Jockeying for You Read Free Page B

he can do with proper workouts and guidance. This horse could be a legend. I can’t let an opportunity like this pass me by.”
    She nibbled on her lower lip as she contemplated this. “His time for an untrained horse is impressive, certainly. What are other people saying?”
    He gave her a flat stare. “I’m the owner. What do I care what anybody else thinks?”
    “I’m trying to get a full picture of Handsome Dancer. The fuller the picture, the better the assessment. I don’t want to take your money or your time if I can’t do any better with him.”
    “That’s a first.”
    “What is?”
    “Someone concerned about taking my money or my time. It’s nice to see.” He gave her a warm smile.
    In any other circumstance it would have made her toes curl.
    “To be honest,” he continued, “all the owners I know think I’m nuts. In fact, anyone who knows this horse thinks I’m nuts. Barney Smyth sold him for a song for a solid reason. But I think they’re all wrong. And I’m willing to pay you a nice base salary to prove it.”
    “Has the racing association threatened to take away his gate card?”
    “Yes, though thankfully Handsome recovered before he had to go back to school.”
    “What about your family? What do they think?”
    She saw him blink, taken aback. Then he laughed. “If I were married, maybe my wife would think I’m crazy, too. My only sibling, Dina, is supportive of what I do, generally. But not this time. She hasn’t seen Handsome Dancer yet but doesn’t seem too enthused from my description. My mom isn’t around anymore.”
    Jake lowered his voice and stared out the enormous window. “Dina likes to try to fill in for mom. She means well, of course, but at thirty-five years old she’s way too young to live the role. Go tell her that, though. Good luck. Fortunately her husband and kids take some of her attention off me.”
    Ryder felt herself smiling again. “What’s your dad think about the horse?”
    Jake’s gaze turned back to her, his voice flat. “Let’s just say he’s not real enthused about putting money into anything that’s not a sure bet.”
    Ryder nodded sympathetically. “I see. I did a Google search on you and your family before coming here.” She fought back the blush threatening to rush forth. “Standard practice before I take on an owner I’m unfamiliar with.” She let out an uncomfortable cough. “It seems your father can be quite . . . opinionated.”
    Jake’s laugh was even flatter. “If you’re referring to the articles when he openly said disparaging things about one of my horses right before the Belmont Stakes, then yes, he can be very opinionated.” He straightened up in his chair. “People can think what they want. I know what I think. I don’t like people telling me no if I believe the answer is really yes .” Leaning forward in his chair, he said, “You must agree with me. You never would have been a jockey if you didn’t. There must be tons of people who told you a woman can’t do it.”
    She blinked in wonderment. Until now there were less than a handful of people who understood what she had had to endure being a female jockey. Her mother. Lenny. Mindy. Her father, when he was alive. Adding someone to this list would have been unthinkable. Especially if that person was an owner. And as stunning as Jake. “I understand. I’ve had plenty of people try to shut me down.”
    His grin was as bright as the afternoon sun shining through the restaurant’s huge windows. “So we have that in common. Good to know you can relate.”
    “I do. I’m sure we’ll get along great, if you hire me.”
    His grin was lopsided now, as if toying with her. “When you say we will get along great, do you mean me and you, or do you mean you and Handsome Dancer?”
    She felt her face go hot.
    He laughed loudly. “Either way,” he said, not waiting for her to respond, “I’m glad you think so. Why don’t I bring Handsome around to make sure you’ll get