The Front Runner (Gold Rush Ranch, #3)

by Elsie Silver

For all the women who’ve been told they should smile more. Fuck that noise. Frown all you want.

She reminds me of my little sister. Entitled and impulsive. The difference is my sister likes me. This woman does not.

I tip my chin up and keep walking after the woman who has piqued my interest since the first time I laid eyes on her. Dr. Mira Thorne. My favorite equine veterinarian in the area for more than one reason. The woman is beautiful. But more than that, she’s smart.

“No chance, Stefan. You’d fall in love with me, and then I definitely couldn’t be your vet.”

I hate losing, and I’m not above admitting I especially hate losing to Gold Rush Ranch and all their happy, sunshiny positivity and family-like vibe.

Could I run him into the ground for another season and make some cash? Probably. But I refuse to do that to an animal who has run his heart out for me and my business. He deserves better.

My stomach flips at the sight of her, like it always does. I must be a glutton for punishment because getting turned down by her has become one of my favorite pastimes.

Just insane enough to keep trying.

I don’t usually ask their permission to do what I think is right.”

Leave it to the woman who saves lives for a living to be all morally superior when I’m so clearly morally gray.

Away from the public eye, this man is a farm boy, with glowing skin from days spent working in the sun.

“For me?” He reaches out for it slowly, eyeing me with suspicion. “Yup.” “Is it poisoned?”

“And two.” The man looks downright gleeful. “You let me take you on a date.” Motherfucker. He scratches his chin thoughtfully. “Actually, three dates.” Mother. Fucker.

“Why three dates?” “Because it’s more than one.” My foot taps. “Why not two? “Because it’s less than three?” He says it like a question. “Okay, then why not five?” “Are you asking for more, Dr. Thorne?”

“They won’t be a punishment for me.” He

“Whatever you say,” he replies smoothly. “I just can’t fall in love with you, right?” I chuckle as I twist the doorknob to leave. “Oh, Stefan. I think you already are.”

“We can dye it.”

She’s an equation I’d love to solve. Or maybe the broken little boy in me just wants her to treat me the way she does a horse. With love.

I just don’t want you to think my soul is black.

“You owe me a carton of eggs.”

Because I’m a greedy bastard who liked feeling taken care of. “Because the coffee doesn’t matter when I’m in your company.”

There’s something about a woman who wields her brain like a weapon and her tongue like a whip that makes me want to worship at her feet. Never mind physical chemistry, I need intellectual chemistry to hold my attention.

What she doesn’t comprehend is I’ll do almost anything she tells me to at this point.

She nibbles at her lips nervously. As if I’d be able to tell her no.

“Can I help?” He pulls out a chair and sits down across from my grandmother, sincerity lining his every movement.

But my eyes keep finding Stefan, hunched over a table, working quietly with my grandmother.

“You know what’s wild?” I announce to the entire table. “I’ve answered a lot of questions tonight. And it’s been an absolute pleasure meeting every one of you. But not a single person has inquired about my family planning agenda or implied that I might be close to my expiration date on becoming a father.”

“I find it fascinating that no one has ever asked me that as a man, but somehow it’s polite dinner conversation for a young woman with lofty career goals and an enviable level of focus.”

I wonder if my eyes are the same. I wonder if I look like I’m starving the way she does.

This isn’t one for the record books. This is the record book.

And then he bought me the shoes. The ones the woman leaving his house had on her feet. Hers were a nude color that matched her pretty flaxen hair. But these are black—a perfect match for mine.

I don’t want to tame her; I just want a front-row seat to watch her win the race.

He yearns for me. I see it in his eyes.

“I’ll buy you an entire shipping container of them if it means I get to keep ripping them off of you.”

“I’ve told you before . . . I’m not the villain you think I am.” “Or maybe you’re exactly who I think you are, and I like it.”

“Beautiful,” she murmurs. “Very,” I say back. Except, I’m not looking at the sky anymore.

She’s downright enchanting. I’ve always thought so,

Still, I refuse to be dissuaded. I can handle hurt feelings, but I’m not easily deterred. I know she’s worth it.

Because her and I? We’re just getting started.

“You have beautiful hands. Almost as beautiful as your mind and heart. Sometimes I find myself staring at them while you work, so elegant and strong all at once. Hands that heal. Hands that save lives.” His voice drops. “Hands that belong in mine.”

There’s always been a palpable tension between Mira and I—something that hasn’t lessened just because I broke it off last night. It might even be stronger. It feels like there’s an elastic between us, and I’ve pulled it taut by yanking myself away. I wonder if the more I pull away, the harder we’ll collide. I wonder if we’ll survive the collision.

“Stefan…” I can barely hear her. “I got them out for you.”

I fully intend to spend the rest of my life repaying her for it. For sticking it out. For not shunning me, or hating me, or thinking the worst of me when everyone else did. For protecting me. And now it’s my turn to protect her.

What if the last thing I ever said to her was harsh? What if the last thing I ever did was make her cry?

Hands grip at me, pulling me away from her when all I want is to cover her body with mine. To give her anything she needs. Lungs. Skin. Life. She can have it all.

What if she dies saving everything that she thinks is dear to me without knowing she is everything to me?

“She’d be proud of you.”

“I know I am.”

“Poor sweet fool. That girl was coming back for you. Don’t you know her well enough to know she doesn’t quit? She walked into that barn because that’s the type of person she is. A little prickly, but as loyal as they come once you get her. And don’t worry, you’ve got her. I rather think you’re stuck with her.”

I feel confused about everything that is going on around me. Except him. I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.