I hear Jax saunter in and look down at him. He’s staring up at me, ears perked. “Don’t even think about it,” I tell him and he tilts his head at me. “I’m not cuddling you like that.”
I look again at Victoria. Her hair is wet and she’s dressed again in her tight black leggings and the pretty maroon sweater she’d been wearing the day before. Fuck. I should have offered to go get her truck last night. It totally slipped my mind that she might need some of the stuff in it.
As she rises to her feet, I feel an odd stutter in my chest. She lifts her chin and the sun paints her face in golden beauty and lights her hair up like liquid gold. Her gaze meets mine again, and I’m struck at how Sentinel circles behind her legs and walks beside her, his gate totally normal as he keeps her pace without touching her, but close enough she could grip him if she needed.
And it dawns on me that whatever happened yesterday that made him run, he had a reason. He’s not an unruly animal. He’s obviously well behaved. Something else must have been happening. She slides the door open and I hear the command in her voice as she talks to him.
“Bed, now.”
She walks around the counter and I offer her the smoothie. I watch her face as she sips it through the thick straw I’d found for her. She seems unsure at first, until the drink hits her tongue.
“This is really good,” she says, seemingly shocked as she peers into the cup like I’d done some clever bait and switch on her. “Not too sweet, not to sour. Yum.” She smiles and the whole world lights up with the expression.
“Want to go get your truck?” I ask, and she seems shocked.
“Yeah, if you don’t mind.” She continues drinking her smoothie.
I pick up my keys. “Whenever you’re ready. I’d like to keep Sentinel for a while longer if that’s okay with you,” I pause, but she doesn’t seem upset by my words. “He seems like he’s doing really good, but I’d hate for him to over extend and pop his stitches. Plus, I’ve got antibiotics to keep him on so he doesn’t get an infection from that gash.”
She nods, studying me even as she continues plowing through her breakfast.
I almost feel bad. She’s obviously hungry. And there’s nothing in the mother in law. “I have a bit of work to do today. I got a call first thing about a horse, I need to go shopping, you know the drill.”
She nods, her expression shifting. And she finally takes a break from her smoothie. “Can I come with?” she asks.
Surprise fills my being. “For what?” I ask, wondering what I missed.
She arches an eyebrow at me as if she’s thinking I’m playing stupid with her. “To the horse.”
Oh. Oh! Of course. She’s a woman. Women like horses, right? “Sure,” I say, not seeing any harm coming of it. It’s a routine thing; I stop over and check in on the animals for several farms on the outskirts of the city.
But the Parkers haven’t scheduled, so I need to go drop in and see how things are going.
She finishes her drink and sets the glass on the counter with a look of triumph. “Done. Ready to go.” Then she halts, her eyes focused on something I can’t quite see. Her whole attitude changes and I see it happen in real time. “I’m sorry,” she says, her voice halting and haunted. “I’ll wash it,” She says, taking her cup to the sink.
Thinking quickly, I grab her shoulders, whisk the cup out of her hands and focus on her eyes. “Come back to me, Victoria,” I say gently, holding her with care and trying to keep a kind, positive note to my voice.
Suddenly, her attentions snaps back and it’s like someone flicked on a light switch. I know she’s seeing me. But there are tears gathering quickly and I pull her into a hug, my heart aching for this damaged, sweet girl.
Chapter 13
Victoria
On the other side of the counter I hear Sentinel whimper, but I tell him again to go to bed. It feels… good to be wrapped up in Kyle’s arms like this.
It’s over much too quickly.
He pulls back and I try to keep the sting of shame from paining my cheeks red with a few deep breaths. How did he know? I mean, the flashback was real, like I was back home, watching dad point to the cup with his belt in his other hand, his breath reeking of booze and the knowledge of how much pain I’d suffer in the face of such a minute thing, as not washing a glass.
Because when dad was drunk and got started, he didn’t stop.
How many broken bones had I written off as being a clumsy person? How many times had doctors or nurses asked me if someone was hurting me at home even as I turned a falsely bright smile their direction, knowing that telling anyone would make it a million times worse?
But now, with Kyle close and not passing any judgment or looking at me like I’m a victim or some poor, broken girl, I feel safe.
“I’m ready,” I say as I walk over and grab my purse off the table. “Can we take Jax and Sentinel?” I ask and he looks at the dogs, then at me.
“To get your truck or out to the horses?” He asks.
“Out to the horses,” I say, not wanting to bother Sentinel for the quick trip to my truck.
He’s stoic as he answers. “Sure.” There’s something off about him, some guarded look in his eyes that’s bothering me. But I decide to give him his space and let it go. He’s got his own shit to deal with and I’ve got mine. Who am I to get pushy?
We head out to his car with Jax hot on our heels. “He heard his name,” Kyle says as if that explains everything. And it does. Jax is well mannered, keeping pace with his owner again without a leash. Even when a car goes down the main road with a yappy little dog barking its heart out, he merely watches his owner for the next cue.
“He’s so well behaved,” I marvel as we stop at the car. Jax stops and waits at the door behind mine and I open it for him. He hesitates, like a good service dog.
Kyle’s order is sharp, his voice harsh as he says, “In.” Jax’s reaction is instantaneous; he is in the back seat before I can even see the movement. I close the door behind him and get in the passenger side.
We’re quiet on the drive, not because there’s nothing to say, but because we don’t feel pressured to fill the silence with small talk. It’s an amazing sensation to simply share space and companionable silence with someone.
We pull into the parking lot and my heart stops in my chest. My truck is nowhere to be seen.
“Did they tow it?” I ask, unable to believe my bad luck.
But Kyle doesn’t answer. He pulls his phone out and dials. “Hey,” he says, his voice cold, “Did you guys tow a truck?” he asks. I stare in shock at the empty spot as he rattles off details. Remarkably accurate details. Right down to my license plate number, make, model and year.
“Yeah.” I hear them talking on the other end, but can’t make out the words. “I see.” He sounds displeased and I hear the quick change in tone on the other end. There’s an apologetic sound that’s obvious even when the words are not.
“I appreciate it,” he says, his voice only a tad bit warmer. He hangs up and looks over at me. “It was towed. But you’re free to pick it up in a few hours.”
The thought of someone going through my things, touching my stuff, freaks me out. Everything I own – the precious little that is – is in that truck. And there’s a rather large amount of cash stashed. Well, not large per se, a few thousand dollars. Everything I’d been able to stash before running away. It’s the money I’m going to start over with.
“So what would you like to do until then?” he asks, and I look over at the store. Just yesterday I’d been here. I’d left a healthy Sentinel in the truck and went in to grab something to eat. Everything has changed in such a short time.
“Let’s go check on that horse,” I say, feeling lost as we head out of the parking lot. There’s nothing I can do. And that powerless feeling is enough to rip me apart inside. But what can I do about it?
We head back out and are back in front of his house in only a few tense moments. “We’re going to take the work truck,�
� He says, heading into the lot of the vet office.
“Do you have other work today?” I ask, skipping to keep up with him and Jax.
“Not unless someone calls. I do most work out of office, house calls and such,” he says. I’m fascinated, but the nagging worry crowding my mind keeps me from engaging further.
What if they go through my truck and steal the cash? It’s not like I can prove I had it. Or that they took it.
I follow Kyle to the passenger side of the lifted truck and he opens the door for me. “In you go,” he says, offering me his hand. I take it as he opens the back of the cab and orders Jax in. He closes both door and heads off toward his place.
In a few moments, I see him walking patently beside a limping, obviously tired Sentinel. I watch my dog walk, seeing the long gash along his side. He’s in such rough shape. I should have let him stay home. I’m being cruel dragging him along like this.
Kyle opens my door and the back door and pulls forth a blanket. He’s quick to fold it and place it in the extra space at my feet. Then he helps Sentinel in, lifting him carefully under the haunches in in front of his chest, well clear of the broken ribs.
Sentinel settles down and places his head on my toes while I talk to him. It’s heartbreaking how tired he it, how sore he looks, but how devoted he is.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, feeling the hot sting of tears. He’s quick to lick my knuckles as I pet him, and I feel Jax nuzzling my shoulder.
Chapter 14
Kyle
I hook up the trailer, giving Victoria some time to herself with Sentinel. I know it can be rough to see an animal you love in such rough shape. But it could be so much worse. Sentinel is really doing incredibly well.
And while the pain meds will keep him from feeling too much pain, I’m also trying to keep his doses somewhere between totally loopy or passed out and alert. I have a feeling that it’s better for her to see him in a little tiny pain but very much alive.
And the pain isn’t more than the soreness we’d feel if we worked out. A bit of a dull ache, but enough that we feel it. I need to find a good balance for owner and animal. Which is odd; generally I’d only care what the animal needs. I push away the thought. With Sentinel up and awake, he’s acting like a mostly healthy pup. Which is a great sign.
I have a feeling once he heals up you’d never even know he was seconds from death. And I’m never going to tell Victoria how close he came. Or that Jax is a fucking hero. Without his blood and the immediate care he received, Sentinel would be a goner.
Heading back to my seat in the truck, I’m greeted by Jax loving on Victoria who’s silently crying and loving on Sentinel’s velvety ears. It’s a touching scene and I can’t help myself. I snap a quick picture with my phone and ask her for her phone number.
She tells me and I text her the image. Her face lights up as she sees how cute it looked to see big ol’ husky Jax hanging over the seat and resting his nose on her shoulder as she leans forward enough to love on Sentinel.
“Thank you,” She whispers, studying the picture as I get in and buckle up.
“I think you have a new admirer.” I tell her as Jax keeps contact with her even as she sits up and pulls on her seat belt.
“I guess so,” She says and I keep reminding myself that she’s going to leave. I need to dissociate. We pull out onto the road and she looks behind us.
“Why the trailer?” she asks.
“In case we need to move the animal to treat it here.” It wouldn’t be the first time. I’d rather have it and not need it than not have it and need it.
As if reading my mind, she says, “Hope for the best prepare for the worst.”
“Exactly,” I say, wondering how she does that. She’s unlike any woman I’ve ever been around. When she’s this near to me, I feel a faint echo off her like our souls are using sonar to find one another.
I’m obviously going fucking crazy.
On the long drive, she turns on the radio and flips through station before settling on some upbeat pop rock song. She sings along and I open the window a bit to let the fresh air in for the dogs. Suddenly, Jax’s nose is on my shoulder as he sniffs the wind like crazy.
“Aww,” Victoria says, looking over at him. “Traitor.” Her lips lift in a bright smile and she lifts her phone to snap a picture. She texts it to me, but I’m not going to look while driving.
When we pull into the driveway I feel her tone change. She’s quiet, and I know why. The place seems… empty. I drive up right before the house and park. There’s no sign of activity and I get out to quickly walk the place.
And I see the horse; Molly. She’s pitiful. A bag of bones, her hips jutting out and every rib plain to count.
I pull out my phone and call the non-emergency police number right away.
As I give the details needed, I see Victoria walk up to the fence, offering a hand to the mare. But the mare is too tired to even walk and instead, lies down.
Not good.
Victoria’s eyes meet mine. They’re wide, troubled, and I know she knows it’s dire. But she’s holding it together. She’s poised to help. I hang up with the dispatch and call Emma.
“Hey Em, I need to ask a favor.” It would be awkward if it wasn’t such an important issue.
“Of course,” She says, her voice sounding happy to hear from me. Nothing between us was soured by Kieran, and I’m thankful for that.
“I’ve got a very emaciated horse here that needs an emergency home and care.”
“Oh my god, yes,” she says, her voice worried. “Bring him right over.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. “Thank you, I know your dad used to help out with these cases-”
“You can count on me,” she says.
“I’ll see you in ten.” I say and we hang up after quick goodbyes. It would be bitter sweet, if I was letting myself feel sad for how things ended between us. Though they never really ended. No, they were torn apart by Kieran’s selfish, typical asshole self. He destroys everything and everyone he touches. But I decided when things got serious between them that I’d be here if Em needs me after he destroys her. Because he will.
I open the gate and walk over to the mare. She’s got a dirty halter hanging from her skinny face, but I feel like there’s no way she’d even have the energy to run from me or put up much of a fight.
“Hey babe, I need you to stand,” I say, approaching slowly. She perks her ears from their lax position. I take her halter and she struggles painfully to her feet. Making a few snap decisions, I decide to look at her hooves later. Right now, I need to get her to Em who’ll get some calories in her and get her the energy she needs to be well enough for me to even treat.
“How did they let this happen?” Victoria says from just behind me. I glance over her and she’s staring over her shoulder at the quiet house.
“The cops will do a wellness check. For now, we’ll take her and get her to an expert.” With my hand on Molly’s halter, I lead her toward the trailer. “Hold her,” I tell Victoria, who takes the halter. She talks gently to the mare as I open up the trailer.
With the ramp down, I ask Victoria to lead the mare up and in, trusting the tired old girl won’t put up a fight.
She doesn’t, and I sense Victoria’s shift in attitude. That defeated set to her shoulders since she found out that her truck had been towed is lifted and morphed into stubbornness, which I admire.
She’s a fighter, I’ll give her that. She’s a tough chick, and it’s fucking sexy.
Chapter 15
Victoria
The drive is tense. I know he’s driving slowly and carefully to keep the sad horse from falling down. I’m not sure who he was talking to on the phone, but whoever Em is, he must be a close friend, judging by the soft sound of Kyle’s voice.
We pull onto a winding dirt road and I hold on as the rough road jolts the truck a bit as we hit potholes. When he pulls to a halt before the old ranch house, I see a slim, pretty girl hurry out. She’s a few y
ears older than I am, I think, with incredible reddish gold hair and sparkling green eyes that are remarkably radiant.
Kyle gets out and she throws herself into his arms.
And I sit, frozen in the passenger seat. “Em” is not a male friend. She’s a beautiful woman holding onto Kyle a bit too tightly.
They part a bit and she brings both hands up to cup his cheeks, a wide smile on her beautiful face. And suddenly, I feel ugly and out of place. Of course Kyle would have a beautiful woman like this on the hook.
Her lean arms look strong as she lets him go and takes his hand to walk around the truck toward the trailer. I hunch in my seat, petting Sentinel as Jax presses his nose into my shoulder to leave a damp spot in my favorite sweater.
The couple stops at the passenger door and I try to make myself invisible through force of will.
Of course it doesn’t work.
Kyle opens the door and Em beams at me, her pretty face shining brighter than the sun as she offers me her hand. “I’m Emma!” She says, her pretty voice as upbeat as she looks. I feel frumpy and depressing in comparison.
“Victoria,” I say, my voice timid even as Kyle’s incredible blue eyes meet mine.
Emma lets me go to ask “Who’s this?” to a bored looking Sentinel. At least he’s not drooling all over her like I’m sure every other guy in her life does.
She beams up at me and I feel bad. She seems genuinely nice and I’m just internally hating on her for no real reason. “He’s Sentinel. Kyle saved his life.” I glance over at Kyle again, who’s still watching me.
Emma looks form Kyle back to me and at Sentinel again, before lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Well isn’t that something?” She straightens up and beams at me again.
Capture Me Page 63
