She crossed to the dining room windows. From there, the lights in the barns and along the fences twinkled softly in the moonlight. Several broodmares, their bellies round with foals soon to be born, dozed through the summer night, quiet and secure. Next year, some of them, the best of the Thoroughbreds, would be in foal to Pyralis. When she’d sent off the note asking Jared to bring his stallion to Morgan’s Walk, Seth accused her of playing matchmaker and meddling where she shouldn’t. And he wasn’t, he’d laughed at her irritation, talking about horses.
She smiled and sighed, her tea forgotten. But hadn’t that worked out nicely? Tyndal and Jared were deeply in love. If anything, the business with Sasha brought them even closer. Of course, she’d known they’d be good together.
She wound her way through the house, paused in front of Chase’s portrait. They’d been good together too. He made his dreams and hers, come true. Morgan’s Walk had become well-respected, its name synonymous with fine horses, and for those that lived within its walls, a home built on integrity and love. Fionola brushed away the sheen of tears.
Maybe Jared was right. Chase had chided her for staying up late, fussing over problems too. Although, if this mess with Sasha wasn’t worth fussing over, she didn’t know what was. It just took so much energy. “Woman,” he used to say, “come to bed. We might as well sleep. Far as I know, God hasn’t asked our advice on anything yet. Plus, I’m lonesome.”
She lowered herself to the sofa and looked at his face. “I’m lonesome too, sweetheart.”
The dizziness wouldn’t let up. She thought about going to sleep right where she was. Pull the afghan up and call it a night. But Keno and his team had called for an early morning briefing and she needed to be fresh. Not sleeping in like a lazy, old cat. Chase gave her a kitten one year. Anniversary? Maybe birthday. Pretty little Calico kitten.
It grew into a sweet cat. Died the same year Tyndal’s daddy passed.
She didn’t think about that much. Couldn’t. No mother should have to bury her child.
She shouldn’t start thinking about her son and his beautiful wife. Such a pointless accident to skid on ice. She climbed the steps to her bedroom, crawled into bed, sort of tingling all over. Like she didn’t have enough air.
Though she hated to, she leaned over and punched in Tyndal’s private number. For some reason, it was as if she couldn’t hold the phone at all.
She was just so sleepy.
****
Hearing the phone, Tyndal moaned, looked at the clock. Not even two a.m. “It’s Tyndal,” she said. “What do you need?”
When no one said anything, she checked the number, saw it was her grandmother’s, and started running. On her heels, Jake bounded up the stairs the moment Tyndal threw open the front door. She didn’t pause, but raced toward Fionola’s bedroom, calling for Jared, for Seth, for anyone.
Seth came first. “What is it, honey?”
“Fee. She called. Something’s wrong.” They burst through the doorway into her bedroom. Fionola appeared asleep, a quiet smile on her face.
Tyndal ran to her, whispered her name, whispering it over and over as Seth called the paramedics. Because of the Classic, there was a team in place at Morgan’s Walk. From years of experience, they’d learned it wasn’t just horses that needed help.
“Tyndal, honey, they’re on their way. Jared was in his office, he’s coming too.”
Tyndal saw the tenderness in the way Seth knelt to stroke Fionola’s forehead. As he leaned down and whispered something in her ear, Tyndal thought of how Jared said he thought Seth was in love with Fionola. What she read in his eyes left no doubt.
“Did you tell her you loved her?” Tyndal grinned at Seth’s quick surprise.
“I did,” he said. “I told her she’d better not die on me now. That we’re going to make a life together. That it’s going to be worth living for.”
Holding her grandmother’s hand, Tyndal smiled, brushed away her tears. “Good. I’m glad you told her.”
Seth touched Tyndal’s shoulders, and started to say something else, but Jared and a couple EMT’s Tyndal didn’t know arrived, all at the same time.
“How is she?”
Tyndal shook her head. “I don’t know. Seth said he felt a pulse. Weak, but there.” She moved to Jared. “This feels so unreal. Like it can’t be happening. When I answered the phone, I thought something was wrong with Bahadur or one of the horses. I didn’t expect…” She couldn’t say more.
“Of course not, love.” Jared covered her hand with his.
“I’m not sure I know how to handle this.” She leaned into him, buried her face in his shoulder.
“We’ll figure it out together. One step at a time.”
After what felt like an eternity, the younger of the two EMT’s approached. “It appears Mrs. Morgan had a slight stroke, but that’s not certain. I know you have a lot of questions, but there won’t be any definitive answers until she’s at the hospital and they’ve done some tests. I’ve called for the life flight. It’s a good thing you had a helicopter and crew out here. She, ah, she said to tell you she’s awake, if you’d like to speak with her.” He paused, Tyndal caught the embarrassment.
“And? What else?”
“Your grandmother called me a green-faced kid.” The insult was in his eyes. “I’m not that young.”
“You’re young enough, son.” Seth laughed and looked at Tyndal. “Want me to handle this while you go sit with Her Majesty?”
“Please.” As they left the room, she and Jared moved to Fionola’s side.
“Fee?”
“Finally. Come here, sweet girl. I heard you call my name, but I couldn’t answer.” Fionola lifted her hand, took hold of Tyndal’s. “I feel better already. Don’t be afraid. I love you.”
Tyndal kissed her grandmother’s cheeks. “I love you more.”
Jared held her other hand, looked at the IV’s the tech started in her arm. “Fee,” he said, “I should have taken better care of you. Made sure you went to a doctor. I knew you weren’t feeling well. I was focused on Sasha when, all the time, it was you who needed me.”
“Jared, child. Stop that. I make my own decisions and will continue to do so. If I’d known something like this was going on, I’d have told you. Your job is to take care of things here until I come home. Keep that woman from hurting anyone. Keep Morgan’s Walk safe. Understand?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He straightened and saluted as a troop to his commander. Then he grinned.
“You’re just impossible, do you know that?”
“It’s a grievous character fault which your granddaughter has repeatedly brought to my attention.”
“What a surprise. Now get out of here, both of you. I want to speak with Seth.”
“When you’re stable, Mrs. Morgan. You need to rest now. The life flight has landed.” The young EMT cautiously approached Fionola. “And it’s time to get you ready to go.”
“You can wait,” she glowered. “I am not being evicted from my own house. Tyndal? I mean it.”
Tyndal wanted to laugh, and felt the tears in her eyes. “Just give her a second, okay?” She glanced at the young tech. “If you’d call Seth, please. He’s waiting in the hallway.”
“Nobody listens around here. Two minutes, that’s it.” The tech stepped to the door and motioned for Seth to come.
“Is she okay?” Seth asked.
“She thinks she is. Even flat on her back, that woman doesn’t stop giving orders. And arguing.”
“Just do your job, son, and be thankful. You ought to see her when she feels good.”
The tech laughed. “Bet that’s impressive. I’ll be in the hallway.”
“It won’t be long.”
Tyndal paused at the doorway as Seth went to Fionola. He touched her face and smiled. Fee said something and took his hand, linked their fingers. Tyndal smiled at Jared. “Let’s wait outside.”
Within moments, Seth reappeared and called the medics. The young tech moved to Fionola. “I know you ha
te this, Mrs. Morgan. But I’ve seen how you’re loved. I promise you’re not being evicted. Your home will still be here when you return. I just want to make sure you get the care you need so you can enjoy living in this beautiful place. I’m a local boy, ma’am. I’ve been to the Classic since I was a kid. So, are you willing to go?”
Fee studied the tech and grinned. “You’re really good at this. Does your Mama know you sweet talk your patients?”
“She does, ma’am. She accuses me of having learned with her.”
“Tell her she raised a good son.”
“I’ll do that. Shall we?”
At her nod, they bundled Fionola onto a gurney, the young tech at her feet, another at her head. Tyndal, with Jared at her side, followed to the top of the stairs.
“I just have to breathe,” she said. “I know it’s necessary, it’s practical. I understand. But, oh God, it hurts so bad. Fee’s being carried because she can’t…” Tyndal turned into his shoulder and gave way to the tears.
“I’m sorry to interrupt again, but they’re ready for you now.” The tech spoke from the foot of the stairs.
“Coming,” Tyndal replied.
Jared kissed her hard. “Call me when you have news.”
“I will. I’ll call soon.”
As Tyndal crawled inside the helicopter, Fionola reached for her hand. They held each other as they lifted off in a flurry of wind and noise, surrounded by the thoughts and prayers of two men and one dog that stayed behind to manage another day of the Classic.
****
Having finished with the guard Jared hadn’t fired, Sasha returned to her room. If the fool was her employee, he wouldn’t still have the use of his knees. But Morgan’s Walk believed in giving a person another chance. She didn’t. She also didn’t believe in loose ends, and for various reasons, it hadn’t been wise any earlier to try for a private little conversation with the man.
It was actually laughable how he practically slobbered all over himself when she walked in, undoubtedly hoping to pick up where they’d left off. That, however, was his fantasy, not hers. Her intention was to convince him that if he ever managed to discover some sort of a conscience in his lustful little heart, she’d incriminate him without a second thought—and have his blood in the process. It took just the smallest prick to prove how easily that could be accomplished. She had a knife in her handbag, its jeweled hilt bearing her dead husband’s family crest. Though it had been in his family for generations, its fine point never dulled. She’d kept it, for sentimental reasons.
By the time she was done, she was sure he’d be a good dog and keep his mouth shut. Tyndal’s Jake, though, wasn’t so easy. The huge animal never approached, but never let her out of his sight. He listened to the entire conversation in the barn, followed her back toward her quarters, and disappeared when she invited him inside.
She stood at the windows, looking up the hill toward the great house and imagined what it’d be like to reign over Morgan’s Walk. Fionola had the world at her fingertips and yet she was content to stay on the farm. Takes all kinds, she thought, and had almost turned away when a life flight helicopter appeared, hovered over the house, then descended in a graceful arc to the front lawn. Quickly, she shrugged into a Morgan’s Walk sweatshirt, pinned on the badge with its logo and her fake name, grabbed the stupid bill cap, and went out for an evening stroll.
One of the smartest things she’d done was keep the ID badge from when she was a Morgan’s Walk employee. Dull and dumb Janie Smith still had her uses. With all the additional security, people had become hesitant to talk to someone they didn’t know or trust. But having that badge brought instant credibility, and loosened a number of tongues. Seems the members of the big house were awfully worried about a woman named Sasha and no one knew what she might do next. The gossips and the break-room talkers all had their opinions and were happy to share them with Janie Smith. Sweet, sympathetic, and willing to lend a hand, or an ear, Janie Smith was better than the girl next door.
Sasha especially liked helping the household staff. They were invisible and knew everything. One of the housemaids standing on the front step recognized her and called, “Janie! Come here, quick! Have you heard? It’s Mrs. Morgan. It’s just awful. We’re all so worried. The doctor, thank God, is with her now. I think she’s going to the hospital.”
“Oh, no! The poor dear.” Sasha hoped her tone was properly sympathetic. Was the old bat dying or what? “Do you know how she is?”
“Well, I heard she was unconscious when Miss Tyndal found her. I don’t know what happened exactly, but I remember when my Granddaddy had a heart attack and he was never right again after that.” The maid tapped her forehead. “I hope Mrs. Morgan will be okay, you know what I mean? After the doctor spoke with Miss Tyndal, she told me to pack some clothes for her and Mrs. Morgan and bring the luggage out here. That’s what I did.”
“Well, I’m sure you’re a big help. Maybe you’ll hear what the doctor said and we’ll get a clue to how things are. Listen, I really gotta get home. I have to stop by the store and grab a few things, maybe some wine or something. I’m hoping my guy will come over later and, well, you know. I’ll look for you tomorrow and you can fill me in, okay?”
“Sure, Janie, I know. You just hope to get lucky.”
Sasha laughed. “Smart girl. No fooling you. But hey, I believe my luck is already improving.” She winked and moved back into the shadows, thinking quickly.
No doubt Jared would stay at Morgan’s Walk. Alone. And with the mouse going off with granny, some interesting possibilities were taking shape in her mind.
One thing was certain. She’d make time for a spa treatment and a manicure the next day, and if the stylist was any good in such a backwoods place, maybe she’d have the tint in her hair freshened just a bit.
Without doubt a woman like Tyndal wasn’t what a man as sensual and masculine a creature as Jared deserved. No wonder he’d been looking so grim these last few days. Most men wanted a woman that could, when the business was done, throw a wicked party and still be wicked after the party. She pulled out her compact mirror and decided she’d want a facial as well.
Morgan’s Walk called it a Social, but it was much more. Next to the Symphony, the Social was the most formal event of the Classic and she just happened to be invited. All the riders were.
Maybe granny wouldn’t be released from the hospital in time to attend. If her luck held, maybe she and Tyndal would miss the whole deal. Wouldn’t that be a shame? Sasha smiled.
Perhaps having a real woman on his arm for the Social would be all Jared needed to wake up from his sweet Tyndal blues.
****
Tyndal met Dr. Rob Layton when Chase had his first heart attack. A brilliant young doctor, with a future bright as the lights in any one of New York City’s finest hospitals, he’d said no to his family’s persuasion and the medical community’s insistence, to forge his own path at a hospital on the edge of the prairie. Chase tried some not-so-subtle matchmaking, saying Tyndal and he ought to go to dinner and see if anything “sparked.” Since she’d flown home to be with Fee while Chase had surgery, leaving her horse and a riding schedule that wouldn’t allow her more than a couple of days to be away, she’d agreed, mostly to humor her grandfather. What sparked was a strong liking, best described as a brother to a younger sister, and a friendship that was rock solid.
He was halfway through a pan-seared chicken breast with a green salad and a cup of coffee in the hospital cafeteria when his cell chimed.
“Hi, Tyndal. What’s up? Considering the time and that you’re one of the few people with this number, I figure you need help. Fee?”
“We’re on a life flight from Morgan’s Walk. They say we’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
“I’ll meet you in Emergency.” He took off for his office, his dinner ignored, as they spoke. “I’ll bring Fee’s info from the last time I saw her with me. It might save some time.”
“Thanks.” It seemed forever for th
e flight to land, for Fee to be moved into the hospital, for all the forms and paperwork to be started. Tyndal wanted to scream. She settled for a sigh as Rob came into the cubicle.
“You sure I don’t need to see you too? You’ve got about as much color as a sheet.”
“I’m okay, just tired. And scared.” The blood-curdling scream of a three-year-old made her cringe.
“Don’t worry. The kid’s doc can handle him.” He turned to Fee.
“Welcome to my house.” With Emergency Care functioning like its usual madhouse, Rob grinned. “If I’d known I was being graced by your presence, I’d have arranged my schedule better.”
“Took you long enough to get here as it is,” she said.
“You interrupted my dinner.” He studied the information the nurse handed him. “So, I came when I was ready. What did you do this time?”
“Nothing. Not one blessed thing. Like I told Tyndal, I’m feeling better. I want to go home.”
“Good. Glad you feel so well. You won’t mind if we do a few tests to verify. Given what I see here”—he tapped the notes, and signed off on another form the nurse had waiting—“I’m going to keep you for the rest of the night.” He glanced at his patient. “Save your breath, Fionola. I intend to make sure you’re okay. Clear?”
“It doesn’t sound as if I have much choice, does it?”
“Sure you do.” His grin widened. “You can tolerate the tests and not be difficult. Or you can hassle everyone you meet and the tests will still be done. Likely they’ll take longer, but that’s up to you.”
“And you used to be such a nice man.” Fionola growled. “What happened?”
He raised an eyebrow as an aide came to his side and waited. “Fionola, this is James. My experience is that he’s usually pretty easy to work with. I hope yours is the same.” He looked her in the eye, and his grin went blade sharp. “Remember, Fee, choice is a powerful thing. Now, I want to talk with Tyndal for a few minutes. She’ll meet you in your room later. I’ll see you in the morning.”
As James wheeled Fionola out, Rob motioned for Tyndal to follow him. “There’s a café upstairs. Would you like something?”
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