by Ciana Stone
Maybe he should encourage Wes to consider one of the riders who rode for multiple owners. There were some good ones available and it might be smarter to go with someone who was proven than an unknown.
As hot as she was and as well as she rode and controlled Landing, Liz Redgate was not just an unknown, but one with an air of mystery about her. And in his experience, mystery often hid things that people didn’t want known.
He couldn’t let anything get in the way of achieving his goals. Not even a smokin’ hot brunette with a kinship to horses that came close to matching his own.
*****
Herbert Pursell stood at the window of his study, puffing on a cigar and staring out over the landscape. Providence has its appointed hour for everything.
He smiled at his own clever abbreviation of Mahatma Ghandi’s original quote. Providence has its own appointed hour for everything. We cannot command results, we can only strive. He had little use for the quote in its entirety, but had often used his shortened version when he felt the need to gloat.
Fate had handed him the key to taking down one of his biggest rivals, Lucas Cooper Quinlan.
He and Quinlan had battled in and out of the business arena and for years Quinlan had left Herbert in his dust. Then Wes went up into the Dakotas and had outdone himself. The last decade they’d run neck-in-neck in oil and energy, ranching and horse racing.
However, this year the projections had Quinlan pulling so far ahead Herbert would never catch up, despite all of Wes’s successes up north. Quinlan had the home team advantage in the Dakota’s and Wyoming when it came to oil and energy.
Herbert held the upper hand in Texas, an area that was, so far, a small part of income for Quinlan. Herbert intended to keep it that way, by any means necessary. Now the task was to figure out how best to use the key he’d found to destroy Quinlan.
He turned and picked up his phone from the desk to dial Wes. On the second ring Wes answered.
“Dad? I don’t have much time. I’m due to leave— “
“I know. Come to my study.”
“Now?”
“Yes, now.”
“Fine.”
Herbert placed the phone on his desk and turned back to the window, smiling at his own reflection. He always found satisfaction in taking Wes down a peg or two. Not that he didn’t love his son. He did. Wes was his only child and the heir to Herbert’s kingdom. Nonetheless, there were times when Wes’s education and his success gave him the idea he was the captain of the ship.
Those times called for Herbert to remind his son that he still had a lot to learn and when it came to making money and staying on top, Herbert was still king.
He didn’t turn at the tap that sounded on the door, he just called out. “Come on in.”
“What do you need, Dad?”
Herbert finally turned to face Wes. “Your girl’s costing us a pretty penny.”
“You mean the Paulo thing.”
“Indeed I do.”
“From what I hear it was self-defense. He tried to beat her with his whip.”
Herbert didn’t want to get into an argument. He knew his son and Wes would argue with a signpost and then throw rocks at it when he thought he was right.
“So you stand behind her?”
“We’ve already had this discussion, and the answer is still yes.”
“Well, son, it seems to me that you’re putting a lot of faith in someone you know nothing about. I assumed you did have her checked out?”
He could tell from the tension that came into Wes’s stance that he had not. “I’m having that done now. I didn’t see a need to do it for merely an audition.”
“That could have been a hell of a mistake, son.”
“Excuse me?”
“Have a seat.”
Herbert noticed the way Wes hesitated, but it was a brief pause. Wes took a seat and Herbert did as well. “Why could it have been a mistake?” Wes finally asked after several seconds of silence.
“Because that gal might not be here for the reasons you think.”
“What would make you say that?”
“Second shelf of the bookcase behind you.”
Wes turned and looked behind him then at his father. “I don’t get it.”
“The picture in the back, the one of us at the Belmont Stakes. That was the year we took the winner’s circle and Quinlan’s horse came in third.”
“I remember.”
“Look at the picture, son.”
Wes got up and went to the bookcase. He picked up the framed photo and brought it back to his seat, studying it. It was of the top three horses, their riders and owners. Herbert and Mary were in the photo, as was Wes, along with L.C. Quinlan, his wife, two dark-haired teenagers and Everett Reedy.
“Okay, so?” Wes looked at his father.
“You were how old then?”
“I don’t know. That was more than twenty years ago I guess.”
“Yes it was.”
“So, what’s the point of this, dad?”
“Look at the girl with Quinlan.”
“His daughter?”
“Yep. Look familiar?”
“No.”
“Look again.”
Wes stared at the photo for nearly a minute before he looked up sharply. “No. It can’t be.”
“I’ll lay down good money right now that it is.”
Wes looked down at the photo again. “This doesn’t make any sense.”
“I think it’s time we got our people on this. I want to know everything there is to know about that girl and what brought her here and I want it yesterday.”
“Like I said, I already have someone running a background— “
“No, I want Charlie Owens on it. Today.”
“Fine.” Wes rose, replaced the photo on the bookcase and then looked at his father. “I’ll call on my way to the airport.”
“Money’s no object on this one but I want everything and I do mean everything.”
“I understand and I have to go. I’ll be back in three days and will call if I hear anything before then.”
Herbert nodded. “Have a safe trip son.”
“Thanks. See you soon.”
Herbert watched him leave and smiled. Things were starting to get interesting.
Chapter Eight
It took a few moments for Liz to realize where she was when she woke. The room was dark, but she had no idea what time it was. She rose and turned on the lamp on the nightstand. What had she done with her phone?
She found it lying on the bathroom counter and groaned as she saw the time. It was half past four in the morning which meant it would still be a few hours until dawn. She saw she had voicemail and checked. It was Cooper. She wasn’t ready to talk to him yet. She listened to the voicemail, deleted it and then went back to the bedroom. After pulling on a pair of jeans and a tank top, she headed for the kitchen.
Kyle had not lied. The cupboards were bare. She’d kill for a cup of coffee and her stomach was already starting to rumble. She didn’t imagine there were many convenience stores in the area, so chances were she’d have to wait until Kyle got up to get directions to a store.
Which meant a few hours of waiting. So, what was there for her to do? She headed for the bedroom. She could put away her clothes, finish dressing and then visit with Traveler.
It took all of twenty minutes to unpack, put away her belongings and store her luggage in the closet. Liz took her time getting ready for the day and even at that it took her ten minutes. She checked her phone. Five minutes until five. Chances were people would be getting up and to work within the hour. But right now everyone was probably still asleep.
The thought sparked another. Kyle. Sleeping. Nude.
“Argh!” Liz crammed her hat on her head, shoved her phone into her back pocket and grabbed her keys. The last thing she needed was to be having X-rated daydreams of Kyle Stadler.
She stepped outside and realized she hadn’t unhooked the trailer before s
he went to sleep. It took only a few minutes to back it up beside the house and park it and then she drove to the main compound. There were lights on in the main house, but she wasn’t about to stop. She parked her truck, got out and quietly closed the door.
The barn wasn’t locked and when she stepped inside a chorus of neighs greeted her, including Traveler who hung his head through the opening of his stall to look at her. Liz hurried to him and spent a good five minutes rubbing him.
She looked into his stall. It could use a cleaning. Upon a quick look she spotted a wheelbarrow. There were rakes and shovels hanging on wall racks at the end of the barn. She gathered what she needed and got to work. Traveler watched and gave her an occasional nuzzle.
When she finished, she located fresh hay and replenished his water bucket. Upon checking her phone, she saw that it was still only thirty-five minutes past five. It would be at least another hour until dawn.
So, what now? An idea had her suddenly smiling. She put Traveler’s bridle on and led him out of the barn to the adjacent paddock. He pranced and she released him, watching as he trotted around. Liz pulled out her phone, found a song in her playlist and hit play.
She saw Traveler’s ears perk up. Liz grinned and walked out into the paddock. He stopped and watched her. Liz spun around, holding her arms out to her side and then raising them slowly. She came to a stop facing him and lowered her arms.
He nodded his head and pawed at the ground. She recognized it as his cue and so she raised her arms and started to dance. A second later, he joined in.
*****
Kyle walked out onto the front porch, carrying a mug of coffee. He was sure he’d heard something. As he peered into the darkness, surprise had him walking closer to the porch railing. Two seconds later he hurried to the steps.
Surely he wasn’t seeing this? He made his way across the yard and the drive. The closer he got to the first paddock the more his surprise grew. There was Liz in the paddock with her horse. Dancing.
Her dancing was not what was so amazing although that sight inspired a burst of lust. But the damn horse was dancing with her. Every time she’d raise her arms over her head, the horse would rear up on his back legs, pawing the air. Kyle quietly made his way closer.
By the time he reached the fence he could hear the music. It was some kind of fiddle, but not of a country western flavor, more Celtic and quite beautiful. Liz spun and dipped, dancing like a fairy under the setting moon, and Traveler danced with her. He reared up and actually stepped into a turn on his back legs.
Kyle was sure he’d never seen anything like it. He’d been attracted to Liz at first glance and thought her sexy and pretty. Now she was beautiful, like something out of a fantasy. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. When the music stopped, Traveler lowered his head, and she placed her forehead against his, whispering to him as she stroked the sides of his face.
Kyle couldn’t make out she was saying. What he could see was the love between her and the horse. It was evident and he almost regretted witnessing such a private moment. Almost. The truth was, he’d never regret seeing the dance. It was one of the most remarkable things he’d ever witnessed and despite his intent to keep his distance from Liz, he was more attracted to her than before.
She turned and stopped cold when she saw him. For a few seconds they just stood there, watching each other. Finally, she started toward him with Traveler following. Her gaze locked with his and held.
“I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“No, I was up. Thought I heard something and came out to check.”
“So how long have you been here?”
“Long enough to watch the dance.”
“Oh.” She looked away.
“It was beautiful.”
Her gaze returned to his, surprise clear on her face. Kyle smiled at her. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
She didn’t look at him as she spoke, but he could hear the emotion in her voice. “When I was young I saw a man who had three white Lipizzans. He danced with them and I thought it was the most magical thing I’d ever seen.”
She stopped to pet Traveler and finally looked at Kyle. “When I first bought Traveler, I was out in the pasture with him one day. I had music playing on my phone and I started dancing. I nearly fell over when he started moving and so I kept doing it.”
“So you trained him?”
“Yes and no. I just trained him with hand signals to do things like circle or rear up or bow. He kind of taught himself to dance. He’s really amazing.”
“Which leads me to a question. Why bring him with you? If you have a home why even come here, Liz?”
She looked away, and he thought she was going to close up on him, but after a moment she leaned on the fence, rubbing Traveler who moved in beside her.
“I couldn’t leave him behind and I had to go. I want this job, Kyle.”
“Why? From the look of this horse, your gear and what you drive, you’re not broke.”
“A decent truck and gear doesn’t denote wealth, you know that.”
“No, but you don’t have the look of someone down on her luck.”
He held up one hand as she cut him a sharp look. “Hey, just being honest here. But financial status aside why this job?”
“Because Wes has the horse and I intend to win.”
“So, you have something to prove.”
Again, she cut him a sharp look and he knew he’d hit a nerve. “Don’t we all?”
“I suppose we do, but you’re a long way from home and traveling with an Arabian who, I’m willing to bet set you back a lot of cash.”
“True, on all counts, but let me ask you, does it matter what I have to prove or why I need to prove it?”
“No, I suppose it doesn’t.”
“Then help me. Help us. All of us. Help us win. I know Landing has it in him. I know it.”
“You know him, you mean.”
This time she didn’t just look away, she stepped back. “I think I’ll take Traveler for a run. You did say you wouldn’t be leaving until nine-thirty, right?”
“Right.”
“Okay, then I have plenty of time. See you later.”
With that, she exited the paddock and headed for her truck. By the time he reached half the distance to where she was parked, she was on her way back to the paddock with her saddle. “Enjoy your ride, Liz.”
“Thanks.” She didn’t stop or even look his way.
He looked over his shoulder at her. She was definitely hiding something, or maybe a lot of somethings. He hoped it wasn’t anything that was going to bite him or Wes in the ass and considered whether he should ask Wes about her the next time they spoke. Liz wasn’t the only one who wanted Landing to win. They all had a lot riding on it.
Kyle headed on back to the house. Cody Sweet was supposed to deliver a horse today, Twostep. Her father, Billy, had been trying to talk Cody into selling Twostep for nearly a year. The horse loved Cody, but was pure hell for everyone else. Three people had been stitched up by the Doc after having been bitten and one poor guy earned a broken arm.
Cody loved the beast and her concession was to bring him to Kyle to see if he could calm Twostep down. Kyle hadn’t made any promises other than he would try. He checked the time. She’d said she would be there by dawn, which gave him just enough time to make and eat breakfast.
As he was drying the last of the dishes he heard a truck. He headed outside to see her parking her old truck in front of the barn. She climbed out of the truck and walked to meet him. “Morning, Kyle.”
“Morning.”
“So you ready to work with my beastie?”
“Like I said, I’ll give it a go but no promises.”
“I don’t expect miracles.” She headed for the trailer. “So, I hear Wes hired himself a woman rider for that fancy horse.”
“Yep.”
“Have you met her?”
“Yep.”
“And?”
“And what?”
“Oh yeah.”
“You think she has what it takes?”
“She damn sure can control that high-strung horse better than any of the men who’ve tried.”
“Sometimes they just like us girls better.” Cody grinned at him.
“Apparently.”
She opened up the back of the trailer and went inside to lead Twostep out. Just as they cleared the trailer the horse reared up, pulling the lead from Cody’s hand.
“Oh shit.” She muttered as Twostep landed, whinnied and then bolted.
Kyle barely managed to get out of the way before the horse raced by him, headed in the direction of the Creek House. “Shit, I’ll never get a horse saddled in time to catch up to him.”
“We’ll follow in – what the hell?”
He followed the direction of her gaze. At the end of the nearest paddock, Liz was on Traveler. She was sitting on his back, watching Twostep race toward them. “Get in.” Cody headed for the driver’s door of the truck.
Kyle hurried as fast as he could, watching the whole time. Just as Cody started the truck and pulled forward, Twostep raced past Liz and Traveler. Liz kicked Traveler into motion and off they went, chasing Twostep.
“That horse can move.” Cody commented as she sped up, following Liz.
“That it can.” Kyle agreed.
It didn’t take Liz long to catch up with Twostep. She guided Traveler over close to Twostep and reached out with one hand. Liz pulled her arm back, watched Twostep for a few seconds as she galloped along beside them and then worked her feet out of her stirrups.
Cody gasped.” Oh no, she is not!”
Kyle was just as shocked, and even more so when Liz positioned herself with both feet planted on her saddle. She seemed to balance perfectly, squatted down and galloping along. When she suddenly launched herself at Twostep, he nearly gasped.
“Holy shit.” Cody eased up on the accelerator, leaning closer to the steering wheel.
