by James, Sandy
“Sam needs to learn to mind her own damn business.” Lucas stomped into the stall, hitched the animal in the long cross-tie chains, and stomped right back out. He took the harness out of Brian’s hands, grabbed the rest of the equipment, and began to sort through it. Carrying the tack into the stall, he dropped the smaller pieces into the sawdust that lined the floor as he threw the harness over the horse’s back. All of this activity went on in silence as he pointedly tried to ignore his older brother.
“I don’t see what the big deal is,” Brian finally said, breaking the quiet tension as he hung the bridle on the stall’s gate and straightened the reins. “I think it’s great you’re wanting to see someone. You should get back into the swing of things.”
Lucas shrugged and continued to equip his horse.
“She seemed nice.”
“Like you’d know. You only saw her for a second in the winner’s circle. You don’t know anything about her.”
Brian’s stern look reminded Lucas too much of their childhood. It was the same expression he’d always seen before his older brother imparted some worldly wisdom. “She was pretty, and she seemed to like you. It might do you good to get out, you know, go on a date. Have some fun.”
“Whatever. Hand me that tendon boot.”
“Why don’t you ask her out?” Brian asked as he passed the equipment to Lucas. “Bring her to the track or something.”
“You sound exactly like your wife. You two must’ve been together too long.”
“Sam’s a brilliant woman. I’d take her advice if I were you. She can smell when people are a couple from a mile away.” Brian gave Lucas a smug grin.
“What in the hell are you talking about?” Lucas shot back.
“Sam knew about Katie and Seth before they even knew. She got Chris together with Angie O’Riley. Everyone at the track is calling her ‘Matchmaker.’ She told me that you and this girl make a cute couple, and Sam hopes you’ll get to know her. That she’s good for you. What’s her name?”
“Jozsa Kovacs,” Lucas answered before thinking better of it. He didn’t need Brian and Sam meddling in his lack of a love life. They meant well, but Lucas just wasn’t sure he was ready.
“Jozsa Kovacs? Strange name. She from around here?”
“It’s a gypsy name. Everyone calls her Joy. She lives in town. Are we done with the Spanish Inquisition now? I’ve got work to do,” Lucas grumbled as he squatted down to put on the animal’s knee and tendon boots.
Brian shook his head. “The Spanish Inquisition? Overreact much? I’m worried about you. I just want things to get back to normal in your life.” Lucas shot him a chastising glare. “Fine. I get it, you don’t want my advice. But I figure Sam will pick up the slack. Speak of the devil,” he said when his blond wife stalked up the aisle toward the stall, pulling the maroon jog cart behind her.
“Hi, guys,” she offered as a greeting. “He ready, Lucas?”
Lucas nodded as he rose from his crouch. He grabbed the bridle, fit the bit into the horse’s mouth, and slid the gear over the animal’s ears. Attaching the reins from the harness to the bridle, he released the cross-ties.
“So is she here?” Sam asked over the horse’s back as they attached the jog cart. Lucas didn’t know what to make of the mischievous grin she had plastered on her face—one of her I-know-something-you-don’t looks.
“Yeah, she’s here.” He turned to Brian. “You warming him up, or do you want me to do it?”
“I’d appreciate it if you warm him up,” Brian replied. “I need to go get into my colors.”
“No problem.”
Setting off at a jog, Brian headed toward the locker room.
“Sam, throw me Tom’s helmet.” Lucas pointed to the green and yellow protective helmet lying next to a race bike propped up against the next stall.
Sam tossed it to him, still grinning like a damn Cheshire cat. Lucas donned the helmet and buckled the chin strap. Sam led the horse to the track as he settled himself in the jog cart and adjusted the reins.
God, he loved driving horses. How many other activities were relaxing and invigorating at the same time? Until he left for the Army, it hadn’t dawned on Lucas just how much he really enjoyed working with the horses. What used to be boring and routine was now familiar and comforting.
Now that he had grown up, his attitude toward many things had changed.
Jogging horses was great. Racing horses was another story entirely. Lucas had absolutely no interest in banging wheels with some of the cowboys who drove competitively. The nickname had evolved from a compliment to an insult over the years. “Cowboy” was now used to refer to the guys who drove as if they had the ability to cheat death. They seldom listened to a trainer’s instructions and often found themselves in early speed duals to see who could make the front of the pack at the most ridiculous pace. They had no respect for their horses or their trainers.
Lucas had no desire to play their stupid, macho games.
He’d been in Iraq when Brian was injured in a racing accident. Part of a four-horse collision, Brian had been left with a fractured left femur. The bone had been put back together by a gifted orthopedist who had to use nine pins to complete the task. The doctor must have been talented because Brian didn’t even limp now. But the recovery had been slow and painful, and the stories Brian shared with Lucas through emails and letters had impressed upon Lucas the seriousness of driving racehorses for a living.
While Lucas had no desire to mix it up with the racers, jogging was enjoyable and relaxing. He’d missed sitting in the cart and steering a horse around an oval in the years he was away. As he eased the big bay out onto the fairground’s track, he settled himself down for a nice jog, realizing that being on a track again was another baby step in his journey home.
The rhythm of the horse’s pace was just beginning to capture him when he glanced at the fence, figuring to see Samantha. She stood there leaning against the top rail, but standing right next to her, chatting away as if they were sharing all the secrets of the universe, was Joy. They both waved to him as he passed by. Lucas became so intent upon staring over his shoulder at them that he forgot what he was supposed to be doing, nearly colliding with a horse and driver going to the other direction.
“Watch it, dumbass!” the man shouted as he passed.
“Sorry!” Lucas yelled in return. His apology didn’t seem to placate the guy.
On his second lap, he noticed the women were still having an obviously engrossing discussion, and he grew even more uneasy. He wasn’t sure what it was about them being together and swapping information that caused the most concern. Was he worried that Sam might encourage Joy or that she might discourage her? He had no idea what Joy would tell Sam, either. They waved at him again as he passed and then started giggling like a couple of teenagers. Watching them for two more half-mile laps only increased his anxiety.
“Great. Just great,” Lucas grumbled as he steered the horse off the track.
They’re up to something.
Sam jogged over to take the horse’s bridle. Smiling at Lucas, she nodded at Joy who had followed them toward the barn. Swinging his legs off the jog cart, he fell in step with Joy as they walked beside the horse. “You won’t be able to go in the paddock, Joy,” he cautioned.
“That’s okay, Sam already told me. I need to get back to the booth anyway. I just wanted to see you for a few minutes.”
Lucas wasn’t sure he’d ever get used to the woman’s honesty. Her sincerity was so different than the games that some women liked to play with a man’s affections, and he decided to respond in kind. “I wanted to see you too.”
“I know. I caught you watching me sketch earlier.”
So much for being secretive. Lucas figured he was losing touch with his stealth training. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to spy on you.”
“It’s okay. Really,” she said with an enchanting smile and a hint of sparkle in her eyes. “I was happy you found me. Saved me wondering if you were here.
I didn’t have to go on a long search.”
They walked in silence until they reached the entrance to the paddock. Sam led the horse inside as Lucas unhitched the jog cart and rolled it up next to the other dozen or so parked outside the building. Turning his attention back to Joy, he asked, “How long are you going to work doing sketches?”
She shrugged and fiddled with her sash, combing the fringe with her fingers, charming Lucas with the femininity of the action. “Until I get tired of it, I guess. Probably early evening. There’s only so long that even I can stand to sketch.” She chuckled, smoothed the sash back against her hip, and then looked up at Lucas.
Heavens, her face lit up when she was happy. And her art obviously made her happy. Her eyes twinkled, her cheeks flushed, and those lips were so full and pink. He wanted to bury his fingers in the glorious mane of sable hair, wanted to run his hands over that body, wanted to kiss her until she sagged against him. He would hold her to him and never let her go.
Lucas suddenly realized it was already too late. He’d been burned before. Yet, despite his vow of never trusting another woman, despite his promises to never be swayed by another pretty face, he realized that he hadn’t protected his heart. Joy had managed to wriggle right on inside as if she had always belonged there.
Now what am I going to do?
He thought about struggling, about fighting against the frightening notion like a fish caught in a hook being slowly reeled in. He considered pushing the revelation of his feelings aside and pretending that he hadn’t fallen for her after all.
Lucas told himself Joy deserved someone who was whole. Someone who wasn’t dragging a mountain of baggage with him. Someone who could give her the best things in life.
But he realized he wanted her anyway. He wanted to see what they could be if they were together, what they could be if they were a couple.
When Lucas finally decided to let her into his crazy, mixed-up world, he was amazed at the peace that settled in his mind.
“Lucas?” Joy asked as she gently placed a hand on the long sleeve that covered his scarred arm. “What’s wrong?” Her fingers gave him a small caress that sent heat racing through him.
“Nothing’s wrong,” he replied, savoring her touch. “You know, I can take Sloppy Joe back to the farm and come back. I could probably be back here by eight. Would you want to see the fair? Maybe go on some rides or something?”
Joy’s face absolutely beamed. “I’d love to. Do you want to meet me at the Gypsy booth when you’re done?”
He nodded as her smile forced one from his own lips. “That would be fine.” Oh, how he needed to kiss her right then, right there. Gossip be damned. In one quick motion, he dropped his face to hers and brushed his lips across her mouth. So sweet, so soft. The kiss ended as quickly as it began, but the contact was enough to let Lucas know he was right.
It was already way too late. The little gypsy had stolen his heart.
“I need to run. I’ll see you tonight,” he said.
“Tonight, Szivem.”
Chapter 8
“What in the hell is he doing here?” the man Lucas had dubbed “Shithead” yelled at Joy when Lucas came to stand by her side. Lucas scowled at the annoying guy, wondering if he should come to Joy’s defense.
Joy glanced up from where she was packing away her art supplies and smiled at Lucas. “He’s here to be with me, Tamas.”
So, that’s his name. Joy didn’t seem intimidated in the least, so Lucas tucked away his irritation, not wanting a confrontation to start the evening.
“You need to stay here,” Tamas insisted. “Gypsy should be your priority. It’s your future. You don’t need to be running around drawing or...or...wandering around with...him.” Tamas glared menacingly at Lucas.
Lucas tried to rein in his temper, but he was sorely tempted to knock the guy down a peg or two. Literally. He knit his brows and glanced at Joy. She answered his unasked question with a small shake of her head.
“Do we have to have this same discussion every damn day?” Tamas asked Joy.
Lucas sure didn’t like the authoritative tone Tamas was using and opened his mouth to put the man in his place when he felt Joy’s fingers settle on his arm. Holding his tongue at her silent censure, he stared down at her. She gave her head another shake. Joy actually had a small smirk on her lips that made Lucas realize she didn’t take any of Tamas’s ridiculous interference to heart.
“I stopped having this discussion with you several damn years ago,” she replied. “It’s not my fault you won’t listen to me.”
Lucas smiled, glad to know Joy could stand up for herself. He could hear Janos laughing at them from the back of the booth and realized the siblings knew how to handle Shithead quite well.
“Give it up, Tamas,” Janos called.
Joy’s brother obviously didn’t give Tamas much credence, either, and Lucas was relieved to have her family’s support. Well, at least her brother’s support. Someday he would have to meet all of the gypsies that made up her family.
Tamas just stood there with his palms splayed on the counter, appearing incredibly angry. The man’s ears had turned crimson, and the frantic rhythm of his breathing made his nostrils flare with each exhalation. Lucas wondered again if this man had any violent tendencies. After being around other cultures for so long, he knew some men felt no qualms about knocking their women around. Surely gypsies didn’t permit that. He decided to push Shithead’s buttons to see how the man would react. Throwing Tamas a condescending grin, Lucas bent down to kiss Joy on the cheek.
Joy favored Lucas with an enchanting smile that reached her gorgeous eyes and handed him her art bag. “Can we please go throw this in the van first? I don’t want to haul it around all night.”
“Just put it in the booth, Jozsa,” Janos called from the back. “I’ll take it home for you. Can I assume Lucas will take you back to Gypsy?”
Lucas nodded, settled his hand on the small of her back, and savored the explosion in Tamas’s eyes. But there was no physical reaction, which told Lucas the guy was all bluster. The fact Janos hadn’t felt the need to step in confirmed it. “I’ll make sure she gets home,” Lucas assured her brother.
Janos seemed appeased as he came to the counter and nodded to his sister. But Tamas obviously wasn’t willing to give up the fight. “I can’t believe you’re leaving us to...to...run this place all by ourselves,” he complained, looking a bit flustered as he picked up and then slammed around some cooking utensils. “I can’t believe you’d be that selfish, Jozsa.”
“Give it up, Tamas,” Janos advised again. “We’ve done fine all day without her.”
Tamas angrily shook his head and went to wait on a new customer who had stepped up to the counter.
Joy carried her bag into the booth and came out empty-handed. “Ready.”
Wrapping his fingers around her delicate hand, Lucas led her away. “Are you hungry?”
“Oh, yes. I want an elephant ear. And some cotton candy. And some ice cream. And maybe a candied apple.”
He couldn’t help but laugh at her enthusiasm. “I was talking about dinner. You know, real food.”
She laughed right back at him. “So was I.” He tried to give her a chastising frown. It didn’t seem to faze her. “Fine, we’ll get something...nutritious.” The last word came out of her mouth with such disdain it could have been a blasphemy. “But I still want an elephant ear and cotton candy. Maybe a snowcone, too.”
The aromas drew them toward the midway. Of all the smells wafting in the air, Lucas recognized the sweets first, strong enough to make his mouth water. Caramel corn. Cotton candy. Lemon shake-ups.
He had almost forgotten what it was like to be able to choose from so many different things to eat. And it was real food. No Army chow or M.R.E. He’d lost quite a bit of weight eating that shit for the last few years. He also wouldn’t have to eat any of his own pathetic cooking or another God-awful frozen dinner. He could have anything he wanted now. Hamburgers. Ten
derloins. Shish-ka-bobs. Gyros. Why he could even have—
“Fried Twinkies?” Lucas asked, scrunching up his nose when they passed one booth.
“Yum,” Joy replied patting her stomach.
Lucas rolled his eyes at her, but he honestly enjoyed the fact that she didn’t act like the other girls he’d dated who worried about every single calorie they put into their mouths.
“It’s the Hungarian in me, you know,” she replied as if she could read his mind. “We have a major love affair with food. Any kind of food. It usually catches up with us though. I’ll look like my mama when I’m older.” She put her hands on her hips before she moved them several inches away to show how large her mother’s hips were supposed to be.
Lucas chuckled at her prediction with a thought that he hoped he’d be around to see the transformation. He tried not to let the dark thought that Joy wouldn’t want him if she knew about all his demons taint their time together.
Taking his hand back into hers, Joy gave it a squeeze and led him toward another food stand.
“We can eat here,” she said in a voice that reminded him of an excited child. “Corn dogs and elephant ears. Nutrition and good food.”
“Corn dogs aren’t nutritious.”
“They’re the most nutritious thing I plan on eating all night, so it’s this or I go get myself a fried Twinkie.”
Lucas raised his hand in surrender. “All right, all right. Corn dogs and elephant ears it is. Anything to please a lady.”
Lucas ordered for them, paid for the food, and then carried the cardboard tray laden with State Fair delights to one of the few empty picnic tables. Joy dropped down next to him on the wooden bench. Consuming her corn dog in record speed, she left Lucas wondering if she had even bothered to chew it. Then she reached for the elephant ear and began to break away small pieces to put into her mouth.
As she cooed over the sweet treat, the pleasured expressions crossing her face made Lucas’s stomach flip. When her tongue darted out to lick some powdered sugar from her lips, his insides knotted with such a forceful need to touch her, to kiss her, that he suddenly lost his appetite. Instead of eating his own food, he just watched her.
