by Mina Carter
“Hi, Con,” Alasdair said.
“So what happened?”
“Someone messed with his saddle,” Alasdair explained. “The girth was frayed. Mario’s a bloody brilliant rider and would have been fine, but the horse tripped over the girth and fell on the guy’s leg. Algar was close. The doctors are trying to determine if Mario needs surgery. Either way, he’ll be in a cast for a few weeks, but it looks like he’ll be fine.”
“Okay. Take care of him and make sure his family’s comfortable. They shouldn’t worry about money.”
“Aye.”
Connall hung up and took a deep breath. Glancing down at his mate, he smiled. Pepper had fallen asleep. He stood and laid her on the bed, removing her shoes and tucking the thick blanket around her. He then pulled his laptop out and sat down to attempt some work.
He managed an hour before her scream filled the room. He made his way to the bed and leaned over her. “Pepper. Wake up.”
Her fear-filled eyes opened and then she let out a deep breath and sat up, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“It’s okay, love. Just a dream.”
“What do you mean? How was I asleep?” she demanded and gripped harder. “I don’t sleep… especially when I’m worried.”
He pulled her close and held her until she loosened her arms. “Calmer?”
“Yes. But that still doesn’t make sense. How long have I been sleep?” she asked.
He stroked her cheek. “About an hour.”
“Did you find out what happened?” she asked.
“Aye.” Connall filled her in on what Alasdair told him.
She frowned. “I want to see Rio.”
“When we get this mess sorted out, you can.”
“What about his wife?”
“We’re making sure his wife and kids are safe, and sorting out his medical bills.”
Pepper bit her lip. “I’m so sorry.”
“Why?”
“Because Mario wouldn’t be hurt and you wouldn’t have to spend money if it wasn’t for me,” she said. “I’ll pay you back.”
Connall remembered what Sam had said about Pepper wanting to pay her own way as he watched her wringing her hands, wondering how she would pay him back.
“Hey.” He laid his hands over hers. “This isn’t about you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Whether I pay for his medical costs or not, this is my decision. It’s about me, not you. And it’s about Mario. If you want to feel bad that he was hurt, you’re fully entitled to do that, but the money thing is my decision, okay? You trying to control this situation isn’t going to work.”
“I’m not trying to control it,” she argued.
“Oh, really?” He smiled.
She rolled her eyes.
“Control’s only an illusion, anyway,” he continued.
“How do you figure that?”
“Well, do you believe in God?”
“On a good day,” she retorted.
He grinned. “Then, that in itself is an admission that you gave control up a while ago, right?”
“Attempted to, I guess,” she grumbled.
“Trying to take it back only frustrates you and limits your faith.”
“Maybe. I guess.” She wrinkled her nose. “This doesn’t make you a genius, you know?”
He laughed. “Oh, I know. There are a hundred other things that make me a genius.”
“I can’t wait to discover them.” She rubbed her eyes. “I should probably wash my face. This mascara’s starting to flake.”
He rose to his feet and opened the bathroom door. “There are flannels on the counter.”
She slid off the bed and stepped into the bathroom. She kept the door open as she ran the water. “You really don’t mind paying Mario’s medical bills?” she asked.
“If I minded, I wouldn’t do it.”
She smiled as she ran the flannel over her face, pausing as she reached her chin. “You’re too good to be true, aren’t you?”
He sat back down at his computer. “I’m exactly what you see, love.”
“Right. Too good to be true.”
He chuckled. “I will keep you believing that for as long as I can.”
Pepper finished washing her face and then made her way back into the bedroom. “I don’t see the bruise on my chin anymore. Do you?”
He glanced up at her and shook his head. “No. Looks like it’s gone.”
“Hmm. Weird. It was pretty bad this morning.”
He shrugged as he stood and stroked his fingers over her jaw. “Maybe you heal faster than you think. Now, I have you all to myself until dinner and I want to take advantage. Tomorrow’s going to be crazy with gifts and packing.”
“What happens at dinner?”
“We’re meeting everyone at six.”
“Ooh, I can finally ask Max about that guitar track… or maybe I’ll just grill him about you.”
“On second thought,” he said. “I think I’ll put you between Payton and Fiona.”
She giggled and patted his chest. “Like you’d put me anywhere you couldn’t touch me every ten seconds.”
“Hmm, do I need to work on that?”
“I happen to like it,” she said. “Will you promise me something?”
“Anything.”
“When all of this is done, will you tell me everything? I know you’ve been holding back, and I get it, I do, but I really need to know all of it. Good and bad, okay? I feel like I’m missing a huge piece of the puzzle, but I also know that I can’t deal with anything more right now.”
He kissed her quickly. “I promise. You can pick the time and the place.”
* * *
After dinner, Max handed Pepper his extra room key. She would be staying with Connall for the night because Pepper didn’t wanted Max to give up his room again. He was leaving the next day for Scotland in order to prepare for his tour, so she’d have his room once he was gone. But if she was being honest, she’d prefer to be close to Connall anyway. Despite her best efforts to get information out of Max, he’d been annoyingly tight-lipped about the music, shutting her down at every turn.
“Grab what you need, love,” Connall said. “You can leave your bags in the room.”
She turned to Max. “Is that okay with you?”
Max grinned. “Of course. My stuff’s already in the car. I have to leave at four.”
Pepper wrinkled her nose. “Ew.”
Max laughed. “Exactly.”
“Thanks,” she said.
Max gave her a quick nod and then went to find the rest of the group.
Connall led Pepper to Max’s room and waited for her to open the door. “Are you sure you don’t want help?”
She shook her head. “I think I can manage to change into pajamas without you.”
“That’s too bad.” He kissed her cheek. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
Pepper let herself into her room and stalled. Two brand new suitcases sat in the middle of the freshly made bed. Con?
Yes, love?
I thought Max said his stuff was already in the car.
It is.
She frowned. Well, then, what’s this?
Are you referring to the luggage?
She settled her hands on her hips. What else would I be referring to?
The fact that I’ve completely enamored you.
Pepper forced herself not to laugh. Have you?
Haven’t I?
You’re impossible, Connall Gunnach. Now, explain the suitcases. Please tell me you didn’t buy these for me. She held her breath.
They’re mine, love. Yours are falling apart, so you can borrow those until we can get you new bags.
She sighed. Hold that thought.
Speaking with him in her mind was driving her a little nuts, so she made her way to his room and knocked on the door. He opened it and waved her in.
“I don’t need new luggage,” she said as she stepped inside.
“You don’t know that. Duck Tape’s an amazing thing.”
He smiled, although he appeared distracted.
“Sorry. Did I interrupt something?” she asked.
“Nothing I can’t take care of later.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, Pepper. I’m sure.” He smiled. “You’re running out of time, you know. I need my beauty sleep.”
“Con.” She rolled her eyes. “If I have your suitcases, what are you going to use?”
“We brought several extras with us to pack the gifts in. There are plenty to go around.”
“But they’re Gucci.”
“So?”
“They’re expensive.”
“Pepper.” Connall cupped her face and frowned. “Go get changed. We are not arguing about this.”
“I’m sure I can find some cheap bags at Walmart. I’ll go tomorrow.”
Connall let out a groan of frustration. “Fine, love. We’ll go to the mart tomorrow. In the meantime, would you please transfer your things into the bags I left you? I’d like to dump yours in the rubbish.”
She pulled her face away from his hands. “If I do that, it will cut into my changing time.”
“I didn’t mean right this—”
She grinned and he shook his head.
“You cheeky little… ” He didn’t finish. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her waist, picked her up, and dropped her onto his bed.
“What are you doing?” she asked as he straddled her hips and held his hands over her stomach with a grin. “Con?”
Without warning, he tickled her.
“Connall!” she gasped.
He tickled her again.
“What are you doing?” she asked between laughing fits.
“Are you going to argue with me about everything?” he asked.
“Connall… ” She tried to wriggle away, but he followed.
“Pepper,” he mimicked. “Answer the question.”
“No.”
He leaned over her. “No, you’re not going to argue with me, or no, you’re not going to answer the question?”
She bit her lip and shrugged, laying her hands on his knees. “I’m not going to answer the question.”
She waited until he tried to strike again, but when he did, she was too quick for him and managed to sit up and grab his waist, turning the tables on him. She knew he was beyond shocked because he lost his balance and she ended up on top of him, digging her fingertips into his sides and eliciting a howl of laughter from him.
“How the hell did you do that?”
“Honestly?” Pepper giggled. “I have no idea.”
She wasn’t there for long. Connall pulled her on top of his chest and rolled her under him. He kissed her well past the point of common sense. Pepper slipped her hands under his shirt and stroked his back. He swore and rolled away from her, digging his fingers into his head.
Pepper groaned in protest. “Why did you stop?”
“Because I had to.” He sat up. “You’re killing me, sweetheart.”
She sat up too and wrapped her arms around his waist. “I’m sorry.”
“Sure you are.” He laughed and kissed the crown of her head. “Go change. It’s going to be hard enough to sleep with you all night and keep my hands off you.”
Pepper reluctantly left him, but returned quickly.
* * *
The next day, Connall watched Pepper as she sat in the Moore’s living room and stared out the window. Mario was going to have to have surgery to fix his leg, which weighed heavily on her. For the most part, she was able to give the appearance that although she might be going through something difficult, she had it under control. However, her panic and heartache screamed at him and had they been alone, he would have taken her in his arms and held her in an effort to ease her worries. For now, he’d have to settle with holding her hand or some other subtle touch.
They were leaving in two days and Connall wasn’t sure that was enough time to do what he needed to. Pepper still insisted on purchasing her own luggage from this place called Walmart, and as much as he had tried to distract her from that plan, she wouldn’t let it drop.
Before he could make his way to her side, he heard Dalton ask, “Whiskey?” He turned to find Dalton holding out a glass.
He took it and smiled. “Thank you.”
“What do you think of our little town?” Dalton asked.
Connall couldn’t stop looking at Pepper. “I think it’s magnificent.”
Dalton followed his gaze and a frown flickered over his face. “Yeah. She is. Be careful with her.”
Connall bristled. “Pardon?”
“I’m man enough to admit when I’ve lost, but you hurt her and I’ll hunt you down.”
Connall gave him a curt nod and set the full glass on the side table. He had no problem with Dalton being protective, as long as he kept his relationship with Pepper platonic. His phone buzzed and he checked the text. “Excuse me. I have a meeting.”
He made his way to Pepper and she smiled up at him. “Hi.”
He squatted beside the sofa. “I have to leave for a bit.”
“Everything okay?” she asked. “Is Mario okay?”
“Mario’s fine, love. I just have an errand to run.”
“Do you want some company?” she asked.
“Typically, I’d love some, however, I need to take care of this alone.”
“Oh, okay.”
He smiled. “I’ll be back before dinner and you and I will spend some time together.”
She cocked her head. “And if that’s not convenient for me?”
“I’ll steal you away to my castle and lock you in my tower.”
“Promises, promises.”
“Stay close to my brothers,” he ordered.
She gave him a salute. “Yes sir.”
He grinned and kissed her quickly and then he slipped out the front door and into the waiting car. His phone buzzed again. “Hi, Kade.”
“Hey, you okay?”
“Yeah. Just have an errand. I’ll be back before dinner. Are we meeting at the hotel?”
“Aye,” Kade said. “Six. Don’t be late.”
Connall chuckled. “Tell my new sister-in-law that I will be there at five-fifty-five and then give her a kiss from me.”
Kade laughed. “Did you hear that?”
“I heard it,” Sam said in the background. “He’s lucky he’s cute.”
“Sam,” Kade admonished.
Connall didn’t hear her response, but he guessed it had something to do with Kade objecting to her thinking him cute.
“Gotta go, Kade.” He hung up and entered the address into the GPS.
CHAPTER TEN
LESS THAN FIFTEEN minutes later, Connall pulled through the large gates of Whispering Willows and drove up to a quintessential red-and-white American barn. A woman in her fifties, dressed neatly, but not extravagantly, stood with a girl in her teens who was dressed to the nines in show attire, ready to showcase a few of the horses Connall had come to “look at.”
Connall slid out of the car and headed toward the welcoming party. “Ladies. I’m Connall Gunnach.”
“Oh, Dr. Gunnach,” the older woman gushed. “Your reputation needs no introduction. I’m Maggie Fontaine, and this is Britney. She’s one of our best riders and she’s agreed to help today.”
“I appreciate your time, lass.”
“It’s my pleasure,” Britney said breathlessly in her thick southern accent.
“I have three horses ready for Britney to show you,” Maggie said. “Shall we?”
Connall waved his hand. “After you.”
He followed the ladies to the covered arena, passing several stalls as they made their way through the barn. He did a quick scan of the names on the outside of the stalls, finding what he was looking for, third stall in.
Jonesy.
A piece of paper underneath Jo
nesy’s nameplate seemed to glare at Connall. He leaned forward to get a better look. Predictable. His new name was Magnifico.
“We’ve ordered a new nameplate for him,” Britney said. “Jonesy was just so, I don’t know, trashy.”
Connall tried not to snort in derision. Despite his wealth, he detested spoiled little rich girls almost as much as spoiled big rich girls. “Oh, I don’t know. I quite like Jonesy.”
Jonesy started to crib bite and Connall frowned. “Why are there no guards on the stall?”
Britney rushed to the stall and smacked the horse on its muzzle. “Magnifico. Stop that.” She giggled nervously. “He just started doing that yesterday. I asked the Mex—I mean, our Hispanic worker, to install the metal, but he hasn’t gotten around to it.”
“You realize it could be an indication of a larger issue?” Connall asked.
“I’m sure he’s fine,” Britney said.
Maggie nodded. “Britney’s father just purchased the horse a month ago and the girl who sold him took great care with him.”
“Have you had him checked by a vet?” Connall asked.
Britney frowned and shook her head.
He smiled. “Well, I’d be happy to have a look at him before I leave, if you’d like.”
“Oh, yes, please,” Britney said.
Connall dug in his pocket and pulled out a peppermint, holding his palm out for Jonesy. The horse lapped it up and threw his head up and down as he ate it. Connall couldn’t help but smile. Pepper had described her pet perfectly. He ran a hand over Jonesy’s neck and whispered to him, calming him instantly. “Right, ladies. Shall we?”
“This way,” Maggie said.
They arrived at the arena to find a small audience. A tall man, with salt-and-pepper hair and wearing something much more conducive to sailing than riding, approached with a much younger woman. Connall instantly felt leery of him and made a mental note to watch him closely.
The woman was aflutter with either nervousness or something akin to a seizure as she reached out to shake Connall’s hand. The amount of jewels adorning her hands, ears, and neck rivaled the queen. She wore a cream jacket with matching cream slacks and shoes that really belonged in a ballroom rather than a barn, and her hair was teased so high, it added another four inches to her height.
