by Ciana Stone
“Get her on the horse. I’ll meet you at the track in twenty minutes.”
With that he turned and left. Kyle looked at the grooms. “I think we’ve covered everything. Just make sure to check with me after the vet leaves in case we want to make a change in the diet.”
As the grooms dispersed to go back to their tasks, Kyle headed for the office. He’d promised Liz Redgate two hours of rest. Now it looked like she’d get half an hour at best. He didn’t know if she’d be able to perform. She was pretty much dead on her feet.
Which got him to wondering. Where had she come from that took an entire day to drive? The tags on her truck were from Kansas. That was a long haul but not twenty-four hours and she’d indicated to the nurse that’s how long she’d driven.
Something wasn’t adding up, but at the moment that didn’t matter nearly as much as trying to get her on her feet and onto Landing. He hoped she wouldn’t fail, and that hope shocked him. Why should it matter whether she succeeded or failed?
It wasn’t like he’d ever get involved with her. If she got the boot she’d head back to where she came from. If she didn’t then he’d not lay a hand on her as much as he might want to. Mixing business and pleasure never boded well.
He entered the office and stopped. She was face down on the sofa, her face turned toward the door. Kyle watched her for a few moments. Liz was a beautiful woman; one whose beauty didn’t rely on artifice. That appealed to him. As did her firm form and long dark hair.
He mentally scolded himself for those thoughts. She was not a woman who should fire his furnace. Determined to rein in the attraction, he approached and leaned over to put a hand on her shoulder. “Ms. Redgate?”
She didn’t budge or even blink. He tried again, shaking her a bit. Nothing.
“Ms. Redgate.” This time he gave her a substantial shake and spoke loudly.
Her eyes flew open, and she jumped so hard she literally fell off the couch. “Ouch, damn. What?”
He could tell she was fighting to wake and waited until she was sitting on the couch again before speaking. “Sorry to wake you.”
“It’s been two hours?” She yawned. “Damn feels like five minutes.”
“Actually it’s only been half an hour, but Mr. Pursell – senior, that is – he’d demanding to see you ride Landing.”
“I thought Wes was the boss?”
“He is. Provisionally. But this is his father’s place and Wes is using the facilities, and Pursell Racing is technically owned by the father so—”
“I get it.” She stood. “Okay, let’s do it.”
“You sure you can ride?”
“Absolutely. Where’s my gear?”
“On the table by the door – and he’ll be expecting a good showing.”
“He’ll get one. I guarantee that, Mr. Stadler.”
“Kyle.”
Her gaze moved to his and for the space of a breath they were locked in place. Kyle felt it, the attraction. He knew it existed, but it was overshadowed by something that had her gaze dropping. “You’re my boss, remember? It wouldn’t be appropriate to call you Kyle.”
He wasn’t going to argue. For whatever reason she needed that distance between them and the truth was, it was probably the smartest thing. “Okay then, let’s get to it.”
Together they headed for the track. Liz put on her helmet and glasses as they walked. Herbert was there, waiting with two grooms and the exercise rider. Landing neighed three times. Liz breezed by Herbert without so much as a glance. Her entire focus was on Landing. Landing’s neigh turned to a whinny when Liz walked over and rubbed him. He nuzzled her neck, and turned his head down, placing his forehead against hers.
Kyle was so caught up in watching them that he almost missed what Herbert was saying. “I don’t have time to stand around. Let’s see what you can do, missy.”
The look that came on Liz’s face at Herbert’s words wasn’t lost on Kyle. He took Landing’s reins. “Come on.”
Liz fell in step with him as he led Landing through the gate. When he handed her the reins, he also gave her a smile. “Show him what you’ve got.”
She gave him a grateful smile and up into the saddle she went. He adjusted the stirrups and when she nodded her approval, gave Landing a pat and walked over to stand beside the fence.
“Time her.” Herbert barked.
“Yes, sir.” Kyle pulled out his stopwatch and raised his arm. He looked at Liz and she nodded. At the same moment he dropped his arm, he started the watch.
It was a thing of beauty to watch. Liz and Landing seemed possessed of one mine, working in effortless synergy. No one watching made a comment, not one sound. Every eye was glued to the horse and his rider.
Kyle found himself holding his breath as they started down the final stretch. He couldn’t take his eyes off them to look at the watch. When Landing’s head was even with where he stood he stopped the watch. For a moment his eyes followed them, reluctant to check the time. If it wasn’t good Herbert would fire Liz and use her gender as an excuse.
Liz slowed Landing and turned to head back toward him and Kyle glanced at the watch. He had to hold back the smile that was trying to take shape on his face. He turned and walked over to Herbert, showing him the watch.
“Well, I’ll be damned.” Herbert looked at the watch, at Kyle and back at the watch. “That’s better than what you said she did earlier.”
“Yes, sir.”
Herbert’s gaze went to Liz who was drawing abreast of them. She slid down off Landing and led him over to Kyle. “He kicked serious ass, didn’t he?”
This time Kyle didn’t stop the smile. He turned the watch for her to see.
“Yes!” She turned and hugged Landing.
Kyle’s attention went back to Herbert who was studying Liz. “Well, I didn’t think it possible, but I’m impressed young lady.”
That’s when Liz turned to look at Herbert and in the next few moments the atmosphere changed. A stricken look flitted across her face that she seemed to control after a few moments. Kyle looked at Herbert to see a sly smile on his face.
“So, Ms. Redgate, is it?” Herbert asked.
“Yes, sir.” She didn’t meet his gaze.
“Looks like you’ve found a job. It’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out.”
Herbert gave Kyle a nod. “I’m expecting big things, Mr. Stadler. I hope neither you nor your rider let me down.”
He didn’t give Kyle a chance to respond. He just turned and walked away. The grooms, exercise rider and vet followed. Kyle turned to Liz to see her watching Herbert with narrowed eyes.
“You want to explain that?”
“Explain what?”
“His comment.”
She shrugged and turned away to rub Landing. “You want me to work him out?”
Kyle got the message. She wasn’t going to talk about it. Fine. Sooner or later he’d figure it out. Right now he should focus on the job. Securing Pursell Racing a win and himself a payoff that would set him up for his future.
Chapter Five
Liz slid off Traveler’s back. It was not yet seven in the morning but the ranch hands had been at it since six. Kyle didn’t normally arrive until after nine which left her with free time in the mornings. She didn’t mind. She spent so much of her day with Landing that she was grateful to have time to devote to Traveler.
She laughed to herself. Some women worked to balance their lives between two men. With her, it was two horses and no men. Not that she wouldn’t mind having a man around. If that man was Kyle Stadler. Damn if he didn’t rev her engine like liquid nitrogen.
Too bad he was off limits. She got the impression that he shared a common attitude with her. Don’t get involved with people you work with. If it goes south not only is the relationship shot but the job as well.
Still she couldn’t help but let herself indulge in daydreams now and then. God knows she had nothing else to do in her downtime. The men who shared her bunkhouse either spent their time drinking an
d playing cards, or high-tailing it into town to some bar where they ogled women.
She did neither. Three weeks she’d been here and so far she’d spent the evenings visiting Landing and Traveler or maybe reading a book she’d downloaded on her phone. And lusting over Kyle Stadler. God, she was pathetic.
Today she’d ridden Traveler bareback. When she first bought him she tried and realized he’d never been ridden that way. It had taken a bit of time for him to become accustomed to it. Today’s ride had been one of their best.
She didn’t need to bridle him or have use for a lead rope. He would walk with her wherever she wanted him to go and right now it was back to the barn for a bath. She’d shower after she had him cleaned and fed.
One of the hands she’d made friends with, Earl, was just leaving the barn when she approached. “Morning, Miss Liz.”
“Morning Earl.”
“That’s a fine animal. Were you riding him bareback?”
“Yes.”
“Impressive.”
“Yes, he is.”
“You and Kyle working with Landing again today?”
“I imagine so.”
“Kyle’s really good.”
She’d come to realize that over the last few weeks. Not only did he seem to understand Landing, but she’d watched him work with a couple of new horses that Wes wanted broken. Kyle definitely had something extra. All the hands and the grooms claimed he was a horse whisperer. She was starting to think they were right.
“Yeah, he is.”
“Well, I’ll let you get to it.”
“Have a good one, Earl. Oh, and thanks again for picking stuff up for me from the store.”
“You’re welcome and you know you can ride along next time if you want.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that. Well, I better get to it. Have a good day.”
“You too.”
Liz set about bathing Traveler. He tended to get playful during bath time and as was normal, she ended up drenched. She was just finishing when Traveler looked toward the door and snorted. Liz looked around to see Kyle walking toward her. Damn if that wasn’t a pleasure. All kinds of delicious fantasies flitted through her mind before he stopped in front of her.
His eyes moved from hers and tracked down her body. She looked down as well. Crap. Her wet t-shirt was glued to her body, making it pretty damn obvious she wasn’t wearing anything beneath it.
“Morning.” She greeted him as his eyes moved back up and focused on her face. “Didn’t expect to see you so early.”
“Landing’s due for a check-up and the vet needed to do it early.”
“Oh. Okay, well I was finishing up.”
“You ride today?”
“Yep.” She ushered Traveler into his stall and dispensed his feed. As his attention turned to eating, she left the stall.
“Bareback?”
“How’d you know?”
“Saw Earl. Seems you’re attracting some attention on your rides.”
“Wasn’t meaning to.”
“Unavoidable.”
“Oh? Why?”
“You see any other women around here?”
Liz chuckled. “Yeah, it is a little like being the only guppy at a shark convention.”
Kyle’s expression turned dark. “Someone giving you trouble?”
“Oh no. No, sorry. I didn’t mean anything by that. Everyone’s been real nice. But Earl kinda took me under his wing and I get the feeling that no one wants to mess with him.”
“Don’t know as I blame them. That’s one big fella.”
“He’s real nice.” He was, from what she’d seen of him. Even tempered for the most part and affable. He was tall and heavyset, with a mop of strawberry blond hair and blue eyes she could only describe as kind. And strong as an ox. Seriously strong. Two days ago she saw him pick up a good sized calf like it was a puppy.
“So back to the riding. How’d you train Traveler to bareback?”
“It took a little while. He got used to me sitting on him quick, but it took a bit to work out controlling him.”
“What technique do you use?”
“My legs. I still can’t do sharp turns, but then I don’t know that I’d try that anyway. He’s big and I do well just to keep a grip on him with my legs.”
“I can see that would be a challenge for someone your size. I’d like to watch sometime.”
What the hell was wrong with her? Her entire body flushed with heat at his last sentence. For crying out loud it wasn’t like he’d asked to watch her shower, so why did it give her such a damn rush of lust? Working with Kyle sure had its challenges. Keeping her libido in check being the biggest of all.
“Uh, sure. Well, I better go get changed. You want to stick to the ten a.m. workout with Landing or up it since you’re here.”
“Earlier would be good if that suits you.”
“It does. Give me fifteen minutes to change and grab some coffee.”
“Take your time. It’s likely to take a good half hour with the vet.”
“Okay. Meet you at the track?”
“Yep.”
“Okay. See you shortly.” Liz hurried out of the barn and almost ran smack into Herbert Pursell.
“Oh, Mr. Pursell. Sorry.”
“Where’s the fire, Missy?”
“My apology. I was bathing Tr – a horse and I need to get changed since Mr. Stadler is here.”
“How’s Landing coming along?”
“Mr. Stadler would be better equipped to tell you that sir. If you’ll excuse me.”
Liz didn’t wait for a response. She hurried to the bunk house. Herbert Pursell made her nervous. Surely he couldn’t know who she was? No, that was highly unlikely, and yet every time he looked at her she seemed to see a sly expression on his face.
She dismissed those thoughts. Wes was her boss and the one she had to please. So far he hadn’t hired anyone to replace her, and she intended to keep it that way. She’d keep her head down around Herbert, her hands off Kyle and focus on the riding.
Because the riding was going to take her to the winner’s circle and once she was there her father would have no choice but to admit he was wrong about her.
*****
Kyle was walking Landing out of the barn when the car pulled up. He didn’t have to wonder who it was. Herbert Pursell was the only man he knew who owned a Bentley and never drove himself. His driver got out and opened the door.
Kyle stopped as Herbert got out of the car. Another man exited behind him, one who disappeared when he stood behind Herbert.
“Ah, there you are. And with our horse. Good.” He looked around and stepped to one side to reveal the man behind him.
One look told Kyle this was not good. He recognized the man with Herbert. Paulo Sousa, an Argentinian jockey with half a dozen wins under his belt.
“Paulo, this is Kyle Stadler, one of the trainers. Kyle, Paulo Sousa.”
“It’s an honor.” Kyle offered his hand.
“A pleasure.” Sousa shook hands and then looked at Landing. “And this is King’s Landing, yes?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Magnificent.”
Herbert took control of the conversation. “Kyle, get Landing out to the track and have that girl warm him up. Paulo’s going to get changed and we’ll meet you at the track.”
“You’re going to ride Landing?” Kyle looked at Sousa.
“Yes, that is why I am here.”
Kyle nodded and looked at Herbert. “I’ll have him ready.”
“See that you do.”
It rankled Kyle a bit that Herbert was behaving as if Landing belonged to him. Wes owned the horse, and it was Kyle’s understanding that Wes would be the one making the decision on who to hire to ride Landing.
He wondered if Wes was even aware that Herbert had brought in Paulo Sousa. He considered calling Wes to ask but decided against it. If there was a power struggle between Wes and Herbert, he’d be smart to stay out of it. There was someone, however, h
e did need to call.
Kyle led Landing off, reaching in his pocket for his phone. He and Liz had exchanged phone numbers, but this was the first time he’d called her. She answered on the second ring. “I’m on my way.”
“We’ve got a situation.”
“What kind of situation?”
“Ever hear of Paulo Sousa?”
“Shit!”
The line went dead. Kyle pocketed his phone and continued to the track. He hadn’t reached the gate when Liz ran up. Literally.
“He’s here?” She looked around.
“He is. He and Herbert will be here any minute.”
“He’s going to ride Landing?”
“He is. Herbert said for you to warm him up.”
“He wants me to warm Landing up for that – for Paulo?”
“Yep.”
It was obvious from her stance that Liz was pissed to the gills. Her arms were straight by her side, her fists clenched around her gear, her face flushed and her eyes appeared two shades lighter, as if the anger had sucked the color right out of them.
“Fine.” She slammed her helmet on her head and put on her goggles.
Landing snorted and pranced and Kyle stepped back, pulling Landing with him as Liz took a step toward them. “You’re upsetting him.”
That took the wind out of her sails. “Oh, I’m sorry.” She reached for Landing’s face. “I’m sorry, buddy. It’s okay. It’s okay.”
Landing nuzzled her for a few seconds and Kyle could see the tension easing out of the horse’s body. It was amazing the way Landing vibed in so intensely on Liz’s feelings. There was a much closer connection between them than anyone realized.
She cut her eyes up at him. “Sorry.”
“I get it.”
“Do you?”
“Yeah, I think so.”
She stared at him for several seconds. “You realize I could get the boot today, right?”
“Or not. We won’t know until Paulo rides him.”
“I know. Okay, whatever it will be it will be. Give me a leg up and I’ll warm him up.”
Kyle complied and opened the gate for her. He noticed the way she leaned over Landing’s neck, talking to him the entire time they were on the track. Kyle couldn’t help but wonder what she was saying.
