his sister’s name over the loud speaker followed by a score. She smiled and threw a hug around her horse’s neck, who to his credit managed to look bemused. “Is that good?” He smiled at her. Three years younger than his thirty-seven, she had her long blonde hair gathered in some sort of net beneath her black helmet. In her black jacket, white breeches and knee-high boots, she looked smart and kind of English. She reminded him of Erin Salcietto from school. She’d been all about her books and her horses, way too high brow to spend time with the quarterback of the three-time state champion winning football team.
“Very good. It’s our personal best.” Lindy beamed at him.
That he understood, about making a personal best during an outing. “Great. I’m happy for you.” As if his thoughts conjured had conjured ghosts of the past, he heard Erin’s name over the loudspeaker. “Just a moment.” He turned and strode toward the arena, just catching his sister’s bemused expression.
She was through the opening part of the test from what he could tell when he took his place by the rail. Her big grey horse moved effortlessly through the movements; Erin made it look so easy. He was afraid to say it, but she looked better than his sister in a couple of places. Her circles were rounder, her transitions more precisely on the letter. He may not know about this sport. He did know sports and such things mattered, whether it was football or equestrian pursuits.
Her caramel blonde hair was pulled back with a small silver clip and attached hair net. He supposed it created a clean and polished look, though it made him want to remove the helmet and the ribbon tie and see if her hair spilled over her shoulders. Her stern look could be called resting bitch face. He called it laser focus and admired it in an athlete. From white gloved hands to a coat with polished silver buttons, white pants and knee-high gleaming boots she gave an air of perfection. He remembered that from school too. She’d accept no less from herself, and he supposed from those around her, which was why she’d been mostly alone.
He’d longed to muss her up. That she didn’t go to prom or other social events only whetted his appetite. He hadn’t seen her at sporting events, either. The ice princess who would rather play with her horses than football players, or at least that’s what a few members of the team had called her. The ice princess. She’d grown up, and if anything, she was an Ice Queen, and he wanted to thaw that frozen exterior to see what lay beneath.
She finished her test. He didn’t see anyone at the gate, no trainer or groom, or even a friend waiting for her. He moved to the gate and smiled at her as she exited. “Need someone to hold your horse while you get off.” He knew he didn’t use the right term and vowed to pay more attention to his sister.
She stopped and glanced down at him, shocked. “Um, sure. Thanks. It’s Bryan, right?”
That she’d remembered him made him happy, because he sure hadn’t forgotten her. “Yeah. I’m here with my sister.” He moved to the horse’s head, who thankfully looked completely bored with the situation, and gently grabbed the reins.
Erin kicked her feet free of the stirrups and dismounted with a little bend in her knees to absorb the shock. She stepped closer to him and took the reins. “Thanks. Your sister and I help each other occasionally at the shows. I didn’t know you were into horses. Figured the job at the college took up all your time.”
“I don’t really know much about this actually,” he admitted. “But it’s important to Lindy, so I want to support her.” He fell into step beside her as she led her horse to the barn.
“That’s really nice of you.” She didn’t say anything else until she reached her stall a few down from Lindy and Pokey.
His sister gave him a look and a thumbs up.