Chapter 32

While Red was having his vet appointment, a comedy of errors took place at the riding club. It started with a bee that took a liking to Britany’s perfume and stung her. She flipped out and fell off her horse into a hedgerow. Her horse shied away and crashed into Justin’s and Christina’s horses, causing them to stumble.

Of all the days not to have Red and his calm demeanor, that might have been the worst. Justin hurt his knee, and Christina wrenched her back as she tried not to fall off her horse. With three of the five actors injured, they called off the classes for the day. It also ruled out the cast attending Club DTF that evening.

Austin rode Trigger back to his grandmother’s and found Red in the pasture, chasing Max in some sort of puppy/horse game of tag. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are quick, since they were bred to hunt lions. Of course, a lion could easily handle a dog if it got hold of it. But if the dog could dart in and out to harass the lion until the hunter could get a shot off, it was game over for the big cat.

When they saw Austin ride up on Trigger, both animals ran to the fence to say hello.

“Good to see you two can entertain yourselves,” Austin said as he dismounted.

He unsaddled Trigger and let him and the rest of the horses out into the pasture. Max followed Austin into the house, where Emma was baking rye bread in the kitchen.

“Guess what?” Emma asked with a big smile.

“You finally caved and invited Kyle to join the club?” Austin teased.

She didn’t even entertain that.

“I received a scholarship to attend Horace Green Academy. Your grandmother has arranged for me to live with you in the carriage house; we’ll each have a bedroom. Your grandmother doesn’t think you’ll survive without some help.”

If only his grandmother knew that Austin had held the household together after his mom left, because Clay had been a basket case. He’d had to quickly learn the basics, or their trailer would’ve been a disaster area.

However, knowing Emma would be his roommate was comforting because she was a much better cook than he was.

“That’s great news,” Austin said.

“I understand the cottage hasn’t been used in several years. Your grandmother plans to have a look at it and get it in shape so it’s livable,” Emma said.

Knowing his grandmother, that meant the place would be completely renovated. She had an eye for that kind of thing since she owned a construction company. Austin had no doubt some of her employees would be put to work.

“Where is everyone?” he asked.

“I have no idea. Everyone left after the vet came this morning.”

“I found Max and Red playing when I returned,” Austin said.

“Oops. I thought Max was hiding in the house. He likes to stalk me when I’m running the vacuum,” Emma said.

“That dog’s too smart for his own good. He probably slipped out when everyone left.”

Austin caught her up on the drama at the riding club so she could warn everyone that the plan for the evening was off.

“I need to get back to work. Go enjoy a day off,” Emma said, ending their conversation.

Austin took a chance and messaged Naomi Draper to see if she was free. They hadn’t spent any time together in nearly a month. She sent him one back, saying Sally and Rob were at friends’ houses and he should come over.

He liked that Naomi knew precisely what she wanted—specifically, his big dick, balls deep in her.

After a vigorous session, Naomi drifted off, leaving Austin lying on the bed, catching his breath. He was thirsty, so he walked naked to the kitchen to get a glass of water.