Her Tycoon to Tame by Emilie Rose Page B

“Our program is well-supervised. We run the classes here on Sundays. You can see for yourself tomorrow. Our instructors and volunteersare trained and our program is accredited. We take every precaution possible to ensure the safety of the participants. We have a long waiting list of applicants because we’re so good.”
    â€œHow profitable are the lessons?”
    Ouch. Bull’s-eye. He’d hit their weakest spot. She hesitated. “In terms of physical recovery, they’re priceless.”
    His frown deepened. “In dollars and cents, Hannah.”
    She’d been hoping he wouldn’t ask. “We don’t charge for the sessions.”
    â€œHow do you cover your expenses?”
    She chewed the inside of her lip. He wasn’t going to like the answer. “The farm subsidizes us.”
    â€œYou’re not profitable.”
    He seemed determined to focus on the negatives. That wouldn’t help her cause. She gestured to the photo collection she’d wanted him to see. “This is my Wall of Winners. Each of these horses is a Find Your Center success story that has been rehabilitated and placed in a new home. But to know the whole story you really need to see the book in my office in the breeding barn, which contains the before and after photos. You’ll be amazed by the progress.”
    He crossed the room to study the photographs. Silent seconds ticked past, stretching her nerves even tighter. “I don’t see any pictures of you on a horse.”
    Hannah startled. She hadn’t seen that one coming. “I—I don’t ride.”
    His gaze burned her. “You grew up on a horse farm and you don’t ride, and yet you’re busting my chops for my lack of horse knowledge?” She bristled. She hadn’t spent millions on a business she knew nothing about. But being snarky would jeopardize what she wanted—his cooperation and continued financial backing. “I don’t have to ride to love horses.”
    â€œWhy don’t you ride?”
    Her nails bit into her palms. “That really isn’t relevant.”
    In three purposeful strides he invaded her space, stopping close enough that she could feel his body heat and inhale the intoxicating blend of fresh rain and his unique aroma. That crazy current buzzed between them again, making her nipples tingle and tighten. She folded her arms to hide her involuntary response, then realized the defensive body language gave too much away and lowered her hands to her sides. It took a conscious effort to keep from fisting her fingers.
    â€œWhy don’t you ride, Hannah?” he repeated, his voice as deep and rough as a rock quarry. His gaze roamed over her chest before returning to hold hers.
    â€œTo borrow your phrase, my personal life is none of your business.”
    â€œTrue, as long as it doesn’t interfere with your work. But until you convince me Find Your Center is more than an expensive hobby, my checkbook and I are free to leave.”
    Her heart sank as she stared into that hard face.
    â€œLet me give you a little incentive to talk, doc. From my position it looks like you’re a bleeding heart who wastes money, time and valuable land that could be better and more profitably allocated. Your little operation is a high-risk, low-return venture. Convince me I’m wrong—if you can.”
    His challenge stirred her ire. She’d wipe that superior expression off his face. “My mother died as the result of a riding accident when I was ten. So you’ll have to forgive me if I choose to love my horses with both feet firmly planted on the ground.”
    Instead of scaring him off, interest sharpened his eyes. “How?”
    Her throat tightened as the hated movie reel replayed in her brain. “She was showing me how to tackle a water jump. We’d been at it for a while because I couldn’t get it right. We were all tired. Her mount— my