by Lauren Carr
Now here Sierra was in a paddock with a new horse.
With her entourage at her side, Doris confirmed Helen’s suspicions. “I had nothing to do with it. It was all Christopher’s idea. And Nikki’s. And Sierra. I think Sterling had a hand in it as well, but I’m not sure. He’s been looking guilty, but that could be because he cheated on Thor.”
Bouncing with excitement, Sierra handed the lead to Nikki and climbed over the fence. “She’s not a race horse, Mom! She’s a quarter horse and she’s really gentle. Can I keep her, Mom? Please?”
With Emma’s arms wrapped around his waist, Chris didn’t move from where he chewed on a bit of straw while leaning against the paddock fence. Sitting on the ground, Katelyn petted Sterling who was watching the mare as if trying to decide if she was friend or foe.
“Where did she come from?” Helen asked.
“She’s a 4-H horse,” he said. “Her previous owner went off to college and didn’t have any time for her. She hasn’t been ridden in more than a year.”
“The owner’s mother is a patron at the library,” Doris said. “She knew Christopher would take good care of her.”
“Totally healthy,” Chris said. “Good temperament.”
“And she’s beautiful.” Sierra pressed her hands together in a prayer. “Please.”
“She’ll be here even if you don’t agree to take her,” Chris said.
“Can she be mine, Mom? I won’t ask for anything else. Please. Please. Please.”
Helen felt six pairs of eyes on her. Nine counting Sterling’s, Mocha’s, and Sadie’s. The only one missing was Thor, who was still giving Sterling the silent treatment since he had spent time with that blue sheltie.
Helen looked at Chris, who peered back at her from over his shoulder. “I need to talk to Chris.”
“Let’s step into my office. Ms. Clarke.” He tossed his head in the direction of the barn.
“Oh, boy, your daddy’s in trouble,” Helen heard Doris say as she stepped inside the barn.
Chris closed the door. “I did not buy that horse for Sierra.”
“Oh, yes, you did!”
He went to the stall where he kept Traveler, his gray gelding. “I bought her because she needed to be ridden. I knew that if I brought her here that she’d get the attention and love she’s used to.”
Rushing to his side, Helen gestured with her arms at the horse outside. “What did you expect bringing in a horse that’s perfect for her?”
“I expected Sierra to ride her.” Traveler hung his head over the gate, and Chris stroked him.
“You expected me to let Sierra keep her.”
“I didn’t expect that. I hoped for that.”
“Why didn’t you ask me?”
“Because I knew you’d say no. You always say no.”
“I don’t always say no!”
“When it comes to horses, yes, you always say no.”
“Because I don’t want her to have a horse.”
“Well, she wants a horse.”
“Well, we can’t always get what we want.”
“Don’t I know it and so do my girls!” He gestured toward the door, on the other side of which were his daughters. “They want their mother and that’s never going to happen!”
Helen covered her mouth with a gasp. “I’m so sorry.”
“I didn’t set out to …” His voice trailed off. He pressed his forehead against Traveler’s neck. Traveler rubbed against him. The horse seemed to give him comfort. Even as teenagers, Chris sought comfort with the horses rather than people. Maybe because the animals never failed him the way humans did. “I was bringing her here anyway. She’s very gentle. Sierra’s really taken a shine to her.”
Helen swallowed. “And what about us?”
“I’m not sure. I think she’s taken a shine to us, too. I mean, she keeps coming out every weekend. Could be she likes the horses more than she does me. I don’t know.”
“I meant you … and me … us.”
He squinted at her. “What about us?”
She struggled to come up with the right words. No matter how she said it, she sounded like an insecure teenager. “You haven’t called me in the last three days.”
“You know my number. If you want—” He cleared his throat. “You haven’t called me.”
“I’ve been busy chasing after the suspect in a double homicide,” she said. “Why didn’t you call me?”
Chris swept his arm in the direction of the paddock. “I’ve been sneaking around trading horses.”
She covered her mouth with her hand. “Then we’re okay?”
“I didn’t know we weren’t okay.” He cocked his head at her. “Were we having problems?”
Helen felt her cheeks flush. She shook her head.
Chris wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her in close. “Are you going to let Sierra keep the horse?”
“Depends.” She lifted her face to his. “Kiss me.”
He looked up to the rafters. “Ah, the things I do for you.” He kissed her softly on the lips.
With a sigh, she rested her head on his shoulder. “Sierra can have the horse.”
There was a shriek of joy from the other side of the barn doors. “She’s mine! Mom just said I can keep her!” A chorus of high-pitched screams of joy mixed liberally with barking dogs filled the air.
Clasping her hand, Chris picked up the tack box and went to the door.
“Listen, I just want to say something.” She pulled him back. “I can’t begin to understand what the last two weeks have been like for you and the girls. I mean, I can only imagine. You were moving on from losing Blair and then to lose her again.”
He said nothing as his eyes held hers.
“I know that this is hard for all of you. I backed off this week because I didn’t want to push you into something that you weren’t ready for—at least—ready for now. But I’m always going to be here for you. No matter what. Because I love you, Chris Matheson.” She waited for his response.
In silence, he reached into the tack box and picked up a brush. He held it out to her. “Now that you own a horse, you need to learn how to take care of her. We’ll start with learning how to brush her.”
Her fingers brushed over his when she took it.
“No need to be nervous, Helen Clarke.” He gave her a soft kiss on the lips. “I’ll be gentle.”
The End
About the Author
Lauren Carr
Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Thorny Rose, Lovers in Crime, Mac Faraday, and Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries—over twenty titles across four fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!
Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and humor.
Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband and two German Shepherds, including the real Sterling, on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.
Visit Lauren Carr’s website at www.mysterylady.net to learn more about Lauren and her upcoming mysteries.
Check Out Lauren Carr’s Mysteries!
Order! Order!
All of Lauren Carr’s books are stand alone. However for those readers wanting to start at the beginning, here is the list of Lauren Carr’s mysteries. The number next to the book title is the actual order in which the book was released.
Joshua Thornton Mysteries
Fans of the Lovers in Crime Mysteries may wish to read these two books which feature Joshua Thornton years before meeting Detective Cameron Gates. Also in these mysteries, readers will meet Joshua Thornton’s five children before they have flown the nest.
1) A Small Case of Murder<
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2) A Reunion to Die For
Mac Faraday Mysteries
3) It’s Murder, My Son
4) Old Loves Die Hard
5) Shades of Murder (introduces the Lovers in Crime: Joshua Thornton & Cameron Gates)
7) Blast from the Past
8) The Murders at Astaire Castle
9) The Lady Who Cried Murder (The Lovers in Crime make a guest appearance in this Mac Faraday Mystery)
10) Twelve to Murder
12) A Wedding and a Killing
13) Three Days to Forever
14) Open Season for Murder
16) Cancelled Vows
17) Candidate for Murder
23) Crimes Past
Lovers in Crime Mysteries
6) Dead on Ice
11) Real Murder
18) Killer in the Band
25) The Root of Murder (2019)
Thorny Rose Mysteries
15) Kill and Run
19) A Fine Year for Murder
22) Murder by Perfection
20) Twofer Murder
The Chris Matheson Mysteries
21) ICE
24) Winter Frost (2019)
Anthology - Spring Thaw (Mystery Short Story Collection
Attention Book-Clubbers!
Want to add some excitement to your next book club meeting? Are you curious about this mystery author’s theme regarding cold cases? Do you wonder where she picks up her inspiration for such interesting characters? What does she have planned next for the Geezer Squad? Well, now is your chance to ask this international best-selling mystery writer, in person, you and your book club.
That’s right. Lauren Carr is available to personally meet with your book club to discuss Winter Frost or any of her best-selling mystery novels.
Don’t worry if your club is meeting on the other side of the continent. Lauren can pop in to answer your questions via webcam. But, if your club is close enough, Lauren would love to personally meet with your group. Who knows! She may even bring her muse Sterling along!
To invite Lauren Carr to your next book club meeting, visit www.mysterylady.net and fill out a request form with your club’s details.
The Root of Murder
A Lovers in Crime Mystery
Homicide Detective Cameron Gates learned long ago that there is not such thing as a typical murder case. Each mystery is special in its own right—especially for the family of the victim.
The murder of a successful executive, husband and father seems open and shut when the murder weapon is found in his estranged son-in-law’s possession. When J.J. Thornton agrees to act as the defendant’s public defender, he assumes his first murder case will be a loss.
Only the report of a missing husband proves that this open-and-shut case is not so simple. Strap on your seatbelts for a wild ride in this mystery that all started with a simple DNA test from a geneology website.
Coming Early 2019!
