by Ciana Stone
Herbert’s car pulled up. He and Paulo got out. Paulo put on his helmet as they approached.
“We ready?” Herbert asked.
“Yes, sir.” Kyle turned and whistled sharply. Liz looked at him and he waved her in.
Liz trotted Landing the rest of the way around the track and stopped just shy of the gate. Kyle entered and when she slid off the horse, she handed him the reins. Herbert spoke to her as she left the track.
“Liz, let me introduce Paulo Sousa. I asked him here to try Landing.”
“It’s an honor.” Liz stuck out her hand to Paulo.
“A pleasure. How is he running today?”
“Good, a bit eager.”
“I do not mind eager.”
“Then you should love Landing.”
“We will see, will we not?”
With that, he entered the track. Kyle gave him a leg up and moved back through the gate to stand with Liz and Herbert.
“Now, let’s see how a real pro does it.” Herbert commented.
Kyle glanced at Liz and saw the way her eyes were narrowed. He had no doubt that right now she’d like to give Herbert a swift kick. To her credit, she did not respond.
“Whoa!”
At the sound of Liz’s voice, Kyle’s head jerked around toward Paulo on the track. Landing was prancing sideways, shaking his head, snorting and fighting Paulo. That went on for nearly ten seconds. Kyle was starting to get annoyed at the way the jockey was jerking on the reins. Landing didn’t take well to force, and it was easy to see by the horse’s eyes and flare of his nostrils that his agitation was increasing.
Paulo eased up and Landing took off. It appeared as if Paulo was unprepared for the sudden burst of speed because it took him a bit of time to get into a stable position. No sooner had he stood up in the stirrups, Landing slowed.
Paulo fought him halfway around the track, jerking on the reins and using his crop. Landing was getting more agitated by the moment. Kyle looked at Herbert, but Herbert waved a hand in dismissal. “He’s just getting a feel for the animal. Give him time.”
Liz turned to look at Kyle and he saw the silent plea in her eyes. She couldn’t stand seeing Landing being treated that way. Kyle gave a slight shake of his head. It wasn’t his horse, so it wasn’t his call.
Twice Paulo rode Landing around the track, each circuit worse than the previous. They were half a lap from the start when Paulo started with the crop again. Kyle felt Liz’s hand on his arm, her fingers digging into him. He wanted to tell her it would be okay, but he didn’t believe it.
“Maybe we should call them in.”
Herbert cut him a scornful look. “I’ll say when.”
“Sir, I don’t think— “
“I’m not paying you to think.”
“Mr. Pursell, he’s— “Liz spoke up.
“And I don’t need anything from you, Missy.”
By that time, Paulo had nearly reached the gate. He tried to rein Landing in, but Landing was not cooperating. Paulo started whipping him, which only made things worse. Landing was rearing, bucking and getting more wild-eyed by the moment. Kyle knew right then that if someone didn’t get control of the situation there was going to be an injury.
As if in answer to his thoughts, Liz vaulted the fence and called out to the horse. “Landing, stop.”
The horse pranced for a second then stopped. Kyle hurried through the gate and grabbed the reins. Paulo slid off, red faced and breathing hard. “That beast is not fit to ride!”
To Kyle’s horror, he raised the crop and hit Landing. Kyle heard Liz’s scream as Landing reared, jerking the reins from Kyle’s hand. Paulo struck at Landing again. Kyle and Liz moved at the same time, trying to get between Paulo and the horse. The crop caught Kyle on his shoulder, pulling a grunt of pain from him.
No sooner had that blow landed, Liz had hold of Paulo’s upraised arm. She jerked him around and his spin had him breaking free of her grip.
This time when he raised the crop it was at her.
“Oh hell no.” She drew back her fist and let him have it.
The punch caught him square on the nose. Kyle watched as Paulo’s head whipped back with blood flying. His body followed the momentum of his head and he went down.
Liz was already tending to Landing, rubbing and crooning to him. Paulo rolled around on the ground, clutching his nose and screaming about suing.
“Don’t just stand there, get him up!” Herbert shouted at Kyle.
Kyle offered Paulo a hand and pulled the man to his feet. Paulo shouted at Liz in Spanish as he stomped to the gate. Herbert was waiting. He put his arm around Paulo’s shoulders and led him to the car.
“You crazy bitch!” He shouted at Liz as he helped Paulo into the car. “You’re finished! You hear me? Finished! You and that loco horse.”
Kyle watched as they got in and the car pulled away. Then he turned to look at Liz. “You’ve screwed the pooch now.”
“I don’t care.” She stuck her chin up at him. “He was abusing Landing. And he hit you.”
“I know.”
“Then how am I at fault?”
“You probably broke his nose.”
“Well, he’s lucky I didn’t stick that whip up his ass.”
Kyle was trying not to smile but damn if she wasn’t cute all riled up. He’d never forget the way Paulo had come up off his feet and gone over backwards. Kyle wouldn’t have acted in the same manner, but he couldn’t honestly say he blamed Liz.
“You know he’ll fire you.”
“He can’t.”
“Oh yes, he can.”
“No. Wes hired me. Wes has to fire me.”
“And you think he won’t?”
Kyle saw the fire go out of her. Tears sprang from her eyes and streamed down her face. “I want to be sorry, but I’m not. I’d do it again.”
“I know.” He had to stop himself from reaching out to touch her. He hated seeing her cry.
“So what do I do?”
“Nothing. Go for a run, take a shower, ride Traveler. Just stay out of Herbert’s path. I’ll call Wes and explain. Unless you hear different from me, be here at three for the normal workout.”
“You think that will make a difference?”
“It may. If I back you.”
“And do you?” She stepped closer.
As always when their gazes met, a current of lust ran through him, but this time there was more. Her gaze was unguarded, and he caught a glimpse of a new side of her. Behind the tough exterior was a woman desperate to prove herself and scared of failing. Behind the facade was someone who cared deeply and wouldn’t hesitate to wade in when someone or something she loved was being harmed. There was good inside Liz Redgate and knowing that changed things.
At least for Kyle. Sure, she was still hiding things, but he no longer thought those things were of any danger to him or people he cared about. He suspected that whatever she was hiding had to do with emotional pain and was definitely locked into her need to prove herself.
“I don’t blame you. He was wrong to beat Landing and he threatened you. Any man would have done the same thing.”
“But it’s different when it’s a woman?”
Kyle smiled. “Well it’s a damn sight more embarrassing for Paulo, that’s for sure.”
At first she didn’t react, and then a smile started to take shape on her face. “I owe you, Mr. Stadler and I won’t forget this.”
“I’m not likely to either. And please, no more Mr. Stadler.”
“Huh?”
Kyle finally allowed himself to appreciate the humor of the situation. “Kyle, please. And he’s gonna have a hard time living that down. Knocked on his ass by a woman.”
Liz seemed shocked and then she smiled again. The smile morphed into a laugh and within moments they were both howling, hanging onto one another for support.
Later, Kyle would realize that as the moment he fell for Liz Redgate.
Chapter Six
Liz was exhausted b
y half-past two when she finished cleaning the last stall. She was pushing the wheelbarrow towards the door when she heard voices. As she neared the door she stopped. Herbert Pursell was outside with another man and was raising holy hell at him. The last thing she wanted to do was have another run-in with him so she parked the wheelbarrow and peered around the side of the door.
Herbert snatched a paper bag from the man’s hand and threw it on the ground. “I don’t know who the hell you think you’re working for here, but on my ranch we don’t show up in dirty clothes.”
Herbert stomped the bag on the ground. “Nor do we allow workers to waste time sitting on fences and stuffing their fat faces. Either you shape up mister or you can find another job. Do I make myself clear?”
“Why yes you do, sir.”
“Good, then clean up your damn trash. And I better not catch you loitering again.”
“No sir, Mr. Pursell.”
Liz waited until Herbert had stomped away before she exited the barn. She drew alongside the man and stopped. “Don’t feel bad. He’s pretty much a jerk to everyone. Just steer clear of him and it’ll be okay. Everyone else around here is nice.”
“I didn’t mean any harm. It was just nice sitting there on the fence, eating my lunch and feeling the sun on my face and wind on my skin.”
“Yeah, it is nice today. And I’m sorry he stomped on your lunch. I hope you were finished.”
“No ma’am. Had only eaten my apple.”
“Well I’m sorry – uh, I didn’t get your name.”
“Joe.”
“Well, hey Joe, I’m Liz. And I tell you what. Wait for me to dump this and return the wheelbarrow and then walk with me to the bunkhouse. There’s probably no one there and I know I have some sandwich fixings left. You can make yourself a couple of sandwiches.”
“I can’t impose on you, Miss Liz.”
“It’s not imposing if it was offered. Just give me three minutes okay?”
“Yes, ma’am. And thank you.”
“Sure.”
As soon as she finished, Liz met Joe, waiting where she’d left him with the crushed bag in his hand. “Come on.” She gestured.
Joe fell in step with her. “I thought you were hired to ride King’s Landing?”
“I was.”
“Then what are you doing mucking out stalls?”
“Killing time?” She’d run six miles, practiced an hour of yoga, done some freestyle gymnastic exercises, worked with Traveler and help muck out stalls. So far there’d been no word from Kyle.
“How many you much out?”
“Six.”
“Woo buddy, that makes me tired just hearing it. That horse, Landing, he sure seems to love you.”
“The feeling’s mutual.” She looked over at him and smiled.
“Not everyone appreciates animals the way you do.”
“Then shame on them. So what’s your specialty, Joe?”
“This and that. Whatever people need of me.”
“Jack of all trades, eh?”
“Something like that, yes ma’am.”
“Well you’ll never be lacking work, will you?”
“Not so far.”
“That’s us.” She pointed to the third bunkhouse.
As she expected the bunkhouse was empty. “Okay, kitchen is right there.” She pointed. “Just help yourself. I’ve got to get cleaned up so I’ll be ready for Landing’s three o’clock workout.”
“Thank you, Miss Liz.”
“You’re welcome. See you in a few.”
Liz went to the bathroom, locked the door, put her phone on the sink and climbed into the shower. Ten minutes later she was combing her hair. She pulled it back into a wet ponytail, put on her clothes and grabbed her riding gear.
She still had fifteen minutes. Hunger had been gnawing at her for the last several hours but she’d been too jumpy to eat. When she walked into the kitchen there was no sign of Joe. But there was a shiny apple on the bar with a single daisy. She smiled, picked up the apple and a banana, along with a bottle of water and headed for the track.
She’d eaten the banana by the time she reached the track. Liz climbed up on the fence and drank her water while she waited. Texas was beginning to grow on her a bit. She was starting to see the beauty of the land. She wondered what it would be like in winter? Winter back home could be brutal. She didn’t imagine it would be that bad here, they were so far south.
The thought of home had her pulling out her phone to call her brother. He answered after only one ring.
“Hey little sister.”
“Hey Coop.”
“You’re talking to me again?”
“One of my failings. I don’t want to be mad at you, Coop. You know that. I just – “
“You just don’t trust me.”
“Do you blame me?”
“I don’t know how else to say I’m sorry, Liz.”
“I know and maybe it’s me. Maybe I do need to let it go, but – never mind. I don’t want to get into that. How are you?”
“Okay.”
“Just okay?”
There was a long pause, long enough that she started to worry. “Coop?”
“I’m here.”
“Talk to me.”
Another long pause preceded his next words. “Dad has me on a new deal. A really big one.”
“And?”
“And nothing, just working on a deal.”
“It’s not just a deal. Something’s bothering you.”
“I’m just not sure about it. I’ll deal with it. He’s… he’s serious about pressing charges against you.”
“How can he?”
“He’s got his attorney looking into it.”
“What the hell is wrong with him?”
“Liz, just come back. I’ll help you make things right. I swear I will.”
“Cooper, nothing’s ever going to be right between me and Dad until he finally gets it through his head that he can’t run my life.”
“So you’d rather go to jail?”
“Than be a prisoner? You bet. Come on. You know what he wants. He wants me to come back, give up control of my life to him and settle down with some jerk of his choosing who will be of benefit to him.”
Liz nearly fell off the fence when she realized Kyle was standing at the fence beside her. She hadn’t heard him approach. “Look, I have to go. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Liz wait.”
“Later.”
She ended the call and stuck the phone in the thigh pocket of her pants. Her heart was beating a little fast. Had Kyle heard her conversation? She hopped off the fence. “Well, did you talk to Wes?”
“I did.”
“And?”
“He was mad.”
“At me?”
“No.”
“For god’s sake Kyle, tell me.”
“He was mad that his father brought in Paulo. Wes had been approached by Paulo’s manager and had declined to invite Paulo to try out. He doesn’t like Paulo’s treatment of horses.”
“So he’s not mad at me?”
“No, actually he got a good laugh out of you decking Paulo. He said not to worry. He’d take care of things with his father.”
“Yes!” Without thinking, she threw her arms around him.
At first he tensed and then one of his arms circled her and pulled her in tight. The sensation of his body pressed against hers and his arm strong and firm around her sent desire rocketing powerful enough to scare her. She leaned back far enough to look up into his eyes.
Oh oh. That’s all she had time to think before it hit her. She was falling for Kyle Stadler.
He released her and they both stepped away from one another. It was an awkward moment that was thankfully short lived as a groom arrived leading Landing. “There’s my boy.” Liz hurried over to him. “You ready to run, buddy?”
“You want me to warm him up, Mr. Stadler?” The groom asked.
“No, thanks. We’ve got it.”
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“Okay.”
Liz watched the groom turn and walk away before she looked at Kyle again. He walked over to take Landing’s reins and she fell in step with him as he led Landing through the gate of the track. Kyle handed her the reins and offered her a leg up.
She couldn’t stand the silence any longer. She reached down to put her hand on his shoulder. “Thanks for having my back with Wes. I owe you.”
“No you don’t. If I hadn’t known you were justified I wouldn’t have.”
“Still.”
“You’re welcome, Liz. Now, are you ready to work?”
“You know it.”
“Good, then let’s see if we can shave a quarter of a second off yesterday’s time.”
She grinned at him, relieved to be back on the safe ground that working with Landing provided. Here she and Kyle were focused on a common goal, working together to achieve what they both wanted. Here was a place she could shove aside thoughts of her family, her past and most importantly the growing impact Kyle seem to have on her.
*****
Cooper had no more than stepped foot inside the building before his father’s executive assistant, Alice Crawford, a woman in her fifties waylaid him. “Sir, your father wants to see you immediately.”
“Tell him I’ll come to his office as soon as I drop off my briefcase and check my messages.”
“He instructed me to tell you he means right now.”
“Fine.” Cooper accompanied Alice to the elevator. He had no quarrel with her. She’d worked for his father as long as Cooper could remember and was completely loyal to him. Not only was she dedicated, but she was thorough, efficient and very discreet. There was a time when Cooper wondered why his father never hooked up with Alice in his philandering.
When he discovered that Alice was gay and had been in a committed relationship with a nurse since she was in her twenties, it became clear. And opened another mystery. Just what made her so loyal to Lucas Quinlan?
It wasn’t a mystery he was likely to solve, nor had he ever found himself with the luxury of an abundance of free time to explore it. It was just as well. One thing Cooper had learned was that there were some things you were better off not knowing.
Alice led the way to Lucas’s office and tapped on his door. At the sound of his voice she opened the door. “Your son is here, Mr. Quinlan.”
