by Lita Lawson
Austin slowly pulled his lips away from hers as he turned to the intruder.
“It’s okay, Billy Joe. It’s me.”
“Oh. Sorry, boss.” The man’s steps retreated and the door closed, leaving them alone again. Austin’s hand was still under her blouse, encasing her breast.
He looked down at her. “Sorry about the interruption. He’s only doing his job.”
The hardest thing she had ever done was removing his hand. She held it a moment longer, not wanting to end the moment, then slowly, reluctantly, let it drop to Austin’s side.
“It’s probably for the best,” she said as she tried to rearrange her blouse and picked up her jacket, dusting it off. “I—I don’t usually do such things.”
“With kisses as sweet as yours, that’s a real shame,” Austin drawled.
The heat of a flush covered her face. “I believe we have unfinished business to take care of.”
“We sure do.”
CHAPTER THREE
Austin leaned toward her, she was sure, to continue where they’d left off. Embarrassed and feeling awkward after their embrace, she wanted to get the reason for being there over with quickly. Slipping the deed for Bella Donna out of her pocket, she realized she had forgotten a pen. “Do you have something to write with?”
Austin shook his head. “I’m sure I can find a pen somewhere in the office.” He led her past several stalls and stopped at one of the doors. “This is Bella Donna,” he stated simply.
Cassi gazed at the beautiful animal she had seen that morning at the racetrack. “I met her earlier today.” Gently, she rubbed the horse’s nose.
“It means a lot that you’re signing her back over to me.” Austin stroked the animal’s nose, his hand catching Cassi’s. He held it briefly and said, “This horse, I own free and clear. I need her. I’m trying to make my own mark in racing and breeding, not coast on the past glories of my father and grandfather.”
His gold eyes glittered in the dim lighting. Admiring his pride, she responded, “I understand completely. I’m trying to live down my own legacy, but it’s definitely not the same as yours.” A frown formed as she fought back bad memories of years past, the times she’d been picked on at school about her alcoholic father. She wanted to be respected in the horse community and not referred to as ‘that drunk’s daughter’ anymore.
“Let me grab a pen in my office, and it’ll be official.”
Cassi stopped stroking Bella Donna. She followed Austin to the office at the opposite end of the barn from where they had entered. Slipping a key out of his pocket, he unlocked the door. Flipping a switch, several fluorescent lights came to life. It was a nice office, but nothing as extravagant as she would have imagined. There was a wall of shelves and filing cabinets; another one was lined with several desks that had pictures of horses with ribbons hung above them.
Austin pulled back an office chair and gestured for her to sit down. Taking the offer, she placed the deed on the desk, and took the pen Austin had found for her. With a few strokes of black ink, she signed Bella Donna’s ownership back to him. She did it quickly, trying not to think what life would have been like if she owned such a prized racehorse. Her life was reality, not fantasy based. She knew her dreams would only happen with hard work and persistence, not waiting for some fairy tale fantasy.
“Here you go,” Cassi handed the sheet to Austin, “signed, sealed and all yours.”
He looked at her intently. “Thank you, Cassi. I really appreciate this. And again, I apologize for Annie Mae dragging you into this mess.” He shook his head. “I don’t understand that woman, but,” he waved his hand dismissively, “it doesn’t matter anymore.”
Cassi’s heart took a silent leap of joy that he might be through with Annie Mae. She realized it was foolish of her to think she had a chance with him, but their intimate kiss earlier left her hoping it was more than basic lust.
Austin cut her thoughts off as he pulled her to her feet. “Thank you, Cassi.” He leaned forward and placed a kiss on her lips.
This one was light and feathery, not hard and demanding as the earlier one. She was again filled with stirrings that had been absent from her life for a long time. She wanted to curse the awakenings. But knowing she’d never see Austin again, never kiss him again, she didn’t stop it. This night was her Cinderella moment.
When his lips left hers, a pang of regret and a sense of loss and longing filled her. Longing for a man who was out of her league, and every Kentucky debutante’s dream. Who was she kidding to think she’d have a chance with a man of his social standing? She was the proverbial girl from the wrong side of the tracks, on a fantasy train headed for a major derailment.
“Well,” Cassi initiated the inevitable departure. “I’ve got to get up early in the morning, so I’d best be leaving.”
“Before you go,” Austin stopped her from leaving.
Cassi’s heart momentarily fluttered with hope.
“You still need to see my grandmother before you leave.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but he cut her off.
“No one disappoints my grandmother, not even the woman who gave me my horse back.” The same sexy smile from earlier was displayed again.
“Austin, I look a mess! If I go back to the party, everyone will know that we’ve been, um—”
“Kissing?” Austin finished the sentence for her.
Another warmth spread over her face and Cassi hoped she wasn’t blushing, and if she was, that he didn’t notice.
Looking down at her, he circled slowly around her body, picking off stray bits of straw and dusting off her jacket that had fallen earlier. When he was in front of her again, his hands touched her hair. “I don’t know if there’s anything I can do about this.”
She closed her eyes as his fingers brushed through the loose strands.
“You should let it hang loose.”
Her breath caught in her throat. “Maybe that’s a good idea.” Cassi reached up to take the bobby pins and elastic ponytail holder out of her hair. Austin’s hands stopped hers. His eyes seemed to darken with desire.
“Allow me.” He proceeded to dismantle the remains of her hairdo. “I’ve been imagining how you’d look with your hair down.”
Again, his gaze assessed, warming her.
“I think if you give it a good shake, it’ll look great.” Cassi bent down and tossed her head back. “Is it okay now?”
“It’s gorgeous.” He ran his fingers through her hair, his fingertips weaving through it. “You should wear it like this all the time.”
“It gets in the way working with horses.”
“But you could wear it down when you go out.”
“Oh, right.” Cassi laughed, “I don’t have time to get out much.”
“Then we should do something about that. How about I take you out to dinner to repay you for returning my horse?”
“Austin,” she liked the sound of his name as she said it, “I didn’t do anything to deserve a dinner. Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Nonsense,” his tone was dismissive. “I feel I need to do something for your understanding in all this…mess.” He seemed at a loss for words.
Cassi wondered if he was apologizing for the kiss earlier or Annie Mae’s fiasco. “Don’t the hors d’oeuvres I had count as a dinner?”
“Hardly.”
“Thanks for the offer, but it’s not necessary.” She wanted to get away from him and his sexiness. “We should get back to the party so I can say good night to your grandmother.” His eyes narrowed and she wondered what he was thinking.
As they walked back to the house, Austin’s thoughts raced around all the events that had occurred. Annie Mae’s admission that she’d had the audacity to sign over his horse to a perfect stranger because she didn’t get what she wanted. And meeting Cassi and the unexpected way he had reacted to her. He’d dated so many women over the years, he imagined himself immune to their wiles. But there was something different about her. For
one thing, she was honest. She didn’t appear to be motivated by hidden agendas, like so many of the women he dated. He knew she was poor, but that didn’t matter.
Glancing at her, she looked downright gorgeous. Her auburn hair was full and wavy, hanging well below her shoulders. It was the type of hair a man could spend all night long running his fingers through it. Unlike Annie Mae’s, which was short and always stiff from all the hair stuff she used. A tornado could blow through Lexington, and her hair would remain in place.
He liked Cassi’s eyes. They appeared honest and revealed her emotions. The freckles he’d seen at the racetrack were hidden tonight. He was disappointed she’d put make-up on to conceal them.
And her mouth—full lips made for kissing. He couldn’t believe how her kiss had affected him, made him feel that first rush of anticipation, of discovery. Like when he was a teenager and first exploring the world of girls. He hadn’t intended to let the kiss get so intense, nor had he planned on touching her breast.
They’d reached the patio at the back of the house and several guests still mingled around the pool.
Austin turned to Cassi. “Do you still feel uncomfortable about your appearance?”
“I do,” she answered truthfully.
“Well, I think you look ravishing.” He leaned closer to her so he could whisper in her ear. “And you look like you’ve just been kissed by a bad boy.” He grinned the most captivating smile he could come up with, hoping for his charm to work its magic on her. He saw the flush on her face and knew he’d scored.
“Here,” he motioned to an iron patio chair. “I’ll go get my grandmother. I know she wants to catch up on your family. I’ll be right back.”
Entering through the kitchen, he grabbed a flute of champagne and gulped it down. He looked in the den to be sure Don and Annie Mae had left. Annie Mae was gone, but her cloying scent still lingered in the room. Don remained.
“Did you take Annie Mae home?” Austin asked his friend, hoping the answer was yes.
“After she flirted with half your guests.” Don took a drink from his glass. “You know, tongues are wagging.” He looked pointedly at Austin.
“Yeah, so what else is new?” Austin answered curtly. “Tongues have been wagging about me all my life. I’m getting tired of living in a fishbowl.”
“Well,” Don replied, “running out of the party with the Whitaker girl in tow wasn’t exactly the action of a man who didn’t want to be talked about.”
Austin poured himself another bourbon. “You know what? I don’t give a damn. And leave Cassi out of the gossip. She’s an innocent girl, not one of those dragon ladies of the horse set.” He belted back the shot of liquor.
“You should remember that as well,” Don said rising from his chair. Walking over to Austin, he put his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “She’s not the type of woman you normally date. Don’t break her heart.”
“I have no intention of doing so,” Austin replied stiffly.
“Well, that bit of lipstick on your face says otherwise.” Don grinned at him, winked, and headed out the door. “See you later, Romeo.”
Looking in the mirror, Austin dabbed at the lower side of his cheek, wiping off the remnant of Cassi’s kisses, unable to wipe the memory of them from his mind.
He stared after Don, cursing the whole damned lot of them. It was none of their business what he did and who he did it with!
After twenty minutes, Cassi was wondering if Austin would return. Standing alone was awkward. A waiter had stopped by and offered her more champagne. She took it simply so she could have something to keep her hands occupied. Finally, Austin approached with his elderly grandmother.
Her conversation with Eleanor was stilted at first, but Austin’s grandmother was nice and soon Cassi was put at ease. They chatted for about fifteen minutes and then Cassi was able to take her leave. She refused Austin’s offer to walk her to her car, and instead took the long way from the back of the house to the parked cars.
Once she got there, the stable hand, Billy Joe Sloan, was slouched against the front fender of her aged pick-up truck. Cassi blushed, wondering what Billy Joe had been able to see when he had interrupted her kiss with Austin in the barn.
“Bet it took you awhile to guess which of these vehicles was mine.” She motioned to all the Jaguars, Mercedes and Cadillac’s parked all around them.
“It was a pretty good guess, don’t you think?” He smiled at her, his laugh easy.
Cassi recalled he had been a nice kid in high school, kind of quiet and kept to himself. A lot like herself. She rarely dated in high school, hadn’t taken part in extra-curricular activities, and never brought friends home because she never knew in what condition she’d find her Dad.
Not knowing what Billy Joe wanted, Cassi stood still, waiting for him to say what was on his mind.
“Cassi, I know it’s late and you’re probably wonderin’ what I’m doin’ here.” He fidgeted with his car keys. “I’ve worked here since high school. And I know the ladies find Austin attractive, and I imagine he’s attractive to you as well.” He shifted his feet and then looked directly at her. “Be careful. I don’t wanna see you gettin’ hurt, you know? You’re a nice girl and he, well, he doesn’t stick long to one girl. If you know what I mean.”
“I know what you mean, Billy Joe, and I appreciate your concern. I don’t think there’s anything to worry about. I’m sure this was a one-time fluke. I’m no rich socialite.”
“No.” Billy Joe’s head shot up. “I didn’t mean for you to take it that way. You’re nice, maybe too nice. You know he goes for those rich gals. They’re as experienced as he is. You’re not nasty like them, you know? You don’t play their kind of games.”
Cassi wasn’t sure exactly what to say. “I’m glad you came to the barn when you did. It brought me back to my senses.”
He looked down at the ground sheepishly. “I didn’t mean to interrupt nothin’. I was just doin’ my job. I thought someone had broken in and was afraid they’d mess with the horses.”
“I know.” She wondered what might have happened if he hadn’t interrupted them. Her pulse quickened thinking of the possibility of spending more time in Austin’s arms.
Cassi made her way to the driver’s side door and Billy Joe opened it for her.
“It was good seein’ you again, Cassi.”
“Same here, Billy Joe.” She stepped up into the pickup and closed the door, rattling from its rusted condition. A rug covered the hole in the floorboard. She would have liked to listen to music, but her radio didn’t work. The real world came back in a rush, putting an end to silly daydreams about Austin and the finery of his world. Revving the engine to life, she engaged the clutch and left for home. Real life. Not this fantasy world.
Cassi woke early the next day and dressed in her regular working clothes: worn denim pants, cotton work shirt, faded white from repeated washings, and scuffed boots.
While eating cold cereal, she looked at her kitchen with a different viewpoint. After having been at the grand Keller house, her kitchen now seemed drab and worn. She’d recently painted the walls a new coat of yellow and whitewashed the kitchen cabinets. Normally the room cheered her, but this morning it seemed a reminder of what was lacking in her life.
A day full of work was ahead of her. Her brother, Mike, was still in bed since he’d gone to a basketball game while she was at Austin’s. She didn’t want to wake her brother, not wanting to burden him with the load of keeping up the farm. All she wanted was for him to have fun, even if she couldn’t. Life didn’t always deal you a good hand, and she supposed when her Dad had left, she had gotten a bad draw. Her mother was now staying with her sister in Arizona because her arthritis was so bad she couldn’t handle the cold weather. Cassi was the one left to run the place and help her brother through college.
Before she started her numerous chores, she decided to take Foolish Gamble out for a ride. She needed to rejuvenate her spirits after yesterday’s draining events.
All night she had tossed and turned and couldn’t get a good night’s rest, thoughts of Austin kept tempting her. She had to get the man out of her mind so she could concentrate on running her farm. Distractions like him weren’t an option.
The kitchen screen door bounced on its frame after it slapped shut behind her. She had a carrot in her pocket for Foolish Gamble, but he wouldn’t get it until they reached the creek. That was the deal between them. She knew the horse enjoyed their routine of going to the creek, but not like she did. Whenever she was down, like this morning, she’d go for a ride to her favorite spot on the property.
There was a grand old oak tree that stood near the creek. She let the grass there grow wild since the horses didn’t graze there. It was her private wild preserve, like going back in time a couple hundred years. Even some of the original fencing remained standing, the aged wood rotting away. The place brought Cassi peace of mind.
Cassi opened the barn door, savoring the smell of the leather, horses and straw. Turning on the light, however, her barn seemed pitifully small in comparison to the Keller stables. Bare light bulbs hung from the ceiling, not golden chandeliers. There were no brass plaques on the stall doors bearing the names of champion racehorses on them. But she knew there would be one soon, and it would say ‘Foolish Gamble.’ He was her chance, her hope, her dream.
Cassi saw him stick his head out of his stall, sensing her arrival. “Hey, big fella,” she cooed softly to him. “How’s about a ride to the creek first?” His ears twitched while she talked to him.
She let him see the carrot peeking out of her back pocket. “And I’ve got your favorite treat.” She patted his nose and the side of his neck. Opening the stall door, she entered and saddled him up for the ride.
It was going to be another glorious spring day, hotter than it should be. She welcomed the sun and heat and was always glad when winter ended.
After an easy gait, she galloped Foolish Gamble the rest of the way to the creek. It was about a mile long, which was the length most of his races would be.
