“I’ll clear my schedule.” Her willingness to drop everything and run off to Kentucky said that she too felt the need to clear her head. “How long has it been since you’ve visited?”
“About six months. I try to get there a couple times a year.” The farm was the only place he’d ever felt completely at home.
“It must be wonderful,” Violet said. “I’ve never seen you look so happy.”
“Never?” He lifted her palm to his cheek and gave her a wolfish smile. “Then you’ll just have to pay close attention later tonight.”
Her eyebrows rose. “I’ll make sure I do.”
After a night filled with lots of blissful smiles and very little sleep, they boarded the private jet JT’s client had sent to take him to Kentucky.
“Nice,” Violet murmured, accepting a mimosa from the flight attendant and relaxing into a butter-soft leather chair. “Fontaine owns several corporate jets, but none as nice as this one. Who’s your client?”
“She’s a member of the royal family of Dubai.” JT smiled at Violet’s wide-eyed reaction. “A princess who has a passion for horses and show jumping.”
“I had no idea you were so well connected.”
“We met in Miami many years ago and struck up a friendship. She knew my grandmother’s reputation and likes to get my opinion when she’s planning on spending six figures on a horse.”
“I am impressed.” Violet eyed him over the rim of her glass. “And more than a little turned on.”
JT chuckled. “Then my work here is done.”
The farm where JT was to evaluate the jumper was about an hour away from his family’s farm, Briton Green. The plane touched down at the regional airport less than fifteen minutes away and JT’s cousin Samantha was waiting to greet them. He dropped the suitcases an instant before she threw her arms around him and hugged him hard. Tall and slender, with long, dark blond hair and an infectious grin, she had always been a whirling dervish of energy.
“It’s great to see you.” As soon as she stopped choking JT, she turned her attention to Violet. “I’m Samantha.”
“Violet. JT talked non-stop about you the whole way here. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” Samantha looped her arm through Violet’s and drew her toward the waiting SUV.
JT followed the two women at a slower pace. Already he felt as if the weight of the world had fallen from his shoulders and they hadn’t even arrived at the farm.
“How are things?” he quizzed as Samantha sped down the highway.
“Wonderful. Dancing Diva had a gorgeous colt. Mom’s convinced he’s the best foal we’ve produced in ten years.”
“That’s saying something.” In the last decade, three national champions had been foaled at Briton Green. “I can’t wait to see him. What can you tell me about the six-year-old I’m looking at over at Cal Rutledge’s place?”
Samantha nodded. “Nice mover. Good legs. Athletic. I think they’ve had a few issues with his work ethic.”
“Meaning?”
“He’s lazy.”
“Worth what they’re asking?”
“I’d offer them thirty-five and see what happens.” Samantha had always been a tough bargainer. “Is the princess open to looking at any other horses?”
“Who’d you have in mind?”
“A client of Roger Simmons has a really nice eight-year-old mare. She’s
done really well in the show ring, but she needs a smart rider. Roger’s had trouble finding someone good enough for her.”
“Never hurts to look. Any others you can suggest?”
Samantha laughed. “JT, I could keep you busy for a month looking at all the talent we have in the area.”