STUDS AND STILETTOS (Romantic Mystery)

by Bev Pettersen

  Just not enough to satisfy Dan.

  She blew out a mournful sigh. At least she’d managed to stretch the background employment into a few extra days. But now she had to leave, return to her boring apartment and hunt for another job. Or crawl back to Three Brooks and endure the condescending comments from old co-workers. A wave of self-pity swept her.

  She gave an impatient shake of her head and pulled out her phone. It was pointless to worry too far ahead. The least she could do was take good care of Barney for her remaining day. She pressed Jenna’s number, wincing at the low battery warning. Tomorrow though, she’d be back in her apartment and able to use her charger. The thought didn’t give much comfort.

  “Hi, movie star.” Jenna’s teasing voice instantly lifted her spirits.

  “It’s just a background part,” Emily said quickly. “It was fun though. I held the horse playing Reckless. He was rearing and everything.”

  “Do you say anything?”

  “Well, no. It’s background.” Emily hated how her voice turned defensive. “But I’m looking after a couple of horses too. I almost like that job more. One of them does tricks, like grabbing things from your hand. That’s actually why I’m calling. We had some bad hay yesterday and he started wheezing. I’m wetting his feed but the air in the barn still feels dusty.”

  “Get him outside,” Jenna said. “Twenty-four seven.”

  “I can’t. He’s on stall rest, tendon. He’ll run around in the paddock.”

  “Then make sure his windows are open, that the bedding isn’t dusty and wet his hay. If that doesn’t help, start with a bronchodilator and then some Dex. The best thing though would be to find a way to keep him outside.”

  Jenna sounded faintly disapproving and Emily wanted to explain that it was impossible to keep the horse outside. Besides she was only looking after him for another day; she’d been fired that very morning.

  But when she glanced over her shoulder, Barney watched with liquid brown eyes, totally trusting her to deliver his breakfast. And take good care of him. “Okay, thanks,” Emily said. “I’ll figure something out. How are your exams going?”

  “Wrote a tough one yesterday. Wally is coming by for pizza later, and then it’s back to studying. I’m finished tomorrow night.”

  “Is Burke still away?”

  “Yes.” Jenna’s voice turned tight.

  “That’s good,” Emily said, hoping to cheer her up. “Now you’ll have more time to study. You and Burke would be doing other stuff if he were around.”

  “Probably.” But Jenna’s laugh sounded brittle. “I offered to fly out after my exams, but he said not to bother.”

  “Which makes total sense if he’s coming home soon,” Emily said. She wanted to ask if she should wet Barney’s grain in addition to the hay, but it sounded like Jenna had her own problems. “You know Burke works incredibly long hours while he’s away,” she added. “So he can spend more time with you at Three Brooks.”

  “But he sounded almost secretive. So unlike him.”

  Emily paced a circle in the aisle. Burke dealt in black and white, and rarely was secretive. However, Jenna was clearly cranked from studying. And with Burke away, it seemed more important than ever to give her sister a carefree weekend.

  “Just hang in there,” Emily said. “Worry about your exams first. The other stuff will fall into place.”

  “Sounds like you’re throwing my words back at me, little sis.” But Jenna chuckled, sounding more like her old self. “And I’m glad you found something you like. You were right about sticking with acting. How much longer does this job last? Another month?”

  Emily winced. “I guess movie employment is always a scramble.”

  “What’s that mean?” Jenna’s voice sharpened. “By the way, you sound funny. Do you have a cold?”

  “A little.” Emily rubbed her forehead, then tugged the zipper of Dan’s jacket higher. At least she wasn’t sneezing. And she was no longer famished, even though she couldn’t remember her last meal.

  “You need to get rid of that cold,” Jenna said. “They probably don’t want sick people around a movie set.”

  “No, they definitely don’t.” Emily gave a wry smile, remembering the director’s irritation when she sneezed. Dan though, had been sweet.

  Not too sweet though. Her smile faded. After all, he’d just fired her.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  “No problem,” Monty said. “Construction is finished here so you’re welcome to the wood from the scrap pile.” He tossed three moldy bales from the back of a pickup then walked to the cab. “What are you building?”

  “Just making a temporary paddock so Barney can get outside.” Emily scanned the stack of wood. “I only need a few rails.”

  “Take as many as you want. All this wood is trash.” He pulled open his truck door. “I’m going into Louisville, but I can help you later.”

  Emily politely declined, waiting until he drove away. Monty was already extremely busy. All the wranglers were. Besides, Jenna was correct. Barney shouldn’t be left in the barn any longer than necessary. And Emily certainly wasn’t going to twiddle her thumbs waiting for help.

  There was an empty lane between two of the end paddocks. With the addition of a few poles, Barney could have the perfect turnout. And now that she’d found some properly sized rails, the air quality problem would be solved.

  She balanced a rail on each shoulder and began the trek back to the barn. The poles weren’t heavy but they were certainly awkward. Twice she dropped them on her toes. Eventually she gave up trying to move them in pairs and dragged them back, one at a time. It slowed her progress but forty-five minutes later, she had six rails piled in the narrow aisle between the paddocks.

  She returned to the barn and gathered a fistful of baler twine. “You boys can both go out in a minute,” she called to the horses. She and Jenna had often used baler twine for repairs. The stuff was free, plentiful and tough.

  Twenty minutes later, she had a safe turnout, not much bigger than Barney’s stall. She wiped her clammy brow, studying the pen in satisfaction. Now Barney could be outside in the fresh air but restricted enough that he wouldn’t run around and foolishly hurt his tendon.

  She quickly rewrapped his legs, eager to take him outside and watch his reaction. He followed her out the door, stepping carefully over the poles and into the turnout, then waited like a gentleman while she tied up the rails.

  “There you are.” She unsnapped his lead line.

  He immediately dropped to his knees and rolled luxuriously. She watched with a twinge of fear, praying he wouldn’t scramble up and buck. Or worse, try to jump out.

  But he rose, shook himself like a dog, and began searching for patches of green grass, totally accepting of his new pen.

  She hurried back into the barn, haltered Ted and led him into the adjoining paddock. Ted nickered to Barney, relieved to see his buddy, and immediately began grazing on the other side of the fence. They both looked happy to be outside, and it was certainly healthier.

  She’d feed them noon hay in an hour, and at some point the stalls would have to be mucked out. Now though, she was exhausted. Her arms ached, and her eyes and nose itched. At least the day had warmed. The sun beat down, heating her shoulders and for the first time since Dan left, she wasn’t cold.

  She leaned against the fence post, reluctant to leave Barney unsupervised. However, he was a polite and obliging fellow and seemed to understand he was supposed to remain in his odd enclosure. Maybe later, when she had more energy, they could practice the grab trick.

  She sank down on the grass and rested her back against the wooden post. A bee buzzed around her hand. She watched it cautiously but it was only exploring, and the familiar drone made her feel at home. It was extremely peaceful. The groom who had been assigned this apartment certainly had a sweet deal.

  Last week she wouldn’t have considered groom’s work ‘sweet,’ but helping with the horses was far more inspiring than standing a
round for hours, only to be berated for sneezing. Here, she was her own boss. She definitely appreciated Dan’s management style. It was way more motivating than the usual threats and lectures.

  She tilted further against the fence, enjoying the sound of the munching horses. Probably she should text Jenna. Let her know Barney was outside and thank her for the advice. She also needed to figure out how to make some money when she returned to her apartment.

  But for now, the sun was shining, the horses’ contentment was contagious and there really wasn’t any other place she’d rather be.

  *

  “This is the spot,” Dan said, reaching into the back seat for the food and blankets. “Just drop me off by the barn door.”

  “Want me come back?” the driver asked.

  “No. I’ll walk. Just leaving some stuff for one of my crew.”

  “I’ve been driving people around for three weeks now,” the driver said, glancing around curiously, “but this is the first time I’ve been here. Pretty spot. Is it part of the Hamilton estate?”

  “Yes. The barn was originally built for Reckless but he didn’t like it, so they turned it into a stud barn.” Dan balanced the food on top of the mound of blankets and pushed open the van door.

  “Spoiled horse.” The driver peered up at the fancy balcony and gave a low whistle.

  Spoiled something, Dan thought, but probably not the horse. If rumors were true, Thomas Hamilton had built this place so he could keep his groom conveniently close. Right beneath his wife’s nose.

  Anthony was pushing that angle in the movie too, leaning toward young and pretty grooms. Shania’s necklines were constantly being lowered. And every day, Thomas Hamilton surveyed the action, beaming like he was king of the stud pen again. Clearly he loved having women around, especially if they showed a little flesh.

  Lizzie didn’t trust the man, preferring not to walk alone in the dark. Hamilton didn’t scare Emily though. She’d been totally content sleeping in a stall…and then with him. Dan scraped a hand over his jaw. Damn, it had been a frustrating night, trying to ignore those tempting curves, the sweet way she’d curled against his chest. Luckily she’d been exhausted.

  But no way was he going near a hungry actress. He preferred a simple woman, one not seduced by movie moguls or the lure of fame. A woman who wouldn’t blow her kids a kiss and bolt for greener pastures. A woman he could trust.

  And one who would trust him.

  He shook his head, shoving aside old hurts. Most of the demanding horse scenes had been completed, but he still needed to focus. It only took a moment of inattention for someone to be hurt. Lizzie’s admission that Emily had nearly been kicked still had his gut churning.

  He shouldn’t have put her in charge of the stud barn but had been swayed by her pluck and determination. And admittedly, he’d been attracted from the first moment they met. He couldn’t stop looking at her. But that was a piss poor reason to hire someone.

  Besides, Emily’s end goal was to be an actress, not look after animals. And wranglers needed to have the horses’ care as top priority. He strode down the aisle and inspected the stalls, shaking his head at their messy appearance. Almost eleven and she hadn’t even mucked out yet. At least, she’d fed breakfast. Uneaten hay still littered the empty stalls.

  Empty. He groaned, his irritation changing to concern. He’d told her not to lead the chestnut without him, and the Reckless lookalike was on strict stall rest. Irreparable damage could be done if the bay further strained that injured tendon.

  He yanked open the apartment door and climbed the stairs two at a time, his steps deliberately loud. It was time for her to get up anyway.

  But she wasn’t napping on the sofa or holed up in the bathroom. He dropped the food and blankets on the table and went back downstairs, his steps not quite as aggressive.

  Generally he liked his stalls cleaned immediately; a tidy barn looked much more professional. On the other hand, she wouldn’t be working here much longer. He could hardly expect her to whip through her chores when she’d just been let go. And obviously she was sick.

  This morning her throat had been raspy, her forehead feverish and her mouth…her mouth had been entirely kissable.

  He sighed and stepped out of the barn, hating to admit he’d kept her around for selfish reasons. Movie sets weren’t the place to pick up women, at least not the type of woman he wanted.

  Luckily, Lizzie had noticed Emily was at risk. He’d been too busy noticing other things.

  He rounded the corner of the barn and scanned the paddocks. If the bay had some grass to nibble he might not run and exacerbate his injury. Regardless, Dan resolved not to scold her for turning the horses out. He was late, and this was his fault for not checking her references. In fact, he’d completely disregarded his usual protocol. No wonder Lizzie had been huffy.

  His shoulders jerked and he quit worrying about the horses. Could only stare in horror at the slender body crumpled on the ground. Emily was down. She must have been kicked. Lizzie’s warning had come too late.

  He charged across the grass. Dropped to his knees and scanned her head for injury. “Emily,” he said.

  Her eyes flickered open and she gave him such a beautiful smile, his breath stalled. “What happened?” he asked, his voice rough.

  She blinked and tried to struggle to a sitting position.

  “Don’t move.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders, forcing her to sit still. “Did he kick?”

  She rubbed at her eyes, still silent.

  “Where did he get you?” He pushed her hair back, inspecting the skin around her temples. No mark, thank God. When his cousin had been dropped by a horse, the imprint of the hoof had been visible.

  She tilted her head, her eyes confused. “Barney didn’t kick me,” she said. “Or Ted.”

  “Oh, sweetheart, that’s good.” He tucked her against his pounding heart, his hand still splayed over the back of her head. “I thought you were hurt. Lying in the grass like that.”

  She didn’t say anything else but she didn’t pull away either, just lay in his arms as she had this morning. Her hair was silky, her skin soft and warm and he tugged her even tighter, his relief overpowering his usual control. She wasn’t shivering, not like last night, and even though they’d slept side by side, somehow this felt more intimate. He could almost pretend they weren’t on a movie set, but back on the verandah of his ranch, surrounded by grazing horses and the sweeping Montana sky.

  His jacket was rolled up a few feet away, the indent of a head still visible and he smiled into her hair. “What exactly were you doing out here?” he asked, trying to sound firm but unable to stop chuckling. Part of it was relief and the other part was simply that her free spirit left him light.

  She lifted her head, her mouth curving into that irrepressible smile. “Okay, busted. I was napping on the job. But it’s impossible to be fired twice. And I did move some poles.”

  She went on talking about why she couldn’t wait for leading help because of Barney’s breathing, but his mind quit processing. He’d been strung too tight and that rosebud-shaped mouth was too appealing. And so close their breaths blended.

  She silenced, as if sensing the direction of his thoughts.

  He caressed her bottom lip with the pad of his thumb, his eyes holding hers. Right now, it didn’t matter that she was an actress and leaving tomorrow. He wanted her with a surprising ferocity. He slid his hand around the back of her neck and slanted his mouth over hers.

  Her lips were sweet and inviting, her breasts warm and full against his chest. He coaxed her mouth open. Her breath shuddered out, and then she kissed him back, their tongues meeting in a slow erotic dance that left him hungry for more.

  A truck roared beyond the trees and he reluctantly lifted his head. His pulse beat wildly and he drew in a ragged breath, wishing they really were back on his ranch. Alone.

  “Obviously I don’t want you to leave,” he whispered, pressing his mouth against her neck, savorin
g the scent of her skin.

  “Earlier this morning you did.” He couldn’t see her face but the hurt in her words was unmistakable.

  “The last thing I want is for you to be hurt,” he said. “This job isn’t what you signed up for. You’re an actress, not a wrangler.” He couldn’t keep the accusation out of his voice.

  She pulled back, studying him with confused eyes. Not surprising. His ambivalence about this woman left him confused too.

  “Let’s go inside.” His voice gentled. “I brought some food. Looks to me like you haven’t been eating much.”

  “The dining room keeps closing before I get there,” she admitted.

  A painful band tightened around his chest. She didn’t have a car or groceries, and the dining tent had limited hours. Food was always available at the hotel where most of the cast and crew stayed, and the wranglers had access to a trailer kitchen. But she was a background performer. An add-on. She certainly hadn’t been eating steak and lobster.

  “I assumed you had breakfast,” he said, fighting his guilt, “but I brought soup and crackers. Stuff like that.” It didn’t sound like much now. He’d simply been thinking it made sense to have some food in the apartment. “Did you eat this morning?”

  She scooped up his jacket from the grass, not meeting his eyes. “I often don’t eat breakfast.”

  “But you like coffee. Did you even have coffee?”

  “I’ve been busy.”

  “Not busy cleaning stalls,” he said, slightly defensive. It wasn’t his fault she hadn’t eaten. It didn’t take long to toss two horses some hay and grain. And the stalls were still dirty.

  “I’m going to clean the stalls now.” Her mouth tightened in a rebellious line. “I just wanted to have a little nap first.”

  He sighed and pulled her to her feet, careful to avoid touching the abrasions on her palms. “Eat something first. Then do the stalls. Don’t take everything as a criticism.”