Waiting For Yes

by Claire Ashgrove

  He didn’t have a choice. If something happened to Gabrielle, he’d never be able to look at himself in the mirror again. A lump wedged in his throat. Swallowing, he worked it down far enough to manage, “I’ll help you with Mamoon, sugar.”

  “But you hate my horse,” she mumbled on a yawn.

  Jake lay quiet a long while, considering the truth in her observation. Yes, he hated Mamoon. Part of him felt as if he betrayed the woman who brought him into this world by offering to assist Gabrielle. The other half, however, would cut off his own limbs to protect Gabrielle. “I do,” he murmured more to himself than in answer to her observation. Besides, the sound of her level breathing told him she’d already drifted off to sleep once more. “But I love you.”

  Admitting it aloud justified all the turmoil churning around in his mind. Content his mother would forgive his reasoning, he gathered Gabrielle close and shut his eyes.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Gabrielle woke to find her bedroom empty and the fringes of a strange dream fogging her mind. She pushed up to one elbow and squinted at the light. In the distance the television droned in harmony with a radio. From her kitchen she caught the sound of running water. What in the world was Jake up to so early?

  She struggled to sit, but the warm fuzzy dream brought her back down against the pillows with a contented sigh. They’d been in the barn, working with the horses and talking about Scottsdale. Instead of snow, the fields rolled with stalks of harvested wheat and a cool autumn breeze drifted through the barn doors. Jake had offered to help her with Mamoon, and she, in her elation had thrown her arms around his neck with a delighted squeal. But what stirred her heart into a skipping rhythm was what came next—amidst soft kisses, Jake confessed his love.

  Gabrielle let out a soft giggle and pulled the heavy covers up to her chin. What a glorious fantasy. Maybe if she closed her eyes, she could go back to that timeless moment and hear his gravelly whisper again. She stretched, preparing to do just that.

  “Wake up, sleepyhead,” Jake called from the doorway.

  With a false groan of protest, Gabrielle pulled the comforter over her head. “It’s too early.”

  Jake exposed her with one swift yank of the covers. He grinned down, his features alight with mischief. “It’s nine. I’ve already done the dishes, picked up the kitchen, and fed the horses.”

  She blinked as she sat up. “What got into you?”

  He plucked a sweatshirt off her dresser and tossed it at her. “Tow truck’s coming in a half-hour.”

  “Oh.” Disappointment shattered the remnants of her dream. That’s why he was in a hurry—eager to get his rig fixed. Which meant he was eager to get on the road. So much for the fantasy of falling in love.

  She sighed and swung her legs off the side of the bed.

  Her jeans landed on the mattress beside her. “When I get back, we have horses to work.”

  “We do?”

  Jake nodded as she tugged on her clothes. He piled her boots and a pair of socks in front of her. “The electricity’s on. The horses are in their stalls. Well, not their stalls maybe, but in stalls. Except Rajiv and Mamoon. I’ve got their buckets working, and we have to get your two stallions inside so we can see what Mamoon remembers of his training days.”

  Gabrielle’s head spun. That had to be the most he’d ever said at one time—and the fastest too. What in the world had gotten into him? Had he drunk an entire pot of coffee already? “What are you talking about?”

  He paused in the doorway and glanced over his shoulder with a curious frown. “Don’t you remember last night? I told you I’d help you with Mamoon.”

  The wind fled Gabrielle’s lungs as if she’d been kicked in the gut. But she’d been dreaming…hadn’t she? Eyes wide, she stared at his retreating form. Holy shit. If his offer of help hadn’t been a dream, what about the rest? Had Jake told her he loved her?

  She flew into motion. A few quick yanks of her hairbrush, and she fashioned her hair into a ponytail. Patting her cheeks to slap away the sleep, she hurried down the hall to the kitchen. There, breakfast greeted her. Piled in the middle of the table sat a plateful of pancakes, a bottle of syrup and a container of butter. Beside her empty plate stood her coffee cup, steam rising from the lip.

  “Good morning.” Jake planted a lingering kiss on her mouth.

  Baffled, Gabrielle sat down at the table. She didn’t know what to make of this bundle of energy shuffling around her kitchen as if he belonged in it. “Um.” She faltered, uncertain what to say. “Do you want to take my truck and follow the tow truck?”

  As Jake sat down opposite her, he flashed her a bright smile. “I didn’t know if you’d be comfortable with that.”

  “I don’t mind.” How could she after waking up to this? Good grief, the man had taken care of every chore she had, and then some. Even at home in Arizona, where her parents had more hired staff than she could keep track of, she’d always had something she had to do. Glancing about at her spotless kitchen, she chuckled. “You didn’t do my laundry, did you?”

  Jake grinned over the edge of his mug. “If pancakes didn’t come in a box with directions, there’d be no breakfast. But I draw the line at laundry, sugar.”

  “Then why don’t you give me your dirty clothes, and I’ll do that while you’re gone.”

  He shook his head. “Not necessary.”

  “I know. But I’ve got washing to do. No sense in making you do your own. Especially since you’ve left me with nothing to do this morning.

  “That was kind of the intent.” He laughed between mouthfuls. “Are you going to eat or sit there and stare at it till it gets cold?”

  A blush crept into her cheeks, warming them. She picked up the syrup and doused her pancakes. “Thank you,” she murmured beneath her breath as she took a bite.

  Jake nodded.

  “So, ah, what’s the occasion?” With a gesture of her fork, she indicated the house. If he’d confessed to loving her last night, perhaps he’d say it again. She certainly didn’t intend to come out and ask directly. But a little digging might prompt the confession once more.

  He shrugged. “You’ve been taking care of me for a bit now. Figured it was the least I could do. Besides, I got up early and didn’t want to wake you.”

  Damned early, if he’d had time to finish everything he’d listed. On her best, most-organized day, she’d have had to get up at five to accomplish so much. “Did I steal the covers?”

  “Nope. Just had stuff on my mind.”

  Stuff like being in love with her, maybe? A little thrill trickled down her spine, quickening her pulse. The possibility was entirely too fantastic to believe, yet, she couldn’t help but hope. If he’d fallen that deep, he wouldn’t leave.

  A low horn outside brought Jake to his feet. He dabbed his mouth with a folded-up paper towel, then dropped it on the table. “That’s the tow.”

  Gabrielle pointed at the key hook hanging on the wall. “Truck keys are there. Just tell Wally you’re following him. He won’t care.”

  “Wally?” Jake pulled his coat on and grabbed the keys.

  A smirk tugged at the corners of Gabrielle’s mouth. “We only have one tow truck around here, Jake. This isn’t the big city, you know.”

  He pursed his lips, giving her a mock scowl. “Everyone needs a smart-ass.” With a quick brush of his mouth against her cheek, he hurried out the door.

  The silence that followed held the effect of a tornado’s power. If not for the distant sound of country music drifting from her studio, she’d swear she’d gone deaf. Shaking her head at the closed door, she eased away from the table. What the hell was that?

  Halfway across the room, her steps slowed. The last time Jake had been in the barn without her, he’d returned in a similar mood. She looked out the window, taking in the tracks in the snow that marked his comings and goings. The horses. When he was with them, he turned into a different person. As if something lifted from his shoulders, a weight she couldn’t see he car
ried.

  She knew that feeling all too well. More than once Margie had ordered her to spend time with her horses when her mood soured. When horses lived in a person’s blood, they had a way of making everything…right.

  Good Lord, how had she failed to notice that until now? The horses changed Jake. He didn’t only know how to handle them, they were part of him—even if he’d left them behind long ago. So why, why, would he pretend indifference? Why keep that kind of enjoyment a secret?

  ****

  Gabrielle’s truck smelled like her. The lingering scent of her shampoo clung to the upholstery, surrounding Jake with memories of the first night he’d driven the pickup. It seemed as if months had passed since he’d given in to the impulsive offer to lead her home. What he’d intended as a casual politeness, meant only to convince her into seeing him a second time, had turned into an encounter that defied logic. Surreal. Impossible.

  Driving her truck now, added an even greater sense of intimacy. Especially with her at the house, not seated beside him. This was something couples did—lend their vehicles to each other. Not something meant for strangers.

  The thought warmed his blood.

  But as he nosed into her driveway, and his gaze settled on the two stallions grazing in the paddock, slivers of ice filtered through that comfortable warmth. Mamoon. In a few minutes, he’d come toe-to-toe once more with that wretched beast. All he really wanted to do was shoot it and dance over its lifeless body. Not pretend he wanted this horse to win at Scottsdale. If the stallion took home a championship, that would only give Gabrielle more reason to keep the thing alive.

  What had he gotten himself into?

  Damn it all, why did she have to possess the same stubbornness his mother had? If she’d just listen to reason, he could find her a horse that would bring home the blue several times over. But no, she had her heart set on this one.

  He killed the engine and gazed through the windshield at the liver chestnut stallion. He couldn’t fault Gabrielle for being fascinated with the horse. Truth to tell, Mamoon was the epitome of Arabian beauty. He had a presence Jake’s hatred couldn’t overlook. Out there in the snow, his chiseled head lifted toward the distant pasture, he was nothing less than breathtaking. Too damn bad his personality didn’t match the magnificent exterior.

  Jake heaved a sigh and palmed the keys. Stalling wouldn’t make this afternoon pass any more quickly. Better to get the inevitable over with. He’d offered. He had to come through. Muttering, he jumped out of the cab, made his way to the porch, and let himself inside.

  Gabrielle’s bright smile erased all his hesitation. She stood in the dining room, a pile of folded clothes stacked on her formal table. Her hands were full, but her expression said she’d throw her arms around him if she could.

  She missed me.

  There was something incredibly magnificent about that discovery. His heart drummed a faster beat, and while he approached her casually, he fought excitement. Though he’d been away only a couple of hours, he felt like a man who’d just come off several weeks on the road.

  At her side, he plucked a sweatshirt from her hands—his sweatshirt, he realized as he dropped it on the table. He slid his hand into hers and gave her a tug, bringing her into his arms so he could kiss her fully. As a fission of desire sparked deep inside, he drew the kiss to a close. Now wasn’t the time for distraction. “Ready to tackle your stallion?”

  She gave him a quick nod. “I set out everything I thought we might need. Saddle, bridle, halter, whip, crop, girth—it’s all in the aisle waiting.”

  “Good. Get your coat on, sugar.”

  The happiness that radiated from her made everything worthwhile. All the uncomfortable sensations vanished as he watched her rush for her coat. He chuckled softly and joined her at the back door. “This isn’t going to be easy. You’ve got a lot to learn in a short time. But I’ll do my best, Gabrielle.”

  “I know. I’m a quick study though.”

  Quick study or not, today wouldn’t be easy. Her elbow in his grasp, he escorted her outside to Mamoon and Rajiv’s paddock. As she reached for Rajiv’s halter, Jake stopped her. “Why don’t you take Mamoon.”

  She blinked.

  “You’re the one he has to respect. We start here. You know he’s going to have a fit going into the barn.” At Gabrielle’s hesitant nod, Jake gazed at her with more insistence. “He can’t win, sugar. You can do this.”

  God, he hoped so.

  He put Mamoon’s halter in her hand and nudged her through the gate. Both stallions looked up, but where Rajiv returned to his hay, Mamoon’s attention locked on Gabrielle. Apprehension set Jake’s nerves on edge. The way the stallion watched her was unreal—suspicious yet curious all at the same time. Please don’t let this be a mistake.

  Jake haltered Rajiv in a hurry. Yet, as he turned to inspect Gabrielle’s progress, his eyes widened. Halter secured, Mamoon had his nose beneath her hand, patient and submissive. So far, so good.

  He led Rajiv closer, intending to praise Gabrielle. At five feet away, he stopped short as Mamoon whipped his head toward Rajiv. Ears flat, teeth bared, he lurched forward.

  “Hey!” Gabrielle snapped the lead before Jake could fully recover. In an instant, Mamoon settled. Though his ears remained flat against his head and malice glinted in his dark eyes, he didn’t move.

  Jake backed off, turning his horse for the barn. A glance over his shoulder revealed Mamoon following obediently, all signs of aggression masked by a complacent walk. Damned strange. That beast could go from hot to cold faster than a damned woman. Predicting what he’d do next was impossible.

  At the rolling door to the barn, Jake sucked in a fortifying breath, marched Rajiv a good three horse lengths inside, and waited. Gabrielle approached at a wary pace. Her voice rang low with words of encouragement.

  Mamoon balked at the entry, his legs locking like pistons.

  “C’mon, boy.” A gentle tug with a sideways step made progress. Mamoon took a half step forward. Jake held his breath.

  “That’s a good boy,” Gabrielle crooned. “C’mon inside.”

  Another half step, and Mamoon’s nose crossed the threshold. But as Rajiv nickered, Mamoon’s head shot skyward, his eyes bulging with fright. He scuttled backward so fast Gabrielle tripped. For one heart-stopping moment, Jake knew she’d fall. Knew those hooves would trample her as they hurried to escape. But as she held her balance and stopped Mamoon’s retreat, his lungs expanded in relief.

  Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all. “Gabrielle…”

  She held her hand up, silencing him. Stepping in closer to her stallion, she ran her hand down his graceful neck. Jake opened his mouth to protest again, but snapped it shut when she shrugged out of her coat and gingerly covered his face. Brilliant. He shook his head, mystified.

  At a snail’s pace, she brought him forward. The shavings rustled beneath his hooves. His nostrils flared, his mistrust evident. Still, the horse did as she asked. Jake didn’t dare move until she had Mamoon in the center of the aisle. Then, he dropped Rajiv’s lead and darted for the door, rolling it shut and denying Mamoon escape.

  “I’m going to put Rajiv in a stall before you uncover his face.”

  Gabrielle nodded, her nails working circles on Mamoon’s withers to keep him calm.

  Jake wasted no time in fastening Rajiv into the stall he’d cleaned earlier. He took the halter off. Unconcerned by his handler’s haste, the older stallion focused his attention on the fresh hay.

  “Okay,” Jake called.

  Gabrielle eased her coat off Mamoon’s head. Breath held, Jake stood against the stall wall, waiting for the stallion to erupt. Mamoon pranced and pawed. Each footfall made Jake’s heart stutter as those hooves came closer and closer to Gabrielle’s feet. Yet she held her ground, dancing around his antics, never breaking the constant flow of nonsensical chatter as she tried to soothe him.

  “Sugar, see if you can walk it out of him.”

  She nodded and march
ed the stallion up and down the aisle. On the third pass, Mamoon surrendered. With a long, shuddering snort, the stallion dropped his nose and followed on a loose lead. Gabrielle rewarded him with a nub of carrot that she fished from her pocket.

  Jake couldn’t hold back a chuckle. Leave it to a woman to spoil a horse with treats. However, in this instance, he’d take whatever success he could get. “Let’s cross tie him.” He held out a long length of chain affixed near the rafters.

  A smile brightening her face, Gabrielle walked Mamoon to the crossties. The horse didn’t object, didn’t so much as twitch an ear, as they clipped the ends to the sides of his halter. Jake passed her a brush and hoofpick, allowing her to groom the stallion while he gathered the tack they’d use in the arena.

  English saddle under one arm, bridle over his shoulder, whip in his back pocket, and longe line and training halter in his other arm, he returned to Gabrielle’s side. Time to find out what this crazy beast remembered and discover whether Gabrielle’s dream was destined for failure.

  Mamoon cocked his head, watching Jake’s approach. The nearer Jake came, the wider the stallion’s eyes grew. In one powerful surge, Mamoon careened backward on his hind legs. One foreleg hooked over the crosstie chain, forcing Mamoon to crash forward. The tension snapped the restraint. The chain whipped sideways, belting Gabrielle across the face.

  With a cry, she clutched her temple and doubled over against the stall wall. Letting out a deafening whinny, Mamoon struggled with the remaining chain. Spinning sideways, he twined it around his neck, and the pressure sent him further into panic. His hind end danced closer toward a distracted Gabrielle.

  Jake dropped the tack. “Gabby!” He rushed forward. Oh, goddamn, he had to get her out of there before that horse hurt her seriously.

  As if Mamoon could sense his intent, the stallion spun counter-clockwise, placing himself squarely between Gabrielle and Jake. Jake’s life flashed before his eyes, the horror of Gabrielle’s predicament churning bile up his throat. No!

  The force of Mamoon’s whirl sent him colliding into Gabrielle. She crashed into the stalls. Her head slammed into the metal bars. The thud spurred Jake forward. Dodging a kick, he grabbed Gabrielle’s arm and dragged her out of the way.