all roads lead to you

by Probst, Jennifer

  Aidan felt as if he were tripping out on psychedelic drugs. The image before him was so bizarre, he could only stare at the goat-chicken creature in front of him. The Captain’s tiny head poked out from the hood sprouted with fake red feathers, and his whole body was covered in fuzzy yellow.

  “No,” he ground out, changing his mind. “Just . . . no.”

  “Let me poke a hole in the back for his tail,” she said. Grabbing scissors, she chopped at the costume until a stubby tail stuck out from the rear.

  Captain Hoof got up and began walking around while the other animals swarmed him, trying to figure out what the strange thing was about. Aidan held his breath, praying the goat would begin to shake it off or communicate his irritation with being transformed into a Halloween chicken.

  Instead, the goat began to prance, as if testing out his new clothes. The dogs got into the dance party until Aidan realized with rising horror that the Captain actually liked it.

  Harper stood up and beamed. “Look, he’s happy.”

  He shot her a disgusted look. “I thought this was supposed to help with his anxiety problem.”

  “Let’s test it out. Come with me into the bedroom.”

  “No thanks, I’m not in the mood right now,” he grumbled.

  She laughed, yanking him through the door and closing it. They each pressed an ear to the thin frame, waiting for the scramble of hooves and butting of his head against the door. Instead, there was divine silence.

  “Not possible,” he said.

  She cracked the door an inch and they peeked out. Captain Hoof was fine with them out of his sight. He stopped dancing and cuddled up next to the dogs by the sofa, snuggling into that ridiculous costume. “It’s working,” she whispered in glee.

  He wasn’t ready to accept such an atrocity. “He’s just testing it out. Just wait; within the hour he’ll hate it. Then we can take it off and never discuss this incident again. Agreed?”

  Mirth bubbled up from her figure. If he weren’t so pissed, he’d find it adorable. “Agreed. Let’s eat dinner and see how it goes.”

  “It had to be a damn chicken?”

  “It was the only thing left in the party store besides Elmo. And I just couldn’t do that to our jockey.”

  Their eyes met. He fought hard but it was too late.

  He burst into laughter, and she joined in, laying her head against his shoulder. They held each other and watched their goat happily snoozing in the living room, dressed like a chicken.

  And Aidan wondered why he felt happier than he ever had.

  The next day, Harper lifted the goat out of the truck and placed him carefully on the ground. He pivoted his head around, studying the landscape with his one eye, but remained pressed against her side.

  “You’re going to like it here,” she told the goat.

  Silence.

  Harper didn’t know if he’d ever speak, but maybe once he was settled and happy, he’d discover his voice again. Right now, her job was to find him his animal tribe. She might need to get another goat for him to play with, but for now, he’d have his pick of dogs, chickens, and horses.

  It was time for the Captain to relearn how to be a goat.

  Problem was, he seemed terrified, and she worried it had to do with that costume. When she’d tugged it off before placing him in the truck, he turned mournful and began to shake. Had she done a terrible thing like mothers did with their babies’ Binkies?

  Cursing under her breath, she snatched the chicken costume from the truck. “Okay, it’s early enough, but you can’t wear it this afternoon. It’ll be too hot.”

  She quickly fit it over his body, and immediately the goat perked up, his huge slanted eye filled with happiness.

  Harper sighed. “Aidan’s going to kill us. Look, here comes Wheezy and Bolt!”

  The welcoming committee came hauling ass down the path and bounced around their new friend. Sniffing noses and licking tongues welcomed, and Harper watched the goat’s reaction carefully. The Captain was very still at first, then began to relax under the affection.

  Harper let out a breath.

  “Hey, Harper, when is Chloe coming?” a voice called out.

  Her gaze narrowed thoughtfully on Owen. She had a ton of work to do and needed a babysitter. He’d gotten better since Chloe arrived. Maybe he wanted to impress her, or maybe she was really making a difference in how the kid viewed a horse farm. Either way, she’d just found her solution.

  “She’ll be here around ten. Owen, I have a task for you today.”

  He brightened, then stilled when his gaze dropped to the goat. “Umm, Harper? Is that a goat dressed as a chicken?”

  “Yes, it’s a security blanket for him. He was abused, so he needs to feel safe.”

  “Okay. Wow, never saw anything like that before. But he’s sorta cute. Can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure.”

  “I know Chloe said she broke up with her boyfriend a month ago. What an asshole, right? I mean, was he blind? She’s the coolest chick on the planet. And I want to ask her out, but do you think it’s too soon? I don’t want to be friend zoned, so I—”

  “Definitely too soon,” she interrupted. “I think you need to show her you’re a man, not a boy. That means impressing her with work. Good work. Then you ask her out.”

  She refused to experience guilt when Owen nodded with enthusiasm. “Yeah, makes sense.”

  “Here’s your first task. I need you to watch Captain Hoof today.”

  Owen blinked and stared at the goat. Unease gathered on his face. “Umm, I’m not sure. I don’t really like goats. Can’t I do paperwork or computer stuff?”

  “Chloe will be impressed when she sees you caring for a rescue animal. The Captain is very sweet; he won’t hurt you. But he’s half-blind and needs to be watched until he gets the layout of the farm. And be careful when he’s meeting the horses. He’s fine with the dogs, but keep an eye on him. If you bring him into the pasture, make sure he has plenty of room to explore safely.”

  His face fell. Harper tried not to laugh. Seemed his idea of dazzling Chloe was fading in importance. “I still think I’d rather—”

  “Owen. I need you to do this.”

  He gave a deep, regretful sigh. “Okay. What do I feed it?”

  “Hay from the pasture, and grain, but only a fourth of a cup for now. How’s Phoenix?”

  “Elmo and Aidan are working with him now.”

  “Great, thanks.” Harper knelt down. “I need you to go with Owen, baby. Wheezy and Bolt will keep you company in the pasture. It’s safe here, I promise.”

  She walked away. The goat followed her.

  Owen threw up his hands. “What do I do?”

  Wheezy and Bolt raced around, sensing a fun game about to commence. “Pick him up and bring him out by the oak tree, where Phoenix likes to rest. The dogs will come with you and keep him company. Come get me if he panics or doesn’t settle down.”

  This time, she left without looking back, even though guilt swamped her. The Captain needed to trust, and forcing the issue sometimes helped. He couldn’t hide with Harper in her home forever.

  She glanced at her watch. She’d give Owen fifteen minutes and then check on them.

  Heading out to the practice track, she met Aidan halfway. “How’d he do?” she asked.

  His lopsided grin stole her breath. “Was gonna ask you the same thing. Please tell me you took off the chicken costume before you came.”

  She ducked the question and touched his nose. “You need to put on a hat, or sunscreen. You’re getting burned again.”

  He ran his fingers along the back of her hand before she pulled away. Chemistry crackled between them, bright and hot and alive. It had only grown more intense since the night of their kiss.

  Oh, that kiss.

  How it haunted her day and night, but especially at night, when her subconscious relived every sweet, luscious slide of his full lips, the demanding thrust of his tongue, the wicked hunger licking her
nerve endings as he took and gave and mastered all at the same time.

  They’d both taken a step back to regroup, but the air between them still sang with sweet, agonizing awareness. But Harper wasn’t ready to change the dynamics yet. Too much still hung in the balance, and if they fell into bed and things blew up in a week, she’d be out a trainer and an opportunity for Phoenix. For now, it was better to keep things neutral.

  Her body, of course, didn’t take to her decision well. But for now, her mind was a tad stronger.

  At least for today.

  “I’ll reapply,” he said. “And you didn’t answer.”

  “I had to leave it on. Just for a little while, until he gets used to the farm.”

  “Harper, I swear—”

  “He was shaking, Irish. I had no choice. I left him with Owen. Wheezy and Bolt are playing with him, though, so he already has two new friends. How’s Phoenix?”

  He blew out a breath. “Still has a bit of a temper. It’ll be nice on the racetrack if we can funnel it. Unsure of how he’ll take to the travel, though.” His gaze sharpened, assessed. “His first race is in four weeks. It’s time to see how he competes on the track.”

  Nerves prickled. She knew the speed was there, and the heart. The unknown factors were running with other horses and the stress of travel. They’d been working hard on desensitizing him to animals, crowds, and noise, but Saratoga would be a real test. “I’m ready. I think Phoenix is, too.”

  “Good. I want to load him in the trailer to get him used to the confinement. Take him on a short trip so it’s not a shock, even though it’s not far to Saratoga. We’ve pushed hard this week, so he needs a relaxation day.” He shook his head. “That horse likes his me-time. If he were human, he’d be binge-watching Netflix and getting fat on the couch.”

  “A horse after my own heart.”

  Aidan snorted. “Woman, you are a born and bred workaholic. If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were at the farm twenty-four seven.”

  The words hit her hard, a sharp reminder she pretty much had no social life. Mia and Ophelia regularly recruited her for a girls’ night out, and she had some casual friends in town she’d dine with, but no other deep connections. No lover. Was she strange? Lacking in some way? Was it wrong she didn’t really miss trying to be someone she wasn’t?

  “Hey.” The soft whisper of sound jolted her out of her thoughts. “Where did you go?”

  She turned, desperate to hide her sudden vulnerability. “Sorry, just daydreaming.”

  Gentle fingers closed over her chin and forced her to meet his gaze. Those piercing amber eyes refused to let her hide. “I didn’t like that expression on your face. What were you thinking?”

  No one asked her such questions. She moved through her life with such deliberate purpose, it probably never occurred to anyone that she’d question her path. She opened her mouth to give him her standard answer that she was fine, but instead, the truth tumbled out.

  “I am a workaholic, but I like what I do. How I choose to spend my time in this world. But when people stare at me with sympathetic looks because I’m not married and have no children and don’t bitch about wanting more, I start questioning myself.” Heat seeped into her cheeks. She forced out a laugh, embarrassed at her outburst. “It’s nothing. Forget it.”

  “No.” His face set in serious determination, he shook his head hard. “No, I won’t forget it. You’re a rarity, Harper, and people don’t understand how to deal with a person who claims her life on her own terms. Everyone is so used to excuses, and regrets, and questioning every step taken, wondering if it’s right, wondering if it’ll be judged, always looking for the right answer outside, rather than inside.” His thumb pressed against her lips. His eyes darkened with a seething intensity, captivating her. “I like who you are, Harper Bishop. Don’t ever question yourself based on a bunch of nameless society groupies who live to lump you into a category because it’s easy. You’re too big for them to label. And God, that’s sexy as all hell.”

  She sucked in a breath, shattered by his words and the truth ringing in his lilting voice. Shattered that he seemed to see right into her soul like no one ever had. Shattered because every day, she wanted him a bit more, and damn the consequences.

  The sound of horse hooves behind them broke up the moment. His hand dropped, and she stepped back and stared up at Elmo. The jockey glanced back and forth between them, and Phoenix must’ve sensed the tension, because he tossed his head and butted right in between them, diving into Aidan’s pocket for his end-of-workout oatmeal cookie.

  Aidan stumbled back, laughing. “Fine, fine, take your cookie, mo chára. But you’re on a diet for the rest of the day. I want you lean and mean for the race, but not cranky. Think you can work with me on this?”

  Phoenix blew out a snort, then closed his teeth around the treat.

  “Good ride. Ready for Saratoga.”

  Aidan patted the jockey’s leg. “Yes, we are. We’re gonna win. I can feel it.”

  “Me, too. Demon settled. He run fast.”

  Harper grinned at the jockey, whose speech was as Spartan as his movements. But she realized his true affection lay in what he gave his mount. The way he looked at Phoenix as if seeing into his soul. The complete dedication and focus when he rode, as if honored by the gift of the horse rather than trying to embellish and dominate with his own human power. It was a rarity in a jockey she treasured, and Aidan recognized the gift because he had the same type of heart.

  “Let’s get him familiar with the trailer later. For now, he gets a few hours of laziness.”

  “I take him into pasture,” Elmo said. With a touch of his heel, he eased Phoenix to a gallop and shortly disappeared.

  “I’m so glad you targeted him as our jockey,” she announced. “It’s like you knew he’d be a fit for Phoenix.”

  Aidan nodded. “Elmo’s unusual, which makes him special. He has a colorful history. Came from Sardinia and rode in the Palio di Siena.”

  Her eyes widened. The famous Italian horse race that took place in Siena was dangerous, and one of the fiercest competitions in history. Jockeys rode bareback, and most standard racing rules did not apply, allowing the crowd and riders to experience a primitive tradition like the bull fighting in Spain. “How did he do?”

  “Got knocked off and broke a few ribs but lived to tell. He’s traveled all over, from Spain to Ireland, and the States.” A grin curved his lips. “Did you see Owen’s face when he spouted out that Shakespeare sonnet at dinner Sunday night, then stalked away?”

  Harper laughed. “I couldn’t believe it. Who would’ve thought he spoke so eloquently when he wanted to? Chloe said it was the best moment yet, and Owen can’t stop talking about it.”

  “Elmo once told me he refuses to waste words on a world that cheapens them. He made a decision to base everything on action, deciding to only speak what’s necessary.” He cocked his head, deep in thought. She enjoyed the spill of sun over his figure, turning his hair to gold-spun straw and illuminating the laugh lines carved around his mouth, the pinch of sunburn sprinkled over his nose. “I think he enjoys holding back from people, allowing them to judge. I guess the three of us make up the perfect team.”

  “Why?”

  “We all know who we are,” he said simply. “And we don’t give a shit.”

  She laughed, and he grinned down at her, and she savored the few moments on a hot summer’s day with a man she was beginning to care deeply about.

  “How about we go check in on the Captain?” he suggested.

  Suddenly, her hand flew up to cover her mouth. “Oh no. He’s in the pasture. I forgot to warn Elmo to be careful with Phoenix around him.”

  “Crap, let’s go.”

  They hoofed it swiftly up the hill and careened around the stables, toward the pasture. The scene unfolded as they got closer, and Harper quickened her pace. Wheezy and Bolt had taken off at the first sight of Phoenix, not wanting to risk a kick or charge. Captain Hoof was alone in th
e pasture with Phoenix a few feet from him. His bright-yellow costume was like a beacon. The horse was staring straight at his prey.

  Elmo and Owen were nowhere in sight.

  Aidan cursed and sprang past her, ready to grab the horse, already yelling at Phoenix to try and distract him.

  The little goat approached the horse, sensing another companion. With each step, he moved faster, stumbling a bit over the grass, ears perked, intent on greeting a prospective new friend. Phoenix looked as if he were shocked at the aggression—the intrusion of his personal space a crime that deserved worthy punishment. He pawed the ground, lowering his head as if to charge the strange creature he couldn’t even recognize.

  This was going to be a disaster.

  Aidan wasn’t going to make it. Harper said a quick prayer Phoenix wouldn’t hurt the goat, who had no clue about the horse’s picky distaste with all other animals. With one last desperate cry, she waited for the collision.

  Captain Hoof reached the horse and began butting his tiny horns against the massive beast in an awkward gesture of affection. Phoenix curled his lips back, ears pinned, and—

  —dropped his head and gently bumped the goat away.

  Captain Hoof moved drunkenly around the horse’s legs, as if he wasn’t used to running in so much space and still needed to gain his goat legs. Phoenix stood perfectly still. When the goat made his way back to the front, Phoenix nudged him gently, blew out a breath, and stared with suffering patience at the animal who didn’t seem to listen.

  Aidan stopped running. So did she. They stared, unable to move, and watched the scene unfold.

  Three times, Captain Hoof circled the horse, trying to play. Phoenix carefully retreated a step, probably thinking he’d remove himself from the situation, but the goat stuck close, trying desperately to rub his chicken costume–clad body against the horse.

  Finally, the horse stopped. Glanced around as if looking for help. And lowered his head once more to nuzzle the goat.

  Harper’s jaw dropped.

  His job done, Phoenix turned and headed toward the hay bale and began to munch. The Captain stayed tight on his heels, prancing madly, maneuvered himself close, and began to pull hay from the bottom bale.