Winning Ways

by Toni Leland

  14

  Liz's new charges settled in comfortably over the next few days. Except Miss Marcy. The poor old girl weaved back and forth at the stall door, confused at being uprooted from her familiar surroundings, and loudly whinnying her distress to anyone who'd listen. The plight of the elderly mare touched Liz's heart. How well she knew the feelings of isolation and loneliness. Her head danced with images of home, and sadness filled her thoughts. Would she find peace and happiness here in the rough grandeur of California? Would she ever find common ground with the ranchers and farmers that called this place home? And how long would it be before she'd have answers to those questions?

  The fire and its aftermath had consumed several days, putting Liz behind in her training schedule and her plans to call on potential clients. For the next week, she pushed her timetable, working horses from sunrise until two o'clock, then spending the rest of the afternoon trying to set up appointments. Besides advancing toward her goals, the rigorous schedule also kept her mind busy and away from thoughts of Kurt.

  The afternoon temperature had spiked, and the large chestnut horse sweated heavily, white froth accumulating on his neck where the reins touched. Kurt took another turn around the practice ring. Why Eve wanted to put the mediocre gelding into the country pleasure class was a mystery - the horse was anything but a pleasure to ride. The animal stopped and pawed the ground impatiently. Kurt's own patience evaporated into the hot, heavy air. Nudging the horse forward, he started back to the barn, catching sight of his boss headed in the same direction. Oh, great, now what does she want?

  He rode into the cool interior of the barn, and dismounted.

  Eve's tone was light. "How'd he do?"

  "Okay, I guess. I just don't think he's saddle horse material. I've already told you that. You'd better not count on any great wins with him at this show."

  He began toweling the sweat from the horse's neck.

  Eve stepped up close, placing her hand on his arm. "Kurt? What's wrong? You've been so cranky late - "

  He stepped away from her touch, his tone sharp.

  "I'm just trying to get into the swing of things. It's show season, and that's what I'm here to do. Show your horses. Right?"

  He gave her a hard look. Her pale skin colored slightly, and a flash of anger momentarily sharpened her green eyes. Just as quickly, it disappeared and she smiled sweetly.

  "Of course it is. And I know you'll do a fabulous job. You're the best."

  "Sorry. I'm always edgy during show season."

  Eve gently stroked the gelding's face. "I really love this horse. He was one of my first foals. Are you sure he's not show material?"

  Kurt picked up a brush. "I think he'd make a great driving horse. His conformation is correct, and he has a nice way of going, but a saddle horse he isn't."

  She gave the gelding a motherly pat on the shoulder. "Then you just turn him into a driving horse, and we'll scratch him from the riding classes."

  "Okey-dokey." Kurt unsnapped the crossties. "C'mon, Bud. You just got a reprieve."

  As he led the horse away, Eve's voice drifted after him.

  "Oh, by the way, you'll need to stick around Monday morning. Liz Barnett is picking up Fair Lady about ten."

  He slammed the stall door. Like Hell! Monday's my day off. I'm not hanging around here to baby-sit these women. Liz can load the horse by herself. She sure didn't need my help collecting Marilyn's horses. His bruised ego shouldered its way into his thoughts, expanding his irritation. Liz's brush-off had been uncalled for - he'd only been trying to help.

  Shrugging off his self-indulgent thoughts, he started after Eve, his long legs quickly closing the distance between them.

  "I need my days off to take care of my personal affairs. That Barnett woman has been in the horse business a long time. She can manage the mare by herself."

  Eve stopped abruptly, and turned, a frown knitting her pale eyebrows together.

  "You know my policy. I always have the trainer present when a horse is delivered. She'll be here early, then you'll have the rest of the day to yourself."

  Kurt glowered at the small figure. God, he hated being controlled, especially by a woman. Irritation crawled over his neck, and he fought to suppress his aggression. Eve wrote the paychecks, and he couldn't afford to be on her bad side.

  "Okay, but I wish you'd - " Her challenging look stopped him in mid-sentence. "Never mind."

  "How would you know she's been in the horse business a long time?"

  He swallowed, perturbed by the direction the conversation had taken.

  "I heard she's Ben Barnett's daughter, and she's been around horses all her life. Plus being the new vet in town." He narrowed his eyes and gave his boss a meaningful look. "Our new vet, I've just learned."

  Eve didn't take up the gauntlet. A second later, she changed the subject again.

  "Did you hear about the fire at Marilyn Cook's?"

  Kurt struggled to keep his expression neutral. Did she know about his involvement in the disaster?

  "Yeah, I heard all the horses were saved. Pretty lucky, huh?"

  She nodded slowly. "Yes. That's lucky."

  She gave him one more thoughtful look, then headed toward the house, leaving him to wonder.

  15

  Early on Monday, Kurt prepared Fair Lady for the trip to Legacy, still irritated about wasting part of his precious day-off coddling Eve's ego. Show season was unbelievably hectic, and there were times when Mondays were his only chance to catch up on sleep, a commodity in short supply at a horse show.

  Fair Lady stood quietly in the crossties while he brushed her with firm, practiced strokes that brought up the highlights of her white coat, the rhythmic movement soothing his own unsettled thoughts. The mare turned her head, and nuzzled his shoulder gently, chuckling deep in her throat. He smoothed his hand across her shoulder and thought about the past.

  His father had always teased him about his "magic" with horses. Kurt never thought of it as magic, rather as an invisible bond he made with the creatures. Even when he'd been a young boy, the large, flighty animals had always responded to his touch as though they were kindred spirits. He'd never wanted to do anything with his life but work with horses, and those dreams had been a reality until New Mexico. The only time I ever allowed my personal life to interfere with my work.

  Disturbed by the intrusion of old memories, he turned his attention to what still needed to be done before Liz arrived. Earlier, he'd prepared a stall at the back of the barn, where the soon-to-be-weanling would be held while her dam was loaded onto the trailer. He gazed down at the tiny, frisky baby playing peek-a-boo through her mother's long, silvery tail, oblivious to the imminent disruption of her world. He didn't approve of Eve's abrupt method of weaning, but she'd been determined that he would show the foal at the Stockton show in two weeks. And Eve always got her way.

  Draping his lean body over the stall door, he watched the two horses share their last hours together. Unbidden, thoughts of Liz crept into his head - how she tasted, the feel of her skin, the scent of her hair. A sharp rush of desire ran through him. The woman was irresistible, and he wanted another chance to hold her in his arms.

  Exhaling slowly, he recognized his choices: stay on track to pursue his independence, or take a chance on a serious relationship with Liz.

  Liz's truck moved slowly along the winding highway, as she checked the trailer in the rear view mirror. Giddy excitement rippled through her stomach at the prospect of having Fair Lady all to herself, despite the fact that the next few days would be difficult for both of them. She'd prepared the stall next to Muscala, thinking familiar company might keep the mother's mind off her baby. Hopefully, the arrangement would also help Muscala's attitude, a situation that deeply concerned Liz.

  She pulled up in front of Fairhill, and Colleen climbed into the truck, grinning brightly.

  "Ain't this fun? I've been lookin' forward to it all weekend."

  Liz smiled grimly. "It might not be as much
fun as you think. I didn't tell you that Eve is weaning Fair Lady's filly today. We'll have a hysterical mommy on our hands."

  "Today? Good grief! Well, I guess selling the mare off is one way to separate 'em."

  "That's not the worst of it. The filly's not even three months old, and Kurt's taking her to a show in two weeks."

  Indignation tightened Colleen's features. "You have to be kidding!"

  "I wish I were."

  Fifteen minutes later, Liz parked the rig next to the Aliqua barn. Following Eve down the aisle, Liz suppressed a grin, noticing Colleen's unabashed scrutiny of the elegant interior. Horse owners with lots of money turned their barns into elegant showplaces, a practice that seemed silly to ordinary horse-folk. But who knew what drove these people? For sure, the horses didn't care whether they had chandeliers in the barn.

  "Mornin', Liz. Your mare's ready to load."

  The familiar voice sent a collection of butterflies through her stomach. Kurt's manner was wary, and Eve peered at him intently, as though trying to read his mind.

  Liz's voice felt wooden. "Thanks."

  Eve excused herself and hurried off to collect the paperwork from the office. Kurt turned to Colleen, making small talk and carefully avoiding eye contact with Liz. Alone with her thoughts, she moved to Fair Lady's stall, and watched the tiny filly nurse. Images of the little creature's impending terror and confusion sent a painful ache through her chest.

  A moment later, a musky scent caused an eddy of excitement in the pit of her stomach. Kurt stood next to her, his arm lightly touching hers, his warmth seeping through her sleeve.

  He gazed at the mare and foal, his voice soft and husky. "Seems like a shame to break up such a beautiful pair, doesn't it?"

  Liz looked up at him, confused by the tone of his voice and the compassion on his strong face. If it's such a shame, why is he determined to show her so soon? It's all a charade. He couldn't care less about this baby. She moved away from him without answering.

  Eve returned, waving a sheaf of papers in the air. Liz took them, and walked out to the truck, trying to sort out her conflicting thoughts. Her brain had already firmly imprinted the way Kurt's arms felt, so her body tingled from his brief nearness. However, those feelings had nothing to do with her opinion of him as a horseman, and his blatant disregard for the foal's mental well-being.

  She dropped the trailer ramp, checked inside, then held her breath and watched the barn door. Within seconds, terrified squeals rang out from inside the barn, and Kurt emerged, his eyes dark, his features rigid. Fair Lady danced alongside him, twisting her head back, trying to see her baby.

  Once inside the trailer, the agitated mare called out, answering each cry from her terrified foal. The pitch of the abandoned filly's screams was heartbreaking. Liz looked at Colleen, whose face reflected her utter contempt for the situation.

  Eve saw the exchanged looks, and spoke up, her tone menacingly sweet. "Is something wrong?"

  Liz hesitated. Should I stand up for what I believe? If I'm going to care for her horses, she needs to know how I feel. Briefly, the fear of messing up a chance to have Aliqua's business immobilized her. A second later, the paralysis disappeared, and Liz's professional integrity prevailed.

  "I just think she's too young to wean."

  Eve's eyes narrowed, and she stepped closer.

  "Oh, really? And just what makes you such an expert on weaning?"

  The woman's face had taken on an ugly red flush, giving her green eyes an otherworldly appearance. Liz hesitated, then tilted her head and looked directly at her challenger.

  "In addition to being a vet, I've been the breeding manager for a large Thoroughbred farm in Kentucky, and I grew up on a breeding farm."

  A heavy silence hung between them, but the atmosphere around them was filled with the cacophony of the filly's frantic cries and Fair Lady's hysterical answers.

  Eve stepped back. "Well, that's very impressive, but this isn't Kentucky. If you want to work for me, you'll do it my way."

  She turned, and stalked off toward the house. Liz felt sick, positive she'd just signed her walking papers with Aliqua Arabians.

  Kurt watched Eve's retreating figure, then looked at Liz, and nodded. "Well, good luck."

  He turned on his heel, and strode back into the barn.

  Once they were on the road, Fair Lady quieted down somewhat, although Liz felt the trailer rocking with the mare's agitated movements.

  Colleen leaned across the seat, and patted her arm.

  "It'll be all right...they adapt pretty fast. But that was really awful."

  Liz felt the tears, knew she couldn't contain them, and pulled over to the side of the road. Colleen didn't say anything, but continued to stroke Liz's arm.

  A few minutes later, Liz regained her composure, and eased the truck back onto the highway. They rode in silence for about ten miles before Colleen spoke.

  "It ain't just about the weaning, is it?"

  16

  Liz's concern for Fair Lady's mental state disappeared within the first twenty-four hours. The mature mare had been through the weaning process many times in her life, and seemed to accept the separation quickly. By the day before Liz would leave for Tahoe, the mare was eating heartily, getting acquainted with her barn-mates, and offering friendly nickers when Liz approached.

  However, the biggest surprise was Miss Marcy. The elderly mare had instantly bonded with her new barn-mate and, as long as Fair Lady was across the aisle from her, Marcy remained quiet and content. She'd found a friend.

  Liz led the two mares up the slope to the pasture, thinking about her conversation with Colleen on the return trip from Aliqua. Liz had desperately needed someone to talk to, and had finally opened up, admitting her deep attraction for Kurt. When describing the all-night vigil with Marilyn, Liz had left out the ending to the story, too embarrassed to admit she'd been cast aside.

  Inside the gate, Fair Lady took off at a gallop across the pasture, Miss Marcy close behind her. Liz watched with delight as the horses flew over the ground, as though they had wings. They were true "Drinkers of the Wind," epitomizing the Bedouin description of Arabian horses. Fair Lady made another pass, tail flagged, head up, nostrils flared. The beautiful mare wheeled and came to an abrupt stop, snorting and shaking her head. She nickered softly, then dropped her head and started nibbling grass.

  While she cleaned stalls, Liz recalled the rest of the conversation with Colleen. Liz hadn't wanted to hear her friend's comments, but Colleen had insisted that Liz keep her eyes wide open if she planned to flirt with the unknown. She'd also reminded Liz of the tough road that lay ahead, if she planned to continue her veterinary career in the region.

  Colleen had been direct. "Ya don't know anything about Kurt DeVallio. No one does. Why ask for trouble?" She'd rolled her eyes. "God, Liz, he'd be a great hobby, but ya wouldn't want to keep him!"

  Liz's reaction had been almost defensive. "Colleen, I don't plan to get serious. I have to concentrate on my practice, but, there's something different about him..."

  "He's different, all right."

  The warning edge to Colleen's tone had caused Liz's own apprehension to grow.

  "Do you know something you're not telling me?"

  Colleen's face had shown a trace of indecision.

  "I heard he was involved in some kind of scandal in New Mexico, but I don't know any details...Just be careful."

  Immersed in the reflection, Liz spread the last wheelbarrow load of wood shavings around the stall floor. What could the scandal be? Something really horrible? If it were so terrible, wouldn't everyone know about it?

  It was clear that if she wanted to know, the story would have to come directly from Kurt. Finding a way to accomplish that would be the trick.

  Eve telephoned shortly after Liz returned to the house.

  "Liz, I need to get some shots, and an ultrasound on one of my mares. When can you do that?"

  Liz thought quickly. Should she try to squeeze a farm call
into an already horrendous afternoon? No, I can't set a precedent like that, especially with Miss Aggressive.

  "I'm leaving for Tahoe in the morning, but I could see you early on Monday."

  Eve agreed, then her tone changed. "About the other day - sorry I was so touchy. It probably is a little early to wean the filly, but I'm in the horse business, and there's simply no room for sentimentality. I do appreciate your concern, though. It tells me a lot about you."

  The compliment pleased Liz. Eve probably wasn't generous with such things. After hanging up, she mulled over the brief conversation. There was a lot to be learned from the episode. Where business was concerned, the degree of success was based solely on one's determination to have it. Here I've been standing around, feeling sorry for myself 'cause those big ol' bad men wouldn't let me play. Time to get real. Working harder to prove myself is the answer, and I'd better start with Eve Aliqua.

  17

  The drive up to Lake Tahoe energized Liz, as she soaked up the deep green serenity of the mountains. The unreal topaz color of the lake contrasted with the dark shades of towering pines and Douglas fir that blanketed the surrounding slopes. A cloudless blue sky polished the scene to a breathtaking picture-postcard effect, and her problems seemed to shrink into miniature proportions in the presence of such magnificence.

  By late afternoon, she'd settled the horses, unpacked her gear, and returned to her motel. Karma's yearling class would be the first one the following day. The colt could be a real handful early in the morning, and she'd have to get up with the sun in order to have time to work the kinks out of him.

  The next morning, she had Karma at the end of the lunge-line by five o'clock. He wouldn't behave, and her nervousness grew. The colt class was important - it would give him the final qualifying points for the regional show. If she didn't get him into the regional, she could forget the nationals.

  She snapped the whip and barked a command at the prancing bay, but he was too wound up from the excitement and stimulation of all the new sounds and smells. He ignored her, crow-hopping for a few feet before moving back into an animated trot. Liz gave up and returned to her stabling area. She glanced at her watch and panic careened through her chest. The class would start in two hours. Karma peering impudently from his stall, as if to ask, "What's next?"