by Ciana Stone
Liz shook off the depressive thoughts of family and focused on driving. Miles ticked by and after a while she forgot to watch the road signs. When she checked her odometer and realized she’d traveled two hundred and ten miles she panicked.
“Shit, shit, shit!” Liz pulled off onto the side of the road before she reached for her phone and turned it on. Great, no service.
Just her luck. She was lost, had no GPS in the truck and no cell-phone service. Now what? With a curse, she got out, reached behind the seat and picked up a gallon of water. She took the water to the trailer hitched to the truck.
A whinny greeted her when she climbed into the trailer. She filled a water bucket and held it for the horse to drink. He finished and shook his head, showering her. That was followed by a nuzzle. Liz smiled and rubbed him. “Hey buddy. I know you’re tired and I swear it won’t be much longer. Honest. I’ll find the damn place… somehow, and then you can have a good long run. Just hang in there, okay Traveler?”
A toss of his head was the only response she received. She gave him another rub and headed back for the truck to check the map on her phone. Where the heck did she go wrong? Liz glanced up and checked the road. Nothing coming toward her. She then checked the side mirror and hope leapt inside her. There was a car, no, a truck. It was in the distance and approaching. She hopped back out of her truck and hurried to the rear of the trailer.
As the truck drew near she waved. It slowed and pulled in behind her. There was a man at the wheel. He parked and got out. Something about him looked familiar but Liz couldn’t place him. He walked over to her.
“Trouble?”
“Lost.”
He smiled and extended his hand. “Wes Pursell. Maybe I can help. Where are you headed?”
Wes Pursell? What were the chances? Liz shook his hand, feeling relieved. “Your place.”
“My place?”
“Oh, sorry. I have an interview with you today. For the jockey position.”
Surprise registered on his face and she tried not to feel annoyed. Why did men think that only someone with a penis was qualified for the position? She’d been turned away before because of her gender, before she was even given a chance to prove herself. That wasn’t going to happen this time.
“Look, I get it. You don’t think women can cut it, but I promise that if you give me a chance, I can prove I’m the best candidate.”
He looked her up and down and then smiled. “I never said women can’t cut it, and I’ll give you the same chance I give every candidate. You prove you’re better and the job is yours, Miss…”
“Liz.”
“Just Liz?”
“Redgate.”
“Okay, Miss Redgate, like I said, prove you’re better and you’re hired.”
“Deal.”
“One thing.” He looked at the trailer. “Why bring a horse?”
“It’s not just any horse.”
“Oh? What makes it so special?”
“I don’t know you well enough to tell you that.”
“Is that right?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Well then, why don’t you follow me and I’ll show you the way. We’re about ten miles down.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem.”
He turned to go back to his truck, and she hurried to get in hers. Nervousness competed with excitement. Part of her was relieved that Wes didn’t recognize her. Another part was a little disappointed, but then she had changed a lot since they met.
She was seven years old the first time she saw him. Their fathers both had horses in the Belmont Stakes and both ended up in the top three of the race. She had posed with her family, and Wes with his for photos. She could still remember how she crushed on him. He was probably sixteen, tall and handsome and she thought he was the prettiest boy she’d ever seen.
Apparently she hadn’t made much of an impression on him as a child which was expected. She’d only seen him two other times since then and it had always been at events with their families. Liz doubted he even remembered those times. She had. At least for a while. The crush faded, but she never forgot him entirely.
She hoped he was as fair as he was handsome. She knew she could beat out the competition. It wasn’t vanity, she just knew she was better. She understood horses and how to work with them. She knew how to make them want to give her their all. More importantly, she loved horses and would never push one past its ability.
She had to get this job. Everything was riding on it.
*****
Wes activated the call function in his truck. Two rings later, his executive assistant, Sandy, picked up. “Hey boss.”
“I need you to get me some information on one of the jockey candidates.”
“Sure, who?”
“Liz Redgate. She said she was scheduled for a try-out this afternoon.”
“Hold on.”
Wes waited a few seconds before Sandy spoke again. “Yes, we have her scheduled for two today.”
“Okay, do me a favor and call my investigator and ask him to get me everything he can on her.”
“Something about her bothering you?”
“Yeah. I think I’ve seen her before but I can’t figure out where. And she’s hauling a trailer with her and the tag is Wichita, Kansas.”
“That’s a long way to go for a job interview pulling a trailer.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
“Okay, I’m on it.”
“Thanks, Sandy.”
“You bet.”
Wes ended the call and thought about it. He knew he’d seen Liz Redgate before. She’d be a little hard to forget. She wasn’t a big woman, maybe five foot two, petite with a physique that spelled she was strong and firm, but still possessed of womanly attributes.
Her hair was dark, held in a braid, her skin tanned and her eyes a curious brown, darker around the rims of the iris and then lightening to gold. It was hard to tell how old she was. Probably somewhere in her twenties. All in all, she was quite stunning.
Where the heck had he seen her?
Wes shook his head and dismissed the thought as his truck announced an incoming call from Kyle Stadler. Wes answered it. “Kyle, hey.”
“Did I get the time wrong? Your housekeeper said you weren’t here.”
“No, on my way back now. Be there in about ten minutes and there’s a candidate for the job following me.”
“Okay, I’ll start setting up. Which horse you want to run today?”
“You tell me.”
“You’re the boss. Your call.”
“We need to give Landing a workout.”
“With a newbie?”
Wes chuckled. “Well, it’ll definitely tell the tale won’t it? I’ll meet you at the track.”
“Yep. See you soon.”
Wes considered it. King’s Landing was one of the most spirited animals he’d ever seen. It would take a strong and experienced rider to control him. Was it irresponsible to put a woman on his back or was he stacking the deck against her by having her ride Landing?
He dismissed the question. After all, he was looking to hire someone who would put him in the winner’s circle. If Liz Redgate couldn’t handle his horse, then she wasn’t the man for the job. Or the woman.
*****
Kyle finished saddling King’s Landing and walked him out to the gate of the track. Not many places could afford the kind of practice track the Pursell’s had. It was a huge place with first notch facilities, the kind of ranch Kyle couldn’t imagine ever having.
“You’re rearing to go aren’t you, big boy?” Kyle smiled as the horse pranced and whinnied. One thing Kyle had learned about Landing, as everyone had taken to calling the horse, he purely loved to run.
The problem was, he was one hard animal to control. So far, three experienced applicants for the jockey position had crashed and burned. None of them had been able to control Landing and unless the rider could control the animal, Pursell’s Racing wasn’t going
to win any races.
Just as they reached the practice track, Wes pulled up. Behind him was another truck, one not as new or fancy but in good condition. It was pulling a horse trailer. Kyle called out to Wes as Wes got out of his truck. “He needs to warm up.”
“You want to do it?”
“Love to but not gonna happen.” There was nothing he’d like better. He loved to ride, and it wasn’t often he got a chance to ride an animal the caliber of Landing. However, his healing leg wasn’t quite back in shape for standing in stirrups.
“Crap, your leg. Sorry, I forgot you just got the cast off. Okay, call Pete and have him send someone down.”
“I’ll do it.”
Kyle looked in the direction of the female voice and for the space of a couple of seconds it felt like the world stood still. A woman stepped up beside Wes. Small but with curves in all the right places, soft faded denim hugged her hips and thighs. A black tank top displayed arms that were toned and strong and stretched across the swell of her breasts.
Her long hair hung in a braid over one shoulder and a worn Stetson shaded eyes the color of Tennessee whiskey rimmed with dark thick lashes.
Had it not been for Landing, he would have just stood there staring at her. But Landing nearly jerked him off his feet as he started for the woman, whinnying loudly.
The woman’s eyes were on Landing and Kyle could have sworn he saw tears gathering. He also noticed the way her body started to go into forward motion toward the horse. She apparently caught herself and halted, her body tense as she cut her eyes at Wes.
Wes looked from the woman to Kyle. “Kyle, meet Liz Redgate. She’s trying for the jockey position. Liz, this is my co-trainer, Kyle Stadler.”
Kyle was surprised that Wes would consider a woman. Not that Wes had ever displayed sexist tendencies, but most of the top jockeys were men and he knew Wes was in the game to win.
“Ms. Redgate.” He nodded. “Landing’s ready when you are.”
“I’m ready, but I need to get my horse out of the trailer. Is there somewhere I could feed and water him and let him stretch his legs?”
“I’ll do that for you.” Kyle offered.
“I’ll get one of the grooms to do it.” Wes said and pulled out his phone.
“No.” Liz put her hand on his arm. “Traveler is – spirited. Best if I do it.”
“I’ll walk Landing.” Kyle said. “Give you time.”
Liz looked at Wes and he shrugged. “Fine. Unload him and we’ll put him in that paddock.” He pointed across the graveled road from the track.
“Thanks.” Liz hurried to the trailer.
Wes looked over at Kyle. “What?”
“Didn’t say anything.”
“But you’re thinking something.”
“Just curious to see how she rides.”
“Me too.”
“Best get this boy walking.” Kyle turned Landing and walked along beside him.
Landing seemed worked up, more eager than normal and it took more to control him as they walked. Kyle turned his gaze toward Liz Redgate’s truck. The animal she unloaded was a beauty, and definitely an Arabian. One of good breeding if his eye was right. That piqued his curiosity. What would a woman be doing riding around with an expensive horse? Furthermore, what qualifications did she have as a jockey? He’d never heard of her and he kept up with the racing world.
Keeping abreast of things was more important now than ever. Kyle had worked with several of the Pursell’s race horses, but had never been offered the chance to be co-trainer. If Landing turned out to be a winner, he could make more this year than in multiple years doing his normal work. And if Landing ended up in the roses, he’d have helped train a champion.
It was a very big deal and he took it seriously. He thought Wes did as well, and yet here he was, letting an unknown, a woman, try for the jockey position. Kyle shook his head and cut a look again at Liz Redgate.
She knew Landing. He was sure of it. Especially after the way Landing acted. What was up there? It was a mystery and that added an extra layer of interest. Interest that wouldn’t profit him at all. He told himself to forget about her and focus on the task at hand.
After all, chances were, she’d be loading that horse of hers back into the trailer within the hour and headed back to wherever she came from. He didn’t think there was a chance in hell she’d land the job.
In a way that was a shame. He’d kind of like a chance to figure out what she was all about. On and off the track.
*****
Liz moved slower than normal getting Traveler settled. Seeing King’s Landing had affected her more than she’d expected. It had taken every bit of self-control she possessed not to rush over to him when he whinnied and tried to come to her.
However, she couldn’t let anyone know her relationship with Landing. That wouldn’t bode well for her getting the job and she was determined to be hired. Finally, when she couldn’t stall anymore, she headed out of the paddock.
Wes was leaning against his truck, tinkering with his phone. He’d definitely matured to be very handsome. And still single from what she’d heard. Funny, but as hot as he was, she didn’t feel any real attraction. Guess that childhood crush was long gone.
The trainer, on the other hand, was one hot piece of man. She kept her eyes on him as she went to her truck. Her gear was stowed behind the seat. Liz put on her chaps, watching the trainer with Landing. Landing was eager to move; she could tell from the way the muscles along the back of his neck twitched. He’d always gotten twitchy when he wanted to run.
I wonder if the trainer knows that? She sat down to change into riding boots. It took a while to become familiar with a horse and Wes hadn’t owned Landing that long. Was the trainer good? She’d never heard of him. Why would Wes hire an unknown to work with a horse of Landing’s caliber? Just who was this Kyle guy?
Tall and lean, he filled out his jeans nicely, was definitely a looker and had something in his eyes, some kind of knowing that slightly intimidated her. Liz shook off the thought. He couldn’t know anything about her. She’d not given anything that could be traced back to Quinlan Racing. She had taken care not to leave a trail.
She couldn’t trust anyone with her plan, not even her brother. The only way for her to get out from under her father’s thumb was on her own.
That’s exactly what she was going to do. A wave of dizziness had her grabbing onto the door of the truck when she stood. It took only a few seconds to pass but in its wake came a wave of queasiness. So much for being awake for over a day and a half. With luck this wouldn’t take long and she could tend to Traveler and then find somewhere to pass out. She felt like she could sleep for an entire day.
Liz grabbed her helmet and headed for the gate where Wes was watching the horse.
He turned to look at her.“You ready?”
“Yep.” She put on her helmet.
“Kyle!” Wes shouted for the trainer.
Kyle waved and turned Landing. Liz hopped the fence and waited. When Kyle and Landing stopped beside her she immediately reached for Landing, rubbing his face and head. “Hey big guy. How’re you doing? You wanna run?”
Landing snorted and shook his head up and down. Liz laughed and turned her attention to the trainer, Kyle. When his gaze locked with hers she felt the mental equivalent of a punch to the gut. Whoa. What was that? Let it go, Liz. Focus.
“What do you want from me, Mr. Stadler?”
“It’s not me you have to please, Ms. Redgate.”
“You’re the trainer.”
“Co-trainer, but not the owner. Mr. Pursell does the hiring.”
“Right you are.” She rubbed Landing’s neck. “But I need to know how you work with him, so you want me to warm him up a bit?”
“Yeah, take him around a couple of times slow.”
“You got it.”
Kyle gave her a leg up and adjusted her stirrups. He then moved to the other side of the fence beside Wes as Liz walked Landing half way aroun
d the track. Once she’d made a full circuit, she upped to a trot, completed the lap and moved on at a canter.
He watched as Landing speeded to a canter. “She has good form.”
“Indeed.” Wes commented without taking his eyes off the horse and rider.
Kyle wondered if Wes was appreciating Liz’s skill on the horse or her appealing appearance. He watched as well, his focus on Liz’s form and the way she handled the horse. When she completed the lap and stopped beside them, he instructed her to make the same ride, but let Landing have his head.
“Say when.”
“Now.” Kyle pressed the start on his stopwatch.
“Holy shit.” Wes, who had been leaning on the fence, stood up straight.
Kyle understood what the words meant. Liz rode as if she and Landing were connected. She was bent forward, her butt not touching the saddle, with all her weight on her feet. Her head nearly touched Landing’s neck and her motion matched his perfectly.
It was, in some ways, the visual equivalent of a concert. Perfect harmony and timing. He was so caught up in the sight that he forgot about the stopwatch until horse and rider made the turn and headed toward him.
As they flew by he hit the stop button. Wes looked over and Kyle showed him the time.
“Holy shit.”
Kyle nodded. Liz had done what world-class riders could not. “That gal can ride.”
“That she can, my friend.” Wes clapped Kyle on the shoulder. “I think I’m gonna hire her.”
“You’ve got two prominent jockeys due in the next couple of weeks.”
“Yep, and I’ll talk with them. She might not ride Landing for the money, but she’ll make a hell of an exercise rider.”
Kyle found it shocking that Wes’s statement annoyed him. Was it because he figured Liz was counting on the jockey position or the way Wes looked at her. He shoved those thoughts away. His job was as a trainer. Wes was the boss and if he wanted to hire Liz as an exercise rider that was his business.
Liz reined Landing to a stop in front of them. “Well?”
