Authors: Joanna Blake

Ride With Me (7 page)

BOOK: Ride With Me

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12.

"Easy boy. That's it."

Jake eased the bridle off the exhausted horse. He was working with Thunder again this morning, just like he'd been doing every day since he got back from New York. He found that wearing the stallion out was the best way to teach him.

He was sort of doing the same thing with Elle.

No sort of.

Exactly.

Each night he kept her up and busy until she fell into a satisfied slumber. He made sure she was too tired and sated to run. Of course, he ended up pretty satisfied too.

Really satisfied. More so than he'd ever been in his life.

He grinned and patted the stallion.

It was a difficult job, but somebody had to do it.

He was brushing Thunder down when one of the workmen he'd hired came to find him.

"Mr. Delancey? It's ready."

"Thanks Steve."

He fed the steed an apple and followed Steve to the former tack shed. From the outside it looked like a hundred year old building. Well kept and serviceable, but old. But inside, it was something else entirely.

Padded walls, low comfortable couches and a glass wall that separated the equipment and a small room set up with studio instruments.

He grinned and slapped Steve on the back.

"It's perfect."

*********

Elle bent over the figures, entering each into the software that Mrs. Garret had taught her to use. The woman was getting on and needed help with the household expenses. It was just one of the things that Elle had learned to do to help in running the estate. Jake had insisted on it.

He insisted on a lot of things lately. Not that she minded.

She looked up to see him standing in the doorway watching her. As usual, he looked supremely relaxed.

"You're as sneaky as a cat."

He just smiled at her, looking a bit smug. That was usual too. She adored her arrogant young man though. Just the way he was. Prickles and all.

Elle picked up an envelope and waved it at him.

"My papers finally came in."

He crossed his arms and leaned against the doorjamb, his eyebrows raised.

"Is that so?"

She nodded.

"I'm impressed. I think you've earned a reward."

Now it was her turn to cock an eyebrow at him.

"Not that kind of reward you naughty girl. How is that going by the way?"

She sighed and leaned back.

"Well, I certainly understand how to balance books down to the dime. Years of being dirt poor will do that to you."

He nodded approvingly.

"Come on, it's time for your riding lesson."

"If you insist. I still have work to do here."

"Buttercup will get lonely."

She rolled her eyes. They'd given her the oldest, sweetest nag on the estate to learn on. The horse doted on her. It followed her around like a dog.

The sweet old thing was ridiculous but Elle had to admit she was growing fond of the silly horse.

"Alright, let's go."

Elle stood and followed him. She was already wearing riding breeches and boots. Jake had insisted she be ready to ride at a moment’s notice. Plus, he said he liked the way she looked in the snug fitting pants.

She smirked as she watched his ass move in his tight jeans.

She liked the way he looked in his pants too.

He didn't lead her right to the stables as usual though. She frowned and followed him. They passed the stable and walked toward one of the other old buildings that littered the estate. This one was set back from the rest of the buildings, with a pretty brick path leading to the door.

He stood in front of the building with a big grin.

"What's this then?"

He just shrugged.

"Open it."

She gave him a distrustful look and reached for the door handle.

"You know I don't like surprises."

He just smiled wider.

"You'll like this one."

She stepped inside the building and stopped in her tracks.

He was right. She did like it. In fact, she loved it.

Just like she loved him.

The darling man had built her a bloody recording studio.

Six months later

Jake sat at the bar with a prime view of the stage. Black Diamond was about to finish their second set. And at the end of the show, he had a surprise for the lead singer.

He looked around the room, seeing Daniel and Jackson smiling and talking to other people in the club. The brothers had opened a music venue in the city, partnering with Albacus, an old family friend.

No one was more surprised than he was that things had worked out so well. But there it was. Life was good.

Life was very, very good.

The crowd was chanting for an encore while he made his way up to the stage. He had something in his fist. He stopped the band from starting a new song and joined them on the stage. He winked at the guys and held out two fists.

"Hello everyone. I just have a question for Elle that couldn't wait. I hope you will understand."

The crowd roared it's response in the affirmative.

He grinned and looked at his beautiful girl. As usual she looked suspicious. She didn't like surprises. He knew that. But he couldn't help himself.

Elle gave him an odd look as he held out two clenched hands.

"Pick one."

"Really?"

He nodded and she gave him an exasperated sigh.

"Alright Delancey, this better be good."

She cocked her head and tapped his left hand. He opened his fist, holding it palm up.

Her beautiful eyes opened wide when she saw what it was.

It was a ring.

He dropped to his knee.

"Will you marry me Eleanor?"

She was crying as she nodded. He slipped the ring on while the crowd went wild. Then she threw herself into his arms, laughing and kissing him over and over again.

He wasn't surprised when she whispered into his ear, barely audible above the noise of the crowd.

"What the hell was in your other hand then?"

He shrugged sheepishly, pulling back to show her.

"Another ring. I got two, just in case."

She was laughing as he pulled her in for a kiss.

"You're incorrigible alright. But I'll have you."

He murmured into her lips.

"Lucky me."

We hope you enjoyed
Ride With Me,
the first book in the Delancey Brother’s Trilogy!

Other titles By Joanna Davis:

Wanted By The Devil
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Still Waters
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