By Chance by Sasha Kay Riley

for groom appreciation.”
     
     
    T HEY WATCHED some of the other riders before Vince and Xander had to start warming up, and Vince explained the rules and scoring to Dustin. “Basically,” he concluded, “the object is to go fast and clear. Jump everything without knocking a rail down or falling off, and ride as fast as you can.”
    “Seems simple enough,” Dustin commented as they headed toward the warm-up ring with Xander.
    “Easier said than done,” Vince clarified, shaking his head.
    Dustin held Xander steady while Vince hopped into the saddle. He clipped the chin strap of his helmet and took up the reins before noticing that Dustin was looking at him strangely.
    “What’s up?” he asked.
    Dustin shrugged. “Can I tell you something without you taking it the wrong way?”
    “Probably,” Vince replied, then smiled and added, “Unless you’re about to insult me.”
    With a smile, Dustin shook his head. “No, I was just going to say that the riding outfit looks good on you.”
    Vince was wearing his usual show clothes—knee-high black boots, tight white breeches, and what was basically a black suit coat designed for riding with a white dress shirt beneath it, complete with the pink tie he always wore in his mother’s memory and a pair of black gloves.
    He grinned. “Thanks. Let me just say that I’m glad it’s such a dreary day or I’d be a lot hotter.”
    Dustin shook his head and moved to watch from the arena rail while Vince got his horse warmed up. Vince was glad he had something to focus on other than the fact that, despite his suggestion that it wasn’t what it sounded like, Dustin had definitely just been flirting with him.
    “What do you think, Xane?” Vince asked his horse, patting his neck.
    Xander just tossed his head, anxious to get going faster than a walk.
    Vince smiled slightly. “Yeah, you’re no help,” he murmured before moving the big gelding into a trot.
     
     
    X ANDER NEVER let him down. It was the one thing in life that Vince had come to expect and appreciate. The gelding flew over every fence like he was born to fly, and he kicked up the speed when Vince asked for it. His hooves never so much as nicked a rail, and they came out of their round on top. So far, they were the only ones to go clear, but there were four more riders to go.
    “Loosen the saddle,” Vince said as Dustin met them outside the ring. “Keep him tacked up, though. If anyone else goes clear, we’ll need to go again.” He leaned forward and hugged Xander’s neck.
    Dustin nodded and held Xander as Vince patted his neck and swung out of the saddle. “I have to say, I can’t see myself ever doing jumping with Justin.”
    Vince laughed. “I didn’t expect you to.”
    “I was never very competitive,” Dustin added with a grin.
    “That’s just fine.” Vince took off his helmet as he spoke. “I’m not sure I would like to have to compete against one of my employees. And a friend. I don’t really have any in this sport.”
    “That’s too bad,” Dustin said with a frown, rubbing Xander’s neck as they walked.
    Vince shrugged. “Makes it easier not to care about the competition.”
    Dustin just laughed.

Chapter Fourteen
     
    V INCE TRIED to suppress his joy when Stephen knocked down a rail and had no chance to place higher than Vince—but he didn’t try too hard. He didn’t intend to be unsportsmanlike but thinking about his own happiness was different than rubbing it in his competition’s face, which was something he definitely didn’t do. In the end, Vince and Xander were the only pair to go clear, and it meant they took first place.
    Stephen ended up finishing third, and Vince could feel his eyes piercing daggers into him during the ribbon-pinning ceremony. He ignored it by smiling and patting Xander’s neck before the traditional victory gallop.
    It was getting late when they got back to the trailer, and Dustin took over untacking Xander and packing their things while Vince