On the Run

by Iris Johansen

  “I’ve thought of a name for him. What about Maestro?”

  “That’s a pretty big name for such a little guy.”

  “But I can see he’s going to be special. Look at the way he’s lifting his head. He has a sort of . . . flair.”

  And how could Frankie see that in this bumbling colt? “Then Maestro is a fine name.” She squeezed her daughter’s shoulder and turned away. “I’ll be back soon. I’m going out to the paddock.”

  Frankie nodded, her gaze never leaving the colt.

  A few minutes later Grace was leaning on the paddock fence.

  You’re a father, Charlie. He’s the cutest colt I’ve ever seen, and Frankie’s in love with him. I wonder what you’ll feel when you see him. . . .

  Any word from your sheikh?” Donavan asked when Kilmer picked up his call.

  “He’s not my sheikh,” Kilmer said. “He’s independent as hell and he’s kept me waiting for six damn days.”

  “No answer?”

  “Not even the twitch of an eyebrow to give me a clue.” He paused. “How are things there?”

  “The same as yesterday. Well, maybe not quite the same. One of the horses let Grace stroke him this afternoon.”

  “Damn. Which one?”

  “I don’t know. I can’t tell them apart from this distance. She’s been separating them for several hours every day and then letting them be together in the evening.”

  “Have you seen Frankie?”

  “Only a couple times in the past few days. She stays inside the stable with the colt except when they bring him out into the paddock. But she looks fine.”

  “And Grace?”

  “She looks like she’s lost a little weight. It wouldn’t surprise me, considering that she’s working with that horse from sunrise to sunset.” He paused. “You didn’t have me here nine years ago when she was working with the Pair. She’s extraordinary. I think she’s reading that horse’s mind.”

  “Don’t say that to her. She gets very annoyed at any comparisons to horse whisperers.”

  “Still, it’s fascinating watching her. Half the time I think that horse is going to stomp her to death and the other half I’m wondering why she doesn’t hurry up and try to ride him.”

  “She’s that close?”

  “Close enough for me to tell you to get your ass in gear. You told me Marvot would only wait to take them to the Sahara until the horses could be ridden. He comes every day and checks out her progress.”

  “Is he treating Grace and Frankie well?”

  “As far as I can tell. I see the guards bringing them food and they keep their distance. But there are enough guards around them to keep the crown jewels safe. You were right, it would be difficult as hell to get to them here.”

  “Then it has to be the desert.”

  “That’s my guess.”

  “How are you doing?”

  “I’m almost a hundred percent. All this lying around watching El Tariq is like a rest cure. I’m jonesing for some action.”

  “I’ve got a hunch it’s going to come pretty damn soon. I can’t wait any longer. I’m going to try to light a fire under the Sheikh. As soon as I get a commitment, I’ll come there and take your place. I’ll call you tomorrow.” Kilmer hung up.

  Shit. Frustration was boiling through him. If Grace was getting nearer to riding the horse, then Marvot might be bringing her here any time.

  He strode across the encampment and into the Sheikh’s tent. “Okay, I’ve had it. I’m sick of this inscrutable bullshit. I need an answer.”

  “You have it wrong.” He smiled. “The Orientals are the ones who are supposed to be inscrutable. And you’re not being courteous. After all, it’s you who have asked the favor of me.”

  “Yes or no?”

  “You’re tense. Do you need a woman? I’ll arrange it. Fatima enjoyed you when you were here last. She told me that anytime you—”

  “I don’t need a woman. Answer me.”

  The Sheikh’s smile widened. “That annoyed you. I was only setting an example in courtesy. You clearly need it.”

  “Time’s running out. I let my friend stand in for me at El Tariq. I need to be there.”

  “I’ve been thinking about it,” the Sheikh said. “It’s not a problem that’s easy to solve. Do I risk my people to satisfy some sense of vengeance? Or do I stand back and watch Marvot run over you and get what he wants?”

  “If you don’t make up your mind, you’re not going to have a choice.”

  “Oh, I’ve made up my mind. I fear I’m not as responsible a leader as I could be.”

  “And that means?”

  “Why, that I’m going to skewer the bastard.”

  The stallion was standing straight and still in the paddock, staring at her. The moonlight shining on his coat turned it to silver, and he looked like an animal from a world of myth and wizardry. Grace could feel the excitement surge through her as her hands tightened on the top bar of the fence. Charlie wasn’t a creature of myth. He was flesh and blood, and she’d soon see if her own flesh and blood would survive him.

  I’m turning Hope out to see you in a few minutes. She’s getting to like Frankie since Maestro was born. She can see how kind and loving she is to the colt. And she knows that my daughter is no threat to her. Just as you know I’m no threat to you.

  I’m going to ride you tomorrow. Not early in the day. It will be about this time of night. I don’t want our enemy around when I’m doing it. I won’t put a saddle on you, because I know that would hurt your pride and remind you of all those other people who hurt you. Riding bareback will make it harder for me. You can throw me and, if I’m not fast enough, you can kill me. If you want to do that. I hope you don’t.

  “Is it time, Mom?” Frankie was standing behind her. “Hope’s getting restless.”

  “Yes, it’s time. Open the stall door.” She got down from the fence and unfastened the gate. “Let them be together.”

  A moment later she watched Hope rush into the paddock to be greeted joyously by Charlie. It was in moments like this that the term the Pair took on new meaning. Tonight it was easy to forget the brutality and savageness the horses had displayed throughout the years. The affection between the mare and the stallion was obvious. Two against the world . . .

  Something like the bond that was between her and Frankie.

  She fastened the gate. Tomorrow, Charlie.

  16

  I’m going out to the paddock, Frankie,” Grace said. “Take care of the colt and Hope.”

  “Should I bring Hope and Maestro out to the paddock?”

  “No, and don’t send Hope unless I call you.”

  “Can’t I come with you for a little while?” Then Frankie tensed as she saw Grace’s expression. “You’re going to do it,” she whispered. “Tonight?”

  “I’m going to try. It’s up to Charlie if I actually do it.”

  “I want to come and watch.”

  “I’d rather you didn’t. I may end up in a heap in the dirt.”

  “I’ve seen you do that before.” Frankie’s lips were trembling. “That’s not why you don’t want me to watch, is it?”

  Grace hesitated. “No, that’s not the reason.”

  “You’re scared Charlie is going to hurt you.”

  “It’s a possibility.”

  “Then don’t do it.”

  “Frankie . . .”

  “Wait until you’re sure of him.”

  “I may not be sure of him until it happens. The past three days I’ve made progress, but who knows if it’s enough.”

  Frankie’s jaw set. “I’m going to be there. You may need me.”

  Grace gazed at her for a minute and then gave her a quick hug. “If I’m down, don’t come into the paddock. The guards will be watching and they’ll come and pull me out. Marvot doesn’t want anything to happen to me.” She fervently hoped that was true. Everyone here was terrified of the Pair and they might drag their feet until it was too late. “But I don’t w
ant to make you think that will happen. It will probably be fine.”

  Frankie drew a deep breath and then turned away. “Then let’s go and do it.”

  Holy shit,” Kilmer murmured. He shifted on the high branch of the tree, his grasp on the infrared binoculars tightening.

  She was going to do it.

  There was tension in the way she was walking toward the stallion, a spring in her step as if she were walking on land mines.

  And it might well be as explosive as walking on a land mine if she got on that stallion.

  She was standing before him, talking to him.

  The stallion wasn’t moving.

  She was inching around to stand beside him, still talking.

  Jesus, she was nuts. The horse wasn’t even saddled.

  She stood there, her hands reaching out to entangle in his mane, talking, talking, talking.

  Kilmer could see the guards gathering outside the fence, watching.

  Stop her, dammit.

  She was on him!

  The horse stood absolutely still.

  She leaned forward and Kilmer could see her lips moving.

  One minute.

  Two minutes.

  Three minutes.

  Then the stallion exploded, gyrating in a series of bucks that twisted Grace like a puppet.

  Then she was off, lying in the dirt. The horse was rearing above her.

  Kilmer grabbed his rifle. He was probably too far away, but maybe the shot would—

  Grace heard Frankie scream as Charlie’s hooves landed only inches from her head.

  She rolled away, but Charlie was rearing again. Closer this time.

  But not touching her . . .

  “Mom!”

  He was rearing again. She started to move frantically to get out of the way.

  And then she stopped, freezing as a thought occurred to her.

  You’re bluffing. Okay, get it out of your system. I did what I had to do and now you’re showing me that you don’t like it. But you don’t hate it enough to kill me.

  Out of the corner of her eyes she saw the gate opening. The guards. “No! Don’t come in. I’m fine.” She forced herself to lie still as the stallion reared again. Christ, she was crazy. Those hooves could crush her skull in a heartbeat.

  Dirt flew in her face as his hooves hit the earth.

  He neighed angrily, whirled, and galloped across the paddock.

  It was over.

  Now.

  She slowly got to her feet and walked toward him. She was sore from the fall and shaking with reaction. Ignore it. It was crunch time. She couldn’t let it go until he accepted her.

  It’s going to be a long night, Charlie.

  Stay on him.

  Two times around the paddock.

  He knows how tired you are.

  And you know how tired he is.

  Gray light of dawn filtered through the trees and she could see Frankie’s pale face as she passed her.

  She should have sent her to bed hours ago. But she’d been afraid to leave the stallion for even a minute.

  Two times around and we call it a draw, okay?

  Charlie’s pace quickened, and for a moment she thought he was going to charge into the fence as he’d done innumerable times tonight.

  His pace slowed again.

  One time around.

  She was almost dizzy with weariness. Don’t slump. Keep your back straight.

  Please don’t buck, Charlie. It will be too hard on both of us. We’re almost there. We’re going to stop when we get to Frankie. I’ll get off and then we can both rest. Next time it will be easier. You’ll know I’m not going to hurt you. I’ll know you’re not going to hurt me—much. This riding business won’t happen often, but you have to let me do it when I need to. Believe me, it was easier for you than for me.

  God knows that was the truth.

  Frankie was just ahead, sitting on the fence.

  She lifted a hand to wave at her.

  We made it, Charlie.

  She slipped from the horse and caught herself on his mane as her knees buckled.

  To her surprise, he stood unmoving until she got her balance. Then, as she staggered toward the gate, he turned and trotted away.

  Frankie was opening the gate, launching herself into Grace’s arms. “You should have waited,” she muttered as her grasp tightened like a vise around Grace. “I was so scared. You should have waited. . . .”

  “I couldn’t wait.” She gently ran her fingers through Frankie’s curls. “It was time.”

  “It took so long.”

  “I couldn’t leave him. I would have had to start over tomorrow.” She glanced at the lightening sky. “Today.”

  “Nice job.”

  She stiffened and swung to face Marvot. “You think so?”

  “Exceptional.” He was staring at her with cool appraisal. “You look a bit frazzled, but I was impressed.”

  “I wasn’t trying to impress you. I didn’t even know you were here.”

  “I wasn’t until a few hours ago. My men are sometimes fools. They didn’t want to wake me.” He smiled. “But this show was worth the lack of sleep. I really wasn’t sure you could tame him.”

  “I didn’t. I don’t believe anyone could tame him. I just managed to come to an understanding with him.”

  “Close enough. Can you ride him?”

  She nodded. “It’s iffy, but I think he’ll let me stay on his back. Can I tell him where to go and have him pay attention? Not likely.”

  “Not even if you use a bit?”

  “I won’t use a bit. I’ve seen his mouth. Whoever you had trying to break him should be shot.”

  He shrugged. “It healed. I had to try everything I could. It was only the one time. It was obvious it wasn’t going to work and the stallion would die before he’d let himself be broken.”

  Son of a bitch.

  “Except with you.” He inclined his head. “I commend you. And I also commend myself for my intelligence in bringing you here. It’s not really necessary for the stallion to take your orders. I want him to lead you.” His gaze narrowed on her face. “That didn’t surprise you. When Kilmer stole the map, I thought he must have an idea why the Pair were important. I’m sure he was disappointed when he found that it was so vague.”

  “I’m only surprised that you think the Pair can lead you to the engine. They’re only horses.”

  “I believe in the power of revenge, and Burton wanted his revenge. I can see him taking malicious pleasure in letting me steal the key and then making sure it would break off in the lock.” He turned away. “But I’ve been patient and now I’m going to get my payoff. We leave for the Sahara tomorrow.”

  “No,” she said. “Give me another day.”

  He looked back at her. “Are you stalling?”

  “I need to be sure of the stallion.”

  He shrugged. “One day.”

  “Are we taking the mare?”

  “Of course. I’ve tried to separate them before when I’ve taken them to the oasis. It doesn’t work. They won’t budge from the corral. At least when they’re together, they’ll let us take them into the desert.”

  “And the colt?”

  “It’s not necessary.”

  “It’s necessary. The colt is nursing and he’ll get sick.”

  “I couldn’t care less.”

  “If you take away the colt, you’ll upset the mare, and that will upset the stallion.”

  His gaze shifted to Frankie. “Are you sure it’s the mare who would be upset?”

  She didn’t answer. “Take the colt.”

  “Suppose we leave your daughter here to take care of the colt?”

  “No!”

  He smiled. “Give me one reason why I should take the little girl.”

  “You want me to concentrate on making the horses do what you want them to do. I couldn’t do it if I was worried about Frankie.”

  “Flimsy. But we’ll take the child. I may need her on-si
te to spur you onward.”

  “And the colt?” Frankie asked.

  He shrugged. “There may be some truth in what your mother is saying. I don’t want anything to disturb the possibility that I’m seeing at last. He can go.”

  Grace watched him walk away. She had gotten what she wanted and that was good. But that didn’t change the sudden chill assaulting her. When they reached the oasis, it would be the signal for the action to start. Kilmer had had no opportunity here, but he’d have no choice but to make an attempt when they reached the Sahara.

  “Why are you frowning?” Frankie asked. “We get to take Maestro.”

  “I guess I’m tired. You must be tired too.” She started for the stable. “Let’s see if we can get a few hours’ sleep before we have to start the day.”

  “First I have to check on Hope and Maestro,” Frankie said as she ran past her. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”

  Grace didn’t hurry after her. She was stiff and sore and dead tired. Maybe she should have let Frankie stay here. She’d be in the middle of the action once they reached the oasis. She could have relied on Kilmer to choose a good man to protect her here at El Tariq.

  What was she thinking? It would have driven her crazy to risk Frankie with anyone else. One phone call from Marvot and Frankie could be dead.

  No, there were no good choices. She just had to do the best she could.

  Christ, he was sweating.

  And sick to his stomach.

  Kilmer leaned his cheek on the branch and closed his eyes. It had been one hell of a night. He’d probably have nightmares of that stallion rearing over Grace’s body.

  A sudden flash of anger tore through him. Why the devil hadn’t she given up? What idiocy had led her to keep after him?

  He wanted to kill her.

  And he wanted to grab her close and shelter her from crazy stallions and murderers like Marvot and the whole damn world.

  And he wanted to tell her how proud he was of her.

  And most of all he wanted to keep himself from going down to the horse farm to get her and ruining everything she had fought for last night.