Free Shiver by CM Foss

only one allowed to mess with you.”
    “That’s really sweet.”
    He nodded. “I know.”
    There’s nothing like spending time with family, if only for a few days.

Chapter 9
    O ur minute Christmas break was amazing, but it wasn’t long before Steph and I were on the plane home, laden with an extra suitcase full of new clothes and our favorite Texas snacks. The day after Christmas, we’d been at the airport since six in the morning. We’d be back in Virginia and ready to work by noon.
    I texted Ethan after we landed.
     
    Me: Back on homeland. Be to barn in an hour
    Ethan: Hope you had a great Xmas. Barn is quiet. Charlie is in the tack room. Enjoy the rest of your day. See you tomorrow.
     
    I was a little surprised I didn’t have to work but texted back my thanks. I was soon grateful because by the time we got our luggage, got our car, and drove to pick up Charlie, who was ecstatic to see me, I was done. Time spent with my family was always fun, but it wasn’t ever a vacation. It was typically an exhausting whirlwind.
    I was at the barn at seven sharp the next morning though, refreshed and ready to go. I was dressed in my navy fitted breeches and a new fitted white jacket, still in flip-flops. The white of the jacket my mom got me for Christmas might not have been a practical color for a barn, but it was tailored and stylish and warm. I didn’t go out much, so if I wanted to look nice on occasion, it had to be done at the barn.
    The weather was ass cold compared to Texas, and I was dreading getting out of my warm truck. As I pulled up, a huge semitruck was waiting next to the loading dock with its running lights on. Other than the truck, I seemed to be the first one there, so I parked and tugged on my gross beanie cap, walking up to the semi with Charlie on my heels as its driver-side door opened. A dirty, boot-clad foot that was attached to a jean-clad leg dropped down onto the running board. None of that was terribly unusual, except the boot was a little larger, the jeans a little longer on a leaner set of legs. Let’s just say I was intrigued.
    “Morning!” I called out as I continued to stride toward the truck. “Can I help you?”
    A much younger man than I would have assumed dropped down and towered above me. His head was close shaven, and he had a ball cap on. His hair looked to be a lighter brown than Ethan’s, but their build was the same. His face was scruffy, and his striking blue eyes were tired-looking but also twinkling.
    “Well, good morning to you.” He greeted me cheerfully, voice full of Southern charm. “I’m Lawrence from Brooks Thoroughbred Farm in Kentucky. Have a handful of two-year-olds for y’all to turn into racehorses.”
    I shook Lawrence’s hand but was a little confused because I had thought we weren’t receiving any horses until the first of January and hadn’t heard anything different.
    “Umm, right. I’m Lissa, Ethan’s assistant trainer.” It was fun to say that. “I’m just back from Christmas, and I haven’t actually talked to him yet. I was under the impression the horses weren’t coming until January, so I’m not really sure where he wants to put them.” God, I felt like an idiot now. I had no idea what was going on, and I was starting to get agitated at Ethan for even putting me in this position. “I’m sure you’re ready to get going, but let me just check in at the barn and then we’ll get them off the rig.”
    “Oh, honey, don’t you worry. I spoke with Ethan yesterday, and we made the plan to get them here early. This way I can spend some time before New Year’s making sure everything’s settled before I need to head back home. But I made better time than I thought on the drive. Ethan was going to meet me by eight. I’ve been here since six though, and I was more than happy to nap.” He ran his eyes down and back up me quickly. “And I couldn’t have asked for a better wake-up call.”
    I chuckled and rolled my eyes. “Wow. Okay. It’s