At Long Odds (A Racing Romance) (40 page)
Read At Long Odds (A Racing Romance) Online
Authors: Hannah Hooton
‘Maybe I shouldn’t have shown them to you,’ he said, releasing her hand. ‘You don’t want to get attached when you’re about to sell them.’
Pippa let her fingers trace the delicate contours of the horse’s nose, between his velveteen nostrils, smiling as his whiskers tickled her palm. She let her hand drop and nodded.
‘I know,’ she sighed. ‘He’s so pretty though, I’m sure he’ll sell well.’
‘I wouldn’t be too sure about that.’
‘Why? Isn’t he very fast?’
‘Quite simply, no. Astolat is half-decent at least.’
‘That’s a pity. Never mind, I know someone will see that he’s a sweetheart.’
Jack gave a snort of derision.
‘I’ve got to get a move on. Are you travelling back up to London tonight?’
‘No, I’ve got to go see a house – or a cottage, I’m not sure which yet, that used to be Uncle Dave’s.’
‘More inheritance?’
‘Something like that. Although they told me not to expect too much. Apparently, it’s a bit of a shambles. I’m sure it can’t be as bad as all that though.’
‘Good luck,’ Jack said with more doubt than sincerity.
‘Thank you,’ Pippa replied sweetly. ‘Nice to meet you Peace Offering. Nice to meet you Astolat.’
Jack rolled his eyes and began to walk away. Pippa skipped after him back onto the main path.
‘Thank you for showing them to me.’
‘My pleasure,’ he said, sounding like it was anything but. ‘I’ll have Gemma send you the details of the sale next month.’
‘Who’s Gemma?’
‘My secretary.’
Poor girl, Pippa thought, having to put up with his moodiness. She shot a rueful glance at the horses still milling by the fence behind them and sighed. ‘It’s such a pity.’
‘What is?’ Jack looked at her suspiciously.
‘Having to sell them.’
His blue eyes narrowed.
‘You having second thoughts?’
Pippa shrugged.
‘Can’t afford to have second thoughts. But wouldn’t it have been fun?’
‘You’re better off without them.’
Half a stride behind, Pippa frowned at the negative attitude radiating from the unyielding set to his shoulders.
‘Don’t you train horses for a living?’
Jack looked at her sharply.
‘Yes. Why?’
‘Well, you don’t sound like their biggest fan.’
‘I’m just being realistic. You could never afford two racehorses on a waitress’ salary.’
Despite having said much the same thing less than a minute before, Pippa raised her chin involuntarily in a stubborn stance.
Is that right sunshine, she challenged silently.
Keeping the Peace
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