by Toni Leland
Barevsky came from a long line of equestrian performers. Her father and grandfather before her had been stars in a world-renowned circus, and she had grown up on the back of a horse. Article after article described Barevsky’s talent, but as Kim delved further into the archives, a hint of scandal emerged. The country’s darling had detoured into the darker side of show business, was arrested several times in drug-related incidents, then suddenly disappeared for over a year. Kim licked her lips. Juicy stuff. Were drugs the reason for her disappearance? Had she been on the run from drug lords who wanted her dead? The big question was: how did Barevsky get to this country? And if she were an international fugitive, why take a high profile job in Chicago? Kim’s fertile brain ran out of ideas and she moved from the web search to images. She examined the dozens of photographs of the woman who’d been a beauty as a young girl. Her looks had faded somewhat over the years, and that was the probable reason for her downfall. Ego. Kim scrolled through page after page of promotional shots of Barevsky in glittering costumes and elaborate makeup, balanced precariously on the bare back of a horse, or hanging upside down from the pommel of a saddle. Several photographs showed the acrobat in the news, some of it not so good. Kim grew weary of the images as they all began to look alike.
She turned off the computer and walked to the window. The snow was melting rapidly, and the scene was no longer pretty. She was so ready to go home, didn’t want to spend another night in this hotel room. The thought of Garrett just down the hall sent a wiggle of anticipation through her mind. Now that they’d sorted out the business side of their relationship, would they...
Her phone chimed and she let out a soft breath at the sound of Garrett’s voice. Was he tuned in to her thoughts?
“Hey, can you come down here for a minute? I just got the weirdest e-mail.”
Walking slowly down the hall toward his room, Kim felt the cold flush of panic moving through her veins. Peter and the past were well behind her, and the future could hold happiness if she was willing to let it in. But pain and humiliation and loss were hard pills to swallow, and her natural self-preservation instincts were strong. She stopped outside his door and took a deep breath. One day at a time.
Quaid beamed and ushered her in. “You certainly look rested. Guess this snowed-in stuff isn’t so bad, huh?”
She gazed around his room, noting the piles of clothing on the extra bed, his laptop and papers filling the small table in the corner, a towel draped over the chair.
She grinned. “You’ve just made yourself right at home here.”
“Yeah, I tend to expand into whatever space I have. Hey, take a look at this picture and then let’s go find some real food.”
Kim followed him to the computer, trying not to grin like a fool.
He stepped back and said, “Miz Barevsky seems to run in rich circles.”
Kim’s pleasure evaporated when she glanced at the photograph, but she tried to act nonchalant. “Personal e-mails from the bareback beauty? Hmmm. Your encounter with her must have been really good.”
Quaid’s eyebrows lifted in surprise. “I thought you’d be interested because of that comment Natalie made about Barevsky’s connection with expensive performance horses. This guy looks like he’s loaded.”
Suddenly mortified by her transparent reaction, Kim looked at the screen again while she tried to figure out a way to restore her dignity.
The photograph, taken in a large ballroom, showed an elegant cocktail reception filled with beautiful people, dressed in glittering gowns and fancy tuxedos, enjoying caviar and champagne. Kim leaned forward and stared, not believing what she was seeing.
The beautiful Sophia Barevsky smiled up at the handsome face of international horse thief, Reggie Fortune.
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Many Thanks
All the great ideas in the world aren’t worth a thing unless they make sense, and the conscientious people who agree to read and re-read a manuscript are the foundation of crafting a good book. Without them, my stories would not be the best they can be.
Katy Lindh-Wilson and Katie Schubert Angier, the best plotting partners ever; fellow writers Holly Azevedo and Marilyn Fisher; husband Bob for a man’s view of the story; and, eagle-eyed Robbie Huseth of Blue Ribbon Books (aka the Horsebook Lady) – you are all the best!
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About the Author
From the age of eight, Toni Leland nurtured an on-going love affair with horses. Every moment of every day was filled with fantasies of owning her very own horse, a dream that finally came true at the age of twelve. Her life has been graced by many of these beautiful creatures, so it only seemed natural that her careers would revolve around them, as well.
Graphic artist, advertising consultant to the equine industry, and publisher/producer of magazines, books, and videos about horses have consumed the past eighteen years of Toni’s life.
The next step was obvious: equestrian fiction.
Visit her at
Romancing the Horse
http://www.tonileland.com
Other Kindle Books by Toni Leland
Unfinished Business (Kovk & Quaid Book 3)
Double Exposure (Kovk & Quaid Book 1)
Rescue Me
Winning Ways
Gambling With the Enemy
Hearts Over Fences
Deadly Heritage
This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical or current events, real people, or real locales are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Bluetooth, Google Earth, iPhone, Tracer Database, McDonald’s, Switchboard, Starbucks, and Styrofoam are registered trademarked products or services.
