The Damaged Heroes Collection [Box Set #1: The Damaged Heroes Collection] (BookStrand Publishing Mainstream)

by James, Sandy

  Chris showed up, pulling her jog cart behind him. “Hey, Katie.”

  “Hi. Thanks for bringing that. I need to go put on my colors.”

  “Good luck getting in the locker room,” Chris said with a chuckle.

  “Why?” Katie asked as she adjusted another piece of equipment.

  “There’s a crowd up front. Someone is actually setting up a karaoke machine.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Just great. Another birthday party. Why can’t they take that stuff up to the grandstand instead of the paddock?” She made one last adjustment to Gold’s harness. “Please keep an eye on him. I’m going to get my colors on. I’m getting into that locker room, one way or another.”

  Katie elbowed her way through the throng of trainers, drivers, and grooms who were tightly packed around the front of the paddock. She wrestled the door to the locker room open enough to slip inside.

  After donning her colors and grabbing her helmet, gloves, and glasses, Katie pushed on the door. It didn’t budge. She shoved harder, but the damn thing wouldn’t give an inch. She pounded on the door with her fist. “Hey, you guys! Move! I need to get out!”

  She was surprised to hear Sam’s voice reply, “Hold on a second, Katie. We’ll get you out in a minute.”

  “I need to warm up my horse, Samantha! Let me out of here! Now!”

  “Just a minute, Kathleen!” Sam yelled back with a syrupy lilt to her voice.

  Katie stomped her foot and cursed. She could hear several people outside the door laughing and talking, but she couldn’t make out exactly what was being said. “Sam! Let me out now, damn it!”

  The door immediately swung open, and Katie glanced around suspiciously before stepping out of the lounge.

  The crowd had formed into a tight circle surrounding one of the picnic tables which had been dragged in the front area of the paddock. She looked around to try to figure out what drew their attention, but she couldn’t see anything of importance. Just as she turned to head back up the aisle, Katie heard his voice and stopped in her tracks.

  “Katie, wait.”

  She whirled around to see Seth standing in the center of the table dressed in his colors—her colors. The two of them probably looked like a matched pair in their jumpsuits. She had a quick flash of memory to the Raggedy Anne and Raggedy Andy that had always sat on her bed at her grandfather’s home.

  Seth held a microphone and grinned at her as if he’d never even left. Katie stared at him slack-jawed for a moment. Seth was back. He’d actually come back for her.

  And he can just go straight to Hell. Katie’s wounded pride made her put her nose in the air and turn around to go back to Gold.

  “Hit it, Sam!” Seth yelled. Rock music blasted through all of the loud speakers. Katie skidded to a halt before whirling around to face him again. What in the hell was he doing? “Oh, my God. He’s singing.”

  The strong beat of Player’s “Baby Come Back” thrummed through the paddock. Seth serenaded everyone in the building. Most of the people gathered around began to sing along with him and dance in the aisles. The rock melody pounding through the speakers was infectious.

  She had to admit, the guy could actually sing. Even the race officials joined in the fun as they danced around their glass-enclosed office. Katie wasn’t sure if she wanted to laugh or cry, but it seemed she was doing both. Seth continued to follow along with the music, and as the people who accompanied him hit the song’s bridge, the high notes echoed off the rafters.

  When Seth finally ended the song, the people in the paddock erupted in applause, cheers, and whistles. He jumped off of the table and made his way to Katie through the path that the horsemen cleared for him. Pulling a small blue velvet box from his pocket, he dropped to one knee.

  Katie couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Her heart slammed in her chest. Her whole body trembled. She sure didn’t want to be ill at that moment, but the way her stomach was tumbling, it was a distinct possibility. “What in God’s name are you doing?”

  “I’m making an ass out of myself for a woman.” Seth gave her an enormous smile. “I love you, Katie Murphy. Will you marry me?”

  Katie bit her lower lip and tried unsuccessfully to stop crying. “What about the money?”

  “I made a big mistake, Boss. I don’t want the money. It just doesn’t matter without you. Nothing matters without you.”

  Katie wanted to run into his arms, but she stood her ground and squelched a sob. “I can’t let you give up your money. Not for me.”

  Seth opened the box and laid it in his outstretched palm. Inside rested a silver ring with a diamond surrounded by a circle of small emeralds. Katie had never seen anything more beautiful. “It’s not much, but I paid for it with my own money. Racing money, not Remington money,” Seth explained with a note of pride in his voice.

  “You can’t give it up. It’s... it’s too much,” Katie barely choked out. She couldn’t stop the tears rolling down her cheeks.

  Seth shook his head. “Don’t you see, Boss? I already gave it up. Just by coming here, I gave it all away. Every damn dime of it. I want you, Katie, not the money. You’re worth far more.”

  “Go home, Seth.” Her voice was nothing but a whisper. “Go back home.”

  “I am home. Home is where you are. Please, Katie. I love you. Will you marry me?” Seth rose to his feet and opened his arms.

  She dropped her helmet and glasses and was in his embrace in two steps as cheers erupted throughout the paddock. He lifted her off her feet and hugged her until she could barely breathe.

  So many emotions flowed through Katie that she couldn’t get a handle on any of them. But now she’d have all the time in the world to sort through the emotional roller coaster she had been riding since the day she met Seth Remington.

  “I missed you, Baby,” he whispered in her ear. “I’ll never leave you again. I swear.” She nodded her head against his neck. “I love you, Katie.”

  “I love you too, Seth.”

  The shouts finally penetrated the small universe the two had created for themselves. He let her body slide down his as he put her back on her feet. She was afraid to let him leave her arms. “Am I dreaming?”

  He smiled. “If you are, then so am I.”

  Seth took a small step back, removed the ring from the box, and slipped it on Katie’s left hand as their friends continued enjoy the show.

  “Come on! Kiss her already!” Chris called.

  “Give her a kiss!” another voice echoed.

  Seth smiled at her again, showing those wonderfully white teeth. “Do we give them what they want?”

  “No,” she replied with a grin. “We give them what we want.”

  Seth put his hand under her chin to lift her face as his mouth settled on hers. The whistles and shouts urged them on, but she finally pulled away and sighed in contentment.

  Samantha came over to them with Brian and his cane close at her heels. Seth gently pushed Katie away and turned her around. She smiled at her friends, until she saw the sly look in Sam’s eyes. Seth had an accomplice. “So how much of this was your idea?”

  “None.” Sam nodded toward Seth. “It’s all Loverboy here.”

  “You hurt her again, I’ll kick your ass,” Brian said even as he offered his hand to Seth.

  “It’s good to see you too, Brian.” Seth reached out to shake Brian’s hand.

  Katie was drowning in happiness until she turned around again and saw Ross over Seth’s shoulder. He’d come for Gold’s race. He came to marry her.

  Ross was dressed in one of his impeccable suits and leaning against the wall with his arms folded over his chest. Katie tapped Seth on the arm and pointed over his shoulder.

  “Shit,” he said. “I forgot all about him.”

  She wasn’t sure if Seth knew about the planned elopement, and Katie didn’t think the paddock was the proper place to discuss something so personal. She’d explain it all to Seth later, but she owed Ross an explanation now. “I need to talk to
him, Seth.”

  Katie walked over to lean against the wall next to Ross while Seth talked to the horsemen who surrounded him, shaking his hand and patting him on the back.

  What could she possibly say to someone that has been so publicly rejected? Guilt washed over her. “Ross, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean—”

  “Don’t be sorry,” Ross interrupted. “If you hadn’t agreed to marry him, I would’ve.” He winked at her, but his eyes lacked their usual sparkle. “God, that was so... so... romantic. If I’d proposed like that, who knows?” He shrugged. “Maybe you’d still be leaving with me tomorrow.” She knew he was trying to be funny, but she could hear the hurt buried in the joke.

  “Can you ever forgive me?”

  “I already have, Katie. You two belong together. I’m just glad the guy finally came to his senses.”

  She wiped away an errant tear. “You don’t know how much you mean to me. I’ll never be able to repay you for all you’ve done.”

  “You can find me another horse. I’m in the mood to make money,” Ross said with a chuckle that sounded less than sincere.

  Seth walked over to join them. He extended his hand to Ross who returned the gesture as the two shook hands.

  “I guess I won’t be signing those papers for my inheritance,” Seth said with a smile.

  “I kind of figured. Money isn’t everything, is it, Remington?”

  He laughed at that and shook his head. “No, Kennedy, it isn’t.” Katie watched Seth’s face change as his brows knit in concern. “Katie won’t lose Spun Gold, will she?”

  Spun Gold. A fantastic colt, but the price she might have to pay for Seth’s love. It was the easiest decision Katie had ever made. She would miss her horse.

  Ross seemed to ponder Seth’s question before he finally answered. “You came to her; she didn’t break the agreement. She fulfilled her end of the bargain. I’m sure she can keep her horse. Probably the bonus, too. I’ll have to get back to you on that.” He reached inside his jacket pocket and pulled out a red and blue envelope that he handed to Katie. “Here’s an early wedding present.”

  Katie opened the envelope and pulled out the plane tickets Ross had purchased for their trip to Las Vegas. “Ross, I can’t take these.”

  “Sure you can. They’re nonrefundable, and it doesn’t look like I’m going to use them now,” he said with a sardonic laugh. “Go on. You two go and get married tomorrow.”

  Pushing herself away from the wall, she turned to give Ross a heartfelt hug which he returned. “You know I’ll always love you. You ever need me, just call,” he whispered in her ear. He released her, and Seth immediately grabbed her hand and pulled her to his side.

  Katie brushed the tears out of her eyes and nodded. Ross gave them both a wave and walked out of the paddock.

  The race official’s voice came booming through the speakers. “If the festivities are concluded, can we please get back to business? Bring the horses for the first race up to the front.” The crowd scrambled back into motion as everyone went back to their tasks. Someone handed Katie her helmet, gloves, and glasses.

  Seth led Katie back to Spun Gold’s stall. Katie smiled when the horse recognized Seth immediately and stomped a front foot, demanding attention.

  “I missed you,” Seth said as he entered the stall and patted his pet.

  Releasing the cross-ties, he led Gold out to the aisle, and then Katie fastened the jog cart to the harness. She jumped on the cart and adjusted her reins. “Seth, why don’t you go see if you can make a late driver change? I’ll pay the fine if you’ll drive Gold for me.”

  “You got it, Boss.”

  “So you’re ready to race again?”

  “Absolutely.”

  * * * *

  Back at the barn, Seth tended to Spun Gold as Katie finished the nightly chores. He completed his work first and then sat on a trunk, content to simply watch her.

  “What are you staring at?” she finally asked, looking up from her task.

  “I’d forgotten how beautiful you are.”

  Katie blushed and finished wrapping the hose around its hanger.

  Seth stood up and crossed to her side. Scooping her up in his arms, he twirled in a circle as she squealed in clear delight.

  “Are you ready for bed?” he asked and then growled deep in his throat as he kissed the spot just below her ear that she liked so much. He felt her shiver in response. As quickly as his body responded and as badly as he wanted her, he wasn’t sure they’d even make it back to the room.

  “Seth, we need to talk.”

  Seth groaned. “Famous last words.” Then he suddenly stopped moving as naked fear swept through him. “You haven’t... haven’t changed your mind, have you?”

  “God, no. Why would you think...? Oh, sorry. Bad choice of words.”

  Seth carried her to her room and kicked the door shut behind them before setting Katie on the bed. “So what do we need to talk about?” He sat down next to her.

  She swallowed hard. “I...” She cleared her throat. “Um, we...” But she couldn’t seem to finish the thought.

  Seth realized that she was having a very hard time finding the right words. What could make her so nervous? Things were finally working out. She should be happy. “What is it, Boss?”

  Katie gave him a weak, nervous smile. Then she picked up Seth’s hand and placed it gently on her stomach. She looked deeply into his eyes.

  “What do you—?” The hand he kept on her belly began to tremble as he suddenly understood just what Katie couldn’t find the words tell him. “Are you sure?” he asked in a voice that cracked like an adolescent.

  Katie’s nibbled on her lower lip and nodded.

  “When?”

  “February.”

  “A baby. You’re going to have my... my... baby.” He wasn’t sure his heart would ever settle back into a normal rhythm. Seth rubbed small circles on her belly as he quickly did the math. “You knew? Before I left, you knew?”

  She nodded.

  “Why didn’t you—?”

  “I couldn’t,” she interrupted.

  She had known she was pregnant before he left, and yet Katie hadn’t forced a choice from him. She’d given him enough time to discover the truth for himself, to figure out where his heart belonged. To find his way home.

  God, he loved her for that.

  Lifting the hem of her shirt, Seth pressed a kiss to Katie’s belly before raising his head to kiss her lips. “I love you, Katie,” he murmured against her mouth.

  “I love you too.” As Seth pulled away to look into her eyes, Katie gave him a coy smile. “Took you long enough...”

  Epilogue

  Easing the Lexus up the familiar gravel drive, the first thing Ross noticed was Seth out on the practice track, jogging a horse. Ross parked his car and walked toward the barn. Seth made it back to the door at the same time.

  “Hi, Remington. How have you been?” Ross asked as he pulled his thick coat closed against the frigid November wind. “Damn. I forgot how cold it gets out here.”

  Seth chuckled. “We’re good. Come inside before you freeze your ass off.”

  Noticing Seth wearing the grey flannel-lined jumpsuit and Elmer Fudd hat Ross had purchased almost nine months before, Ross couldn’t let the opportunity pass. “Nice outfit. You look like the newest member of the Village People.”

  “Yeah, well kiss my ass, Kennedy. Out here, I’ll take comfort before fashion any day.”

  “Where you racing now that Dan Patch is closed for the season?” Ross asked, following Seth into the barn and pulling the big door closed behind them.

  “We were going to go to Chicago, but Katie wanted to take a couple of weeks off before the holidays. We’ll probably start shipping to Balmoral Park in January. We’re spending Christmas in Goshen with Kevin and Jacob. You still thinking about another horse?”

  “Yeah, but not until the spring. I’ve got so much to do at work, I can barely keep my head above water. The press isn’t
bothering you anymore?”

  “Nah. They disappeared with the Remington money. Good riddance.”

  After setting the horse in cross-ties, Seth called to Katie who peeked out of the office. “Ross!” she squealed as she threw the door open and walked up the aisle.

  Ross greeted her with a hug and was pleased to see that Seth still scowled whenever he saw them together. A little jealousy never hurt. Ross put his hand on her swelling belly and smiled. “You look great, Katie. Positively radiant.”

  She smiled. “You look good too, Ross.”

  He’d missed her smile.

  “So what’s up?” Seth finally asked, taking Katie’s hand and yanking her to his side. Ross had to contain his smile at the telling action.

  “I need to close out the paperwork on the transfer of assets.” He set his briefcase on one of the green trunks and popped open the latches. Retrieving a white envelope, Ross handed it to Seth. “There’s one more thing for you to see.”

  Seth took the missive and frowned. “What’s this?” He looked at both sides of the envelope. “It doesn’t say who it’s from.”

  “Your father left it for you. You were supposed to get it at the end of the season. I could’ve just mailed it, but Arthur insisted I bring it in person. After you read it, then we can close out the last of the requirements of the will.” Ross saw Katie squeeze Seth’s hand and swallowed his own jealousy. He envied their closeness.

  “Why don’t you go into the office and read it in private?” she suggested.

  Seth stared at Katie, his gaze full of love. “We don’t have any secrets anymore.”

  She smiled at him with no less affection. “I know. But it’s from your dad. You might like the privacy. You can share it with me later.”

  “Thanks, Boss,” Seth said before kissing her on the cheek. He headed to the office and shut the door behind him.

  “How are you feeling, Katie?” Ross asked as he sat down on one of the big green trunks to watch her strip the equipment from the horse Seth had been jogging.

  “I’m feeling really good. Getting kind of fat though.” She turned to show her profile and pat her swelling belly. “Another month or so and I’m gonna look like a water buffalo. Did I tell you it’s a boy? At least that’s what the ultrasound showed.”