LITMIR.BIZ

       Chapter One

      The two-year-old mare tossed her head and pawed the sand of the arena as the thunder rattled the metal roof again. The storm had rolled in fast and hard. Belle De La Rosa laid a hand on the young horse’s neck. “Shhh, girl. It’s okay. It’s just pitter-patter on the roof.”

      Sometimes a little lie made everyone feel better. The goal had been to socialize the mare, but the weather had hit harder than forecasted. Now the poor baby was traumatized. The evening could end in complete disaster if the unpredictable animal panicked. She needed to get her safely back into the trailer.

      “He’s here.” Jazmine, her brother Elijah’s wife, appeared on the other side of the restless horse. Her hand was over her newly visible baby bump.

      Belle closed her eyes to prevent rolling them. The De La Rosa women had joined forces in the “Find Belle a Man” campaign. The latest victim was a single dad. Selena, her cousin Xavier’s wife, had met him in her playgroup for parents of multiples across the bridge in Foster. Belle loved the women her brother and cousin had married, but really, she could do with a little less of the interference they liked to call girl time.

      The poor man was new in town, and her sisters-in-law—her cousins were practically her brothers as they’d grown up in the same house—had already decided that he was perfect for her. She glanced at the bleachers where she had left the kids talking horse conformation. The judging team had wanted to meet despite the weather. “Jazz, what’s the latest on the weather report?”

      Phone in hand, Jazz frowned at her screen. “It doesn’t look good. They’ve increased the chance of high winds and heavy rain.” Her dark curls bounced when she twisted her head to survey the kids. “Possible hail. Should we call parents for an early pickup?”

      Before Belle could respond, thunder rattled the walls of the arena. Then a bolt of lightning struck too close for comfort, blinding her.

      The mare reared, forcing Belle to stay clear of the hooves. Her boot stuck in the deep sand and she stumbled.

      Strong hands wrapped around her forearms, balancing her from behind.

      Her lungs froze. Like the scared horse, she wanted to lash out, but the hands were gone just as quick.

      “Are you okay?” A man’s deep voice, low and calm, washed over her.

      Belle kept her back to the stranger. She closed her eyes and took a steadying breath.

      She was being ridiculous. It wasn’t him, her ex, so she would move on as if nothing had happened. She focused on the young mare. The soft muzzle twitched with heavy pants. “Nothing’s going to hurt you. It’s okay, girl.”

      The mare’s nostrils flared, and her ears flicked.

      “Quinn!” Jazz’s voice was a little on the overenthusiastic side.

      This must be the poor guy.

      “Belle, this is Quinn Sinclair. He has twin daughters who want to join the horse club. They’re interested in the horse-judging team. Quinn, this is our fearless leader and my sister-in-law, Belle De La Rosa. Cassie and Lucy are her daughters.”

      The man stepped away from her and moved to the other side of the horse, looking at her over Little Lady’s withers. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. My

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