MILLIONAIRE'S SHOT: Second Chance Romance Read Free Page B

woman went on. “We have a committee that steers members toward appropriate mount selection. We don’t want to risk injuries, especially with the quality of our players. The Sutherland team is amazing now. Actually, anyone who rides here has to be good—” The woman gave a pointed pause. “Not like before. And we only rely on qualified horse trainers now.”
    Cassie had developed considerable patience working with a variety of needy movie stars, both adults and children, but this woman had just slurred her precious grandfather. Gramps was the best trainer she’d ever met, including her current boss, and she wasn’t going to stand back and let anyone insult him.
    “That’s wonderful the players are so good here now,” Cassie said. “So you don’t play at the Club anymore?”
    The brunette’s eyes narrowed as if struggling to process the comment. Then she gave a haughty sniff. “I certainly do play. I have a plus two ranking now, only one below my husband and his brother. We won the Family Tournament the last three years in a row. Maybe some day you’ll be able to watch. I’m sure my husband could get you a pass.” Her gaze lowered over Cassie’s jeans. “For the tailgate section of course.”
    “Great,” Cassie said. “Those fans there are always the most knowledgeable.”
    The woman opened her mouth to retort but Cassie cared too little to stand and spar. She definitely wouldn’t be around to watch the Jonathon Stiles team compete on Family Day. Once, that had been her dream. To have a family of her own. To ride with her grandfather, with Alex…
    Turning, she scanned the crowd for Gramps. His denim checkered shirt should be easy to spot in this glamorous section. But he was out of sight. Didn’t matter though. She knew his destination. The ponies were tethered to the right of the clubhouse, and Santiago and his team would be gathered there, grabbing a breather before the second half.
    Of course Alex might be there as well. Unlike many players, he always oversaw each of the Sutherland ponies, not relying solely on his grooms. That sense of responsibility had been one of the things that had drawn them together.
    And ultimately pushed them apart.
    She steeled her shoulders, ignoring the fluttering in her chest, and stepped onto the grass on the other side of the canopy. It was halftime and the crowd was sparser here. Many spectators were out on the field, helping repair the torn turf by following the age-old tradition of stomping divots.
    She forced her stride to remain confident, even though her legs felt leaden and she wished her grandfather hadn’t insisted on visiting Santiago today. A groom pushed past, carrying a replacement girth and hurrying toward a row of horses. Activity was always frenzied between chukkas, like a pit stop at a car track.
    She walked toward the row of tethered animals, searching for her grandfather. Praying she wouldn’t see Alex. She’d vowed never to return to the Club, but sorting out what had happened with the mare was too important. Qualified buyers were scarce. Top players often owned a string of ten animals, an impossible investment for the casual rider, so selling four ponies to a collegiate team was huge for Gramps. Well worth swallowing her pride and facing the happy couple.
    And their daughter.
    Besides, Rachel probably wouldn’t even recognize her. Just because Cassie thought about them on occasion didn’t mean they wasted one moment of their privileged lives thinking about her.
    I love you, Cass. But a baby changes everything . Alex’s words still haunted her, the torment on his face forever seared on her soul.
    She jammed her hands in her pockets. She hadn’t come home to brood, only to support Gramps. Having Santiago show off the mare was critical. A top rider brought out the best in a horse while a bad rider made it appear rank and badly trained. Hopefully Santiago would agree to ride Ginger at the next match, and people would forget today’s poor