by Laura Ann
“You’re wrong,” Kinsley stated firmly. “People have little crushes all the time, and they don’t go around nearly killing the people they like.”
Sawyer shook his head. “I’m not going to argue with you, but those are the three I’m keeping my eyes on.” He sat back, the picture of confidence. “Mary Ann was there when I was helping you, but I never saw Tyrone.” He squished his lips to one side. “I’ll be interested to hear what the police dig up when they’re finished interrogating all of them.”
“You’re not going to do it?” Kinsley asked.
“We don’t want to blow my cover,” Sawyer responded, leaning forward again to eat some more. “And if any of my firm did it, the name Lockwood would probably come up, so it’s best to let the police run that and just pass us the info.”
She nodded and watched her dad do the same. Kinsley’s appetite was gone and she pushed her food around her plate. The thought of any of those people wishing to hurt her made her sick to her stomach.
Mary Ann is a spoiled brat, but to poison me? It just seems so...unreal. Who actually does that? And Coach. I know he’s cranky, but we’ve worked together for a lot of years. And we’re so close to nationals at this point. It just doesn’t make sense. But that leaves sweet Tyrone. He wouldn’t hurt a fly, I’m just sure of it. So what if he has a crush? Lots of people have crushes. It doesn’t mean anything in the long run.
“I can see you thinking,” Sawyer said with a grin.
Kinsley pushed her plate away and sat back in her chair. “I’m just...sad, I guess. The thought that any of those people would be mad enough or...crazy enough to pull something like they did just blows my mind.” She raised her hands, palms up. “I’ve never done anything to hurt any of them. I mean, I can’t say I haven’t snipped at Mary Ann a few times, but for the most part, I at least try to be civil.” She shook her head, tears starting to prick in the back of her eyes. “I just don’t get it. Why would anyone do this?”
SAWYER REACHED OUT and wrapped one arm around Kinsley, pulling her into his side. “You can’t think of it that way,” he said softly against the side of her head. “This isn’t about you or what you’ve done. When a person gets to the point where they are purposefully hurting others, it’s about them. Them and only them. They aren’t thinking rationally anymore. While they might not technically be insane, they have lost touch with reality to the point that they don’t feel the rules apply to them and they have the right to do whatever they want to get whatever they want.” He pressed a kiss to her temple, holding back a chuckle when she sighed and melted into him. “So as dumb as it sounds, you can’t take this personally.”
“You’re right,” she said softly. “That does sound dumb.”
Sawyer huffed and chuckled. When Mr. Storm stood up to leave the room, Sawyer gave him a respectful nod.
Kinsley tilted her head up. “So now what?”
“What do you mean?” Sawyer asked with a frown.
She sat up, taking her warmth with her, and stared Sawyer in the eyes. “Where does this leave you and me? I know you’re my bodyguard again, but out on the porch, you said you have feelings for me.”
Sawyer nodded slowly. He wasn’t sure he was ready to discuss what he’d admitted on the porch, but if having a younger sister had taught him anything, it was that girls wanted it all. They didn’t like waiting and wondering. Might as well get this over with. “I wasn’t lying. I find myself feeling too much for you.”
She grinned mischievously. “Oh yeah? How many of those things involve anger and frustration?”
Sawyer barked out a laugh. “Probably just as many as involve warmth and desire,” he shot back.
Kinsley’s eyes went soft and she glanced down at her lap. “I’ll admit the feelings are mutual,” she admitted, glancing at him from under her lashes.
While that helped Sawyer feel better about spillings his guts to her, he knew this next part wasn’t going to be received as well. “But I don’t think we should do anything about it...yet.”
Her face jerked upright. “What? Why?”
“Kins,” he said softly, grabbing her hands in his. “I know you haven’t forgotten what happened yesterday,” he started. “You were sent to the hospital, all because I was distracted.”
She pulled her hands back. “It has nothing to do with you being distracted, Sawyer,” she argued. “You were doing your job. In fact, if I recall correctly, you pushed me aside and were standing guard while I ate.”
“And all the while, the danger was inside the stall,” he countered.
She threw up her hands. “But how could we have known that?”
“If I’d been keeping an eye on things better, I would have known that.”
“You can’t be there twenty-four-seven!” Kinsley tilted her head, her eyes pleading with him. “You can’t blame yourself for this. I don’t blame you. No one blames you. The sabotaging jerk managed to do something when we weren’t looking.” She folded her arms and pursed her lips. “Besides, you’re becoming well-known enough around the barn that if you had been lurking about, the bad guy probably wouldn’t have struck.”
Sawyer couldn’t help but chuckle. “Lurking about? Bad guy? Struck? You sound like you’re quoting a cartoon or something.”
She grinned back. “Or something. Maybe I read too many old mystery novels.”
“The point is, there was no way for any of us to predict the jump from theft to poisoning,” Garrett said from the doorway, where he leaned one shoulder against the wall.
Sawyer rubbed the back of his head. “There’s got to be a way to see what’s going on when we’re not there. I could always have Roman or Ridge come install a camera, but I’m afraid that the person doing it will see them.” He made a face. “Ridge looks just like me.” He winked at Kinsley. “But less handsome.” He smiled when she snorted. “And Roman is huge. Like, huge. He makes me look weak.”
Kinsley’s eyes were wide. “Really?”
Sawyer nodded. “He’s hard to hide.”
Garrett’s lips pinched into a thin white line. “Maybe we could sneak in one night? There’s one last show next week before nationals. She has enough points from her Class A show to move onto regionals. We’re hoping she can win and be done. The—” he glanced at Kinsley with a grin “—bad guy has only attacked at shows. Perhaps we could get special permission to get into our stall before everyone else shows up?”
Sawyer leaned back. “That’s a thought. If the camera was already there, we could just go about our business as normal. I’d still like to have one here at home, if possible.” He tilted his head. “Could you talk to the owner of the club?”
Garrett nodded. “Consider it done.”
Sawyer took a deep breath. “Then I guess all we do now is wait.” He knew he and Kinsley hadn’t exactly figured out their relationship, but Sawyer figured it was best for now to leave it be. I need to focus, and I can’t do that if we change anything at this point. She already has me tied in knots. He glanced at the beauty beside him. I need to save her. Then I can have her.
CHAPTER 14
Kinsley smiled as Amadeus’ lips tickled her palm as he took the apple from her hand. “You did so good today. Yes, you did,” she crooned while rubbing his muzzle. Grabbing his face, she kissed his forehead. “You’re my favorite boy, aren’t you?”
“I can’t believe I’m jealous of a horse,” came a wry reply from behind her.
Kinsley spun with a smile, knowing full well who the voice belonged to. Ever since last week’s incident, things had been better between her and Sawyer. While he still held barriers between them, she felt like he had become much more steady in his response to her, rather than the chaotic leaps of hot and cold from before. She boldly studied him as he rested his arms over the top of the gate. “Jealousy looks good on you,” she said flirtatiously.
Sawyer’s eyebrows shot up and a smirk tugged at his lips. He glanced up and down the walkway, then silently opened the gate and slipped inside. “Excuse
me, Amadeus,” he whispered, stepping between her and the horse. Reaching out, he caged her against the gate with an arm on either side. “Are you saying you like the way I look?” he asked in a low, husky voice.
“Maybe,” Kinsley hedged, loving the electricity sparking through the air. She barely breathed, hoping and praying that he would kiss her the way he had last week when they’d finally admitted their feelings were real. They had shared a couple of public pecks since then, but nothing like the earth-shattering ones Sawyer was capable of.
Sawyer leaned in and rubbed his nose along her cheek. “I like the way you look, too,” he whispered. “But not necessarily the way you smell.”
He laughed when Kinsley squeaked in protest and shoved at his chest, barely pushing him back. Geez, he’s like a rock! I don’t even want to know how much he must work out to get that way. “And just how do I smell?” she shot back, knowing full well she reeked of horse.
“Like the beast behind me,” Sawyer said, still grinning. He looked over his shoulder. “No offense, bud. But it’s not exactly a ladylike scent.”
Amadeus snorted and nibbled at Sawyer’s hair, causing Kinsley to laugh, while Sawyer scowled and pushed the horse away. “Well...” She sauntered around Sawyer and burrowed into Amadeus’ shoulder. “This guy doesn’t care what I smell like. He likes me just the way I am.”
Amadeus nodded his head up and down as if he understood every word, and Sawyer shook his head. “I give up!” he put his hands in the air. “I can’t compete against a horse, apparently.”
“I’d take you over the horse any day,” came a sultry reply from behind the gate.
Kinsley’s lips pinched together as both she and Sawyer turned to look at Mary Ann standing in the walkway.
The brazen girl winked at Sawyer. “Why don’t you come see what kind of a reception you’d get at my stall?”
Sawyer stepped back until he was even with Kinsley on the other side of Amadeus’ neck. “Thanks anyway, but I kinda like it in here.”
Mary Ann pushed her lips out into a large pout and walked up to the gate. “You sure? My stall can be much more...fun.”
“I’m sure,” came Sawyer’s monotone reply.
“If you change your mind, be sure and let me know.” Mary Ann stepped a little closer, raising herself onto the bottom rung of the gate. “And you too, beautiful boy,” she crooned at Amadeus in a baby voice. She reached out to rub his nose. “When you get tired of that big Amazon riding you, you come on over and let Mary Ann take care of you, okay?” Bouncing down from the gate, she gave a little wave and flounced off toward her own horse.
“What the heck was that about?” Sawyer asked, his tone bewildered.
Kinsley looked heavenward and shook her head. “She’s been after Amadeus for years,” Kinsley grumbled, grabbing a brush and starting at the horse’s flank. “He’s worth quite a bit of money in the horse market, and Mary Ann is always looking for a way to get ahead.” Amadeus stomped his foot and Kinsley pulled back, realizing she was brushing pretty harshly. “Sorry.” She patted his back before continuing. “She goes through horses and coaches like water, always believing the next one will help take her to the top.”
Sawyer’s brows furrowed as he watched her over Amadeus’ back. “Her motive just keeps getting stronger and stronger. I wish the police had been able to break her alibi.”
Kinsley sighed. “I know. But I still struggle to feel like she would go so far as to attack me. She wants to win, but I don’t think she’d take me out to do it. She might, however, spend every penny her father has to do it.”
Sawyer huffed. “Sounds like she already does that.”
“Oh, she does. Believe me.”
“But I would venture to say most of you in this sport are spending Daddy’s money,” Sawyer said, his tone resigned, causing Kinsley to frown.
“What kind of a comment is that?” she snapped. “And why in the world would it matter to you?”
Sawyer sighed and rubbed his hands down his face. “It doesn’t. I’m sorry. And it’s wrong to assume everyone here is a spoiled, rich kid.” His bright blue eyes were full of remorse when they met hers. “You’ve proven me wrong multiple times, and you’d think I’d learn to let it go.”
“You’d think,” she grumbled. She fought the temptation to defend herself. Her father hadn’t been paying for any of her lifestyle for many years. Between her modeling contract and winnings, Kinsley was completely self-sufficient. I don’t have to defend myself. He needs to get off his ‘rich people are terrible’ soapbox and realize people are who they are.
“I’m sorry.”
Sawyer’s voice caused her to jump and spin around. In her frustration, she hadn’t heard him walk around Amadeus and come up directly behind her. Now he was standing extremely close and her rapid heart beat had very little to do with the small scare he’d given her. “I-it’s okay,” she quickly stammered, backing up into Amadeus’ side.
He shook his head and stepped even closer. “No, it’s not. It was a rotten thing to say, let alone think. I’m not even really sure where the attitude comes from.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “We weren’t wealthy growing up, but we weren’t hurting, by any means. And my sister married into a family of billionaires who are really good men.” He shrugged. “I really have no excuse, other than my sour attitude, I guess.”
Kinsley’s anger faded, but the hurt still remained. “I just don’t get why you would think that about me. I thought you knew me better than that.”
“I do,” Sawyer said softly. “But I’ve also spent way too many hours playing security at events where rich idiots flaunt their assets like it’s some kind of game to them.” He shook his head. “It’s colored my view, I guess.” His eyes roamed her face. “I meant it when I said you’ve proven me wrong.” He brought his hand up and trailed a knuckle down her cheek. “You’ve opened my eyes to so much more than I ever thought possible.”
Kinsley felt her body straining to move forward, but she held back. She’d initiated their last kiss and needed him to make the first move. The air felt thick and heavy, thrumming with anticipation, and it was all she could do to remain still as he slowly lowered his head.
Just as their lips brushed, Amadeus shifted behind her, knocking Kinsley back a step.
“WHOA,” SAWYER SAID, catching Kinsley by the arms. He gave a resigned grin. “I think I need to stop cornering you in the stall. It always leads to distractions.” And disappointment, he thought. That’s twice I’ve almost kissed her when I should be working.
Kinsley wasn’t paying any attention to him. Instead, her focus was on Amadeus. She had turned and put her hand on the horse’s belly.
“What’s wrong?” Sawyer asked. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary. The horse had stomped his feet a couple of times and his breathing was loud, but it just looked normal to Sawyer.
“He’s swelling,” Kinsley murmured. She watched the large animal shift and stomp his foot again. “Please, no.”
Concern immediately slammed into Sawyer. “What is it?”
Kinsley’s dark, misty eyes met his. “I think he’s getting sick. It could be colic, but I don’t know for sure. Can you go find Coach?”
Sawyer nodded and hurried for the gate and flagged down a worker. “Go get Coach Ritton immediately!”
The girl nodded and turned to run.
Sawyer came back by Kinsley’s side just as Amadeus began to throw his head around, stomping across the stall.
“What are you doing?” Kinsley asked loudly. Her voice betrayed her panicked emotions. “I need you to go get Coach.”
Sawyer held up his hands. “I sent a worker to find him. I didn’t want to leave you.”
Her face crumpled and a few tears trickled down her cheeks. “Thank you,” she whispered thickly. She moved around to meet Amadeus head on. “Hey, boy,” she said soothingly. “Help is on the way, okay?”
Amadeus snorted and moved backward, then forward again, and Sawyer pulled Kinsley out of the
way. “He’s gonna trample you if you’re not careful.” Sawyer slowly pushed Kinsley behind his back, keeping his eyes on the restless animal.
“Addy would never hurt me,” Kinsley said softly from behind his back.
“Your Addy wouldn’t,” Sawyer stated. “But right now, he’s not himself.”
“Which is exactly why I need to see what’s wrong.” She tried to step around Sawyer, but he caged her in.
“Kins, my job is to protect you, and right now it’s from an animal instead of a human. Hang tight, and when Ritton gets here, we’ll see what’s going on.”
To her credit, Kinsley sighed, but didn’t argue.
“What’s going on?” Ritton’s voice boomed down the concrete walkway as his heavy footsteps grew louder. “Storm?” he called.
“She’s in here,” Sawyer answered, still keeping an eye on the shifting horse. “Something’s wrong with Amadeus.” When Ritton’s head became visible over the gate, Sawyer nodded toward the unruly horse.
Ritton’s thick brows furrowed and he opened the gate, careful to only leave enough room to get inside. Amadeus snorted and threw his head around, backing up and walking forward again.
Sawyer couldn’t see what was happening as Ritton had gone to the opposite side of the animal. “Any ideas?” he called over.
Ritton stood up, his face serious. “Storm, where’s your halter? I think he’s got colic.”
Before he could stop her, Kinsley had rushed around Sawyer and was grabbing her equipment. “Come on, boy,” she said through her tears. “It’s gonna be okay.” Slowly, she raised the halter, moving around to capture Amadeus’ moving head. “Shh...it’s okay.”
Sawyer slowly moved in behind her, ready to push her to the side at a moment’s notice if the horse became aggressive. “What does it mean, he has colic?” he asked in an aside to Ritton.
Ritton took off his hat and scratched his head. “It basically means he has a belly ache, but it’s more severe than that.” Ritton shook his head and slapped his hat back on. “If it’s severe enough, a horse can die from it.”