by Tonya Kappes
“If Clay breaks Brilliance,” I referred to the Sheikh’s horse, “then you think the farm is going to be financially saved?”
“It’s going to keep us on the map. We can prove that all the modern-day training isn’t nearly as effective as the good, old-fashioned kind of getting on a horse and training their brains.” The lines on his face creased.
“Whatever,” I said.
Leonard knew I wasn’t going to go against what he was telling me and that I would do anything for this farm.
I walked over to the door and opened it.
Clay scampered away like he wasn’t listening.
“Obviously you heard us.” I rolled my eyes and left room for him to come back in.
“Clay,” Leonard addressed him, “I have overstepped my bounds of Vivian’s job and I shouldn’t have hired you sight unseen.”
“I think Vivian has seen me.” Amusement lurked in his eyes. “She’s just playing hardball.”
“I don’t—” I stopped myself with a slight, watchful hesitation. “Be here tomorrow at seven a.m.”
“Seven?” he questioned.
I shifted and put my hands on my hips.
“I’m sorry, is that too early for you, Mr. Preston?” I asked.
“I think that’s a little late.” His mouth lifted in a menacing, sarcastic smile.
“It’s perfect lighting to see the thoroughbreds in action and you too. I’d like to see what you’ve got to offer.” I walked out the door and down the hall.
I heard a few hushed whispers and didn’t pay attention to it. I walked right out of the office. I had to get my shit in the cottage. But more importantly, I needed a coffee and I needed to get out of Clay’s presence. He made me feel anxious—like a child who had stumbled on something he didn’t understand. It was a feeling I didn’t like. A feeling I had never felt.
The sound of angry footsteps came down the hall behind me. I smacked the office door, flinging it open and marched outside, heading to my truck.
“You liked what you saw on the side of the road!” With every step, Clay’s jaw became firmer, his muscles tighter, my heart more eager. “I saw it in those big eyes of yours, darlin’. And I can’t say I don’t like what I’m seeing.”
“You will call me by name!” I turned around and came face to chest with him. “I don’t know what kind of stunt you are trying to pull over on Leonard, but I’ve got your number!”
I turned back around; my ponytail flung around. I grabbed the handle of the truck. His hand grabbed mine to stop me from opening the door.
My heart thudded like a drum. I jerked my hand away and turned around. His eyes stared down at me with scorching intent. Fully aware of his rugged, masculine appeal, I looked away.
“You can’t even look at me. You feel it. I feel it.” He used his finger to turn my chin to face him. Interest radiated from the dark depths of his eyes.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.” My eyes lowered. His gaze was lazily seductive. “I don’t like anyone going over my head. And my name isn’t Darlin’.”
I jerked the door open, turned over the ignition, threw the truck in reverse, and peeled out of the parking lot.
“Get it together,” I said and took a quick glance in the side-view mirror.
He stared at the truck until I couldn’t see him anymore.
A trembling thrill raced through me. I fisted the hand he had touched, needing to get the strong feeling out of it.
I had always put my career first and foremost—definitely before a man. I had only sensed attraction at a far distance, never daring to approach it. And I had a feeling Clay was just the opposite. He was used to getting what he wanted. Was I something he wanted?
Chapter Three
“You’re late.” Five-foot-nine, slender Luvie Beiderman stood on the front porch of my little cottage in her hot pink work shirt and khakis. She tapped her diamond watch with her manicured fingernail. “I have a client.”
Her long red hair was braided down the back and rested between her shoulder blades. The brown freckles along her nose were darker than normal, like she’d gotten a little tan.
Luvie was a strong woman. Leonard and Lucia Beiderman had hopes she would become a horse trainer and take over, but Luvie had her own life to lead and they weren’t going to stop her. She got a fashion merchandising degree from the University of Kentucky and even lived in New York City working for Sasha Designs, a top design agency. Through a string of events, Luvie found herself right back in the place she had spent her whole life trying to leave…the Lady B.
Luvie didn’t let that hold her back. She opened up Primp My Pet Mobile Pet Spa and started her own line of pet clothing, Luvie’s Love Pet Clothes.
Her clothing line was sought after from all over the world and worth millions of dollars alone. But Luvie was still Luvie.
“Sorry about that.” I untied the rope that held all the furniture together in the bed of the truck. I grabbed a small end table and hoisted it out of the back. “Leonard pulled a fast one on me this morning.”
Luvie walked over and grabbed the matching table and followed me inside. I wanted to tell Luvie how mad I was at her dad for hiring Clay, but I had to be careful since she and her mom, Lucia, didn’t know the Lady B was in trouble. Leonard had asked me to keep it a secret because he didn’t want to worry them when he was sure the farm was going to be fine.
The cottage had an open floor plan. The entire first floor was a large family room with an open kitchen. There was a guest bath next to the kitchen. The upstairs was an open loft where the bedroom was, along with a master bath. I loved how the railing overlooked the family room and large stone fireplace.
“Now you know why I never worked here.” Luvie made a good point and followed me up the steps with the table.
“Over there.” I pointed to one side of the king bed Leonard had bought for me. And I stuck the other one on the opposite side.
Luvie sat down on the bed. Her brows narrowed.
“Are you okay?” she asked. “Are you sure you want to live here?”
I shook my head. I had to get Clay Preston off my brain.
“I’m fine.” I brushed her off and darted back down the stairs. I called over my shoulder, “I hate moving, that’s all.”
“Don’t worry.” Luvie walked back outside with me. “Even though you are late and I have to go to work, I called in the cavalry and they should be here in a minute.”
“No.” My mouth dropped and my eyes opened wide. “Not Granny and Charlie?”
“Yep.” Luvie smiled and waved over her shoulder. “Have fun. See you at lunch.”
Great, I sighed. I loved Gloria Beiderman, Luvie’s granny. She was a ton of fun and fabulous, but she had a way of taking over and my cottage would be turned into her decorating project.
I grabbed a couple lamps, one in each hand and hurried into the cottage. The quicker I could get my crap in the less time I would need Gloria and Charlie. Charlie was Gloria’s boyfriend; he was a retired tattoo artist from California. They lived in the retirement community where they had met.
Gloria and Lucia hated each other. It was very entertaining to watch the two interact.
Before I could even get another armload in the cottage, the cavalry was pulling up, including Jase Nelson, Luvie’s boyfriend.
Luvie had always been the lucky-in-love type. Jase was no exception. He stood six foot with dark hair and had blue eyes only for Luvie. She was the apple of his eye and vice-versa.
“I hear you could use a little muscle.” Jase smiled and folded his arms in a pretend pose.
“Muscles,” Granny cackled and said, “We got this one.”
“Charlie is a hunk.” I turned around to greet them. Only it wasn’t Charlie. There stood Clay Preston. “I don’t think so.”
“See, I told you.” Clay started to get back in the car, but Granny stopped him.
“Now you wait a minute.” Granny put her foot down. “You don’t have any place to be an
d we need you to help us so Vivian can get back to work in the morning.”
“I don’t need the help.” I tugged on the lift gate handle and the old rusty thing didn’t budge.
“I’ll get it.” Jase walked over and did the best he could. “Clay?”
Without a word, Clay walked over and with ease, pulled the lift gate open. Granny, Charlie, and Jase applauded like Clay had just saved the world.
“You,” Clay whispered in my direction, “are welcome.”
Like a big gorilla, he picked up the loveseat and lowered it to the ground for Jase to help him.
“What’s between you and Hottie McTottie?” Granny tilted her head to the side and watched Clay manipulate the loveseat through the cottage door.
I’d put money on it that she wasn’t paying any attention to how Clay was doing a good job, but more like paying attention to his backside.
“Nothing.” I shrugged and jumped into the bed of the truck. I pushed a chair forward so it was easier for the boys to grab and hurry the process along. “He weaseled his way into a job without even being interviewed for it.”
“You are mad because he just might be perfect for the job?” Charlie leaned his six-foot frame up against the truck. He wore his signature blue jeans, v-neck tee and hippie sandals. He crossed his arms, making his skull and bones tattoo scarier than it already was. “As a manager and a damn good manager, you are going to have to put that pride away. Or you won’t find anyone as good as you were.”
Charlie’s words stung. He was right. I wasn’t going to find anyone who would do things the way I would.
“The fact still remains that he deliberately went behind my back and called Leonard when I was available.” My work phone was attached to my belt loop. He had plenty of opportunity to call the number on the application.
“I called the office. They told me you were off and transferred the call to Mr. Beiderman.” Clay leaned up against the porch post with his arms folded over his chest and his plaid shirt draped over his arm. “I told them that I would just wait until tomorrow, but they transferred me anyway.”
“See.” Granny’s brows lifted along with the corner of her eyes in delight. She whispered, “Don’t let this one get away.”
Ignoring her comment and deciding to let the guys get what was left out of the back of the truck, I went inside and finger pointed to where things went. I continued to keep my eyes pointed to something different when Clay came into the room. There was a magnetic field between us and I could feel his stare every time. I wasn’t sure what the feelings I was having were all about, but I was ready for everyone to leave and take a big long bath in my claw-foot tub.
Chapter Four
The bath didn’t cut it. Even when I laid back and forced my eyes closed, images of Clay having a good time with the people I loved danced in my head, only making me more aggravated.
There was something about him that didn’t sit well in my gut, but no one else seemed to see it. Maybe Charlie was right. I had to get the notion out of my head that I was going to find a lead trainer as good as me or even someone who would love the Lady B like I did. Not even Luvie loved the Lady B as much as me.
It was almost lunch and Momma had told me to come up to the house for a sandwich with her, but riding to my favorite spot on the farm was calling my name. Plus I was sure it was going to help me get my head on straight.
Without bothering to put on a bra, I pulled a grey tee on over my wet hair and slipped into a pair of cutoff jean shorts along with my cowboy boots and headed out the cottage door.
I hopped on the Gator because taking the truck was really a waste of gas. The open air was good for drying my hair. The sun beat down on the hills of the farm and the smell of freshly-painted Kentucky post fence filled the air causing me to remember my dream of finding a man that loved being on a farm and around horses.
Which made me think of Clay. The thought of seeing him working in the pastures with the new horses on the amazing bluegrass made me wonder how I was going to keep my head on straight.
Though Leonard said I could give Clay a working trial, I knew better. Leonard was sold on Clay and Clay didn’t try to hide it.
I pushed the pedal on the Gator and zoomed through the fields as quick I as could get it to go. I needed Comet and I couldn’t get to him quick enough.
The farm was nice and quiet. Timing my move was not a coincidence. Starting tomorrow the farm would be buzzing with people. The horse sales were coming up and I was sure to get new clients who liked to have their horses trained by the Lady B and close to the races.
The barn was the only wooden one remaining on the farm. Most of the new barns were a combination of steel and wood. When Leonard wanted to have the old thing torn down, I begged him to let me have it renovated and put Comet there.
Granted, it made more work for me, but it was a place where I found tranquility and solace on a crazy, busy, hectic day. It wasn’t even noon and my day had been stressful enough.
“Hey, buddy.” When I pushed open the old barn door, Comet popped his head out of the stall.
I flipped on the lights I had replaced to make the barn up to code and lit up the place. I deeply inhaled. The smell of hay automatically put a smile across my face, putting me in an instant good mood. Seeing the long black nose of my Appaloosa gave me the Zen that my friend Millie had tried to give me with her fancy candles and yoga moves.
I grabbed the saddle off the hook and walked over to greet my buddy.
“You are the only guy I need in my life.” I traced the outline between his eyes of the white hair in the shape of a funky heart.
That was how I fell in love with him. When Momma brought me to the farm to play with Luvie, I happened to slip out of the house during the horse sales. Comet was a colt and I will never forget seeing Leonard leading him out into the ring. The morning fog hung in the dawn air. When Comet came around the ring, the heart shape right between his eyes tugged at my heart.
Leonard glanced over to the wooden slates of the stall where I was hiding and called me over. He grabbed Luvie’s brand new hot pink saddle that she had never used because she had refused to get on a “stinky” horse, and cringed when I told her how lucky she was.
I will never forget the joy I felt when Leonard picked me up and put me on top of the big guy. It was the first time I had ever been on a horse. There was no turning back. Leonard knew he couldn’t sell Comet and that was when I fell head over heels in love with the Lady B.
Comet nuzzled his nose against my chest as I brushed down his nose and moved down his massive body before I jumped up and trotted him out of the stall, bareback.
There wasn’t any other horse I would ride without a saddle, but Comet was so gentle, not to mention, getting older.
Like a jet, Comet took off in the direction of our secret place. He knew exactly what I needed. My wet hair flapped in the wind and feeling it flop up and down my back helped melt away even more stress within seconds. Nothing mattered at that moment. There wasn’t anything in the world that would make me feel better than Comet did.
Up and down the hills he darted and slowed exactly when he knew it was going to fling me around more. We were a good duo. He could read my body better than any man.
Comet slowed down when our secret hideaway was just beyond the few trees in front of us. It was a portal to a small pond where I found my happy place.
Right before we got to the trees, Comet stopped. He knew it was time for me to jump off and guide him through the trees. The sunlight beat down on the pond, making the teal water even bluer. The water was a phenomenon. Most ponds were mucky and dirty. Not this one.
A long time ago during a haphazard ride, Comet had stopped shy of the trees and nudged his nose between them. Out of curiosity, I got down and walked through the trees. Comet followed me and immediately took a drink from the water. I knew he loved it just as much as I did.
There was a rock that was big enough for me to lay back on and close my eyes. Many times I
had fallen asleep while visiting with my trusty buddy by my side.
“This is exactly what I needed.” The calm pond swept through my veins and melted my nerves.
Gingerly, Comet walked over to the pond and dipped his nose in. I took off my boots and sat them on the rock before I slipped off my shirt and jean shorts to only my panties.
Sticking my toe in, the water was nice and warm. Perfect for the casual skinny dip I always did when I came here.
“Comet, this is much better than a bath.” I leaned my body back and extended my arms to the side as I let the water consume me and take over.
The sun beat down on my face. I floated with my eyes closed. The water level went up and down around me, immersing my ears to hear the unknown in the pond.
All of the day’s problems washed away by the warm water caused a silence in me that couldn’t have been done by the bathtub.
“So this is what you do on your day off?” The voice was muted from my ears being underwater.
Frantically, I splashed around until I got my footing, spitting water out of my mouth.
“Oh my God!” I screamed and put my hands over my bare breasts.
Clay Preston was sitting on my rock, next to my clothes, with a shit-eating grin on his face. He reclined on his hands with a knee cocked in the air and a piece of hay sticking out of his mouth. The plaid shirt was gone and he had put on a cowboy hat.
Where I was standing, the water was only a little more than waist deep and I was there for the world to see. Only it was my world. The pond had been my world for years. No one had ever bothered me. In fact, I wasn’t even sure if Luvie knew about my little oasis.
Though I told her everything, this was a special place that I kept for me.
“I knew you were no good.” I could feel the hatred dripping from my eyes. At least I wanted it to be hatred. “Did you sneak around and wait until everyone left to follow me around?”
