Renee turned off the desk lamp and stood up. “Where are we going to create these masterpieces?”
“The school’s cafeteria.” Sheldon glanced down at her feet. She had on a pair of sensible low-heeled boots. “Do you feel up to walking?” The school was a quarter of a mile from his house.
“I don’t mind walking, but I will need a jacket.” The oversize cotton knit tunic was perfect for moderate afternoon temperatures, but Renee doubted whether it would be adequate after the sun set.
Extending his hand, Sheldon closed the distance between them. “If it gets too cool for you I’ll get someone to drive you back.”
“What about you?”
“The cool weather doesn’t bother me.”
Renee placed her hand in Sheldon’s, smiling when he squeezed her fingers gently. There were calluses on his palms, indicating he was certainly no stranger to hard work.
Waiting until they had stepped out into the bright early afternoon sunlight, Renee asked, “How did you get into the horse-racing business?”
A faraway look filled his eyes as he pondered the question, contemplating how much he wanted to tell Renee about his past. He decided to be forthcoming.
“I hadn’t planned on racing horses. My father was a tobacco farmer, as was his father before him. They grew and harvested some of the finest tobacco in the state, but that ended when my mother died from lung cancer. She had a two-pack-a-day cigarette habit that literally consumed her. As she lay dying she made Dad promise two things: marry her and stop growing tobacco.”
“Did he marry her?”
Sheldon nodded. “Yes, but it was not what you would consider a legal union.”
Renee glanced up at his distinctive profile. “Why not?”
A muscle in his jaw tensed. “My mother worked for him.”
A tense silence enveloped them as they walked. “Your father was white and your mother black,” Renee stated after a prolonged silence. Sheldon’s eye color, hair texture and features were characteristic of someone of mixed blood.
The tense lines in his face relaxed, and Sheldon nodded again. “Virginia’s miscegenation law would not permit them to marry.”
“But you say they were married.”
“There was no license nor any record of the marriage at the courthouse. A black minister who swore an oath of secrecy performed the ceremony. James Blackstone buried his wife, and three months later harvested his last tobacco crop.
“Dad took his life savings and bought twenty-two horses. It’s ironic that he knew nothing about breeding horses, but told everyone he was a quick learner. And he was right. He made huge profits selling horses to farmers and for riding.
“He wanted me to go to college, then eventually take over from him. But I told him I didn’t want to be a horse breeder. We argued constantly. After one particularly hostile exchange, I drove to Richmond and enlisted in the army.”
“How old were you?”
“Seventeen. I know it broke Dad’s heart because he knew I would be sent to Vietnam. I went to South Carolina for basic training, met a girl there, fell in love and married her before I was shipped out. I was assigned to Special Forces and trained as a sniper.”
Renee remembered his comment about shooting trespassers. “Did you and your father ever reconcile?”
“Yes. After Julia wrote and told me she was pregnant, she went to live with Dad.”
“Why didn’t she stay with her folks?”
“They felt she had disgraced them by marrying out of her social circle.”
Renee’s delicate jaw dropped. “You’re joking?”
“I wish,” Sheldon drawled. “Julia’s family, the Grants, believe they are the black elite, aristocrats of color.”
Sheldon released Renee’s hand, curved an arm around her waist, picked her up and moved quickly off the road. Within seconds a pickup truck sped past them.
She leaned into Sheldon; her heart pounded in her chest as he set her on her feet. She hadn’t heard the truck. “You must have ears like a bat.”
He smiled down at her. “If you live here long enough you’ll be able to hear a frog croak a mile away.”
Tilting her chin, Renee met his amused gaze. “I like living here. I thought it would be boring and much too quiet after living in Miami.”
“I’m glad you like living here, because I like you, Renee.”
“Thank you. It makes it easier to work together if we like each other.”
His light gray eyes captured her warm gold-brown ones. “I don’t think you understand my liking.”
“What is there to understand, Sheldon?” she argued softly. “You like me.”
Tightening his hold on her waist, he pulled her gently under a copse of trees. “I don’t think you understand how much I like you, Renee. Maybe I should show you.” Lowering his head slowly, deliberately, he brushed his lips against hers.
Renee clung to him like a drowning swimmer as his warm, moist, demanding mouth called, and she answered the call. This kiss was nothing like the one they’d shared in the box at Great Meadow. It was persuasive, coaxing. A fire she had not felt in a long time flared to life, and standing on tiptoe she opened her mouth to his probing tongue. Curving her arms under his shoulders, she communicated silently that she liked him, too—a lot.
She had spent a week telling herself that she had not been affected by Sheldon’s kiss, that she did not find him attractive and that their agreement to pose as a couple was preposterous.
She had told herself that women gave birth to babies every day without a husband or a man in their lives, yet with each month bringing her closer to motherhood she knew that was not the kind of life she wanted for herself. She wanted someone with her whenever she went for her checkups; someone to massage her aching back and legs because she wasn’t used to carrying the extra weight; someone with her in the delivery room to share her joy once she brought her son or daughter into the world.
She wanted that and so much more, but refused to think of the more.
Sheldon couldn’t get enough of Renee. He kissed her mouth, the end of her nose, her eyes and then moved to the hollow of her fragrant throat. Nothing mattered except the woman in his arms.
He smiled when Renee giggled softly. “What are you laughing at?” he whispered in her ear.
“You,” she whispered back. “I think you’ve made your point.”
As he eased back, his gaze caught and held hers. “I don’t think I have.”
Her smile faded, and the pulse in her throat fluttered erratically, making swallowing difficult. “What are you talking about?”
Sheldon pressed a kiss to her ear. “I’m a little rusty when it comes to the dating game, so you’re going to have to help me out before we make our debut as a couple.”
Renee anchored her palms against his chest, pushing him back. “When?”
“Next month. I’ve committed to attend the wedding of a friend’s daughter.”
She rested her hands on her hips. “Next month,” she repeated. “Tomorrow is next month.”
“It’s three weeks from now.”
“Three weeks will give me enough time to shop for something to wear. My body is changing rapidly.” He reached for her, but she moved out of arm’s reach. “If you need me to act as your date or hostess you’re going to have to let me know well in advance, because I’m extremely busy. After all, I do work nine-to-five, and I also have to have time to see my obstetrician.”
The mention of an obstetrician sobered Sheldon as if he had been doused with cold water. Although Renee’s body hadn’t displayed the obvious signs of her pregnancy he was always cognizant that she was carrying another man’s child—a man from whom she was hiding.
He nodded. “I’ll give you the dat
es and events of my social commitments. I’ll also take you to Staunton tomorrow so you can shop for whatever you need. Does this meet with your approval, princess?” he teased.
She affected an attractive moue, curtseying gracefully. “Yes, your highness.”
Laughing, Sheldon reached for her hand and they returned to the road. “Look,” he said, pointing upward.
Renee squinted up at a large bird flying in a circle. “Is that a hawk?”
“Yes. There was a time when we didn’t see too many of them. But since it’s illegal to kill them they’ve made a comeback.”
Sheldon waved to two men in a truck going in the opposite direction, the cab of the pickup loaded with fencing to replace the worn posts along the undeveloped north section of the property, property he had deeded to his grandchildren.
He had purchased the two thousand additional acres because of rumors that a developer wanted to erect half a dozen subdivisions on the site. New homes meant an influx of people, cars and pollution that would impact on the natural beauty of the horse farms with stately manor homes, miles of forests divided by hedges, white rail fences and stone walls. He had joined the other farm owners whose mission was to halt the encroachment of development in the region.
Renee walked into Blackstone Day School’s cafeteria to a flurry of activity as a group of women carved faces into pumpkins, while Kelly and Tricia Blackstone filled cartons with already carved specimens wearing funny and grotesque cutout expressions.
The school that had begun as an early childhood care center was expanded to include up to grade six. The children from Blackstone Farms and many others from neighboring farms had become recipients of a superior education taught by a staff of highly qualified teachers.
Kelly glanced up, flashing a smile when she spied her father-in-law and Renee. “Thank you guys for coming.”
“How many do you have left?” Sheldon asked.
“About sixty.”
Renee stared at the small round pumpkins lining the stainless steel countertop. Their stems, tops and seeds had been removed. “How many have you carved?”
Kelly wiped the back of her hand over her forehead. “I lost count after a hundred and thirty.”
Sitting on a stool, Renee picked up a small knife with a wicked-looking curved blade. She stared at Ryan’s wife. It was the first time she noticed the absence of a southern drawl in her beautifully modulated voice.
“Why do you carve so many?”
“You’ll see why after they’re lighted,” Kelly said mysteriously.
Renee’s curiosity was piqued. “Do you light them with candles?”
Kelly nodded. “Tea lights.”
Sheldon sat down next to Renee and picked up a marker. “How artistic are you?”
She wrinkled her nose. “Not very,” she admitted.
He handed her the marker. “Draw your face, then I’ll show you how to use the knife.”
Renee drew two hearts for the eyes, a circle for a nose and a crooked grin for the mouth. She gave Sheldon her pumpkin and within seconds he’d cut out a face sporting a silly-looking expression.
“Very, very nice, princess,” he crooned.
“Thank you,” she whispered back.
They spent the next two hours making jack-o’-lanterns. This year’s jack-o’-lantern production differed from the prior ones. Only ten pumpkins would be turned into pies.
Renee sat at a table in the dining hall with Sheldon, Jeremy and Tricia, totally amused by the number of children outfitted as hunchbacks, werewolves, pirates, skeletons, vampires, princesses, clowns and a popular wrestler. It was the first time school-age children and their parents from the other horse farms had come for the Halloween holiday celebration.
The dining room staff had prepared a buffet feast reflecting the holiday: dem rattlin’ bones spareribs; tombstone taters: baked potatoes with bacon, grated cheddar cheese and sour cream; creepy crawlers: shrimp served with a Cajun sauce in a spicy mayonnaise; deviled eggs; devil’s food cake and peanut butter cupcakes. A large bowl was filled with warm nonalcoholic apple cider.
Sheldon stood up, waiting until the babble of voices became a hush, followed by complete silence. His silvery gaze swept over those whom he had come to regard as his extended family. They were hardworking, loyal people who were directly responsible for the farm’s success.
A melancholy expression flitted across his features. “I’d like to welcome our neighbors to Blackstone Farms’ annual Halloween celebration, hoping you’ll enjoy yourself enough to come again next year. I say this because I will not stand here next year to meet and greet you because I’m retiring—tonight.” His announcement was followed by gasps.
Ryan leaned back in his chair at a nearby table and stared at Jeremy; their expressions mirrored confusion. Sheldon nodded to Jeremy before repeating the gesture with Ryan.
Sheldon knew he’d shocked his sons with the announcement that he was stepping down two months early. He’d decided not to tell Ryan and Jeremy because he was certain there would be a confrontation. He’d spent the past year dropping hints that he wanted to retire because he’d tired of the day-to-day responsibility of running the farm, while they’d spent the past year denying the inevitable.
“I’ve waited thirty years for this day, and I’m blessed to have two sons who will accomplish feats I can only dream about. Jeremy, Ryan, I love and trust you to continue Blackstone Farms’ quest for the Triple Crown.”
Kevin pumped his fist, shouting, “Boo-yaw! Boo-yaw! Boo-yaw!”
The Blackstone victory cry reverberated throughout the dining hall as others joined in. Sheldon held up a hand until the room grew quiet again.
“Ryan and Jeremy will share equal control of the farm. Jeremy will be responsible for finance and personnel, and Ryan will provide day-to-day oversight.” He had selected Jeremy as the chief fiscal officer because he’d earned a business degree from Stanford. Turning to Jeremy, he extended his hand. “Now, please get up and say something profound.”
Renee watched Jeremy lean over and kiss his wife before coming to his feet. He’d brushed his rakishly long black hair off his face, revealing tiny diamond studs in his pierced lobes. There was no doubt the next generation of Blackstones would march to the beat of their own drum.
Jeremy flashed a crooked smile as everyone applauded. He gave Sheldon a quick glance. “My father asked that I say something profound. To tell you the truth I really can’t come up with anything except to say that hopefully twenty years from now I can stand here and pass the torch to my nephew Sean.”
Five-year-old Sean waved his fist the way he’d seen his father, grandfather and uncle do. “Boo-yaw, Uncle Jeremy.” The room erupted in laughter.
Placing two fingers to his forehead, Jeremy saluted Sean. “Boo-yaw to you, too, champ. I know everyone wants to eat and celebrate the holiday, so I leave you with this. Shah Jahan and Cheryl will accomplish what no other horse has done in decades. They will win the Triple Crown.” The Boo-yaws started up again as people came over to the table to wish Jeremy the best.
Looping her arm through Sheldon’s, Renee asked, “Who or what is Boo-yaw?”
Sheldon covered the small hand on his arm. “He was our first champion.” He had been their first Derby winner and the last race Julia attended. A week later she’d died in his arms.
He smiled down at her. “After we eat we’ll take a hayride.”
She glanced up at him from under a fringe of thick lashes. “I hope you don’t think I’m going to roll around in the hay with you.”
Throwing back his head, Sheldon let loose with a peal of laughter. The room went suddenly quiet as everyone turned and stared at him. He sobered quickly, returned their stares until their attention was refocused elsewhere. Renee tried to suppress a giggle, but she was unsuccessful. Buryi
ng her face against Sheldon’s shoulder, she laughed until her sides hurt.
Curving a hand around her neck, Sheldon whispered, “I’m going to get you for that, Renee.”
“I’m so-o-o-o scared, Sheldon,” she said, still laughing.
“You should be,” he countered. His hand trailed down her spine, coming to rest on a rounded hip. She went completely still as her gaze widened. “Now, say something else,” he threatened softly.
The warmth of his hand penetrated the fabric of her slacks, and Renee was hard-pressed not to squirm in her chair. She met his gaze as he looked at her as if he were photographing her with his eyes. He had stoked a gently growing fire she was powerless to control.
She had left Florida because of one man, and had come to Virginia to start over. It had only taken a week and she found herself falling under the spell of another man who made her want him in spite of herself.
The very air around them seemed electrified with a waiting, a waiting for the next move. Sheldon’s nearness made her senses spin as his potent energy wrapped around her in a sensual cocoon that made her want to take off her clothes and lie with him.
A hint of a smile softened her mouth as she fluttered her lashes. “Please get me something to eat before I faint on you.”
Sheldon removed his hand, stood up and pushed back his chair in one motion. She watched him as he cut the line. Three minutes later he returned to the table and set a plate on the table in front of her. “What do you want to drink, princess?”
“Milk. Please make certain it’s fat-free and ice-cold.”
Sheldon flashed a saccharine grin, then left to do her bidding. He didn’t know whether he was good for Renee, but knew for certain she was good for him.
She made him laugh, something he hadn’t done in years. And she made him look forward to his retirement with the expectation of a young child opening gifts on Christmas Day.
Yes, he thought, he was going to enjoy being a couple.
The Blackstone Promise Page 5
