“Sure it is. I can handle pain. You’re just jealous.”
Skye grinned. “Not even a little.”
“Lexi has a tattoo,” Izzy announced.
Lexi raised her eyebrows. “I do not.”
“I know, but Skye needed a distraction.”
“What are we going to do with her?” Skye asked.
“Hope she grows up soon.”
“I’m all grown up. And very mature.” She stuck out her tongue.
Izzy had managed to lighten the mood, which Lexi appreciated. The timing couldn’t have been better, as the front door opened and Kendra walked inside.
She saw them and paused. “I didn’t know my dad was into the group thing. And speaking as the kid, it’s kinda yucky to think about.”
Lexi stood. She motioned to the teen. “This is Kendra. Cruz’s daughter.”
“The one he forgot to mention,” Kendra said in a mock whisper. “I was quite the shock.”
Izzy and Skye looked at each other, then at Lexi. Lexi did her best to smile.
“She was, but in a good way.”
“That’s me. A little ray of sunshine.”
Lexi walked over to Kendra. “These are my sisters. Skye and Izzy.”
“Sisters?” Kendra looked intrigued. “Huh. I’ve always wanted a sister. Mom says that’s not going to happen. She doesn’t want to get fat.”
Not exactly the most loving reason to avoid a second child, Lexi thought, then wondered what Kendra’s mother’s story was. Had she remarried? Did she want another child but found it too difficult as a single mom? Cruz got to simply write a check and walk away, leaving someone else with the responsibility.
Just like Jed with Garth, she thought, then pushed away the thought.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Skye said, approaching the teen. “I have a daughter. Erin. She’s only seven.”
Kendra looked at her hair. “Is that color real? Red is hard to make look natural, but whoever does your color knows her stuff.”
Skye smiled serenely. “It’s natural. I used to hate it, but now I like it a lot.”
“You could use some highlights.”
“Really?”
Kendra looked at Izzy, who had folded her arms across her chest.
“So that’s your game plan?” Izzy asked. “Insult everyone first? I know it throws them off balance, which gives you the advantage, but it doesn’t make you very likeable. Just an FYI.”
Kendra’s gaze narrowed. “Whatever,” she muttered.
Skye shot Izzy a warning look. “Be nice,” she said.
“What did I do? I’m not the brat around here.”
“You’re also not the child.”
Izzy shook her head. “Fine. I’m outta here.”
“Wait,” Lexi said. “We’re agreed, then. We’ll find out more information, then talk again.”
“Right,” Skye said.
“You’re wimps, but fine,” Izzy muttered. “I don’t have anything to lose, so this is really about you two.”
Izzy waved and left.
Lexi thought her sister might be right. Izzy didn’t have a business or a foundation, so she was less of a target for Garth. Something Lexi found comforting.
“I don’t suppose you’re going to tell me what that was about?” Kendra asked. “Fine. Have your little coded conversations. I’m going to get something to eat.”
“Would you like to go riding?” Skye asked unexpectedly.
Kendra stared at her. “Excuse me. Riding? Like on a…”
“Horse,” Lexi said. “We have horses.”
For a second Kendra looked more like a kid than a hooker-wannabe. “I don’t know how, so no.”
“It’s not hard,” Skye told her. “Erin can show you.”
“Instructions from a seven year old. I can’t wait.”
Lexi wondered if getting out of Cruz’s house and onto a horse just might help her connect better with Kendra. At least it would be different.
“Saturday morning?” Lexi asked.
“Perfect.” Skye smiled.
“And if I refuse to go?” Kendra asked.
Lexi laughed. “We’ll arm wrestle for it.”
“I DON’T WANT TO do this,” Kendra grumbled. “I hate horses.”
“When have you seen one up close?”
“Lots of times. Riding is stupid.”
“You said you were excited about going last night.”
“I was lying to be polite.”
“Since when?”
Kendra huffed, then leaned back in her seat. “You can’t make me.”
“This isn’t punishment. We’re going to have fun.”
“
“Probably,” Lexi said, determined to sound cheerful. “We’re nearly there. In case you were wondering.”
“I wasn’t.”
They turned off the main road and drove under a tall, open gate with a big sign that read “Glory’s Gate.” Kendra forgot she was in a snit as she turned in her seat, trying to look every way at once.
“I’ve heard of this place,” she breathed. “It’s supposed to be huge.”
“One of the biggest working ranches in Texas.”
“You’re rich.”
“My father is.”
“It’ll be yours one day. So you’re not dating my dad for the money.”
“Is that what you thought?”
“It’s why most of them are there.”
“I’m not.” She was there because she’d made a deal, which was totally different.
“You’re still his type.”
“I know.”
Kendra grinned. “Is he your type?”
“Sometimes.”
The teen laughed, then looked out the side window again. “Is that the house? It’s like a hotel. It must have been really sweet growing up there.”
Lexi didn’t answer. Some parts had been great but others hadn’t. Maybe like every childhood.
She drove around to the stables where Skye and Erin were waiting. Lexi parked and got out of her car. Kendra moved more slowly.
“I don’t think I want to do this anymore,” she said. “I don’t even know if I like horses.”
“You’re scared. That’s totally normal, but the only way to get over being scared is to try it.”
“Like you know what you’re talking about.”
“You’d be surprised.”
“You’re here! You’re here!” Erin ran over and hugged Lexi, then grinned at Kendra. “Hi. We’re going riding. I picked you a really good horse. Oliver. He’s not too big and he’s very sweet. He’s got a bit of a sensitive mouth, so you’ll have to be careful.”
“I’ll have to be careful?” Kendra asked, taking a step back. “He’s the one who’s going to hurt me.”
“No, he won’t. He’ll like you.” Erin grabbed her hand.
Kendra resisted. “Kids bore me.”
“How tragic,” Lexi said. “You can walk or you can be dragged.”
