“We made it.” He dismounted and tried not to wince as muscles he hadn't worked out in too long let him know it.
Sarah leaned against a fencepost. Her face was pale, contrasting with the purple streak in her hair. “So I see. I only just beat you. I'd like you to meet Lex Ames who has kindly offered to put us up tonight. Lex, this is Caleb, my support person, co-rider and—”
“Pleased to meet you, Lex. Great spread you've got here.” Just why he cut off Sarah's introduction, he wasn't sure. Call it a feeling in his gut but he'd long ago learned to listen to it.
Sarah looked at him, and kept her mouth closed but her eyes told him an explanation would be required at the first opportunity.
“Welcome to Northern Downs.” Ames shook his hand and called for one of the men to take Caleb's horse. “Come on into the house and have a drink. Thirsty work, riding horseback in these winds.”
Handing Tabitha's reins to the waiting hand, Caleb reminded himself that Kaiser had ordered him to stay close and keep an eye on Sarah. What better way than spending the night at Ames's home? Concentrating on not revealing how tough the ride had been, he almost walked into Sarah.
And Ames who slid in between them so neatly, it wouldn't appear deliberate to anyone but Caleb.
Sarah's shoulders were stiff as Ames's solicitousness for her welfare masked an attempt to crowd her and cut her off from Caleb.
She climbed the imposing stone stairs and continued to chat with Ames. But her white-knuckled grip on the railing and the stiff set of her shoulders as Caleb followed her revealed her discomfort. Ames led them into a high-ceilinged, country-style lounge room. At one end, a log fire burned in a stone fireplace big enough to cook a sheep. Excess seemed to be Ames's approach to everything.
Sarah sank into a dark brown leather sofa and Caleb sat beside her as Ames moved to a cabinet filled with an array of alcohol. He wanted to watch the man's face as they talked. And he wanted to keep Sarah out of Ames's reach.
“Name your poisons. Cognac, whisky—”
Much as he would have liked a whisky to warm him, Caleb needed to keep a clear head. From the little he'd seen, this place had top of the line security. He wasn't certain but he suspected CCTV was installed in the house.
“Nothing for me thanks. I'm on medication for this cold.”
Bottle of expensive brandy in hand, Ames paused. Sarah's refusal drew a brief frown that skittered across his brow. “Brandy won't hurt.”
“I really don't want anything. Caleb, darling?”
Darling?
If the endearment took him by surprise, it was nothing to the touch of her hand on his knee. The tremor in her fingers intensified as she stroked halfway up his thigh.
On autopilot, he covered her hand with his and twined their fingers. “Whisky, thanks, Lex.” Then he lifted Sarah's hand to his lips. Gazes collided, held, and silently, she communicated her thanks.
Ames appeared in his peripheral vision, holding out a crystal glass filled with amber liquid. “You didn't mention Caleb is your boyfriend, Sarah.”
She broke eye contact and smiled up at Ames. “Didn't I? Not that it's relevant but is there an issue?”
Ames tutted and sat in the armchair opposite the sofa. He took a swig from his glass and eyed them across the Persian rug. Suddenly he smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. “Not at all. Since I didn't know you had company on your ride, I assigned Caleb a room in the workers' quarters when you told me he was coming. But I'm sure you'd prefer to have his company tonight.”
Caleb had to give Sarah credit. Her smile held even while her hand shook within his. Was she worried about Ames attempting something? Was that the reason for this charade?
But wasn't her choice to keep Caleb close by proof of innocence in the horse-napping that even Kaiser couldn't refute?
“Lex was showing me his horses before you arrived, darling. He has quite a stable.” Beneath her stuffed-up nose and puffy eyes, her passion for horses, no matter whose, shone through.
“They're not all mine, Sarah. Three are owned by the syndicate I head up.” Ames tossed back the rest of his drink and set the glass on the table beside him.
“It's clear you know your horses though. And I'd love to show Caleb the set up you have, if that's okay?”
“I'll show him myself, Sarah. Perhaps you'd like to rest before dinner?”
Something nagged at Caleb's brain. Why did Ames's solicitousness for her welfare not quite ring true?
“Are you denying me the pleasure of seeing your horses again, Lex?” Playful and cute was definitely not Sarah's style. More than ever, Caleb needed a private word with her. She'd seen or heard something. But more than that, she seemed worried about being separated from him. For a woman who disliked being touched, she was clinging to his hand as if her life depended on it.
“Join us, by all means, Sarah. Caleb, bring your drink and I'll show you to your room. Then we can head over to the stables before dark.”
##
Ames left them at the door of the guest room. “Do you think you can find your way back to the lounge room?”
The homestead was large and the question, not entirely silly. “We'll be fine, thank you.” Sarah closed the door and stood with her ear pressed to the wood. Ames's footsteps receded down the long hallway. Only after she cracked open the door and peered along the empty length of corridor and ascertained he'd actually gone did she turn back to Caleb.
“What's the matter?” Caleb watched her intently, like a zoo visitor in front of an exotic creature.
No wonder he was bewildered. She'd surprised herself as well as him when she touched him. Stroked his thigh. A necessary ploy to make Ames think she and Caleb were an item. She wasn't available to any man.
I don't like being touched. But choosing to touch Caleb had been different. A revelation as the power of choice surged through her. She pressed her back against the door. Touching Caleb when it was her choice had been—nice. More than nice, but she would examine her reaction later, in the dark of night when his presence didn't muddle her thinking.
Was it possible she wasn't damaged beyond repair? Was choice the key?
Mac Campbell hadn't given her any. And while Ames looked nothing like Mac Campbell, his clumsy attempt to box her into an empty stall brought nightmares from her childhood crashing back. Only the thought that Caleb would arrive shortly had kept her from screaming.
Caleb wouldn't hurt her. . . Caleb was safe.
She dragged in a deep breath and took a step towards him, and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I missed you, darling.”
Arms stiff by his sides, Caleb froze.
Stretching up on tiptoes, she brought her mouth close to his ear. “I have no idea if the room is bugged. Play along until we get away from the house.”
He met her gaze and nodded as understanding overcame surprise. “I couldn't think of anything but you all day, sweetheart. Give me a kiss to warm me up.” He bent his head and his lips brushed her ear. “We'll talk outside after we leave the stables.”
Caleb's scent wrapped around her, filling her senses, disturbing in its intensity, its proximity. Usually any male standing so close raised her defences and had her seeking to put distance between them. Probably Caleb smelled of sweat and dust as well but her clogged nose detected only horse—Tabitha, to be precise—and Tabitha was safe, therefore Caleb was safe. She concentrated on that scent and drew strength from it before drawing back.
“Is that the bathroom? I'll be back in a flash.” She opened her saddle bag and took out the bug in its container. Showing it to Caleb, she disappeared into the bathroom and turned on a tap. Carefully, she slipped the bug under her lapel as Caleb had shown her. Turning the water off, she leaned on the vanity and checked her appearance. Shadowed eyes and pale cheeks, red nose—what would Caleb think? Annoyed with the moment of vanity, she studied her collar. So long as she didn't cough and sneeze, the bug would pick up everything Ames said.
“All set?” Caleb rose and she
tried not to look at the king-size bed or think beyond the visit to the stable.
He opened the door and she set off, remembering the route back to the lounge room and arriving there as Ames stepped in through a set of French doors from the front veranda.
She turned to Caleb who was hot on her heels. “Darling, if Lex doesn't mind maybe you could bring your camera. I'd love a few photos for my blog.”
Quick to pick up her cue, Caleb joined their host by the door. “Lex, would you mind a few shots of you and your horses for Sarah's blog? She's got quite a following.”
“Be my guest. The syndicate will be happy with the exposure.” Ames's assent was cool, disinterested. Because she was clearly unavailable?
“Sarah, did you bring the camera in with you?”
“I think it's in the back of the four wheel drive. Why don't you get it and join us in the stables?” Not that she wanted to be alone with Ames but Caleb needed a couple of minutes to turn on the recorder.
“Sure, sweetheart.” Caleb strode out the door.
As Ames led her to the stables, she watched Caleb cross the garden and disappear between the vehicles lining the driveway. The knowledge that he was nearby was enough to get her through the next few minutes. Try as she might, she couldn't put her finger on what it was about Ames that reminded her of Mac Campbell. Where her neighbour had been rude and rough, Ames was polite, and thoughtful to a fault. Maybe it was the possessive bent that emerged at her mention of Caleb. The image of Ames cutting her off from Caleb like a calf being separated from the herd replayed in her mind.
Predatory intent.
She shivered and tucked her hands under her armpits.
Ames stopped beside the first stall whose occupant was one of his breeding mares. He took a piece of apple from the treat bucket and offered it to the horse. “How are my neighbours doing? I heard Sue James has sold off over half her herd.”
“She's doing it tough but like the others, she won't give up. You heard about the trucks bringing hay up from down south? That was a real morale booster.”
“Indeed. Very generous.”
“Acts of kindness from one's fellow man, Lex. They make all the difference. I also spent a night with Ralph Jenner and his daughter, Lily.”
“Ah, let me guess, Jeanette wasn't there?”
“I haven't met his wife. Do you know her?”
“Yes. Now there's a real woman. Too good for the likes of Jenner.”
“He seemed pleasant, and he cares a great deal about his daughter. He showed me his new stallion.”
“Aladdin. Damned if he didn't beat me to the post with that one. I wanted that horse for the syndicate.”
“Why?”
“Because he's a Cup winner if ever I saw one.” His response was quick, with a ring of having been repeated many times.
“I'm not so sure. He's difficult and so far, nobody has been able to ride him.” Caleb hadn't returned. She took the opportunity to probe the question that had bothered her most. How could two of the wealthiest owners have vied for a horse they didn't know thoroughly? “Did you see Aladdin before Jenner bought him?”
“Well, I have to admit I only saw him online. Guess I was lucky to be a bit slow on the uptake from what you've said. I wouldn't want to have been lumbered with a dud, not like poor Jenner.” Ames's lips twitched as he moved on to the next stall and pulled a double helping out of the treat bucket for the pregnant mare.
Sarah wondered at the reason for that look. Had her comment made Ames happy he hadn't bought a problem horse? But neither of the men would have tried to buy Aladdin if they'd seen him as he was at Selkirk. Not without strong indications that he could be fixed by someone like her.
Sarah disliked Ames but the thought of him gloating over a rival's misfortune didn't fit with what she knew of the businessman. Ames had wanted the horse but, according to Jenner, he'd purchased the stallion out from under the nose of Ames. Either the grey had been sound before purchase, or Jenner hadn't seen him in the flesh either.
Scanning the beams and shadowed corners of the stable as she tried to make sense of the men's rivalry over Aladdin, Sarah spotted two pinpoints of red light. Any visit to the stables would be recorded. A flicker of movement at her side alerted her to Caleb's return. She'd been so focused on drawing Ames out about Jenner and Aladdin that she hadn't heard Caleb's approach.
“Got it. Okay if I take a few shots of you and Sarah, Lex?” Caleb held up a compact digital camera.
“Sure. How about in front of Randy Boy?” Ames led the way to the gelding he'd told Sarah was his best shot for Cup glory.
“Perfect, Lex. And I'd love to interview you on how the top owner in the business chooses which horses to purchase, if you have time this evening.”
“I guarantee it will only be after a live viewing from now on, after what you've told me.” Ames positioned Sarah to one side of Randy Boy and slid in beside her before grasping the gelding's halter and facing the camera. He was too close, and a possessive arm snaked around her waist.
Caleb moved the camera away from his face and looked at her. “Sarah, try to smile, sweetheart. I know you don't feel wonderful but a smile will look better on your blog.”
Smile? Ames would be lucky if she didn't elbow him out of the way. She felt as if he sucked out all the air and left none for her. She held herself stiffly and moistened cracked lips before assuming another fake smile.
There was a series of rapid clicks as Caleb took several bursts of shots. He lowered the camera and she quickly stepped away from Ames.
“Which one is your newest purchase, Lex?” Caleb slung an arm over her shoulders.
She flinched, unable to curb the automatic response. Casually, Caleb slid his hand down her arm and twined their fingers. She knew he felt the tension thrumming through her. A brittle shell covering a mess of insecurities.
She squeezed his hand. Thanks for the rescue. Again.
“Randy Boy's younger brother, Under Cover.” Ames stopped in front of a stall where a spirited two-year-old thoroughbred snorted, skittishly sidestepping away. “He's the one I was telling you about when Caleb rode in. What do you think of him, Sarah?”
They stopped in front of the bay horse's stall. Was she seeing things about him that weren't there because he'd touched her? Because she hated being touched by anyone? Ignoring Ames's gesture to join him, Sarah leaned into Caleb's side. Took comfort from his solid body between her and Ames. Later, she'd think about why that was so.
“Good lines, strong legs. Breeding will always show. Have you raced him yet?” She shivered and sneezed. “Excuse me. Lex, can we chat about him later?”
“Of course. Dinner's at eight. Drinks in the lounge if you fancy anything beforehand.” He strode away, leaving them alone with the horses.
At the far end of the line of stalls, laughter and the jingle of a harness emanated from the tack room and reminded her they weren't alone.
“Come look at the view while it's still light.” Caleb gently tugged her out the door and headed along the track he'd ridden in on. She'd plastered herself to his side and not moved from there since the impromptu photo shoot.
I hate being touched.
Something about Ames or the set up here had spooked Sarah and he couldn't wait to find out what.
When they'd put a hundred metres between them and the stables, he stopped and turned to face her. “Okay, spill.”
“He has CCTV in the stables, at least two cameras that I saw.”
“And in the house, but we already suspected that. Go on.”
“None of his horses look anything like Sir Alain. I haven't had a chance to chat with any of his men to find out if he keeps horses in another location but I'll try to draw him out over dinner.” Her gaze flicked up to his face and away.
“Good. But that's not what I meant and you know it.”
She pulled her hand out of his and turned towards the sunset. Crimson and gold streaks layered up into the deepening blue. She sniffed and breathed thr
ough her mouth. “Isn't it beautiful? All the dust in the air makes that rich red colour.”
“I know.” He waited. He could out-play her at the waiting game any day of the week. It was what he was good at, the war of nerves, the tension building until a suspect felt compelled to fill the silence. Not that she was a suspect but Sarah Tait had secrets.
“I'm sorry if I've put you in an awkward position, Detective. I don't know why, exactly, but Ames made me feel uncomfortable. And when he looked at you like he didn't know quite what to make of your presence, I—well, I went for the safe option.”
“I'm not sure whether to feel insulted or happy that you now think of me as safe.” Stirring Sarah, just a little, wasn't about payback. It made a fraught situation less stressful, almost—normal.
“Strange to say, it wasn't intended as an insult. For once. And it was the easiest explanation for your presence.”
“Not a problem. You surprised me, that's all. But it does mean we have to share the bedroom. I assure you, you are safe with me.”
“I'm beginning to trust that. It's an odd feeling—” Her eyes widened and she clamped her lips together.
He'd suspected trusting people came hard for her, especially since her family's fall from grace. Having a jailbird parent and sibling had probably given her a hard lesson in friendship. But her I don't like being touched played on his mind. More than a general distrust of people, Sarah didn't trust men.
“I'll take the floor.”
“No, Sarah, you'll take the bed. The floor is mine.” On this, he could reassure her. Actually, he felt a whole lot better to be sharing a room with Sarah, in spite of her dislike of men. If Ames had planned to try anything with her, Caleb's presence had just removed the opportunity.
“No, my idea so I take the consequences of it. Besides, it's no different to camping out in my swag.”
“You're sick, you get the bed. No, Sarah—” She was predictable and prickly and as she opened her mouth, he raised his hand and cut off her protest. “It's not negotiable.”
Her gaze flicked past his shoulder and before he drew another breath, she lifted her arms and draped them around his neck. Again. “Put your arms round me.”
Long Way Home (Hearts of the Outback Book 3) Page 6
