Racetrack Romance BOX SET (Books 1-3)

by Bev Pettersen

  “Which one?”

  Which one, indeed? He scanned the horses, trying to think of something to say, then settled on a bay gelding trotting on the rail. “The one that’s winging.”

  “I see how a front leg swings out. Is that winging?” she asked. “That’s not good?”

  “If he can run fast and stay sound, it’s okay. But he’s pigeon-toed so he compensates by winging, especially with the left leg. Might be prone to stumble too.”

  While she stared at the horse, he had time to admire her new hair, her new face, her new look. He’d never noticed her blond streaks before, but today they glinted under the sun, and when she turned her head he could have sworn he saw glints of purple. Whatever, the overall effect was damn nice. Even dour old Larry from barn twenty-four stared in admiration.

  She didn’t seem to notice Larry, just looked up at Dino with a conspiratorial smile. “There’s a lot to learn, isn’t there?”

  “Yeah,” he said, staring at her mouth. She was going to cause a lot of trouble with that sexy mouth; he’d definitely have to keep her away from Shane. He already knew she was a helluva kisser. Jesus. He twisted uncomfortably, determined to steer his thoughts to neutral ground. “Hunter and Chippy will be here in about fifteen minutes.” He checked over his shoulder. Scores of people leaned against the rail, but none too close. “I spoke with Slim about the issues you raised the other night…when you dropped by.”

  Her cheeks colored. Good, she hadn’t forgotten their kiss either. “We better talk about Slim somewhere private,” he added. “Maybe go for lunch later?”

  “Okay.” She’d lowered her voice to match his. “But what did he say about the hot walker?”

  Dino tugged her closer, enjoying her freshness, pretending he was worried about other listeners. “He was indignant. Insisted it was a colicy horse.”

  “Do you believe him?”

  “Slim doesn’t look me in the eyes at the best of times.” He sucked in the floral smell of her hair, the heat of her body, and it was hard to think of Slim. “I’m staying at Conrad’s the night before Echo’s race. What nights do you work? Maybe we could have dinner?”

  “I don’t have nursing shifts anymore. Martha wants me free for the horse stuff.” She tilted her head, her smile teasing. “She did warn me about you though.”

  Godammit. He couldn’t afford to annoy Martha. “I’ve taken out some of her nurses before. I’m not an ax murderer.” His sulky tone surprised him, and he crossed his arms. “Don’t see why she’d start with warnings now.”

  “Some of her nurses?” Becky laughed. “Martha only knows about Greta. And all she said was to have fun but don’t get serious.”

  He realized he’d been holding his breath and slowly exhaled. This should work out all right. “So she wants you to have some fun? Probably wants me to keep away dangerous womanizers like Shane.”

  She rolled her eyes. “He isn’t as dangerous as you.”

  “Now that’s where you’re wrong. Shane’s a little shifty with women. Blows hot and cold. With me, you know exactly what you’re getting.”

  “And what is that?” She tilted her head, still smiling, but with solemn eyes.

  “Someone who will ride with you, listen to you, make you smile. And when you’re ready,” he stared into her face, hoping she’d feel his sincerity, “make love to you.”

  “What if I’m never ready?”

  “Then that’s fine too.” He gave her hip a confident squeeze. In his experience, no one who responded as enthusiastically as she did could refrain from sex for very long. He just had to be careful not to scare her.

  Speck and the gray mare had stretched into an easy gallop so he gestured at the track. “That’s one of our horses coming now. The gray, out for a two-minute lick.”

  Becky leaned over the rail, her face rapt. “She looks great.”

  “You love this, don’t you? Prefer it to nursing?”

  “I’ll always want some involvement with nursing. I like rehab work the most but this position with Martha isn’t just a job—not anymore. The horses are a wonderful bonus.” She shrugged off the subject, her gaze tracking the galloping gray. “There can’t be anything more beautiful than a happy, healthy horse.”

  “Happy and healthy—that’s what horses need. Same as people.” He shrugged. “I’m trying to decide what to do with Hunter. He may not race until we move to San Antonio. The Retama meet starts in August. Or we could look at something here. The Lone Star Derby didn’t take much out of him, considering the sponge stopped him cold.”

  She nibbled at her lower lip, clearly reluctant. “Is it possible…” she paused, then her words escaped in a rush. “Is it possible Slim stuck that sponge up Hunter?”

  “I’ve been thinking that ever since you told me about the hot walker,” he admitted. “I also wonder about the night Lyric got loose.” He sighed, hating what he had to do. “So I want to install some surveillance cameras. Think you can swing the expense with Martha?”

  “Definitely. I didn’t think you were really listening the other night.”

  “I did have better things on my mind.” Her shy blush made him grin.

  “Well, hello, Dino,” a sultry voice called behind them. “Just the man I want to see. The Barn Notes report that your Code Hunter horse shipped in yesterday. Do you have a race in mind?”

  Dino’s smile slipped as he turned toward the reporter. “Not yet, Danielle.”

  She pushed closer. “Were you able to find a reason for his disappointing Derby performance? I hear Mrs. Conrad is in serious decline. Barely hanging on. Just hoping to see a homebred win again.”

  Dino heard Becky’s pained breath. So did Danielle who leaned forward, staring curiously. “Are you associated with Conrad Racing Stables too? Perhaps you’d like to comment on Hunter’s poor showing. Does it affect the impending sale?”

  Dino shifted his shoulder, blocking Danielle’s view of Becky. “I’m happy to give an interview later, in private. But if you’ll excuse us, we’re both busy now.”

  “You’ve being evasive.” Danielle’s moue of disappointment was more threatening than cute. “Perhaps I should write ‘trainer had no comment?’ Or perhaps Conrad’s is considering hiring a new trainer? I really need something.”

  “Drop by my office around ten.” Dino glanced at the gap, where his next string of horses walked onto the track. “I’ll make you a coffee,” he added, hoping to pacify her, at least enough that she’d leave Becky alone.

  “And I’ll also make a statement on behalf of Conrad Stables who, by the way, have no intention of selling. Nor do they have any intention of hiring a new trainer,” Becky said, her voice so crisp it surprised him.

  “Fine. I’ll see you both later.” Danielle’s eyes narrowed at Becky but she stalked away, no doubt searching for other hotbeds of gossip.

  He studied Becky’s fierce expression, surprised that she’d tried to help. Her arms were crossed, eyes flashing, and she clearly was not one to back away from a fight. “Thanks for having my back,” he said quietly. “I don’t understand why I never noticed you before.”

  “You say the most uncomplimentary things. I don’t understand why all the women like you.”

  He grinned. “Maybe you will later.”

  She rolled her eyes but was silent until Hunter paraded by. “He looks happy. Cocky as ever. Oh, look who’s behind him.” Her voice rose with such delight, Dino twisted, studying the line of approaching horses.

  He should have guessed—not a homebred but a cheap claimer. Chippy pranced, third in line, head bowed, ears pricked. His head abruptly cranked and he jerked to a stop in front of Becky, planting his legs so forcefully even his rider was surprised.

  Chippy stuck his nose over the rail, clearly expecting a carrot.

  “Keep him moving,” Dino said. But Becky’s delighted expression made him soften, and he didn’t scold the inattentive rider.

  “He sure has a good memory.” Becky looked guilty but pleased as Chippy swishe
d his tail and continued walking, clearly disappointed he hadn’t received a treat. “And I have carrots in the car. I want to show you how he eats, much different from Echo. That’s why I think Slim switched those horses.” Shane appeared, three coffees balanced in his hands, and she stopped talking.

  Dino’s mouth tightened when Shane passed over the coffee, edged past, then sidled in on her other side. Acting way too familiar. Standing much too close. He knew where Shane had slept last night, and it didn’t seem right to climb from another woman’s bed and then breathe down Becky’s neck.

  But Shane didn’t seem to notice his displeasure. “Hey, boss. Maybe later when I’m finished with the horses, I could take Becky for breakfast? That would give you more time to look after office stuff.”

  The guy never quit. It was okay if Shane hit on girls from the other barns, but Becky was sort of with him. A muscle in Dino’s jaw twitched. Worse, she seemed to like Shane. It was already clear she considered Dino a pig and obviously didn’t realize Shane was an even bigger player. Hell, Shane probably had a different girl every damn week.

  His eyes narrowed as he studied Shane, trying to see what Becky saw. The guy was dependable, good with horses, even tolerably good looking if one liked the sissy type. But his hair was too blond, his nose too straight. Even his glittering teeth were too perfect; he looked like a Hollywood cowboy.

  Shane yanked his hat lower and shuffled back a step, and Dino realized he’d been glowering.

  “Or maybe I’ll just do the office work,” Shane mumbled, “and you and Becky can go for breakfast.”

  “That’s probably the better plan,” Dino said.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Becky ripped open the plastic bag and brandished a carrot in front of Dino. “This is what I’m talking about. Watch how Chippy eats.” She slipped into the horse’s stall and held out the carrot. Chippy took a tentative bite, chewing slowly then taking another nibble. It was obvious he hadn’t eaten many carrots. She glanced over her shoulder, delighted with the experiment.

  Dino only stared, a blank look on his chiseled face.

  “Don’t you see? It takes three minutes for him to eat one little carrot. He takes polite nibbles. Echo eats like a starving Lab—which shows she wasn’t in her own stall the night before her race. It proves she was in the hot walker, and Chippy was in Echo’s stall.”

  “Damning evidence, to be sure,” Dino said. A smile curved his mouth but he was staring at her, not even looking at Chippy.

  “But carrots tell so much.” Her voice rose.

  “Carrots tell so much,” a feminine voice called. “Is that how Conrad Stables decides which horse to race?” Danielle stopped beside Dino and arched a perfectly shaped eyebrow.

  Becky continued stroking Chippy’s neck while he chewed the carrot.

  “Ten o’clock already?” Dino glanced at his watch, his voice impassive. “Let’s move this meeting to my office. Coming, Becky?”

  “I’ll be along later. I want to finish feeding Chippy.” Plus she was developing a strong aversion to the reporter. Dino had warned her that Danielle’s paper sought gossip, and it seemed he was correct.

  “Hand-feeding spoils horses.” Danielle’s smug words drifted down the aisle as she and Dino walked away. “It must be so annoying when owners do that.”

  Becky couldn’t hear Dino’s reply, but he must have made some sort of joke because Danielle’s laugh tinkled through the shedrow, and it was hard to shake the notion they were laughing at her. A groom pivoted, eyes wide with appreciation as Danielle sashayed past. Not that Becky blamed him. The woman was jaw-dropping gorgeous.

  She turned away, remembering how impressed she’d been at her first sight of Danielle. Even the reticent Slim had been smitten.

  Strange that Dino didn’t seem particularly enamored, especially odd for a man who so appreciated the opposite sex. Maybe he was accustomed to beautiful people and expected their attention. But it would take more than a haircut for her to even shadow Danielle’s gorgeousness—she’d need surgery. Hopelessness welled in her chest.

  A gentle nose bumped her shoulder. She turned. Chippy’s big eyes were soft and accepting, and when she scratched the itchy spot beneath his jaw, he stretched his neck, grunting in bliss.

  “Horses sure like you.” Shane paused in front of the stall, jotting a notation on his clipboard. “Red noticed a little swelling in his left leg. Can you hold Chippy while I check?”

  “Sure.” She snapped on Chippy’s lead line and watched with concern. She hadn’t noticed anything wrong with his leg. The horse had moved well on the track—at least she thought he had. But Shane frowned as he ran his hand over Chippy’s lower leg.

  “What’s wrong?” Her hands tightened around the lead.

  “Some filling around his suspensory. We’ll wrap it. Put him on stall rest. Maybe send him back to Conrad’s and free this stall up for another horse. Dino will make that call. But it’s clear this guy needs to take it easy for a while.”

  Becky’s shoulders slumped. This racing business was heartbreaking. On the positive side, the news wouldn’t reach Martha since she only asked about the homebreds. Never about Chippy.

  “He’ll be okay,” Shane said. “Chippy is playful, always dancing around. Who knows how he did it.”

  “Does he hurt?”

  “No. That’s why he needs to stay in the stall. Horses don’t understand when you tell them to take it easy.” Shane tugged the brim of his hat and gave her one of his wide smiles. “Want me show you how to wrap for this?”

  Becky glanced at the office, but the door was now closed. “I was supposed to meet with Dino and that reporter. But they don’t seem to miss me.”

  “I’m sure Dino can handle her.” Shane’s chuckle was slightly wicked. “Besides I’m much more fun, and you don’t have to watch what you say.”

  “Danielle does seem nosy.”

  “She’s been chasing him for a while. Digging for a juicy story. But he’s good at juggling, and she hasn’t been able to get much from him. Now lean down and see if you feel the swelling.”

  Becky tried to concentrate on Shane’s patient instructions, but her mind kept jumping to Dino. He was out of her league and, by his own admission, dated women only on a casual basis. But he was so easy to be with. She was even able to joke about sex. Had almost told him about Craig.

  When Dino looked at her, he made her feel important. Made her want to talk. And if she was ever going to have sex again, it would be nice to have it with someone like him, someone who knew what he was doing…someone who could really kiss.

  She quivered in anticipation. Nothing wrong with that. It wasn’t as though she’d fall in love. She wasn’t that stupid.

  “Feel it? A little thickening along the ligament?”

  She jerked her attention back to Chippy’s leg. Couldn’t feel any thickening but definitely felt heat. Chippy flattened his ears when she applied pressure but didn’t move. Only turned his head, watching with a trusting eye.

  “He sure is a nice horse,” she said. “Lyric, the horse I ride at Conrad’s, wouldn’t be nearly so cooperative. I’m sure she’d kick my head off.”

  “Yeah. That mare doesn’t like many people. Made a ton of money though. Rumor is, Slim owned some breeding rights since his daughter was the only jock who’d ride her.”

  “But they never bred her?”

  Shane shrugged. “Malcolm retired her after Jill’s accident. I thought the horse was headed to the broodmare barn.”

  “How long have you trained the Conrad horses?”

  Shane pulled his hat off, swiping his brow with a tanned forearm. “Six years. Started as a groom and worked my way up to assistant trainer. About a year ago, Dino took over the head training job. That guy sure knows horses.” He sobered as he studied Becky. “So what’s the deal with you and him?”

  “Nothing really.” But her cheeks felt hot.

  “Want to go out for dinner then? If he wouldn’t mind, that is.”

 
; She smiled. Shane was so sweet and reminded her of a young Brad Pitt. “I don’t see why he’d mind,” she said.

  “Good, let me jot down your phone number.”

  “Write it down for me too, Shane,” Dino drawled, his face expressionless as he stared into the stall.

  Becky’s heart gave a guilty jump, but Dino didn’t seem to mind Shane’s interest. He looked distracted, almost bored. “Is Danielle gone?” she asked.

  “Yeah. Update me on the leg,” he said, his gaze narrowed on Shane.

  “Slight filling in the suspensory,” Shane said. “Some heat. I put a sweat on along with a magnetic wrap. Ordered stall rest.”

  “Okay. We’ll get the vet in for some x-rays and go from there. Maybe send him back to Conrad’s.” Dino glanced at Becky, his dark eyes inscrutable. “Sound okay, honey?”

  Honey? Her fingers tightened in shock. “Sure,” she said but her voice sounded strange and even Chippy flicked his ears, as if surprised at the squeak.

  “Good. Now let’s get something to eat. We have a lot to talk about.” He slipped a hand over her elbow and propelled her down the shedrow so fast she almost had to jog.

  She shook his hand off as soon as they stepped from the barn. “Okay. What’s going on? Honey?”

  “Shane’s a nice kid but he’s a little…fickle. Please don’t lead him on. He’s too valuable to fire.”

  “I see,” she said, unsure if she was annoyed or happy. She liked the possessive feel of Dino’s hand but also liked the idea of having dinner with Shane. He was really more her type anyway. Much more attainable. And Martha always said never burn bridges. She sighed. “Now I understand why you enjoy a variety of dates. It’s kind of fun.”

  “Now you behave or I’ll remind Martha the boys here can’t be trusted. And she’ll keep you on a tight leash back at the distaff mansion.” He cupped her chin, stroking the side of her neck with his thumb. She was certain he’d feel the racing of her pulse.

  “And I’ll be the only man allowed to visit,” he went on, his voice gruff. “This is Tuesday. I’ll be down Thursday afternoon. I know you have a sexy new haircut and you’re feeling your oats—understandably so.” His gaze slid over her in warm appreciation. “But could you please behave until then?”