by Allen, Jewel
Hungry?
An answering wave of pleasure coursed through her body. And then sense returned. She sat up and pulled on a clump of grass. “No, I’m fine,” she lied.
“Come on,” he said. “Won’t you try a bite?”
“Okay,” she conceded. “Thank you.”
He handed her a plate and sat against a tree across from her.
“You’re not being a good host,” she said before biting into a juicy strawberry. “You abandoned your guests.”
“I’m sure they’ll get on fine without me.”
“I think you’re missing the point.”
He picked up a drumstick and bit into it. Swallowing a mouthful and licking his lips, he said, “What’s the point?”
Talia smiled. “Your mother wants to marry you off to Katy or Geneva.”
“Well, it won’t be Geneva,” he said dryly.
“She got back on the horse,” Talia reminded him. “I give her that much.”
“Just because it was either that or walk all the way home.”
“You could have gotten your car like she begged.”
“I could have.” He licked his greasy fingers.
Her mouth went dry, mesmerized by his action. She cleared her throat and looked away. “This is a good picnic.”
“Mmm-hmm,” he agreed.
They ate in companionable silence. A bird perched on a branch nearby and chirped a pretty song. Another bird joined in, and they launched into a duet before flying off together. Talia watched their progress wistfully. How would it feel to have a mate for life?
“Do you ever get lonely?” Jay asked.
Was he reading her thoughts? She schooled her expression and shrugged. “I’m busy enough.”
He looked toward the brook. For one unguarded moment, she seemed to see right through him into his own loneliness. “And you?” she asked.
“I’m busy too, but, yes, it gets lonely.”
Two lonely people. A shame they couldn’t be together. Talia didn’t dare look at him for fear of revealing her need.
She set down her fork. “When you’ve talked about your life back East, you seem to have a bunch of friends.”
“They’re fun, I suppose.” He picked up a piece of pecan pie and began to eat it.
“Lots of girlfriends, probably.”
His eyes flickered with amusement. “I’ve dated, yes. But I have no steady girlfriend right now.” He paused. “Not yet.”
She didn’t dare ask what he meant.
Taking a bite of her pie, she munched thoughtfully. “That’s why I don’t date. Horses make better friends and confidantes.”
“But horses don’t make good lovers,” he said in a quiet voice, setting the rest of his pie slice down.
“No, unless you’re a horse,” she quipped.
He chuckled and then turned serious. “Have you thought more about my offer for you to stay on our grounds until the race?”
“I haven’t had time to think about it, frankly,” she said, brushing pie crust from her cheek with her arm. “It’s very kind of you, but I can’t accept your offer. I’m sure your mother wouldn’t approve.”
“She probably won’t, but the offer stands anyway.”
“Why are you being so nice?”
“Because I care about you.”
His voice was low. Husky. She made the mistake of looking into his eyes. Again, there was that yearning she’d seen earlier. Her whole body tingled with fear and pleasure over the knowledge of his attraction toward her.
He got up and crouched in front of her. Slowly, as though not wanting to scare her off. He took the plate from her hand and set it aside.
She held her breath as he leaned forward, cradling her jaw with his left hand and brushing something off with his thumb.
“Pie crust,” he murmured.
His thumb circled her cheek, sending a pleasurable shiver up her spine. The movement was insistent, hypnotizing. She yearned to kiss him with every fiber of her being, but she only sat there, frozen, unable to think, unable to move.
He leaned forward, and of their own volition, her lips met his with two gentle brushes. Then he said her name and pulled her to him in an intoxicating kiss.
He tasted of pecans and sweetness. Exquisitely delicious.
Turning greedy, she pressed closer until he groaned and tightened his hold. His mouth still on hers, he knelt and coaxed her toward the grassy carpet.
No. The voice of caution appeared like a sign in her mind. Don’t let him get close.
With new resolve, she pushed him off, leaving both of them stunned and breathless as they surveyed the other. His eyes were like molten honey, hungry for her. He reached out, a plea in his eyes, but she scrambled to her feet. For a long moment, she stood, aware of her power over him. The power not only of allowing a physical connection but an emotional one as well.
“Talia,” he said, “why do you keep a wall between us?”
His frustrated question moved her. Tugged at her heartstrings. But she had no answer for him. She was scared of being close to another human being. She’d gone so long depending on herself. Letting him in would crack the veneer she’d carefully crafted all her life.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled.
She walked past him on unsteady legs to untie her horse from the tree and join the others.
“Talia, wait,” he implored.
But she couldn’t. Shouldn’t. Nothing could come of their relationship. The thought made her feel better as she kept walking away.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“Good morning, Mother.” Jay greeted her at the breakfast table.
“And what is so good about this morning?” she replied.
Jay paused in the act of putting a cup of hot coffee to his lips. “I’m just being pleasant, Mother,” he said. “You mustn’t try to read into my greetings.”
Especially when he was being a fraud himself. Jay hid behind his cup and the motions of accepting the maid’s offers for breakfast, even though his heart felt battered.
He had lain awake, thinking of Talia. Her cutting words and rejection. But he also craved her. The sensation of her kiss. Her supple body under his. He didn’t understand why she fought him so much when it was obvious she was not just attracted but had feelings for him too.
Mother peered closer at his face, a gleam of satisfaction appearing in her eye. “That girl reject you?” she asked.
Jay’s head swung up in surprise. But Mother wasn’t Mother without her discerning instincts. He shuttered his eyes and said, “I don’t want to talk about it.”
Oh, that pleased his mother, all right. She smiled to herself as she lifted her teacup to her lips.
Geneva came down first. Her eyes skittered away from Jay’s as though she were remembering the disastrous ride the day before. She took a seat, neither directly across from, nor next to Jay.
Mother leaned and whispered in Jay’s ear, “You were right. Geneva’s a twit.”
“Mother,” Jay warned, even though he agreed.
“Now, Katy, on the other hand…”
Jay glanced at Katy as she entered the dining room. Her brunette hair was pulled back in a casual pony tail. The words “Goodwill for Guatemala” were emblazoned on her shirt.
“And how are our friends in Guatemala today?” Jay felt brave enough to ask.
To his relief, she smiled. “Good, actually. They are getting power and water back to some areas.” Her eyes darkened. “Though there are some areas still cut off from the outside world.”
“I hope the entire country recovers quickly.”
Katy smiled at his words.
“I have a suggestion for our itinerary today,” Mother said as a maid poured her a steaming cup of coffee. She gave Jay a pointed look.
“Mother,” Jay said, dabbing at his mouth. “I’m afraid I can’t go with you today. I have loads of appointments.”
“Oh, not to worry, Jay,” she said. “I instructed George to cancel all of them.”
“You what?” Jay thundered.
“Now, now,” she placated him. “I thought we already had this discussion.”
“What discussion, Mother?” he said, tired of her games.
“That we only have so much time while I’m here,” she said softly, “I’d like to take advantage of every minute.”
Jay blinked and then closed his eyes. When he looked at her again, his body relaxed. “All right. Apparently, I am yours for the day. But I do need to remind you, Mother, I have to work sometimes.”
“I know, I know.” Mother clapped her hands happily. “That’s settled, then. We’re going to visit a non-profit charity.”
The mention of “charity” perked Katy up. “Which one?” she said, looking up from her daily Guatemala digest.
“Old Friends by Kentucky Downs.” Mother beamed. “It’s a farm for retired racehorses.”
“But that’s a good three hours away,” Jay protested.
“It is?” she asked innocently. “I guess we’ll have a longer drive.”
“Mother.”
She ignored his scowl and scooped Chi-Chi into her arms. “Anyway, finish up everyone, and let’s go.”
***
His mother’s limo coasted like a dream on the freeway. Inwardly, Jay felt constricted, as though he had on a straightjacket, sandwiched as he was between Katy and Geneva. Any relationship with these girls were non-starters, so why did his mom keep insisting? It was just another week before Kentucky Oaks. After the race, these girls would go on their merry way, and his mother would be busy with one of her many pet charities.
The limo exited the freeway and parked in a gravel parking lot. After the dust settled, Katy looked crestfallen.
“What’s wrong?” Jay asked, as only a dutiful host would.
Her eyes teared up. “I thought it would be a nicer facility. You know, these horses were probably used to stables like yours.”
Jay bristled. Her concern for all sorts of world problems was starting to wear thin. “Well, I would think being saved from the glue factory is a good fate, even if their paddocks aren’t luxurious.”
Her chin quivered. She dabbed her eyes as she chased after her mother, who was now entering a little receiving trailer. Geneva and her mother weren’t too far behind.
“Go after Katy,” Jay’s mother admonished him. “That was rude.”
“Mother, she can’t mope over every single misfortune in the world. Life is too short for that.”
“Surely you won’t begrudge her your admiration. She wants to change the world for the better.”
“It doesn’t mean I have to tiptoe around her very, er, delicate feelings.”
“Do you do the same for that jockey?”
Jay stiffened. “Mother, I won’t dignify that with a comment.”
She grabbed his arm. “Son, you seem so nice to that girl, and she acts like she’s the boss of you.”
His voice tightened. “She does not, Mother, and you know it. She just minds her own business. If anyone’s at fault in our relationship, it’s me for forcing myself on her.”
Mother formed a shocked “o” with her lips.
“No, Mom,” Jay said. “Not that way.” He expelled an exasperated sigh. “I can’t believe I have to defend myself when there really isn’t anything going on between me and Talia.” He couldn’t resist adding, “And it’s not for my lack of trying.”
He wheeled away from his mother to avoid another tongue-lashing. He followed the ladies into the trailer where a family with five kids under five were squirming in their seats, waiting for a tour.
Jay enjoyed the next half an hour of peace from his mother since they had to be quiet and pay attention to the guide, Amy.
“Old Friends was founded in 2003 to allow for racehorses to have a home after their careers,” Amy said. “We’ve had wonderful alumni in the past―descendants of Man O’War.”
“Eula’s descended from Man O’War,” Jay whispered to his mother, but she did not look impressed.
“And Seabiscuit,” the guide continued. “You might have heard of him?”
The young family nodded. One child piped up. “He wasn’t gonna win.”
“He did win,” his brother said, jabbing him in the stomach.
“I said he wasn’t, he wasn’t!”
After the ringing in Jay’s ears from all the shouting subsided, they mercifully were released from the trailer by Amy, who offered them bags of carrots for five dollars each. Jay pulled out some dollar bills from his wallet.
“I’m sure the horses will be grateful,” Katy said solemnly.
“I’m sure they will be,” Jay agreed.
“Now, there’s a man I haven’t seen a lot of recently,” her mother, Bernadette, said. “Someone with cash on him. My ex married me for my money,” she confided in Jay.
Geneva accepted a bag of carrots but hung back. “You all go first.”
Her mother chastised her. “You should at least walk alongside the prince…”
“Did someone say prince?” Amy the tour guide said.
“Yes,” Al whispered, pointing at Jay. “He’s from Spain.”
“Actually, I’m from Mondragón,” Jay said. “An island principality off the coast of Spain.”
“Wow,” Amy said, eying him with interest.
Meanwhile, Jay could see that beyond her, all sorts of mayhem was developing. Three of the young family’s kids had gone under the fence and were now petting a bay horse which, fortunately, seemed tame. One of them had dumped all his carrots on the ground and started snacking on one while the horse tried to steal the rest. One went around the horse to pull on its tail.
“Um, excuse me,” Jay said to Amy, trying to get her attention.
She looked in the direction where he was pointing. “Oh my goodness!” she said, blushing a bright pink.
She got in the pen and tried to herd the older boys while Katy helped with the youngest one trying to braid the tail. The boy got up and ran back to his mother, which spooked the horse, making it kick out.
Right into Katy’s sweet, charitable face.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Talia raised her head as she heard the footsteps coming close to Eula’s stall. She was spending some time with the sweet filly, brushing her down and earning her trust. Eula’s ears pricked at the sound too.
“Do you have a visitor?” Talia asked Eula.
Jay appeared, looking agitated. She had never seen him so disheveled, as though he’d been running. “Can I hide in here?”
“Hide?” Talia said.
He didn’t wait for a response. Instead, he let himself into the stall and sat on a bucket.
His chest heaved from exertion while perspiration beaded on his forehead. He flattened his back against the stall wall.
“What’s this all about?” she asked. “You look like a guilty toddler.”
“Do toddlers really feel guilty?” he whispered.
She pulled up another bucket and upturned it for her to sit on. “Why are you whispering?”
“My mother is livid at me, livid.” Jay winced. “As if it’s my fault that Katy is tenderhearted and the horse chose to be mean.”
“Wait. What happened to Katy? She’s the one that wants to save the world, right?”
Jay nodded glumly. “Or at least toddlers who are misbehaving in a horse pen. She got in the crosshairs and was kicked in the face. We just got back from the ER, and Mother wants to berate me for not acting more gallant toward her.”
There were steps outside. Jay put his finger on his lips.
“Jamal!” his mother’s imperious voice rang out.
“You can’t be serious,” Talia whispered. “You, a grown man, quaking in your boots.”
Jay shook his head, begging for her silence.
She stood up, and she’d have thought he was going into cardiac arrest.
“Oh,” Nina said when she sighted Talia. “It’s you.”
“Well, yes,” Talia said. “I normally groom E
ula at the end of the day. Can I help you with something?”
“Have you seen my son?”
“Yes.”
Inside the pen, Jay’s eyes widened.
“Well,” Nina demanded to know. “Where did he go?”
“He didn’t say.”
Nina spoke to her as though she was a half-wit. “Which direction did he go?”
“Somewhere in the barn.” Talia motioned in a vague direction.
Nina turned at her girlfriends’ approach. Katy was holding an ice bag to her eye. “I guess Jay’s apology will have to wait,” Nina said. “Come on.”
The ladies all trooped out.
Talia shook her head and glared at Jay. “Really, Jay? You needed to have me cover for you?”
“I didn’t ask you to lie,” he said. “I just asked that you be quiet.”
“Why were you so worried about being found out?”
“Mother wanted me to coddle Katy. Play nursemaid to her. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I feel bad for her. But I’m done with my mother playing matchmaker all day.”
She smiled. “She’ll probably get a bad shiner.”
“Definitely. No question about it.”
She actually felt kind of bad for Katy. “Are they leaving, then?”
“I wish,” Jay said. “When I got away from babysitting duty, my mother was working on getting them to stay.”
“Well, that’ll be good. Your mother needs the company.”
“You’ve seen how Machiavellian she’s been, and you’re siding with her?”
Her mouth twitched. “She just means well.”
“If she did…” His glance drifted to Talia’s face and then her lips.
She scooted back, all of a sudden conscious of their nearness in such close quarters. “Jay,” she warned, her voice low.
“If she did,” he repeated, averting his glance and clearing his throat, “she’d probably try to talk me out of continuing this stable.”
“What?” She hadn’t expected that.
“It’s losing money, Talia,” he said. “We haven’t had big wins lately, and trainers seem to shy away from a stable with so much bad luck going on.”
“We don’t have problems any more than other stables, Jay.” Talia felt like the ground was being pulled from under her. The horses, especially Eula, had so much potential. Surely he could see that.
