“It does. Before I went to the hospital, I told Jared I wanted to cancel the class.”
“I figure he told you that wouldn’t happen.”
“He did. I couldn’t talk him out of riding, either.” She shrugged. “I’ll just sit up here and worry. I ought to tell him if I wind up back in the hospital, it’ll be his fault.”
“Fionola Morgan. You may not have the constitution of an ox, but you have the stubbornness of one. Let the man do what he does best. You might consider saying a few prayers.”
“I already am,” she said, standing to pace the floor. “Tell me what you’ve noticed while I’ve been gone. The report says one thing. I want to hear what you’ve seen.”
“You know, I’m going to take it as my personal mission in life to challenge that business-first orientation of yours. Jared and I made a bet on how long you’d stay out of your office and I won. I told him you’d be here first thing. I also don’t intend for you to be here much longer.”
“Seth, please understand. I have to know. I can’t be out of the loop. I have to know what threatens those I love.”
“I understand, love. I really do,” he said. “Sasha’s been quiet. She’s worked with her horse, watched some of the classes. One of Keno’s men followed her when she went to town, but she just went to a salon and came back here afterward. The only thing that’s been slightly unusual is the number of people needing to see the medics. One kid had to be flown to the hospital for an appendectomy, but most of the complaints are the typical tummy aches, blisters, and people getting too hot from being in the sun. That sort of thing. Considering the forecast, that we’re supposed to be warmer than usual for this late in August, the medics went ahead and set up a secondary tent.” He paused, then added, “My grad students are handling their workload fine, though a few have said they didn’t know a vet’s life could be this hectic. Nobody has much time to spare. Fee, tomorrow’s only the preliminaries.”
“I know.” Fionola sat in the chair beside Seth. “Jared says Pyralis is working strong so far. You’ve seen Sasha with her horse. I don’t like to think this way, but I believe if she has anything else planned, she’ll save it for the finals. That’s when it’ll count.”
Fionola tapped the arm of the chair with her fingernails, then stood to pace to the window. “Who knows,” she muttered, “maybe that horse of hers will have an off day tomorrow and get himself dismissed.”
Seth followed. “It’s possible, but he’s good. I wouldn’t count on it. Right now, though, my main concern is wondering if your chef got the notice about the change in menu for tonight. Other than that, I think we’re set.”
“For the Social?” She turned to him, her eyes narrowed. “What change in menu?”
“The one for corn dogs, french fries, and sour cream apple pies.” He laughed. She already had her hand on the phone when he covered her fingers with his. “You needn’t bother, my dear. I’m just messing with you.”
“I’ll mess with you if you keep that up.” She smiled, met his eyes.
The room went quiet as they studied one another. It was, she thought, one of those times memories were made. The way the sun touched his hair, the light that surrounded them, the smile in his eyes. He held out his hand, she slipped hers inside, felt his fingers grip hers and hold.
“I’ll always love Chase,” she said, quietly. “But the other night, I heard what you said.”
“Fee.” Seth touched her face. “I’ll always be Chase’s friend. His memory is part of us for the rest of our lives.” His eyes, warm and serious, were on hers. “I love you, Fee. I want you with me. I want to see that smile of yours. I’d like for you to show me Scotland someday. I’ve never been there.”
Fionola looked at the picture of the man she married when she was young, looked at the face of the man she was coming to love. “When Chase was sick the last time, he knew what was happening. He told me not to grieve forever. He told me it would be all right if I were to love again. I just haven’t.” She moved into Seth’s arms. “Until now.”
He held her in the sunlight as it poured through the window. She closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder. Seth Matthews, Fee thought, was a careful, facts-and-figures man who thought through issues and would never say he hurried to come to a solution. Maybe she was a bit more imaginative, but it felt as if the air whispered, “Ah. Thank heavens.”
As his hands stroked her hair, she wondered at all she felt. It’d been so long since she thought of herself as a woman. It was a remarkable feeling and, she smiled as she looked out the window, one that wasn’t exclusive to her.
“Well, well,” she said, softly. “Would you look at that?”
“What? Let me see.” Keeping her hand in his, Seth joined her at the window and chucked low. “Oh, Lord. Now you’ll be incorrigible. Your matchmaking plan seems to have worked.”
“She laughs, Seth. That serious girl laughs. And Jared looks so proud. Do you think?” She didn’t finish her question before his mouth closed over hers.
“Yes, love, I think. And I’m sure they’ll come here to tell you first. I’ll go and give you this time with them.”
“No, stay. Stay and hear their news with me. We’ll celebrate together.”
He kissed once more as the two burst in, laughing, impatient, and radiant.
“Look!” Tyndal held out her left hand; the diamond sparkled from her finger. “I said yes!”
“Oh, sweet girl. And you, my dearest boy. This is the best news ever.” Fionola gathered them close as Seth smiled, and for a while, worries and troubles were forgotten.
****
That evening, as the Social began, Jared met Tyndal at the banquet hall. Seth and Fionola were inside, greeting guests.
“Hi, love,” he whispered, and touched his mouth to hers. “Come with me.” He led her to the nearest balcony where two flutes of champagne waited. He handed her one, toasted her with the other.
“You’re beautiful tonight, love.” He lifted the filmy material of her dress. Smiled as it flowed like water through his hand, thinking it was part fantasy and part pure magic.
The color was two shades of smoke darker than her eyes, shot through with a fine iridescent thread. At first glance, it managed to appear almost as circumspect as a school girl’s uniform, but if viewed from the back, it was all woman. Fine onyx beads were sewn into its neckline that rested on her collarbone, its thin straps circled her neck and left her shoulders bare.
He circled her, taking in the details of the dress and the woman, and doubted he should tell her it left him wondering what he’d see if they were alone and closed within their bedroom, how her skin would reflect the firelight—if she wore nothing at all.
She laughed. “Do you like my dress? I saw it in the window of a boutique across from the hospital. I ran in, checked the size, and brought it home. It fits!”
“That it does. I like the dress. I love the woman wearing it.”
She’d twisted her hair into an elegant clip leaving her face unframed save for the cool fire of her earrings. Her only other adornment was the diamond Jared placed on her finger. His mouth moved across hers, possessive, intimate.
“Tyndal, love, do you believe in long engagements?” Since she would only have one chance at a wedding in her lifetime, he was curious about her answer. When she didn’t reply, he lifted her chin. Studied her eyes. “Are you thinking of my question?”
“I am. I’m thinking. And typically, I’d say yes, I do like long engagements. Because having time gives a couple a better opportunity of being really sure. You know what I mean?”
Time to be sure? How much longer would that take? “Tyndal, if a couple had known one another most all of their lives, and they still thought being married was what they wanted to do, wouldn’t a shortened amount of time be appropriate?”
“That all depends.” She sipped her champagne. “How long do you mean by shortened?”
At least he had the self-control not to whimper. “I suppose twenty
-four hours would be asking too much.”
She burst out laughing. “Oh, you’re funny.” She reached up to pat his face. “Twenty-four hours is definitely too short.”
Of course it was. The woman appeared to actually enjoy the conversation. Good somebody was. “Okay,” he said. “What’s not too short?”
If she laughed, he might deck her.
“I’ve always liked late fall weddings, just before the snow settles in for the winter. They’re so romantic. And since its cold outside, a couple could spend long, cozy evenings in front of a fire. Just imagine.” Tyndal actually stepped up to him, laid her lips on his cheek, and proceeded to nibble her way from his ear to his mouth. “Imagine snuggling under a quilt together, trying to keep each other warm.” She breathed out a sigh. “Especially since we live in a part of the country that’s known for frostbite.”
He was imagining all right. Long, cozy evenings, frostbite, and keeping each other warm. The woman had an absolute wealth of imagination.
And a mean streak.
“That’s just great, love.” Jared heard himself groan. “Have you any clue as to what year this late fall wedding of yours would take place?”
It was purely a rhetorical question.
“Oh, this year, for sure. Maybe, I don’t know, maybe in eight weeks or so?”
He grinned. Eight weeks? Somewhere beyond the ringing in his ears he could have sworn he heard a laugh. You’ve been had, son.
“You know, love, about that potential for frostbite? I don’t think you have anything to worry about.”
“How do you mean?” The words were innocent, but the eyes he loved brimmed with mischief. He looked at Tyndal, thought of their future together. Then folded her into his arms and proceeded to show her just how warm it could be in front of that fire.
Both ignored the frost as Sasha spoke. “Well, aren’t we free with our affections tonight. Jared darling, I find such public displays so tasteless.”
“Until you showed up, it was fairly private. Now it’s not.” Jared kept his arms around Tyndal. He scanned the guests beyond the windows inside the ballroom, taking in the glittering dresses and tuxedoes, the buffets resplendent with delicacies, the sparkling chandeliers. Keno’s security team blended so well that only because he recognized the men was he able to pick them out of the crowd. Seth and Fionola danced together, close and slow. She smiled about something he whispered. It all appeared safe. So much so, it was hard to imagine the elegant room was part of the barn and conference center at Morgan’s Walk. For all appearances, it could have been an exclusive country club. So many innocent lives were inside, laughing and sipping their champagne. They had no idea.
Sasha moved, angling her body to catch Jared’s attention. “Yes, darling. Those people don’t know you as I do.”
“True. Most of them know me better and many are personal friends. You, on the other hand, are not.”
“Goodness, Jared. Don’t strain yourself at being hospitable. I wouldn’t want all that ice to melt.”
“Actually, it’s no strain at all.”
“Don’t be vulgar, darling. After all, I do have an invitation. I’m as entitled to be here as you are. I must say I’m really starting to feel quite misunderstood.”
“Not the way you enjoy attention.”
“Of course, I’m a woman. You see how well he knows me?” Sasha stepped to one side and smiled at Tyndal. “I could tell you some things about this magnificent beast, my lion, as I called him. My lion with the golden hair. Why, I’ll wager he remembers how it feels to…”
“Sasha, just drop it.”
“Oh my, did I touch a nerve?” Her smile widened. “It seems I did. How gauche.” She laughed as Fionola and Seth joined them on the balcony.
“Here you all are. We missed you,” Seth said. “Beautiful evening, isn’t it? You look well, Sasha.”
“Isn’t this nice. A welcoming committee. Fionola, like everyone else, I was worried when I heard what happened. But to see you tonight with diamonds in your ears and a handsome man on your arm, it hardly seems possible you were in the hospital yesterday. Tyndal, you poor dear, you must have been so frightened. It seems the world we live in is a precarious thing these days.”
“Thank you, Sasha,” Fee said. “It was nothing, really. I’m glad to be home though.” Fionola slipped her hand into Seth’s.
“I imagine that’s true, especially if coming home meant returning to Morgan’s Walk. It would be unimaginable to lose something like this.” She waved her hand to encompass the surrounding buildings and landscape. “However, please forgive my ignorance.” Sasha turned to Keno as he crossed the terrace to stand beside Fee. “I noticed you in the ballroom earlier dancing with Fionola, and now you’re here. I don’t believe we’ve met.”
“We haven’t, though it’s an omission that can easily be rectified. I’m Keno Flynn. Jared convinced me I need to learn to ride and invited me to attend this year’s Classic.”
Sasha let her eyes travel the length of his frame. “You have more of the form of a bodybuilder than a rider.”
“Yes, ma’am, I do. Too many years in the Army, I guess.”
“The Army. Our little horse show on the prairie must be quite docile compared to what you’ve seen and done.”
“Depends on your point of view. I’ve found it pretty entertaining so far.”
“Really?” She glanced at Jared. “But perhaps the days and nights seem long because I dislike waiting. The show jumping starts tomorrow and that’s my event. I hope you’ll attend.” She turned to Keno. “Jared knows I like to win.”
“What woman doesn’t?” Keno smiled.
“Handsome and astute. Jared, you have such interesting friends. But, it’s getting late and I think I’ll take advantage of a little extra beauty sleep.”
“I’m sure you can find your way out,” Jared said.
As she finished what was left of her wine, she stepped up to Jared and kissed him on the cheek. “Jared, darling,” she whispered, “if I can’t have you as my lover, I will have you as my adversary. Either way, I win.” She stepped back and laughed. “Dream of me.” Then she disappeared.
Before he could reply, Jared felt Keno put his hand on his arm, either in restraint or warning. “Let her go, my friend.” His low voice sounded in his ear. “She’s done what she came to do. Just let it go.”
“Do you know how hard that is?”
“You think I don’t? One of my men is making sure she goes back to her room. She’s in the net, Jared. We’re bringing it in an inch at a time.”
“Would you mind explaining?” Fionola poured a glass of water from the pitcher sitting on a nearby table. “I read the information in the folder on my desk earlier this afternoon. From what I gather, a number of accidents have happened in places where she’s competed.”
Keno glanced at Jared. “You left the file out for her to see?”
“It’s my home, Keno,” Fionola spoke with quiet emphasis. “I’ll know what’s going on, or I’ll know why.”
He gave her one of his slow, considering looks. “Yes, I believe that would be true. My apologies, Mrs. Morgan. I must have been misinformed.” The grin started in his eyes. “I was told you needed to rest. There was also some mention of a Sumo wrestler. My concern is obviously misplaced.”
“I wouldn’t believe every rumor you hear. By the way,” Fionola said, “I thought you handled Sasha quite well. The Army?”
He nodded. “It’s true. Delta Force. Twelve years. Then I took over running Protect.” Keno turned to include the others. “There’s a network of investigators trying to figure out Sasha’s puzzle. When horses valued in the tens of millions are being injured, insurance companies want to know why.”
“No leads yet?” Jared asked.
“Nothing that’ll stick. Evidence is being collected, but until there’s solid proof that links her to one of the accidents, we wait. I’m told questions about her husband’s death have surfaced, so that’s another direction they’re
considering.”
“Surely, even she wouldn’t think she could get away with murder.” Fionola sipped at her water.
“To some, his death appears a little too convenient. But let’s say our Sasha left an interesting trail.”
****
“I don’t want her to leave a trail here,” Fionola said. “Seth, I should have asked you earlier, but have you heard the results of Bahadur’s tests?”
“Nothing conclusive. I’m sorry, Fee. I know you wanted to hear something different.”
“The researchers at my lab agree.” Keno nodded. “Mrs. Morgan, it’s like looking for a needle in a haystack. But we’re closer. The lab has the basics of the drug they think was used. With that, we have some knowledge of what to administer to counter its effects.”
“What about Pyralis?” Fionola turned to Jared. “He’s her only real competition. There’s no way she isn’t aware of that.”
Jared shrugged and grinned. “Let her worry. If I spend a night or two sleeping with my horse, it won’t be the first time. I’m more concerned, Fee, about you. One way or the other, we’ll get through the Classic. You need to be well when we do.”
“I’ll be fine.” Her gaze softened as she looked at those who stood with her. Seth, Jared, Tyndal. Even Keno. “We should go in, enjoy an hour at the Social. Then I want each of you to meet me at the house. Wear work clothes. We have business to attend to tonight.”
“Business?” Keno looked at Jared.
He shrugged. “She’ll tell us when she’s ready.”
No one missed the steel in her eyes as she opened the French doors that led into the glittering ballroom.
****
Precisely an hour later, Fionola waited, flashlight in hand. It was like she’d told them before, family takes care of family. As the front door opened, Jared was laughing at something Tyndal said, she heard Keno tell him he had a lot to learn about women and it struck her again, family may not all be blood, but love didn’t need it to be. They joined her in the great room.
“Where’s Seth?”
“Coming,” Tyndal said. “One of his students caught him as we left. He said to tell you it wouldn’t be five minutes.”
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