Free Jockeying for You by Stacy Hoff

bit her lip, and then broke out into a smile. “Okay. We can go tonight. But just out to dinner, okay? I have work very early in the morning.”
    He crossed his fingers and held them over his chest. “Scout’s honor. I’ll see you at six. Dress nice.”
    Dumbfounded by the whole chain of events, Ryder wasn’t sure what to make of Jake Carter but couldn’t resist finding out. Lost in thought, she surveyed her dirty denim and slopped-up riding boots. Blond flyaway wisps circled around her head like an electrified halo. She batted them away with a grimy hand. To say I look like a disaster would be an insult to disasters. A mudslide would be more attractive.
    She cringed. Crazy he’d ask me out when I’m such a mess. She peered down at her nails and examined the dirt in them. No wonder he told me to look nice. Yeesh.
    Out of the corner of her eye, Mindy appeared. Ryder let out a loud “oh” of surprise.
    “Hi ya,” Mindy greeted.
    “Good Lord, Mindy. Stop sneaking up on me. You’re going to give me a heart attack.”
    “You don’t mind when Lenny does it,” Mindy retorted. “Anyway, I didn’t stop by to give you a heart attack. I came by to give you a present.”
    Ryder felt her face light up. “Really? That’s so nice of you. Really great. But it’s not my birthday.”
    “Doesn’t matter. Sometimes you need perfect timing for the perfect gift.”
    “Perfect timing for what?” Ryder felt her face scrunch up in confusion.
    “I saw Mr. Gorgeous leave here. I’m guessing the time you’ll need this will be coming up real soon.”
    “What will be soon?” Ryder asked, still confused.
    “Take this and you’ll see.” Mindy tossed Ryder a small package wrapped up in colorful giftwrap. A purple bow was tied around it. “Don’t wait too long to open it,” Mindy called out before she disappeared.
    “Heck no,” Ryder chirped cheerfully. Tearing the package open, she groaned. “Mindy! You didn’t!” she called out. No wonder she took off.
    Ryder didn’t have much time to contemplate the package before Emanuel approached her. She tossed the box into a stall and prayed he didn’t notice her move.
    “I saw you riding Handsome Dancer,” he said without preamble.
    Ryder nodded and did her best to smile. There was something about Emanuel’s tone that seemed accusatory although that would make no sense. She waited for him to continue. Maybe he’d shed some clarity.
    “He acts like he’s ready to ride,” Emanuel remarked. “I want to test him out in one of tomorrow’s races. I can take a small one, so the stakes won’t be too much and he’ll get used to me.”
    “Despite Handsome Dancer’s awesome performance today, he’s still not ready. He was only trying to show off, which is great, but he has to get used to the rigors of competing in an actual race. And doing it against other horses who also want to win. He’s still not comfortable enough in the gate. I’m doing everything I can to even keep his gate card. If he has to go back to school we’ll all be out more time and money.”
    Emanuel gave a flat stare. “He won’t ever get used to it until he does it more.”
    Ryder crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m not shoving him into anything he’s not ready for. I’ll let you know when he’s ready to compete.”
    “I’m going to tell Mr. Carter I’m not going to wait around forever. Every race that goes by costs me ten percent of the winnings.”
    “Assuming you’d race and win. Which you wouldn’t because Handsome Dancer is not ready yet.” Ryder ignored the throbbing pain by her temple. Once she was rid of Emanuel she’d take some aspirin and a short stroll around the stables to help relax.
    But it might be a while before she could take a break, given the reddish tint of Emanuel’s face. His cheeks were puffed up as if he were about to explode. “Are you telling me I cannot win? Are you doubting me?” His voice was high-pitched, his faint accent becoming more