CHAPTER NINE
"I've heard he's a really good trainer," Carly exclaimed, then sensing an odd reaction from Andy and Heath, she added, "Is there something I don't know about this guy? Why do you two look like she just said she's friends with Jack the Ripper?"
"Don't be so dramatic," Heath said tersely. "Jack the Ripper!"
"From the looks on your faces, that name sprang to mind."
"Apparently there's a rumor that he's a love 'em and leave 'em type," Theresa said calmly, "and maybe he is, but gossip is just that. Gossip."
"I've told Theresa what she does in her personal life is none of our business," Heath said firmly, "but I'd be lyin' if I said I'm not concerned, and I'm sure Andy feels the same, but Theresa, you are right about gossip."
"Thank you."
"Duke was askin' about you today," Andy offered. "You could do worse. He owns that tavern, he's a good horseman, and seems like he's a nice fella. You know him, don't you Salvo?"
"No. I've never met him."
"You haven't? I guess you must've been out workin' the last couple of times he brought his horse in."
"Andy, I met Duke at the Horseshoe last night," Theresa said patiently, "and he does seem like a decent guy, but he's not my type. I truly appreciate your concern, really, I do, so for the record here's where things stand. I spent an hour with Josh this morning. He was extremely nice, he took care of my finger, and I sat on his horse. I had a lovely time. That's it. Do I like him? Yes. Will I see him again? Yes. And if something goes horribly wrong, so be it."
"You sat on his horse?" Carly exclaimed. "You actually rode?"
"Not rode exactly. Walked around the ring, and I loved every second."
"That's fantastic. If he managed to get you on board he's a thumbs up from me."
"I think Theresa has had enough of our input," Heath said firmly. "I'm ready for lunch. Salvo, would you please pass me the thermos? I'm dyin' for some coffee."
Grateful Heath had brought the subject of her love life to an end, Theresa scooped some salad into her plate. Though she had faith that her instincts about Josh were right, Heath and Andy's concern was unsettling. She'd spent every day with the two men for several months. They were men of integrity and she respected them tremendously.
Josh she barely knew.
* * * * * * * * * *
It was the middle of the afternoon. Theresa was carefully removing the promised rum cake from the oven. Her bandaged finger had been bothering her, and had made almost everything difficult. Her mood wasn't helped by the lunchtime conversation continuously replaying itself in her head.
"I wish I'd kept Josh a secret," she muttered as she placed the cake on the counter.
Turning off the heat, and ready for her afternoon cup of tea, she set the kettle to boil, and was reaching for a mug when the back door opened and Salvo entered. His flushed face and wide eyes sent her pulse racing. Something was wrong.
"Tell me."
"I think you'd better sit down."
"Salvo, just tell me."
"I went by the house."
"Shit. Who lives there?" she asked, closing the cabinet as a mug of tea became the furthest thing from her mind. "Did you see him?"
"I didn't see him, but the flag was up on the letter box so I knew there was mail waiting to be picked up."
"You opened it?"
"Yeah. Theresa, Josh lives there. You spent the night with him."
A strange prickling sensation moved through her body, her face turned hot, and an odd feeling of nausea filled her stomach.
"Sit down, Theresa. You need to sit down."
Sliding into a chair at the kitchen table, she shook her head in disbelief.
"No, no. He would have told me. No! This can't be right."
"I'm so sorry, sis. I really am."
"He said he wanted to talk to me more at the tavern, but I left before he could. He lied to me. How could I have been so wrong about him?"
"Maybe you're not. Don't jump to any conclusions. Not yet. Hear what he has to say."
"I'm such a fool. I saw him at the tavern with those girls. Why didn't I—?"
"Theresa, just wait before you condemn him. Hear him out."
"I feel sick. I feel really sick. I think I need to lie down."
"Do you want me to take you back to the cabin?"
"No. Yes. I don't know. Should I call him?"
"I think this is a conversation to have in person. You need to see the whites of his eyes."
"He's gone for a week. I don't think I can wait that long. No. I can't. I'll go crazy."
"Where is he?"
"Springdale. Do you know it?"
"Sure. It's not far. About forty-five minutes."
"He said an hour."
"Hauling horses, he's probably right."
"I'm going to see him."
"Theresa!"
"I am. I'm going to see him. I'm going right now."
"Stop! You're being impulsive. Don't do anything you might regret."
"I think I already have. This is a fucking nightmare."
"Shit. Sorry, Theresa, that's my phone," he said, reaching into his back pocket. "Hello? Hi, Andy."
As Salvo began his conversation, Theresa rose from the table, moved to the kitchen window and stared up at a slate grey sky.
"Queenie. I have to see Queenie."
"Theresa, I'm sorry but I have to go. Andy's waiting. Theresa, did you hear me?"
"I heard you. Go. I'm fine."
"Promise me you won't go to Springdale."
"I won't, but I am going to see his horse."
"Why?"
"I have no idea. If anyone asks where I went tell them I had to go to the store. And I will so it won't be a lie."
Hurrying past him and out the door, she climbed into the Land Rover and started down the driveway. Fighting the temptation to put her foot down, she rolled towards the gates, but once on the road she accelerated. Though the trip was quick, by the time she drove into Tall Tree Farm she was convinced something must have happened to the beautiful mare. That was the only circumstance that could explain the urgency pulsing through her. Stopping at the gate, she anxiously entered the code, but with Ben and Jerry bounding up to greet her, she had move at a snail's pace to the parking area. The sky had darkened, and climbing from the SUV a light rain began to dust the ground. Praying for Queenie, she jogged to the fence, only to have her heart sink; the paddock sat empty.
Panic seized her, but only for moment. All the pens were empty, but as thunder roared overhead she understood why. She'd left Dream Horse Ranch in such a hurry she hadn't grabbed her jacket, and crossing her arms she walked briskly to the barn, but before she could reach the entrance the skies opened up. The torrential downpour quickly saw her drenched, and finally staggering inside, she fell against the wall to catch her breath.
Still panting, raising her head she stared down the barn aisle. Except for the sounds of the horses the place was eerily quiet. After everything Salvo had told her about the ferocity of the storms she assumed the workers had fed the horses and left. She couldn't blame them, and as another drumbeat of thunder through the late afternoon, she moved forward in search of Queenie. Recalling Josh had said her stall was the second past the door, it was only a few steps later Theresa found beautiful mare calmly munching her hay.
"Queenie, thank, God. I've been so worried."
Lifting her head, the mare let out a soft nicker and ambled over to her.
"I'm so happy you're all right," Theresa mumbled, almost in tears with relief as she stroked the mare's face. "Why did you want to see me so badly? Or did you? Maybe I'm losing my mind?"
The horse nickered again, and sighing heavily, Theresa's heart began to settle.
"I'm going to get you some treats. I'll be right back."
Moving to the tack room, she opened the door, turned on the light, and walked across to Josh's blue trunk. The cold wet was seeping through to her bones, sending a shiver shuddering through her as she opened
the lid. She was about to look for a towel when she spied a white envelope with her name scrawled across the front. Picking it up and ripping it open, she stared at the image of two horses touching noses. Not wanting to see the message, but unable to stop herself, she opened the card.
Princess.
As you read this I'll be tearing my hair out because one of my students is driving me nuts, or thrilled because someone has just left the ring carrying a ribbon, Either way I'll be smiling because I'll be thinking about you. I can't wait to see you when I get back. I'll bet those brownies will be delicious.
XO
Josh
"Is this some kind of sick joke?" she muttered, bristling with angry tears.
Tossing the card back into his trunk, she grabbed a handful of treats and stuffed them into her pockets. Her teeth almost chattering from the chill, and trying to ignore the raw emotion swirling through her heart, she marched down to Queenie's stall, slid the door open and stepped inside.
"Here you go, sweet girl. Treats for the loveliest horse ever," she murmured, holding them out in her flattened palm.
"Theresa?"
Her heart leapt, and for a split second she couldn't breathe, or think, or move.
"What are you doin' here?" Josh asked, entering the stall. "Damn, girl, you're soaked to the skin. You've gotta get outta those wet clothes. You'll catch your death."
"Bastard," she hissed, turning to face him.
"Whoa. What the hell?"
"Why didn't you tell me? Am I just a joke to you? I know what you did. I know I was at your house."
"Dammit," he muttered, a dark frown replacing the warm smile. "I can explain, but first we absolutely must get you out of those wet clothes."
"Fuck you. I'm not—"
She'd been interrupted by Queenie's nose on her back, but before she could react, the mare pushed her. Caught by surprise Theresa stumbled into Josh's arms.
"Thanks, Queenie."
"Let me go, asshole."
"Okay, that's enough," he said firmly, abruptly scooping her up and throwing her over his shoulder.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"What I have to. I don't care how hoppin' mad you are, you've have to take off those clothes."
"Fuck you!"
"Where did that potty mouth come from?" he asked, marching down the aisle. "Doesn't suit you."
"I'm a city girl. That's how we talk to lying assholes."
"You've got it all wrong, Princess," he declared, opening the door to his office and carrying her to the couch. "I'll tell you exactly what happened, but first things first."
Plonking her down, he plugged in the heater, then opened a cabinet against the wall.
"There's nothing you can say to excuse what you did," she spat as he tossed her a towel and blanket.
"Take those wet clothes off and wrap yourself up. I'll be standing outside the door. When you're done hand them out to me and I'll throw them in the dryer."
"Are you out of your mind?"
"Let me put it like this. Either you take them off, or I'll do it for you."
"I'm getting out of here," she exclaimed, jumping to her feet.
"Nope, you're not drivin' in this storm," he said firmly, pushing her back down. "No way, no how, and you're not stayin' in those wet things. What's it gonna be? You, or me?"
The steely glint in his eye told her he meant every word, and though she hated to admit it he was right. Her chill was growing worse by the second, and she had no desire to climb into the Land Rover and make her way through frightening storm.
"Okay. But I'm only doing this because I'm freezing."
In spite of her anger and hurt she was grateful he'd returned. As he left the room, she quickly removed her phone from her jeans pocket, then peeled off her dripping clothes. Though they were soaked, she was relieved to find her underwear was only damp. Wrapping the blanket around herself, she padded to the door, cracked it open, and handed him her jeans, shirt, and socks.
"I'll be right back," he promised, then shooting her a wink, he said, "Don't go anywhere."
"Hilarious," she quipped, and closing the door, she returned to the couch, picked up her phone and texted Salvo.
Stuck at Tall Tree. Don't want to drive in this weather. Back when it passes.
Glad you hear from you sis. I was worried. Stay safe. Let me know when you're on your way home.
Will do.
As she placed the phone back on the coffee table, Josh walked in, and much to her chagrin, sat down next to her.
"Now we're gonna talk."
"There's nothing to talk about," she snapped. "I was told you were a player, but did I listen? No. How a wonderful mare like Queenie could pick you is beyond me, or was that just some bullshit story?"
"Theresa—"
"You lied to me. You fucking lied to me. You said you wanted to talk to me more that night, but I left before you could."
"Nope. That's not what I said."
"The hell it isn't," she shouted, her voice rising.
"I said, I wanted to talk to you more, but I didn't get the chance and that's the truth. I didn't say it was because you left, and planned to tell everything over dinner when I got back."
"I know what you did," she growled, scowling up at him. "You drugged me. You slipped me a roofie."
"No, Theresa, I didn't," he said solemnly, shaking his head, "but someone did, and I got you outta there before that someone bundled you into their car and drove off with you. I was takin' care of you, Princess. I was protectin' you."
'
CHAPTER TEN
A heavy silence hung in the air. Theresa knew Josh was waiting for his words to sink in, but even as her outrage began to subside, more questions surged to the surface.
"Why didn't you tell me when we had coffee, or when I came out here this morning? You could have called me. If someone's out to hurt me, don't you think I have a right to know?"
"A coffee shop? Not a chance. Wrong place, wrong time, and this mornin' was impossible. We had less than an hour, and I didn't wanna ruin what was happenin' with Queenie. But I had another reason for waitin'. When you woke me climbin' out of bed, I was about to turn around, but you were sneakin' away. You didn't wanna face whoever you thought you'd spent the night with."
"I didn't. I thought I'd left the tavern with a stranger. Talk about being mortified. I have been ever since."
"Princess, I'm so sorry," he said softly. "Would you like a hug?"
"Yes, please. Very much."
As he brought her into his arms and she sank into his chest, her anger and frustration evaporated, but guilt began seeping in to take their place.
"I'm sorry I misjudged you," she murmured. "I should have talked to you, not immediately thought the worst. Even Salvo told me not to assume anything."
"Salvo?"
"Salvatore. My little brother, except he's not so little anymore. I was just so shocked when I found out you were the man in the bed. I have a difficult time when it comes to, uh…"
"To what, Princess?"
"Trusting people, especially men," she managed, fighting the heat in her throat. "I mean, you barely gave me a second glance when I watched your lessons, then suddenly you came up to me in the parking lot and wanted to have coffee with me. I couldn't believe it. When I found out you lived in that house I freaked out. Nothing added up. Nothing made any sense."
"For pity's sake," he muttered. "I didn't look at you because I couldn't. You were way too distractin'."
"What?"
"You always wore that sexy leather jacket, your dark hair fallin' around your shoulders—I don't wanna begin to tell you the thoughts I had about your hair," he said huskily, sliding his hand into her long damp locks.
"But you'll tell me," she breathed, shifting her gaze to catch his.
"I'll do more than tell you."
Curling her hair into his fingers, he held her still, pressing his lips on hers in a passionate, demanding kiss, and to the sound of the pounding rain,
the roaring thunder, and the howling wind, he ripped the blanket from her body.
"Josh, I want you so bad," she panted, clinging to him as he unsnapped her bra and tossed it aside.
"Not as bad as I want you," he groaned, traveling his lips to her neck and sucking like a ravenous vampire. "I wanted you the first time I saw you walkin' down the barn aisle."
Abruptly standing up, he wrenched off his clothes, then sliding her panties down her legs, he stood back and stared at her nakedness.
"Please come back to me," she bleated, laying back and opening her arms.
"Careful with that finger."
"Screw my finger."
Stretching out beside her, he languidly drifted his mouth over hers, but pulled back with a frustrated grunt.
"Josh? What's wrong?"
"I just realized I don't have a condom. Sorry, Princess."
"Nowhere? Not in your truck, or—"
"No, dammit."
"I can't stand it."
"I swear I'm safe," he said fervently. "I don't mess around. That's why I don't have any."
"It's been ages for me. I know I'm clean. Please?" she begged, closing her eyes as he began roaming his hand over her body. "Please, Josh. Can't you just pull out?"
"Maybe, probably, yeah," he mumbled, trying to decide as his fingers slipped into her sex.
He clenched his teeth.
She was sopping.
Energy surged through his loins.
Grasping his manhood, he moved on top of her, placed himself at her entrance and thrust home, but as he began to stroke he discovered the couch was less than desirable.
"What's wrong? Please don't change your mind."
"I haven't, Princess," he crooned, sliding off her. "We're movin' to the floor."
Picking up the blanket, he flapped it out, dropped to his knees, then looked at her expectantly.
"You comin'?"
"God, yes."
Quickly sliding off the couch, she sprawled on her back and raised her arms. "Please, please,"
To Catch A Cowboy (Hunks and Horses Book 2) Page 7
