by Ciana Stone
“So you think this new horse – what’s his name?”
“Apache.”
“Apache. I like that. You think he’ll fill the bill?”
“We hope he will. If not, you and I are out of jobs, that’s for sure.”
“Traveler could do it.”
“Well, yes. He’s an Arabian. They dominate in endurance riding.”
“So why don’t we train him?”
Kyle looked over at her. “You mean instead of Apache?”
“No, along with training Apache.”
“Because Wes isn’t paying us to train him.”
“I know but think about it. What if we don’t get from Apache what you want – what you think will have us at least tenning? Wouldn’t you want an alternative?”
“I don’t see how that would benefit Pursell.”
“It wouldn’t. But it would us.”
“Are you talking about doing an end-run around the Pursells?”
“No, I’m talking about hedging our bet. We’ll do everything we can to get Apache in top notch shape and hope he will have what it takes. But— “
She met his gaze. “But if he doesn’t then Pursell is out. You can only control so much and Wes is smart, he knows that. So, let’s say something happens and Apache doesn’t make the grade. We enter Traveler. You get credit as the Trainer and I get a chance to win.”
“I don’t know. That’s a little deceptive, to compete against your employer.”
Liz shrugged. “Okay fine, but what if he hires someone else to ride Landing? You heard him, I’m on probation. He’s interviewing more. What if I end up just the exercise rider?”
“He might keep you to ride Apache.”
“Or not. I’m kinda of leaning toward it being a package deal. I need to ride Landing. If he takes that from me… well, I don’t know.”
Kyle thought about what she said. He would never consider stabbing Wes in the back. He would do everything he could to train the new horse and hope it panned out. Kyle didn’t like thinking negative but there was always a possibility that a horse would balk at training. If that happened with Apache and they couldn’t get him ready, Wes would have no horse for the race.
“I talked with Wes about training another horse, just as a back-up. He wasn’t interested.”
“And?”
Kyle thought about it for a few minutes, knowing she was sitting there stewing, waiting on a reply. To her credit she didn’t say another word. She just looked out of the window and waited.
Finally, he made a decision. “Okay, I have a proposition and it’s non-negotiable so take it or leave it.”
“Tell me.”
“We’ll give Apache a month. In that time we’ll know if he’ll perform. Wes and I have already discussed this. A month is ample time to figure out if he’s trainable. If he is, then we proceed whether you get the job or not as the jockey for Landing. If he’s not, then we train Traveler. But, we tell Pursell straight up. He can either choose to find another horse and we keep our jobs, or let us go.
“And we do it my way. I’m the trainer. I train the horse and you.”
“Me?”
“You know a rider has to train. An endurance ride isn’t easy and the better shape you’re in the better the chances.”
“Fine. Anything else?”
“Yep, the deal breaker.”
“Which is?”
“You start telling the truth.”
He saw the surprise register on her face and then the walls that rose. She looked away and for several miles stared out of the side window. He didn’t say anything else. He just waited. Kyle knew this would be the deal breaker and wasn’t expecting her to comply.
Liz was hiding something, maybe even a lot of somethings, and he couldn’t work with anyone who wasn’t honest with him. Dishonest people couldn’t be trusted, and he had to be able to trust the people he worked with.
She finally looked at him. “The truth about what?”
“About everything. Who you are, where you come from, why you travel around with an Arabian and how you know so much about Landing, a horse you’ve supposedly just been introduced to.”
“And are you going to give me your truths, Kyle?”
“I’m not hiding anything.”
“Really? Well let’s see. Let me ask you. Why is a man your age single? You’re what? Thirty-six?”
“Forty-two.”
“Forty-two and never been married?”
“Right.”
“Do you find that normal?”
“It is for me.”
“Why?”
“Why is it normal?”
“Well yes. Come on. You seem like a smart man so you have to know you’re freaking sin in jeans. And I know from talking with Cody that damn near every woman in Cotton Creek has or has had at some point a crush on you – dreaming up lusty little scenarios about you. And apparently you’ve screwed damn near every single woman in the county and yet not a one has taken up residence with you. So, normal? I don’t think so.”
“It’s normal for me.”
“Again, why?”
The last thing Kyle was going to do was get into a discussion about his love life and his marital status with Liz. It wasn’t something he discussed with friends and she had definitely not earned that status.
“That’s none of your business.”
“Ah, so it’s fine for you to keep truths from me?”
“It’s not a truth that will affect us working together.”
“Are you so sure about that?”
He heard the way her tone changed and when he cut a quick look at her he had to acknowledge something he didn’t want to. There was definitely something between them. Attraction, yes, but it was more than typical sexual chemistry. Had it been only that he might act on it, take what was offered, satisfy the itch and move on.
With her it was different. He needed to know her truths to combat the allure because part of him was scared of her. She affected him different than other women.
“What are you hiding, Liz? Are you in trouble with the law?”
“No.”
“Running from a jealous husband?”
“No.”
“Then what? What can be so bad that you can’t be honest?”
“Fine. I know Landing. I know his previous owner and I wanted to ride for him. The owner was going to enter him into the Derby and I wanted to ride him more than anything. I thought I was going to get the chance, but the owner pulled it from under me. Then Landing started exhibiting behavior problems and the owner blamed me.”
“Blamed you? What did he think you did?”
“Hell if I know. Cast a spell or some shit on the horse. The point is he blamed me and he sold Landing. I found out who bought him and that’s why I’m here, to ride him. I don’t care what race. I just need to ride him.”
“Why?”
“To prove to myself and the previous owner than I am good enough. No, that I’m better and that he made a mistake when he took Landing from me.”
Kyle didn’t question the truth of what she said. He could hear it in her voice, in the emotion behind the words. He could see it in her eyes. There was more that she wasn’t saying, but what she’d revealed was true. What was left was to find out if she would ever reveal the rest of the story because he was willing to bet there was more.
She might love Landing, but she’d had an involvement with the previous owner. There was a strong emotional current running through her, some connection stronger than owner and jockey. Something that drove her to prove herself. What kind of relationship had that been? Was she in love with the owner?
“So you prove to the previous owner that he made a mistake. What then?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean what difference does it make? He was wrong. How will proving that change your life?”
“It just will.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“Better than the answer you gave about y
our single status.”
She had a point there and Kyle decided not to push it. She’d given him something to go on. He could check and find out who sold Landing to Wes and then he’d have a starting point to unraveling the mystery of Liz Redgate.
In the meantime, he had a decision to make about training Traveler and trusting her. And at the moment the jury was out on that.
Chapter Ten
Herbert stood on the balcony, looking out over his spread. From this vantage point he could see over a good deal of his land. Of particular interest right now were two people on the track. Kyle Stadler and Liz Redgate were working with King’s Landing.
“What’s so interesting?” His wife, Mary walked out and stood beside him at the railing.
“Wes’s new rider.”
She looked in the direction he pointed. “I was a bit surprised he hired a female.”
“He thinks she may have what it takes.”
“What do you think?”
“That she’s going to help me bring down L.C. Quinlan.”
That statement wiped away a good portion of her pleasant mood. Would this silly feud never end? Furthermore, had he no idea how it made her feel every time he set out to best Quinlan?
It was silly even to ask herself that question. Of course he never considered her feelings. As far as Herbert was concerned she existed only for his happiness.
With her good mood evaporating she spoke in a sharper tone than was normal. “She’s a horse rider, Herbert.”
“Not just any horse rider, Mary. She’s Quinlan’s daughter.”
That shocked her. Of all the people she’d ever have expected to see on the ranch, Quinlan’s daughter was not among them. “Heather Elizabeth?”
“One and the same.”
Recovered from her surprise, and having reminded herself that a sharp tone or irritated manner got her nowhere with her husband, she reverted to behavior more along her norm. “Oh my goodness, I haven’t seen her since – “
“The Derby when we took second to Quinlan.”
“Yes. But I don’t see how she can help you bring down her father.”
“Well, she’s using an assumed name – Liz Redgate-- and driving a truck with Kansas plates so she’s clearly hiding from Quinlan.”
“Or just tired of living under his thumb.” Mary said quietly and then added when Herbert looked at her sharply. “You know he was always hard on those children. Just as he was Bonny.”
“She ended up on her feet just fine.”
“Yes, and quite happy, thank the Lord.”
“How would you know that?”
“Oh, we’ve always kept in touch.”
“You’re in touch with Bonny Quinlan?”
“Bonny McMann now, but yes.”
“So, what’s the scoop on her daughter?”
Mary didn’t answer for a few seconds. She should never have revealed she kept in touch with Bonny. Her silence apparently annoyed Herbert because his endearment was spoken with an impatient tone. “Come on honey, if you know something.”
“Herbert, you know I don’t like to betray a confidence and besides what I know about her wouldn’t fill a thimble and has nothing to do with her father.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Absolutely. You know how it is with women. Bonny and I talk about wanting grandchildren, fashion and getting old. Sometimes we swap recipes or discuss television shows we both enjoy or gossip about the celebrities. You know – regular women talk.”
“But you’d tell me if there was something that could help me – help us, wouldn’t you, Mary? This is Wes’s legacy we’re talking about here.”
“Oh you know I’d do anything I could for Wes, Herbert. I just don’t have anything to share.”
“Of course.” Herbert gave her a kiss on the cheek then turned away. “I have a meeting this afternoon in San Antonio and then the thing in Dallas so I won’t be back for a few days. Are you sure you don’t want to go?”
“No, thank you. I’m volunteering at the school tomorrow and this afternoon helping prepare for the weekly church dinner.”
“Okay then. You enjoy yourself and I’ll call you tonight.”
“Fine. Be safe, Herbert and stay away from too much spicy food. You know how it gives you indigestion.”
“I will. Talk to you tonight.”
Mary watched him leave then looked back in the direction of the paddock. Heather Elizabeth Quinlan. What in the world was she doing here? Mary hurried inside, sat down at the vanity table and picked up the phone to place a call.
A few seconds later it was answered. “Bonny? Hi, it’s Mary. I think we may have a situation.”
*****
Kyle had just dropped her off in front of the Creek House when her phone rang. Liz pulled it from her pocket and looked at it.
“Hey Coop.” She walked toward the house as she answered.
“Hey. What’s up?”
“Not much.”
“You okay?”
“Yeah, why?”
“You just sound… off.”
“Just tired.” Liz sat down on the front steps.
“You sure?”
“Yeah. Why’d you call?”
“I need to see you.”
“I’m not coming back.”
“I know Lizzy. I’ll come to you.”
“What’s wrong?”
There was a long pause before he answered. “You were right, Lizzy. About Dad. I need to see you, to talk to you face-to-face and figure out how to get us both out from under his thumb.”
“I’m not under his thumb, Coop, just in his cross-hairs. But it’s got to be bad to have you thinking this way. What’d he do?”
“I don’t want to talk about it on the phone. Will you see me?”
“You know I will. When?”
“Soon. I’m headed for Texas the first of the week and staying in San Antonio.”
“What makes you think I’m in Texas?”
“You’re in Texas. Will you meet me?”
“I said I would but if you’re setting me up— “
“I’m not. I swear to God, Lizzy.”
“You better hope you’re telling the truth.”
“I am.”
“Okay, then call me when you get to San Antonio.”
“Thanks. I love you, Lizzy.”
“I love you too, Coop.”
She ended the call and sat on the steps, staring out to the horizon. She really wanted to trust Cooper but he hadn’t proven himself worthy yet. She’d meet with him, but until she knew he was on the level, it wouldn’t be in Cotton Creek.
Which meant she’d probably have to lie to Kyle about where she was going to go and why. That didn’t sit well with her. Sure she had not revealed to anyone here who her father was, but that wasn’t lying. What adult went around telling everyone they met who their parents were?
No, this would be different and that sucked. Unless you just tell the truth.
Her posture straightened a bit. Yeah, what was wrong with her? She and Kyle both worked for Wes Pursell. It wasn’t like he had some claim on or control over her. If Cooper wanted to meet during the work week, she’d just ask for time off and say she wanted to visit her brother who was in Texas for a couple of days.
Yes, that’s just what she would do. She wouldn’t lie to Kyle. There was no doubt in her mind that he’d already clued in on the fact that she wasn’t revealing things about herself. She could see in his eyes that he didn’t really trust her.
Liz didn’t blame him and it did bother her. There was something about Kyle that really got to her. He was hiding things of his own and sometimes she thought she saw the shadows of past pain in his eyes. What had hurt him and made him so afraid of being involved with anyone?
And why, with the world of shit that was her own life, was she sitting there thinking how much she wished she could erase his pain?
*****
Even though it had only been a few days, Kyle had come to look
forward to the drives to and from the Pursell Ranch. Liz had not been any more forthcoming about her past, but neither had she pushed him for a decision on whether he was going to help her train Traveler. Their conversations revolved around training -- Landing’s, Apache’s and hers. He was impressed at her willingness to do what was asked of her.
Like running a 5K three days a week and 10k twice a week. The first day she’d simply climbed into the truck with a duffle bag. He hadn’t questioned it but when it came time for her portion of the training, she’d made use of the restroom in the racing office and had reappeared in running clothes and shoes.
Wes gave them permission to use the gym at the main house and Kyle discovered that Liz was no stranger to weight training. She’d even convinced him to work out with her.
Today she had taken her own truck to the Pursell ranch, and he’d missed her company. She said she needed to make a run to town before going to work and she’d meet him there. Kyle didn’t ask what her trip into town was about. That was her business and he wasn’t about to interfere. He just missed her company.
That actually gave him cause for concern. He wasn’t a man who needed a lot of company, so why was he missing hers? Was it the sexual attraction? Maybe. They had that going in spades. Sometimes the looks they shared made him want to throw her down in the dirt and ride her like a bronco.
Other times he got the impression she’d like to do the same. Neither of them had acted on it, but a man could tell when a woman was interested and he knew she was. That made it damn hard. And probably meant that he should hook up with some filly at the bar tonight and blow off some of that steam.
Only he was taking Liz, so it was going to make hooking up a little difficult. He looked up in his rear-view mirror and saw her truck behind him as he turned down the road to his ranch. When he pulled up in front of his house, she pulled over beside him and rolled down her window. “How was the appointment with the doctor? You all clear?”
“Yeah, he said it was fine, so no need to baby the leg anymore.”
