“What do you mean? Chased my truck to Mexico?”
“You know, when I called to say you were in Garrett’s bathroom. He said he was already trying to catch your truck. Catch up to you and Joey.”
“But that’s when he thought I was a drug dealer,” Megan said. “Garrett told him I had joined Joey.”
“That’s right.” Tami blew out a satisfied sigh. “I straightened that all out.”
“You mean he wasn’t going home when you called? He was trying to find me? Even then?” A burst of happiness sparked in Megan’s chest. She knew Scott had received Snake’s warning about Miguel, but now she understood how he’d arrived at the cowshed so quickly. He hadn’t driven back to L.A. at all. Garrett had lied—or been misinformed.
“Thank you, Tami.” Her voice cracked. “I really needed to know that.”
“No problem. There is one other thing.” Tami took a big breath, “We’re having our graduation, and I was hoping you’d come as my guest.”
“But each student is only allowed two tickets.”
“That’s right. And I want you. It’s at the cafeteria, but not for another month so that’s good. Maybe by then you’ll feel better about visiting the school?”
Megan’s lower lip quivered with emotion. “I feel better already,” she said.
***
Megan threw a stick for Rex. The dog scooped it up, then promptly dropped it and flopped on the ground.
“He’s not much of a retriever,” Snake said dryly, as he waited for Megan to step over a fallen log on the trail.
“I don’t think Garrett played many games with him. He wanted a guard dog.” She gestured at Rex. His limp was barely perceptible, just a slight hitch to his trot. “Animals sure heal fast. Does Scott ever ask about him?”
Snake’s mouth flexed and he made a big show of scanning the hillside for the coyote den. “No, Megan. He doesn’t.” His voice gentled. “Look, he feels guilty and to a man like him, guilt is one of the hardest things to handle.”
“It’s because of Garrett, isn’t it?” Her breath turned ragged. “He can’t forget Garrett.”
“Maybe. Or maybe it’s got something to do with his old fiancée.” Snake reached up and snapped off a low-lying branch. “He wants to save people, not hurt them.”
Megan crossed her arms, fighting her bleakness. “But he did save me. In the end, he did.”
“Not in his mind. He feels he put you in tremendous danger.”
“Well, yes, but…”
“You see. It’s black and white to him.” The muscles in Snake’s arm bunched as he threw the stick along the path, much further than she could throw. Rex watched as the soaring stick disappeared then tilted his head and noisily licked his paws.
“So he’ll always blame me for Garrett’s death?” she asked, her voice thick with misery.
“Hard to say what he’s thinking. He’s walled himself off.” Snake waved another stick at Rex who had given up on the game and was pretending not to notice. “At least he’s taking on some fun work.”
Snake’s eyes gleamed and she hated to envision what he considered fun. Now that Hugo Torres was fighting for his own survival, Snake would soon be leaving for another assignment.
“So you’ll be passing on our regular dog walks?” she asked, trying to keep the regret from her voice. She enjoyed Snake’s company—and he was her only link to Scott.
“I’m joining Scott.”
“Oh?” She immediately perked up. Scott was rumored to still be at the school but Tami said he disappeared for long stretches. And Snake was frustratingly close-mouthed about his absentee boss. “Will you be out of town for a while?” she asked.
“Yeah, until the job’s done. Private investigators can go places the police can’t.” He grimaced, realizing he’d just told her they wouldn’t be working in L.A. “Maybe you should go visit your mom again. I heard you talking on the phone. Sounds like she’s doing okay.”
“Yes, she’s better now. I’m not sure when we’ll have Joey’s body back, but it really helped…finding him. And she has a supportive husband. She said the authorities were surprisingly helpful. A much different experience than before.”
“Good. I’ll tell Scott.”
Megan pivoted, her eyes widening. “Did he have something to do with that?”
“Of course.” Snake shrugged. “He always intended to find your brother. If Scott says he’ll do something, he does it.”
“But where is he now?” Her voice quavered, so much that she pretended to cough.
“You know I can’t say anything.” Snake bent over and picked up another stick, clearly uncomfortable with her questions. “But maybe I’ll stop by when I’m back. Bring some balls or something. See if we can teach that damn dog a few tricks.”
Megan forced a smile. Snake was such a nice man, always trying to cheer her up. However, Rex cocked his head and stared at Snake as though aware he was being dissed. As Scott had once said, he was a very smart dog.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Want to see u. Can u drop by barn before races?
Megan replayed Eve’s text for the tenth time as she parked her truck in the spacious Santa Anita parking lot. Clearly, Eve had made a decision but her words revealed nothing. A few more weeks and it would be too late for an abortion. Or maybe the timing meant she’d already made her choice.
Oh, God, please. Megan fumbled with the remote, her fingers stiff. Finally the truck locks clicked. She shoved the keys in her pocket and headed to the backside, her heart beating a staccato. The last time she’d talked to Eve was when she called to tell Eve that they had recovered Joey’s body. But all Megan’s invitations to meet had been politely declined.
The job is really busy, Eve had said, and I need time to think.
Away from the pressure of Joey’s sister. Megan pressed a hand against the butterflies churning in her stomach.
A uniformed guard monitored the horse lane heading to the backside, and she faltered. She hadn’t even thought about the need for a visitor’s pass, but of course there would be stringent security. She reached for her phone but spotted a cameraman walking along the horse track and veered to join him.
“That camera looks awkward,” she said with a smile.
“It’s the tripod that’s a pain.” His eyes glided over her with frank assessment. “You work here? Packing up for Del Mar?”
“Just here to see a friend.” They were only ten feet from the security guard now, and she kept her attention on the cameraman, hoping she wouldn’t be asked to show credentials.
“Busy day here,” he said. He wore a bright Hawaiian shirt and his forehead gleamed with perspiration. “It’s the last weekend and I need a few more close-ups.”
She nodded, understanding now the reason for Eve’s sudden message. Santa Anita’s spring meet was over today, and the horses would be moving to Del Mar. Eve would soon be a hundred miles away. Maybe that’s why she’d waited to send the text. Which might mean Eve had chosen to keep riding. That she didn’t want to postpone her career for a baby.
Or maybe it merely meant she wanted to see Megan while she was still in the area.
Megan chewed at her lower lip, so preoccupied with all the ramifications she forgot to worry about the security guard. She was ten feet past the guard before she realized he hadn’t asked to see her pass.
“Maybe I’ll see you around later,” the photographer said. “There are some good races today.”
She nodded, her mind still wrapped around Eve. “Good luck with your pictures,” she said. “Do you know where Jack Zeggelaar’s barn is?”
“Sure. Down that road to the left. About five down. His name is on the sign.”
She headed in the direction he’d pointed, passing busy shedrows with circling hot walkers, bright flowers and leg wraps drying in the sun. The smell of hay and horses was everywhere, and nostalgia filled her. This had been Joey’s dream—both Joey’s and Eve’s. At least Eve was still pursuing it, galloping horses every
morning, trying to break her way into the jockey lineup.
Megan checked the Internet every night, scanning stable notes for Eve’s name. She even watched the live web cam during morning gallops, trying to spot her. She just prayed Eve would stay safe. And keep the baby safe. Apparently Jack Zeggelaar was a respected trainer and often gave apprentices a chance—and that would all be fantastic if only Eve weren’t pregnant.
If she still was pregnant.
Megan sucked in a fortifying breath. Jack Zeggelaar. Okay, there was his shedrow. She wasn’t sure if she should walk in or hang around the outside and wait for Eve. Music played and someone called in Spanish. She slowed and peered down the aisle. An inquisitive bay gelding stuck his head over his door and stared back.
“Are you the new exercise rider?” A man in a blue polo shirt stepped out, wiping his hands on a rag.
“No.” Her mouth creased in a reluctant smile. “I’m just looking for Eve.”
He thumbed over his shoulder. “She’s with Marshall. By the wash rack.” He scanned Megan with frank curiosity.
“Thanks.” She turned in the direction of his thumb and immediately spotted Eve. She held a handsome gray gelding and hosed water over his left front leg. Her jeans were slightly wet from the spray and her T-shirt was tucked in.
Didn’t mean a thing, Megan told herself. Eve might not be showing, not yet.
She hesitated and at that moment Eve looked up. Her face broke into a huge smile and Megan stopped worrying. Whatever Eve had decided was the right choice. She no longer looked mournful but happy, almost…light.
“I’m so glad you came.” Eve dropped the hose and flung her free arm around Megan’s neck. “Sorry I’ve been avoiding you,” she said. “It took a little time to get my head straight.”
Megan ignored the cold water spraying her leg and hugged Eve back.
“And now you caught me doing a groom’s job.” Eve shrugged, slightly sheepish as she stepped back and rescued the wayward hose. “This is Marshall. He’s running in the second race today. Jack has assigned me three of his quietest horses.”
Marshall definitely looked like a sensible horse. He hadn’t minded when the hose dropped, spraying his belly and Megan’s legs with cold water. But Eve? A groom? At the school, the jockeys had all considered the grooms a notch or two below.
“He looks great,” Megan said cautiously. “Maybe Jack will give you a shot at galloping him some time?”
“He sure will, but not right now.” Eve smoothed the front of her shirt and gestured at the graphic—a picture of a big bellied mare, grazing contentedly.
Megan’s eyes widened. That was one very fat mare. It must mean… She sucked in a breath, feeling almost lightheaded. “You’re having the baby?”
“I am.” Eve beamed. “I had a fall last week and it terrified me. Jack said I could stay on and work as a groom—he really is a decent guy—and then start galloping when I’m ready.”
“I can babysit!”
“And I’ll be asking for your help,” Eve said. “But my mother is on board and there’s a great daycare close by. Jack said it’s better if I learn everything from the ground up. He said nothing is better than experience, even though Garrett’s school was good—” she broke off, shaking her head in disgust. “Guess I shouldn’t mention that man’s name. I thought he was so nice finding me this job. I’m glad he’s dead,” she said fiercely, “but I can’t let Jack hear. They were good friends.”
Megan swallowed. Scott and Garrett had been good friends too. That was the root of the problem.
“I’m looking forward to meeting your family.” Eve’s voice lowered as she bent over and shut off the hose. “Is there a date yet for Joey’s funeral?”
“They haven’t released his body yet.” Megan hopped over the puddling water. Her gaze kept shooting to Eve’s stomach, her relief spiked with a bubbling joy.
“I took one of those new gender tests,” Eve said. “He’s a boy. And if he takes after the paternal side, he’ll be loyal and brave.” Her voice cracked. “I’m so grateful he’ll have you for an aunt.”
Aunt. Megan wrapped Eve in a huge hug, feeling like her face might split. “I hope you’re happy with this,” she said. “Because I’m ecstatic. I’m going to buy a bigger house.”
“But what will Scott think?” Eve asked. “You know, if you’re babysitting once a week?”
Megan’s smile slipped a notch. It felt like a wound had been rubbed raw. She stepped back and patted Marshall’s neck, studiously averting her head. “I haven’t seen him. That was just a school fling.”
“Really?” Eve said. “Because I never got those vibes. He seemed like a standup kind of guy.”
“It doesn’t help that I’m the reason his best friend died.” Megan forced a careless shrug.
Eve wasn’t fooled for a minute. “That’s crazy. He can’t blame you. Anyone who deals with a cartel risks a short life span.” She shook her head, her dark eyes flashing. “What exactly did he say?”
Megan stooped and picked up a sponge, desperately needing something to do with her hands. He didn’t care enough to say anything. He’d been almost mute the one time she’d called. At least he’d sent Snake. And given her Rex. But he’d always been protective of her. It was damn confusing.
She squeezed the sponge, watching the sudsy water soak her fingers. “He doesn’t want to talk.” Misery flattened her voice. “So I really don’t know what he’s thinking. Guess he’s too busy cleaning out Garrett’s house.”
“Call the prick,” Eve said, temper spicing her words. “You can’t go around wondering. Besides, you asked him to find Joey. So in a sense, he works for you.”
“But I didn’t pay him.” Still, Megan couldn’t help but smile. It was nice to have someone finally agree that Scott was a jerk. She was tired of Snake and his unswerving loyalty to his boss.
She remembered Snake’s words. ‘You know Scott. If he says he’ll do something, he does it.’ Scott had also said he’d meet her in the paddock on April 30th and clearly that date was trashed. It seemed like a lifetime since she’d pulled his car from the ditch.
Maybe she’d call him tonight. Claim she’d waited by the paddock. Maybe he’d feel a teensy bit guilty knowing she’d driven to Santa Anita to meet him. And she’d finally have a chance to thank him because even though he’d carved her heart out, he had saved her life. And for that, she would always be grateful.
“I will call him.” Megan tossed the wet sponge back into the bucket, splashing water over Marshall’s legs. “I’ll call tonight and be done with it. And since I’m here, I might hang around and watch a few races. When’s post time?”
“One o’clock,” Eve said. “But don’t go yet. I want to introduce you to a few people. All the guys are looking.” Her grin turned mischievous. “Bet they’re hoping you’re our new exercise rider.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
A burly man blocked Megan’s view and she edged sideways, straining to see the horses in the paddock. Race one, and already spectators gathered. She wouldn’t watch long—just enough so that when she told Scott she’d been here, it would be the truth.
Plus she had a dog waiting. Rex had been dejected when she’d told him to stay home. He was utterly loyal. He wouldn’t heroically save her life then disappear without a word. But there would be no more agonizing about Scott. She was going to be an aunt.
She was still pumped by Eve’s decision. They’d briefly discussed plans to visit Megan’s mother and break the bittersweet news together.
I’ll be there for your baby, bro.
She ignored the persistent lump in her throat and studied the nine runners circling the walking ring. Horses were the perfect tonic. They shone with vitality, their sleek coats gleaming. The number three horse had a haughty expression and reminded her a bit of Rambo, as though he considered himself too good for current company. She wasn’t going to buy a program, not for a single race, but she would make a bet on the three horse, in honor of irascible old Ram
bo.
Her eyes drifted over the excited owners, catching the gaze of the photographer in the Hawaiian shirt. She hoped he was getting some good pictures. He smiled and winked. She waved but quickly looked away, uncomfortable with the interest in his eyes. Turning, she scanned the spectators gathered around the paddock.
Oh, God! She jerked convulsively. A familiar head. For a moment, it hurt to breathe. Scott. His hair was longer, his tan deeper, and dark stubble covered his jaw but it was him. Unmistakably.
He wasn’t away with Snake on some clandestine job but was here, right where he said he’d be. Her breath escaped in a shuddery sigh. He hadn’t called once in the long lonely weeks, but at least he’d remembered this date. It must mean something. Maybe he’d finally come to terms with Garrett’s death.
She clasped her hands, drinking in his face. The scar on the side of his head was barely visible now. He looked good, but different. Lean, hard, dangerous. Spectators skirted around him, leaving a slight gap at the rail.
Except for the lady in the red suit. She didn’t leave any space at all. In fact, she gave a vivacious smile, stepped closer and placed a familiar hand on his arm. His head tilted an inch, and he nodded.
Megan rocked backwards, a sob catching in her throat. No mystery now why he hadn’t called. Of course, he’d shown up for his date. It just wasn’t with her.
Despair overwhelmed her, leaving no room for hurt or even anger. She’d deluded herself into believing they might be able to work things out, but clearly Garrett’s death had left an impossible chasm.
His head turned. Impossible, but he seemed to sense her presence. She ducked behind the big man on her left but it was too late. Scott spotted her and his slow smile changed his face. He no longer looked lethal. Was once again a gorgeous hunk of man…but a man who took the easy route. Would he have even called if she hadn’t showed up today?
The crowd parted, seeming to open a path just for him. He approached with an easy grace. But the woman in red trotted beside him, and Megan’s resentment overrode her despair.
HORSES AND HEROIN (Romantic Mystery) Page 30
