The tears fell. She sobbed and clung to him, the stress of the last few weeks boiling over and spilling out through her cries. In one swift movement, Damien lifted her into his arms and took her to the couch. He sat with her on his lap, silent and patient as she cried into his shirt front, the ugly and endless sounds falling from her lips.
“I’m sorry,” she said after a long moment. She sniffled, wiped her palms across her damp face. “I don’t usually act like this. I promise.”
“I know your strength, darling. You have nothing to apologize for.” His hand soothed her back while he looked into her face, his eyes piercing and unblinking. “We all have moments when we need to lean on another person, if only for a little while.” A smile touched his lips. “I’m honored that you have enough trust in what we have to lean on me.”
A steady warmth blossomed in Sasha’s chest. Radiating out and through her until she was filled with it, comforted by it. She sniffled again, settled back into Damien’s arms. “Thank you.”
“You have nothing to thank me for yet.” A touch of amusement colored his voice. “I still need to find out who’s making these accusations against you. And also who the hell is doping our horses.” The humor left his voice, leaving it cold and hard. “Whoever this bastard is, he’s going to regret the day he crossed me.”
Lying against his chest, Sasha shivered. She almost felt sorry for whoever it was that dared to mess with Damien and his business. Almost.
Chapter Twenty-six
There were investigators crawling all over Taylor Stables and all over Sasha’s life. Although they wore plain clothes and were polite, she still felt as if they – the intimidating and stern men and women who appeared on the grounds almost overnight – looked at her with suspicion whenever she ran into them. Which, in turn, made all her co-workers, who hadn’t so much as blinked when they found out about her and Damien, begin to look at her with an unpleasant, speculating look on their faces.
She knew she hadn’t done anything, but that didn’t stop her from feeling guilty about her past and thinking that it was something about her that made the investigators’ suspicion gravitate toward her. And even if there had been no real reason for them to suspect her, once they found out about her past, they would be sure to look at her even more strongly for the crime. They might even make up the facts of her guilt, figuring that someone who came from such a poisonous tree obviously had to be rotten to the core as well.
Because of this discomfort, this feeling of constantly being under the microscope, Sasha only came to the stables to do her job, work with Linc as needed, then quickly drive back to her little apartment and wait for the suspicion to fall away from her. Damien was busy trying to find out who the culprit was. Looking through paperwork, questioning the staff, checking records of the horses’ feeding schedules, medications, and performances. He’d discovered nothing, but he vowed not to stop until something fruitful came to light. Because of his preoccupation with clearing her name and the name of Taylor Stables, Sasha had barely seen him.
She’d spent the night with him just a few days before, but he had been too distracted to lie in bed beside her, instead going through stable files and records until nearly five o’ clock in the morning. Even after he put the papers away, he’d only gone to take a shower and get dressed, saying his mind was too preoccupied for him to sleep. Sasha knew exactly what he meant. As he’d worked into the night, feverishly dissecting the records on paper and on the computer, Sasha had envied the fact that he was able to do something. She felt completely helpless in the situation, able only to wait and see what another day would bring.
It was near the end of another long day. The sweat still coated Sasha’s face and neck, dampened the line of her back under her shirt and jacket. Bits of hay stuck to her face and arms, making her itch. She left the practice track and walked heavily toward the locker rooms then the stable showers. She was hot, tired, frustrated. The entire process with the investigators was going so slowly. The pain of the investigation was just as bad as James and his blackmail. Both wore on her nerves. Both made her question how people would now see her.
She turned the corner in the large, air-conditioned building, grateful for the blast of A/C on her skin. With a sigh, she adjusted the bag over her shoulders while her booted feet sounded against the wooded floors.
“There you are!”
She stopped short and looked up to see Michelle walking down the hallway toward her. The vet was wearing her street clothes. Jeans, a pink t-shirt, ballet flats. She had her glasses on properly today, perched on her small nose, while her blonde hair, even at the end of the day, was still elegantly piled on top of her head. She looked beautiful. Relieved.
When Michelle reached Sasha, she quickly pulled her into a strong hug. Sasha held onto her, feeling the prick of tears. But she fought them away.
“Hey,” she said softly to her friend.
“I’ve been looking for you all week,” Michelle said as she pulled back from their hug.
Sasha shrugged, the bag shifting on her shoulder. “I’ve been here this whole time.”
“Of course, you always know how to find yourself.” A small smile moved across her friend’s face. “But I’ve been trying to find you ever since this whole thing started. I feel like you’re here but I never get the chance to see you by yourself.”
A sigh left Sasha’s lips. “I’m worried about this entire investigation. It’s scary.” She was embarrassed that her voice shook. This was the first time she’d talked to anyone else aside from Damien about the investigation. And although Michelle had brought word of the doping discovery to Damien that evening while he and Sasha were in his study, she hadn’t had the chance to talk with the vet alone.
As the week wore on, she’d simply become convinced that Michelle was no longer a friend anymore and believed, like everyone obviously did, that she had something to do with what the investigators suspected.
The thought had shattered her. One of the good friends she could finally claim after being at Taylor Stables for so long was no longer hers anymore. So far, Linc had been the only person to come forward with words of encouragement and unconditional support. All the other jockeys acted no differently with her. They treated her the same and did not seem to hold the same suspicion in their faces that the office staff had. But even that small thing, she was grateful for.
“The investigation is a frightening thing. You’d be made of stone if you weren’t worried.” Michelle squeezed her shoulder. “I know things have been hard for you, I just wanted to let you know that I’m behind you a hundred percent. I don’t believe you did any of what they’re saying.”
Damien and Linc had tried to keep the details of the investigation a secret, but with the pointed questions that the detectives had asked and perhaps even documents the staff had been shown, barely a day had passed before the entire stables knew what the investigators were looking for. And at whom.
“Thank you for believing in me,” Sasha said as the tears threatened again. “I know I haven’t done anything to deserve your trust but—”
“You’re done everything,” Michelle interrupted. “You’ve shown us all what a giving, kind, and honest person you are. It’s only a matter of time before the investigators see that too and move on to another suspect.”
Sasha drew in a breath of surprise. Although Michelle was a friend and had done nothing but show support and kindness since Sasha’s first day they met, to hear her say the words were such a surprise. Michelle didn’t know the truth about her, about her family and her background. And from the way the other woman spoke, maybe she wouldn’t even care if she did. The thought took Sasha aback. She’d never had people support her before. The feeling was going to take some getting used to.
“You’re...you’re so nice to me!” She cleared her throat, wanting to make light of her vulnerability. “What’s the catch?” Sasha forced her teasing lilt into her voice.
Michelle smiled. “I wouldn’t say I’m nice. Wa
it until I stick you with washing the dishes the next time you come over for dinner.”
She took Sasha’s hand in hers. “Which reminds me, you’re invited over to our place tonight if you feel like having company. Gracie is making her famous chicken and waffles from scratch. She’s spoiling me because it’s close to our anniversary but you can enjoy at least one of the benefits of our long-lived relationship, too.” A dimple poked her cheek.
Unexpected laughter burst from Sasha. “Thanks, but you can savor all those benefits for yourself.” Her smile faded. “You’re both so sweet for inviting me, but I don’t feel much like company these days. Maybe one day soon, okay?”
Michelle looked disappointed, but she only squeezed Sasha’s hand. “Okay.”
After another long hug, Michelle turned back around in the hallway and went the way she had come. Sasha continued on toward the showers, the burden on her shoulders lighter, the warmth from her friend’s hug still lingering on her skin.
When she came out of the shower, ready to face the world in her purple sundress, sandals, and brighter attitude in the wake of Michelle’s visit, her cell phone rang.
“Have dinner with me tonight,” Damien said over the line. He sounded exhausted.
She folded her dirty clothes and put them in her overnight bag, the phone tucked between her cheek and shoulder as she talked. “Are you sure? You sound like you’re ready for bed.”
He chuckled without humor. “I’m probably too tired to make it to the bed, but I want to see you.”
It had been days since they’d gotten the chance to do more than kiss each other goodnight or good morning before getting on with their respective days. Sasha missed him. Even in the midst of her worry about the doping charges, she missed him so much.
“I’m leaving the showers right now. I can be in your office in about fifteen minutes.”
He made a negating sound. “No. I have a better idea. Meet me in the stable parking lot. I’ll pick you up in five.” He sounded suddenly energized, papers rustling in the background, then the noise of keys jingling.
“Okay.”
After she hung up, the gabbed the rest of her things, put them in her car except for her purse and walked to the edge of the parking lot to wait for Damien. It was nearly seven o’ clock. About an hour from sunset and the sky a brilliant blue overhead. Sasha leaned back against one of the two concrete pillars that marked the entrance to the lot. With her purse held in front of her with both hands and her eyes closed, she breathed in quietly. Enjoying the relative silence of the stables, the sound of the wind through the trees, the far off chirp of birds, closer, the sound of a powerful car engine.
“Hey, beautiful. Going my way?”
She opened her eyes to see Damien smiling tiredly at her from the driver’s side of his black Mercedes. His hair was more untidy than she’d ever seen it, as if he’d been constantly running his hands through it. She wanted to kiss his cheeks and put him to bed. Sasha shoved away from the pillar and approached the car window.
“Depends on where you’re going, lover,” she murmured, playing along. As she watched, it seemed that some of the tiredness drained away from him, leaving his eyes brighter, his smile wider.
“Why don’t you hop in and find out?” He draped one hand over the car window, the other over the steering wheel.
She grinned and got into the car. The Mercedes smelled like sun-warmed leather and his woodsy cologne. Sasha leaned across the car to kiss him, breathe him in before settling back into the comfortable seat with a sigh and stretching out her legs.
“So, where are you taking me?”
“Someplace you want to go.” He flashed her another smile and put the car in gear.
“Mind if I put on some music?” she asked.
“I’d mind if you don’t.”
Under his skilled direction, the big car glided down the winding drive, past the rich green fields, the beautiful modern buildings, the burned out old stable looking down at them from the top of the hill.
Sasha flipped through the satellite radio listings until she found one of her favorite classic country music stations. Damien glanced briefly at her in approval as the sounds of Kenny Rogers filled the luxurious space and she sat back in her chair, prepared to enjoy the passing scenery, his solid presence, and the lulling music until the car stopped at its final destination. After stopping for gas and a mysterious something from a gourmet grocer, the Mercedes took to the open road. The drive ended just before sunset at a park.
Damien parked the car and opened the passenger side door for her, helped her out. It smelled like they were in the country. Pastures. The sweet scent of nearby flowers. Freshly cut grass. The sound of nearby water. Around them, the sun was setting fire to the sky as it lowered toward the horizon. The gold and amber shades of light kissed her lover’s golden hair, rested like a blessing on his features, the lush lower lip, his strong jaw, and high cheekbones. He watched her as if she was the one offered up in shades of gold, adoration bright in his eyes.
Sasha smiled through the blush climbing in her cheeks. “I thought you were inviting me out to dinner.”
“I am.” His smile was mischievous. Sweet.
Damien opened the trunk and pulled out a picnic basket, a striped blue blanket, and the paper bag from the grocery store. Then he locked up the car, offered Sasha his arm. They didn’t walk far. Only down a grassy hill and toward a small garden that seemed to have sprung out of nowhere. A latched gate guarded the oasis of roses while the sunset lit their way. Red roses. Pink. Lavender. White. Yellow. Every conceivable color of the flowers with their rich and intoxicating scent permeated the small space.
“This is beautiful,” Sasha said. She drew a deep breath and sighed as the sweetness of the flowers seemed to bloom inside her. “Thank you.”
“This is just the beginning,” Damien said with a gentle smile.
He guided her to a wide area of grass at the center of the garden, spread out the blanket and settled the basket near it.
“Your dinner awaits,” he said, grinning.
Once she sat down on the blanket, he pulled a feast from the basket. Fried chicken, dinner rolls, mashed potatoes, collard greens, and a cherry pie. Sasha laughed when he pulled out the pie.
“Am I going to even get to taste that?” He loved pie with an unnatural lust she could only attribute to him being an only child.
“If you behave yourself, maybe.” They shared a smile.
As the sun fully set around them, he put portions of dinner on both their plates before giving her a fork and a glass of white wine. They shared the food and low conversation, enjoying the last of the setting sun, the intoxicating smell of the roses around them. As the sun fell lower in the sky, Damien pulled a set of four candles from the picnic basket; he lit them to chase the darkness away.
“I’m happy you’re here with me tonight, Sasha,” Damien said between bites of his fried chicken. “I haven’t had time to sleep these last few days, but I want to be sure I have time with you.” A smear of grease glistened on his upper lip.
Sasha leaned close and wiped his mouth with her thumb. She smiled, licked away the grease from her own finger. “I’m glad you suggested this. I’ve been going crazy the last couple of days. The investigation. My brother.” Her voice trailed off as she remembered the latest batch of cash she’d put in James’s hand. His smirk as she’d given him what he wanted without even a word. He thought he was winning, that he’d already won. Right now, she couldn’t dispute that. Not one little bit.
“Don’t worry about that,” Damien said dismissively. “We’ll take care of that little problem in no time once the situation with the doping is settled. Very soon.”
Sasha nodded, forked a bite of the collard greens into her mouth. She chewed the warm but deliciously flavored greens, savoring their taste and forcing her mind away from the unpleasantness plaguing her life. She was in a fragrant garden with a man she loved, a man who at the very least, cared very much for her.
> They finished their meal with quiet conversation, talking about anything but the problem they had. About the glimmering constellations of stars above, about Damien’s mother who had seen the news about the doping scandal on television one night and wanted to come to Taylor Stables right away to do what she could to help despite her fragile health.
“She loves me,” Damien said with a fond smile. “Even though she’d never really been involved in the business, it made me feel good that she wanted to rush down and help.” He drank from his glass of wine. “She’s a good woman.”
“And she raised a good son,” Sasha said.
“I wish I was better,” Damien put down his glass, stared off into the distance. “If I was, I would have found out who is trying to do this damage to the stables. I’m not even convinced there was any doping at all.”
Sasha made a soothing noise. “Did you find out anything this week?”
He refocused his attention on her, grabbed a piece of chicken. “A few things, but nothing concrete since the investigators are trying to shut me out as much as possible. They don’t want me tampering with evidence and making their job harder.” He bit into the chicken, chewed it.
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