by Toni Leland
The girl colored, and a pleased smile spread across her face as she took Naomi’s hand. “Yes, Ma’am.”
Naomi chuckled. “None of this Ma’am-stuff, call me Naomi. Okay, let’s go look at horses.”
She turned on her heel and marched toward the nearest barn. Zada and Dania followed her, and Jess brought up the rear, relieved that Naomi had taken charge. Jess wasn’t much of a saleswoman–that was Faith’s department. Thinking about the situation again, disappointment filled her heart. What would happen if Faith couldn’t, or wouldn’t, climb out of the pit this time?
Naomi brought out a small chestnut hunter pony, similar to Dania’s schooling horse.
“Checkers has a fine competition record. He’s done it all, and has the ribbons to prove it. He’s a good, sound mount for a beginner.”
Zada shook her head firmly. “We want a more refined horse, one that will complement Dania’s riding form. Do you have any mares?”
Jess stared in disbelief, and Naomi shook her head.
“I do, but I don’t recommend putting an inexperienced rider on a mare. They’re unpredictable and moody during the breeding season, which just happens to coincide with show season.”
Zada’s jaw hardened. “I rode mares as a young girl, and didn’t have problems.”
Naomi’s features tightened into a somewhat patronizing expression. “Did you compete with your horse?”
Realization softened Zada’s tone. “No, I only rode for pleasure. What else do you have?”
Naomi put the pony back into his stall, then walked down the aisle to another. Zada murmured something to Dania, then threw a quick look at Jess, who felt completely inadequate at that moment.
Naomi returned, leading a large Dutch Warmblood. His sleek coat was the color of a vintage penny, and he wore four, almost perfectly matched white socks. Dania’s eyes lit up and Jess groaned inwardly. Oh, Lord. I recognize that horse. He’s fabulous, but much too strong for her. At that instant, Jess wished she hadn’t sent Faith home.
Naomi stood the horse up to show off his fine body. “This is Buus Ravensburgen. His barn name is Buster. He’s one of my own bloodstock, and has made me proud on the intermediate jumping circuit. He’s a gentle, willing gelding with a lot of talent.” She smiled at Dania. “From what I hear, you’ll be needing a horse like this soon.”
Zada turned to her daughter. “Do you like him, Habibi?”
Dania moved toward the horse, her large eyes wide with delight. “Oh, yes, Ummi!” She looked up at Naomi. “May I pet him?”
“Of course. In fact, you’ll need to take a ride on him before I’ll let you make a decision.”
Buster dropped his large head and sniffed Dania’s shoulder, then nudged it. She giggled happily and stroked his soft muzzle. Then, to Jess’s astonishment, she planted a soft kiss on his nose. Buster nickered deep in his throat, and bobbed his head.
A match made in heaven.
Jess listened to Zada and Dania talking in the back seat. The words were a jumble, but held an unmistakable undercurrent of excitement and happiness. She glanced at the signed contract on the passenger seat. Eighty thousand dollars for a first horse.
Unbelievable.
“Miss Jessica, I will bring the down-payment in the morning. Is that convenient?”
“I’ll be there.”
Dania piped up. “Will I have Buster for my next lesson?”
“I’m not sure, Dania. We have to get him vet-checked and insured before Naomi will release him. I’ll try to get everything finished by Thursday.”
She met Zada’s eyes in the rearview mirror and saw the message: make it happen.
Chapter 10
Samir watched two hefty black men hoist a twenty-foot cylinder wrapped in heavy brown paper, then march down the loading ramp, carrying the object as though it weighed nothing. They dropped it carelessly onto the concrete floor, then returned to the truck. Samir eyed the parcel, then turned his attention back to the deliverymen. Exhaust fumes drifted through the open loading bay, burning Samir’s nose while he concentrated on keeping his impatience under control.
The men made several more trips in and out of the dark cargo compartment, then the last cylinder hit the floor. A small red dot glowed from the filthy wrapper, and Samir’s pulse jerked. He quickly signed for the delivery, pulled down the huge door, and flipped the switch on the exhaust fan. He hurried past the stack of carpets without a glance, and poked his head through the curtained entrance to the front of the store.
“Hasim! I am checking the new delivery. I do not want to be disturbed.”
A minute later, he dropped to his knees beside the roll with the red mark. He ripped off the covering, and the carpet unrolled, spilling an exquisite, intricate pattern of rich reds and greens across the gray concrete.
“Ahhh, beautiful!”
He ran his hand lightly over the dense, velvety surface, feeling the quality of the tight weave crafted by skilled artisans. Throwing a quick glance toward the door to the shop, he struggled to flip the heavy carpet over to locate the label of authentication. Carefully snipping the tiny threads that held the tag to the backing, his thoughts raced. Suddenly, his breath came in short puffs and joy coursed through his heart. There it was–the message he’d yearned to see these past twenty years.
Zada’s elegant gold Lexus disappeared down the driveway, and Jess turned back to her desk to gaze at the fat envelope. Eight thousand dollars in cash. Enough to make a serious dent in the debt–but not hers to spend. The commission on an eighty-thousand-dollar horse would be around twelve grand, but came out of the final payment, six months down the road. She sighed and tucked the envelope into the back of her locking desk drawer.
As she turned the key, Faith stepped into the office. Deep creases traced her once-beautiful skin and her red-rimmed eyes were puffy.
Jess held back a gasp. “Are you all right?”
Faith slumped into the chair. “I guess.” She gazed at her hands for a minute. “Jessie, I’m really sorry about yesterday. I can’t believe I’m so messed up. I have no business taking my problems out on you. It’s not your fault.”
Jess leaned her elbows on the desk. “Faith, you can lick this. You did it once, you can do it again. I’ll help. You know that.” She hesitated. “Did Bill come back?”
Silence, then a ragged sigh. “No, I think I pushed him past the limit. Guess I got what I deserve.”
Jess wanted to soothe Faith’s pain, but knew better. Facing up to one’s own actions was the first step in recovery from alcohol abuse, and well-meaning friends who treated the process lightly only worsened the situation.
“Faith, listen, we have a lot on our plate right now. I want you to promise you’ll pick up the phone and call me if you feel the urge to have a drink. We have to stay focused, or we’ll lose everything we’ve both worked so hard for.”
Faith’s lower lip quivered and her eyes glistened. “I promise. Thank you for not throwing me out.”
Jess moved around the desk to hug her friend. “Honey, I’ll never abandon you, no matter what happens.”
Jess played the message again. “This is the Hartford Women’s Clinic calling for Jessica Rayder. Please call Dr. Frame’s office as soon as possible.” She stared at the small red light on the answering machine in the kitchen. Now what? She’d had her annual exam the previous week, just before the horse show. Probably some mix-up with the insurance. While she finished making a sandwich, elevator music trickled through the receiver, and her thoughts moved on to the upcoming horse show, and all the things she still needed to do.
After five minutes on hold, the doctor came on the line. Jess instantly recognized the studied reassurance in his tone.
“Jessica, your mammogram has some questionable areas. I want you to come back for a repeat film.”
Heaviness pressed against her chest and she took a deep breath. “What does ‘questionable’ mean? Cancer?”
“Not necessarily. The anomalies could be technical error, or u
nderexposure, but since this is your baseline test, I want to double check. A tumor doesn’t necessarily mean malignancy, so don’t worry until we find out more. Hold on while I transfer you to the x-ray office.”
Jess nodded silently and, a few minutes later, made an appointment for Wednesday. She put the phone down, feeling the tremor in her stomach. Stay calm. He’s just being thorough.
Several of Faith’s advanced students were entered in the Hunter Jumper Silver Classic on the coming weekend, and Jess’s responsibilities included all the show paperwork. She buried herself in the details, building a barricade against the dark shadow of personal turmoil. The photocopier hummed and clicked, scanning and printing registration papers, health certificates, and parental consents for the minor exhibitors.
“Miss Jessica?”
She jumped, sending a stack of papers fluttering to the floor.
Samir hurried forward, dismay widening his eyes. “Oh, my! I am so sorry!”
Jess caught her breath. “I guess I was daydreaming or something. I didn’t hear you drive up.”
He began gathering up the scattered papers, his smile brightening his brown face and making his dark eyes sparkle. For a moment, Jess noticed his swarthy good looks, like those of the swashbuckling heroes of old adventure movies.
He handed her the rescued pages. “Next time, I will honk the horn, as we do in my country.” He chuckled. “There, we honk at everything, and at nothing.”
Jess turned off the copier, then faced him. ”What can I do for you this morning?”
“I have been thinking about Dania’s lessons. I have always thought it was foolishness, this desire to ride horses. She is so young, and there are many things she must learn to do before she becomes a grown woman.”
Jess’s heart sank. He’s going to pull her out.
He gestured expansively. “But I have seen how happy she is, and my wife’s pleasure, as well. I want to be more involved, be a part of their happiness.”
Jess quietly exhaled her relief. “That’s good. We believe students have a better chance at success when their parents are involved. You’re most welcome to come to Dania’s lessons.”
An embarrassed smile crept over his face. “That’s not exactly what I had in mind.”
“You want to take riding lessons?”
He laughed. “No, no. I would just like the opportunity to be around the stable, and enjoy the relaxing atmosphere.” His expression grew pensive. “I have spent my life in America building a business, making a place for my family in this wonderful country. I have taken no time for myself, made no room for play–only work, work, work. I want to change that.”
Jess suppressed her astonishment. “Samir, you’re welcome to visit any time.”
He bobbed his head and smiled broadly, his white teeth gleaming. “Shukran! Thank you! Thank you very much!”
An hour later, Jess watched the Mercedes glide down the driveway. She’d given him the deluxe barn-tour, and he’d seemed genuinely interested in the horses and the work routine. His enthusiasm for spending his leisure time at the barn puzzled her, but relief that Dania would continue to fill the stable coffers was her prevailing emotion.
“What did the A-Rab want?”
Jess looked up at Faith and scowled. “Stop calling him that! He just wanted to tell me what a great job we’re doing.” A shiver of anger moved across her shoulders. “You have to knock off the prejudice crap.”
Faith shrugged as she moved into the office. “Sorry. When will Dania’s horse be delivered?”
“As soon as I get him insured. Maybe by Friday, I don’t know.” She shook her head. “He might be too strong for a beginner. We’ll have to see. Oh, by the way, I’ll be out of the office Wednesday morning. Can you manage on your own?”
Faith bristled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Jess closed her eyes. “Faith, it means nothing. Lighten up.”
That evening, Jess curled up on the couch in front of the television, attempting to numb her brain with the inane problems of the shallow characters on the screen. It didn’t work. After twenty minutes of playing out every possible scenario about the x-ray appointment, she pushed the worry away to contemplate the envelope hidden in her desk. If she could double that money, all their problems would be solved. A thump ran through her pulse. After her doctor appointment, the whole thing might be academic.
She poured a glass of wine, and wandered out to the porch to think. The public poker tables at the casino weren’t the answer. She needed a big game, and a little time. She stared into the dark. Elvora had already given her an open invitation–why not?
Chapter 11
In the early morning light, Samir cruised slowly along the access road around Easton Ridge, memorizing the rustic countryside. The area was isolated, yet only minutes from major highways and transportation centers. A number of cars and trucks passed, headed in the opposite direction, and a large SUV roared up behind him, then swept past and disappeared around a curve. A little congested, but still a good location.
His thoughts turned to Jessica Rayder. A strong, independent woman, yes, but beneath the brittle exterior, he sensed panic. Her eyes held the wary look of a bird with a broken wing, waiting to be taken at any moment. If he could learn the source of her fear, it might strengthen his position.
Faith’s voice echoed outside the office door. Jess quickly placed the accounting ledger over the down-payment money, and pasted a bright smile on her face.
“All done with lessons?”
“Yeah, but I must have been having an off day. I didn’t have much patience with the older girls. I really shouldn’t need to remind them about things they learned years ago.”
Jess nodded, uncomfortably aware of the hidden money. “Maybe they’re just nervous about the show. When are you leaving for Springfield?”
“Thursday at six. I want to get in early so the horses have time to rest from the trip.”
“Okay. I’ll meet you up there around noon.”
Faith left the office, and Jess scooped up the money and stuffed it back into the envelope, doubt suddenly crashing in on her. I have no business even considering this idea. This is not my money. What if I lose it?
Casey was the last horse to come in for the night, and she trotted along briskly, bobbing her head in anticipation of dinner. Jess smiled, loving the familiarity of the evening routine. The old mare hurried to her feed bucket, and buried her nose in the fresh grain. Jess leaned on the stall door, relaxing into the serenity of the moment.
“Hello?”
What the hell is he doing here this time of night? She composed a smile, and turned to greet Samir, then almost laughed, but managing to curb the impulse in time. The proper businessman–always elegantly suited, white-shirted and necktied–wore stiff new blue jeans, a western shirt with pearl studs, and loud yellow snakeskin cowboy boots, complete with silver tips. The only thing missing was a Stetson.
Jess struggled for the right thing to say, but the words still came out wrong.
“Samir! Are you going to a rodeo?”
His happy expression faded into wide-eyed confusion. “Rodeo? Uh, no, I came to help with the chores.”
Remembering his astonishment that she and Faith were doing all the barn work, she smiled, a little ashamed, but genuinely grateful.
“Thanks. We can always use some help.”
The stench of urine-soaked stall bedding clung to Samir’s clothes, and permeated the interior of the Mercedes, masking its usual rich, leathery smell. He concentrated on the road, pushing away the disgusting odor and images of the afternoon’s unpleasant activities. Allaah had given him a direction and a purpose, and Samir was a most willing servant.
His cellphone chimed, then his pulse quickened at the voice he hadn’t heard in over two years.
“Samir, my old friend. I have news. Two fine carpets will be delivered to you next week. They are very expensive, and will require special handling. Store them in a protected place.”
/> Samir smiled. “I have the perfect spot. I will take good care of them.”
“Excellent. Good-bye, my friend. Allaahu akbar.”
Later that afternoon, Samir’s cellphone vibrated on the desk. He quickly set aside the daily accounting reports, and glanced around to see if anyone was nearby.
The caller’s brusque tone rumbled through the receiver. “Dirk Dickson here.”
“Ah, yes. Good afternoon. How are you today?”
“Didja wanna chat, or do ya want the info?”
Samir frowned. Americans are so rude. “Yes, please. What did you learn?” He listened, nodding slowly. “Mr. Dickson, would it be possible for you to continue your observation?”
“Sure, for another three hundred bucks.”
“It is no problem. I will meet you at the casino tonight, same place.”
Samir set the phone aside and nodded. The details were coming together nicely. Not only did the horsewomen face possible eviction, but apparently Miss Jessica also had some health problems. As he’d suspected, she was under a great deal of strain.
Chapter 12
Jess shivered in the tiny cubicle. Why do they keep these places so damned cold? She pulled at the paper gown, trying to cover herself. The sharp odor of disinfectant tickled her nasal passages, further elevating her anxiety. Suddenly, the dressing room curtain whisked aside, and she jumped.
“Okay, Miss Rayder, I’m ready for you.”
The plump technician waddled down the hall and into a small room, dominated by a floor-to-ceiling x-ray machine. She consulted a piece of paper, then gestured at Jess.
“He wants the right side. Slip off your gown and step up close to the machine.”
Jess’s skin pimpled in the chilly air, and she flinched as the technician positioned the breast on the cold metal film plate.
