Graham lifted her head and sniffed his chest. How did this one animal become more important than any other? Graham nudged his hand, and he scratched her cheek under the halter where Cody said was her soothing spot. The mare’s eye drifted closed.
Behind him another horse snorted. S’mores, Cody’s barrel horse, draped her head over her door and stared at him. He leaned close to Graham.
“I think your daughter is anxious about you.”
The old horse groaned, and she lowered her head. Remy continued to stroke her neck and spoke to her in Cajun.
Five minutes later, Cody blew into the stable, a load of blankets in her arms. “It stopped raining.”
“Good.”
She removed a large purple sheet-looking thing from the stack and tossed it over Graham’s back, then buckled it in place. “That’ll keep you warm, girl.”
“JC on his way?”
“Yeah.” Cody returned to the stack and flopped on top, her cell phone in hand. “He should be here in little while.”
“How ’bout the vet?”
“Still no answer.” Her eyes turned watery, and she blinked. “We’ll just have to keep doing what we’ve been doing until he gets here.”
Remy continued to rub the soft spot. Graham seemed to be dozing.
“Where’d you learn how to do this?” he asked.
Propped against the tack room wall, Cody shrugged. “When it comes to a horse worth thousands of dollars, you don’t mess around with colic. I managed to convince the head of A&M’s vet program to let me take a few vet equine classes. I don’t trust myself to give meds to my horses though.”
“You’re just full of surprises.”
A tired smile crossed her lips. “Loads.”
She looked washed out. The week’s events hadn’t been any kinder to her than they had to him. Maybe Santorini was right. Protective custody guaranteed her safety until they got this guy. On the other hand, if today’s break with Aaron Clark panned out, they might be closer to catching the RS killer than they’d thought. Hopefully Summers and crew could make head way on the tattoo.
“Remy.”
“Hmm?”
“Why don’t you want me to go to the NFR?”
Ahh, the hot button topic. She was probably seeing how far she could push the trust issue. It was a fragile subject. In retrospect, maybe he needed to reevaluate it, but there were valid reasons why he couldn’t. And that led him back to the legitimacy of keeping Cody at a distance.
“If I lay the facts out before you, will you change your mind?”
She looked at him with shuttered eyes. “Probably not, but you can try.”
“Why ask if you have your mind made up?”
With a sigh, she pushed off the wall and stood, joining him and the mare. Her presence and the floral scent in her hair made him ache to hold her in his arms.
She looked up at him. “Because, I’ve never been swayed by anyone who said ‘because I said so.’ Other than you being on the killer’s radar, why should I give up a dream? Lay the facts aside. Why do you want me to stay home?”
That she sought his opinion shocked him a bit. But he didn’t know what he wanted for her. A few pieces of hay clung to her ponytail. He removed one, and she tilted her chin up. He focused on her lips. Slowly, his hand slipped behind her neck and cradled her head. She took a step closer, and their bodies touched. Her warmth seeped into him, making his blood thicken and slow through his veins. It had been so long since a woman reached inside his heart.
He grasped the hair band and slid it free of her hair. The soft waves fell around her shoulders, gleaming in the stable light. His chest constricted painfully. She was beautiful.
Remy lowered his mouth and brushed his lips against hers. Her eyes drifted shut and she kissed him. Dropping the rope, he cupped her face and deepened the kiss.
The spitfire harbored enough passion to sear them both. Cody knew what she was doing. Each time he kissed her, Remy felt like a drunk, craving his next taste. How had he let her gain so much control over him?
Her arms slipped around his neck and trapped them together. She was making it difficult to stop. Five years of self-inflicted celibacy, and one passionate kiss would undo it.
He broke contact. When she tried to reengage, he placed a finger between their lips. “C’est assez, ’tite belle.”
She shivered and then frowned. “I wish I understood you.”
He chuckled then kissed her forehead. “All the better that you don’t.”
Graham groaned and shifted. Cody wiggled out of Remy’s arms and took up the rope. “I’ll walk her. Go watch for JC.”
“Bossy.”
She cocked her head, a glint in her eyes. “That’s what you get for tempting me.”
“Who’s tempting who, eh, cher?”
With a wink, she turned on her heel and led the mare down the aisle. The li’l vixen was baiting him.
The low rumble of a diesel and the crunch of gravel drew him outside. JC’s massive truck rolled to a stop next to the stable, and he killed the engine. Remy met the cowboy at the driver’s side door as JC opened it. A blast of warm air from the cab greeted Remy.
“Here.” Still seated, JC thrust a blue casserole carrier with a stack of paper plates on top and a huge thermos at Remy. “There should be a microwave in the tack room.”
Remy backed away as JC emerged from the truck with a stethoscope dangling over his arm and full grocery sack. “What’s all that?”
“Forks, cups, stuff, and snacks. We gotta make Cody eat or she’ll keel over. Stubborn cuss won’t eat when she gets into crisis mode.” He hooked the edge of the truck door with the toe of his boot and shut it. “Heard from the vet yet?”
“No.”
JC grunted and entered the stable, Remy trailing him.
Cody’s face lit up when she saw her friend. “Thank you.” She hurried to meet him and take the stethoscope.
“Shoulda called me sooner.” He wrapped her in a hug.
Jealousy grabbed Remy by the throat and squeezed. How could an unrelated man and a woman be so blasted close to each other and not date? Cody swore they were like brother and sister, but Remy had his doubts. She might believe it, but did JC?
“I didn’t want to bother you with nothing.” Cody withdrew from JC’s embrace.
“One of these days you’ll realize you can’t do it all on your own.”
“Yeah, well, that day ain’t today.” She settled the stethoscope earpieces in her ears and pressed the other end to Graham’s belly.
JC gave a curt nod to Remy, and they stepped into the tack room. Taking the casserole carrier from him, JC unzipped the top and removed a filled glass dish.
Remy eyed the cowboy. “Did you make that?”
“The last thing you want me doing is cooking. When I’m home, my mom loads me up with food for the week.” He popped off the rubber lid. “Looks like it’s lasagna.”
“I’m hearing a little something!” Cody called.
JC poked his head out of the tack room door. “How long has it been since you gave her the castor?”
“’Bout five hours.”
“Has she tried to eat?”
Remy’s attention bounced back and forth between the two, trying to decipher what they were discussing.
“Nope. I’m going to try water.”
“Then you’re eating.”
“Yes, mother.”
JC backed into the room and turned to Remy. “I ain’t no mother hen,” he muttered and scooped out a healthy portion of the lasagna.
“What was that all about?” Remy asked as he handed JC a plate.
“Cody or the horse?”
“The horse.”
Sliding the plate in the microwave, JC punched the
minute button three times and started it. “Cody’s trying to get the mare’s stomach working again, hopefully to push out whatever’s in there blocking it up. If Graham starts to eat, then we’ll know she’s in the clear.” He crossed his arms and a cocky grin slid across his unshaven face. “Didn’t think you were the type to stick around and get dirty.”
“Why? ’Cause I drive a fancy car and work behind a desk most days?”
“Pretty much.”
Oh, if JC only knew. Remy held out another plate full of lasagna. “You might just find yourself surprised.”
The grin disappeared. “We’ll see.”
The microwave beeped. A minute later Cody joined them.
“Is that your mom’s lasagna I smell?”
JC handed her the plate. “Fresh today.”
Inhaling the warm aroma, she hummed. “Bless her.”
“Did Graham drink?” Remy asked as she turned to leave.
“A little.” She left the room. Her voice drifted back to the men while she spoke to her mare.
“How long has she had the horse?”
JC paused in rummaging through the grocery sack and looked at Remy. “She got her when Graham was a yearling.” His face scrunched. “I think she’s about seventeen.”
Gaze sliding to the open doorway, Remy listened to Cody croon. What was so special about this horse she’d go into a meltdown?
“Wondering why all the hysteria on Cody’s part?”
He looked at JC. “This is hysteria?”
JC shrugged on shoulder. “Guess it’s mild compared to how she reacted when her momma died.” He nodded toward the door. “If it was any horse, Cody would be up all night with them. But this ain’t just any horse. Graham’s full sister was Jodi Lewis’s favorite barrel horse. One of the horses that died in the crash. Jodi gave Graham to Cody.”
Mercifulmiséricordieux.
“If that mare dies … ” JC shook his head. “I don’t think Cody will bounce back so well.”
“Then we make sure that doesn’t happen.”
• • •
Remy swung an old wooden chair around, straddled the back, and rested his arms on the top. A few feet away, JC rose from checking Graham’s belly noise, gave her a pat and left her to doze.
“Hearing more gurgles.” He tossed the stethoscope onto the pile of blankets and flopped down next to the stack. “Sand chiggers, I need some sleep.”
“We’ll do that when we’re dead.”
JC snickered. “Might be sooner than we’d like. At least Cody’s sleeping.”
They’d both had to coax Cody to get some rest in the tack room. Remy envied her at the moment as fatigue dragged on him.
JC let his head fall against the tack room wall. “You’re all right, LeBeau.”
Lifting his head off his arms, Remy stared at JC. “You’re losin’ it, man.”
“Naw. Admittin’ I was a jackass. Dad was right, you just did your job, and I need to get over it.”
“Don’t hear that too often from guys I haul in on suspicion of murder.”
“Well, I don’t often admit when I’m wrong. Makes us even.”
Remy settled his chin on his arms once more. “Merci.”
JC cocked his head. “Just where are you from? Only time I hear guys who talk like that is when I’m ridin’ rodeos near Louisiana.”
“It’s my home.”
“Where?”
He shrugged. “The bayous first, then I lived in New Orleans for a while.”
“Then why move here? I’d think you’d stay where you fit in.”
“The job. Dallas had an opening, and I took it.”
JC scratched his cheek, seeming to weigh Remy’s reasoning.
These were the same evasive answers he’d used for five years. It gave people just enough information to back off, but left out the details that could trap him. Still, he needed to sidetrack JC.
“How long have you known Cody?”
“Since grade school. Kindergarten recess I made fun of her hair, and she punched me.”
They chuckled.
“Her momma hit the roof when the principal called her. I still tease Cody about it.”
“Her mère is a touchy subject. Any idea why?”
JC shook his head. “Logan ain’t ever figured it out. She keeps that little secret close to her vest. Kim, that’s her other friend, and I think it had something to do with her then boyfriend. But, like I said, a sealed pickle jar ain’t got nothin’ on Cody.”
In comparison, Remy probably had the upper hand on Cody when it came to hiding secrets.
“You ever notice that locket she wears?” JC asked.
“Seen it a time or two.”
“Last thing Jodi ever gave to Cody. She won’t take it off.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
JC pushed to his feet and stretched. “If what I see is really happening, and you two have the hots for each other, I think you need to know what kind of minefield you’re stepping into. What I’ve told you is only the skin on the top of the pudding. She’s got a whole lot of hang-ups underneath.” He bent down to eye level with Remy. “But you so much as break her heart, I’ll come gunnin’ for ya.”
“Not a smart thing to say to a cop.”
The drone of a truck drifted toward them.
JC glanced to the door, then back to Remy. “Cop or not, you’re still a man. And in Texas, I can carry.” He straightened. “Cody, vet’s here.”
Remy stood as she emerged from the tack room, sleepy-eyed and hair mussed. His throat tightened at the sight. She yawned, and with JC went to meet the vet. Remy shook free of his trance and watched as the group trooped back into the stable.
The vet appeared to be in his late fifties, stooped in the shoulder — probably from all the hunching he had to do with his practice — and bowlegged.
“Doc Patterson, this is Remy LeBeau, a friend of mine,” Cody said.
“Good to meet you, son.” The man shook Remy’s hand and turned to Graham. “Okay, li’l lady, let’s check you out.”
He did a thorough exam, peppering Cody with questions. Examination completed, he patted Cody on the shoulder. “Girl, you did fine. She’ll make it, and I bet if you want another baby outta her, you could do it without any problems.”
Cody heaved a sigh. “You know why it happened?”
The vet gave her a scolding look. “It looks like you need to float this gal’s teeth.”
She groaned. “I forgot. It was supposed to be done a month ago.”
“Don’t worry, Cody. I’ll take care of it when I come on Monday.” The vet rubbed Graham’s neck. “We’ll get those teeth filed down so you can chew, girl.”
Cody shook his hand. “Thanks, doc.”
He nodded. “Now, I’m going to bed. And I suggest y’all do the same. She’s out of danger.”
Once the vet had gone, Remy helped JC clean up while Cody put Graham back in her stall. Then the three left the stable together.
JC wrapped an arm around Cody’s shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “Looks like we’ll be sleeping the daylight away.”
The green twinge in Remy returned.
She leaned her head on JC’s shoulder. “Looks like. Thanks.” She rose up on her toes and whispered something in his ear.
JC glanced at Remy. “Sure. I think.” He tweaked a curl and gave her a wink. “Later.” He climbed into his truck and drove off.
Cody faced Remy. “I don’t think you should drive home. It’s a long way back to Dallas.”
“And where would you suggest I stay?”
Her hands slid into her back pockets and she swayed from side to side. “Guess you could bunk here in the house. The couch is comfortable.”
&nbs
p; “What about your dad?”
“I’ll leave him a note, that way he won’t come after you with the thirty-aught-six.” She snickered.
“Oh, how reassuring.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Remy stumbled into his condo and toed the door shut. Too exhausted to do his customary security sweep, he trusted the alarm system and plodded upstairs. He’d left the Lewis home the moment Logan pulled into the driveway. The older man gave him a scathing look as Remy drove off. Hopefully Cody explained their little situation. Last thing Remy needed was a pissed off father with a gun coming after him.
Shedding his dirty and wrinkled clothing, he stepped into the shower. The hot, pulsating water washed off the grime and scent of horse. He let the water run cold. Once dried and clothed in shorts and a tee, he crawled into bed. A red light blinked on the answering machine.
With a groan, Remy punched the play button and flopped onto the pillow.
“Hey, Cajun, it’s Rick. Got your message. Only time I’m free is Sunday afternoon. Give me a call back when you get this.”
So much for a few more winks. Remy grabbed the handset and dialed Doc Warner’s number.
“Warner residence.”
“Detective LeBeau.”
“Cajun, ’bout time you called.”
“Sorry, mon ami, was outta the house.”
“What do you need?”
“Can we meet somewhere to talk? It’s about this case.”
“How’s Lakewood in half an hour?”
Remy snickered. “Man, I’m not country club material.”
“I’ll let them know you’re coming. It’ll give us the privacy.”
“All right. Half hour.”
Ending the call, Remy let the handset clatter onto the base. He scrubbed his bristly face and groaned again. The country club hostess would have him kicked out if he didn’t shave. He rolled out of bed and dragged his butt into the bathroom.
• • •
A primly dressed host escorted Remy to a private room that overlooked the tennis courts where a few doubles partners braved the brisk weather to play. The host opened the door with a bit more flare than necessary and stepped aside.
Texas Temptation Page 163
