by Robyn Grady
Sounded good compared to the ruckus going on around here of late.
“What’s been happening in your life, Jax?” she asked, before taking a long sip from her steaming cup.
“I’m surprised you haven’t heard the rumblings, even all the way down in Louisville.”
“You mean the rumor that you’re into doping now?”
His grin was entirely humorless. “So, you have heard.”
“I want you to know that I support you one hundred percent. And what the hell is with Paul Booshang anyway? I’d always thought he was a good guy. Trying to fix a race is bad enough. Dragging you into it is unbelievable.” She took another sip and then asked, “Do you think Booshang is a lone wolf, hoping he could make a sure bet on the side, or is he in cahoots with someone else?”
“I’m not sure I should go into that.”
Fallon’s eyes rounded. “So there is someone else.”
“Nothing’s been proven. Not by a long shot.” When she arched a brow, he grunted and gave it up. “We’ve heard Drake Darnel’s name mentioned.”
But after hearing Veda’s tree house story, it didn’t sound as if Booshang had ever been a fan of Drake’s. So why would Paul work covertly with him now?
“Darnel Stables has an impeccable reputation. But as far as the man himself is concerned...” She visibly shuddered. “Do you know, after our win in Elmont, he flat-out scowled at me.”
“His filly finished second.”
“Drake Darnel is a stinking bad loser.” She shrugged. “Still, I can’t see him shooting his horses up. He’s too darn self-righteous. But he does hate your dad. He’d tell anyone who listened that good training was not the reason your horses won.”
“Meaning we had to be using performance enhancing drugs.”
“I guess no one’s surprised that his daughter thinks the same.”
Ajax sat up. “Veda?”
“Uh-huh.” Fallon sipped her coffee. “That’s her name.”
“So, you’ve heard that with your own ears? Veda saying that we break the law? Cheat?”
Fallon looked taken aback. “I’ve never spoken to her personally. But I think it’s common knowledge what she thought of the industry.”
Susan appeared at the door.
“Huxley is on a conference call,” she told them. “He’ll be a while. But I’ve pulled a batch of blueberry muffins out of the oven if anyone’s interested.”
Fallon smacked her lips. “I can smell them from here. Can you put one away for me?” she asked, getting to her feet. “I was hoping Ajax might take me on a tour of the stables while the sun’s not too high in the sky.”
“I’ll let Huxley know where you’re at,” Susan said, heading back inside.
“I’ll come and see him when we’re through,” Ajax said. His business with Hux could wait for now.
Walking along the path that led to the foaling barn, he and Fallon were stopped a couple of times, first by a rider and then a groom who wanted to say hi. She’d been popular with the team, and it had been a loss to his stables when she left.
“I miss this place,” she said, gazing out over the hills and paddocks.
“Kentucky’s pretty, too.”
She nodded. “Dad still has half a dozen horses. Still rides every day.”
Fallon’s trainer father had enjoyed some success a couple of decades ago, which was how Fallon had found her way into the game.
“He always wanted you to ride in the Derby,” Ajax recalled.
Fallon laughed. “I was never that good.”
“You could have been if you’d kept going. Absolutely.”
When she elbowed his ribs and laughed some more, Ajax got a funny feeling in his stomach. They’d always gotten on well. Common interests and parallel dreams. Which was hardly the case with Veda. But after yesterday, and particularly last night, they seemed to be overcoming their obstacles. Whenever they were together, he felt as if nothing else in the world existed. Like the only thing that mattered was making her happy.
But given the way she had cut him off at the knees in Barbados because of his innocent chat with that woman, how would Veda react if she saw him with Fallon when their relationship hadn’t always been platonic?
Of course that was ancient history. Other than Griff, no one knew about their fling, and Ajax wouldn’t go out of his way to mention it. Why upset Veda when there was absolutely nothing to worry about?
When they passed a stable hand leading a cream four-year-old, Ajax pulled him up.
“We need to check that left hind leg,” he said, running a hand down the limb. “The hip’s hiking when the leg hits the ground.”
“The owner’s already made up his mind about this one,” the stable hand said.
Ajax frowned. “Made up his mind about what?”
“I thought he must’ve talked to you.” The stable hand rubbed the horse’s neck. “This guy’s retiring. I’m about to load him up for the last time.”
If a horse wasn’t earning enough, an owner decided whether he would literally be put out to pasture, retrained for a new career or...that other lesser-talked-about alternative that meant a one-way trip to Canada or Mexico. When he spoke to the owner to square the accounts, he would make an offer for the cream.
If it wasn’t too late.
“Come on,” he said to Fallon, focusing on the now. “I’ll introduce you to Someone’s Prince Charming. I’m backing him for a Triple Crown next year. He’s a star, and just so smart and wanting to give his all.”
He’d certainly known a few in his time, but Ajax loved that horse like he had loved no other.
Ajax stopped and turned around. Hux was trotting down the path, calling out his name. When he arrived, Hux gave Fallon a hug.
“Is this a professional visit?” he asked. “Looking to get back into your silks?”
Fallon gave him a good-humored grin. “My racing days are over.”
“Well, we all want to hear what you’re up to, so you’re staying for dinner,” Hux said. “No arguments.”
Fallon caught Ajax’s gaze and nodded. “I’d love to.”
“Do you mind if I steal Ajax for a second? There’s some business we need to discuss.”
“Sure. I’ll catch you up at the stables,” she told Ajax, heading off.
When she was out of earshot, Hux pinned his son with a look. “Nice of you to show up today.”
Wow. “I’m actually taking some time off. So sue me.”
“Don’t speak too soon.”
Was he referring to the doping business and possible sanctions?
Man, he was so over this.
Ajax was walking away when Hux added, “She must be good.”
Bristling, Ajax slowly turned back. “If you’re talking about Veda—”
“It could be part of Darnel’s plan, you know,” Hux said, cutting in. “Make sure you’re sidetracked while it all crumples down around me.”
“Around you? Like I don’t put my heart and soul into this place?”
“Not lately. This time of year, you need to be here, doing your job. Once I didn’t have to tell you that.”
“Right. Once all I did was beg for every crumb of approval you’d toss my way.”
As a groom hurried past, eyes cast down, Hux lowered his voice. “You need to get your head on straight.”
“Which means?”
“Priorities. Open your eyes to what could be happening here.”
As Hux strode off, Ajax remembered how good Veda had felt in his arms last night, and then Fallon’s recollection that Veda believed the Rawsons were unscrupulous, too. Perhaps that had come from her dislike of all things horse racing–related. It didn’t mean that she would conspire to sell him out. Veda wouldn’t do that.
No way, no how.
* * *
That evening, Veda was thinking she might have to leave a message when Ajax finally picked up.
“Hey there,” he said, sounding beyond sexy.
“Hey, back.” She set aside her laptop with images on the screen of teacup poodles available from rescue groups. “Just thought I’d check in and see how it went with your dad today.”
“Hux is being a giant paranoid pain. I know we lost some business because of Booshang but...” He cursed under his breath. “I don’t want to talk about any of that.”
He sounded short, but she knew that wasn’t about her. If she was in his position, she’d be stressed, too.
After an amazing night spent together here in the guesthouse, after the way he had supported her yesterday when Drake was being so, well, Drake, she was feeling even better about her relationship with Ajax. There might be a mountain of things standing in their way, but at least now she felt more secure about his feelings for her. Yes, he’d been a stud in the past, but that didn’t mean he would always play the field. Hux had settled down eventually, hadn’t he? So maybe this liaison wasn’t as doomed as she had once thought.
“Did you speak with your dad today?” he asked.
“After we drove down to the hospital to get your car, I hung around for a while but he was still sulking, so I just dropped off those personal items I knew he’d need. He should be out in the next few days. I’ll stay here until then.”
She clicked on an image and sighed as a pair of adorable baby-blue puppy eyes melted her heart.
“You know, talking about Gus the other day got me thinking,” she said.
“Gus who?”
“My little poodle, remember?” she reminded him. “He was just so loving and cuddly and cute. I’ve always wanted another one.”
“Do it,” Ajax said. “Animals are great company.”
“As a matter of fact, I could use a little human company right now.” She shut her laptop lid. “Wanna hang out?”
There was a beat of silence.
“Actually, we had a visitor from Kentucky drop in out of the blue. Someone I haven’t seen in a while.”
Veda let out a breath as all her built-up anticipation deflated. The way he had kissed her goodbye this morning, the promise he’d made about seeing her again... Well, naturally she had hoped...she’d assumed...
But she didn’t want to act like a clinging vine.
“Oh, sure,” she said, opening her laptop again. “I understand. Did you work together?”
“Uh-huh. A jockey.”
“Would I know his name?”
“Fallon Kelly. She retired last year. Hux invited her to stay for dinner.”
Last year, after a Drake rant about being swindled out of a Belmont Stakes blue ribbon by a Rawson horse, Veda had googled the story. Fallon Kelly was not only a talented jockey, she was a beautiful and obviously self-possessed woman. In the story’s accompanying picture of Fallon with Ajax, she had radiated confidence. They obviously made a great team.
Putting aside a twinge of unease, Veda said, “Well, I’ll let you get back to your guest then.”
“I’ll call tomorrow.”
There was a long silence when something else needed to be said. Have fun didn’t fit. Be good was even worse. Love you was way too much, too soon. Although she was heading in that direction, which could hardly be a surprise. It was what she had feared from the start. Now...it was too late to try to push those growing feelings aside.
Finally he said, “Sleep tight. And good luck with the puppy search. Can’t wait to meet him.”
Veda put down the phone on a sigh. If the Rawsons and Darnels weren’t enemies, he might have invited her over to meet his guest. She would feel included rather than shunted aside. But it was only one night. This time tomorrow Fallon Kelly would be gone and Veda would be in Ajax’s arms once again.
Thirteen
Finally Drake deigned to see his daughter.
Sitting up in his hospital bed, Veda’s father was freshly shaved, wearing the pajamas she had dropped off for him two days earlier. Other than a bruised color around his eyes, he looked remarkably well and more than prepared to hold court.
As Veda entered the private room, he kept his stony gaze glued to hers, but he didn’t speak, which was clearly a tactic to make her sweat. Although Veda’s stomach was churning, she didn’t shrink away.
Taking a seat by the window, she let the seconds tick by as he continued the stare-off. Finally, his lips sucked in and he cleared his throat.
“I’m dry. Pour me a water, please.”
Veda got to her feet, poured a glass from a jug and handed it over.
“The doctor said you can leave in a couple of days,” she said while he sipped.
“I can find my own way,” he said, and then covered his mouth to cough.
“If you’re not feeling up to it, don’t rush yourself.” Making sure she looked unconcerned, she crossed her arms. “I imagine you’ve spoken to the stable manager and trainers so things would be sorted out there.”
“Did your boyfriend want you to ask me that?”
Veda was so taken aback, she almost fell sideways.
“I beg your pardon?”
“You invited him onto my property, didn’t you?” he bit out. “My God, a Rawson in my house. Did you think I wouldn’t find out? That my people wouldn’t pass on what they saw?”
She hadn’t noticed anyone around. Had Drake sent someone over from the stables to literally spy?
“It was bad enough,” he went on, “that you spend time with a Rawson boy. But it had to be Ajax, didn’t it? The biggest bastard of the pack.”
An impulse shot through her: she wanted to leap over and slap his face. But she wouldn’t stoop to his level. Instead, she bit her lip and, outwardly cool, simply tipped her head.
“He makes me happy,” she told him, recalling her mother saying the same thing about her cowboy once upon a time.
Drake sneered. “He’s even worse than his father. Always charming the women. Seeing who he can fool. Rawson men don’t care.”
“Hux Rawson cared about the woman he married. I’ve been told that they loved each other deeply.”
But this conversation was absurd.
“You’ve just survived a car accident, for God’s sake. Can’t you ever move on?”
Given his next question, clearly not.
“Married, you say?” Her father snickered. “Has Ajax asked you to marry him then?”
“Of course not!”
“Didn’t think so.”
Veda’s hands fisted at her sides. “Bitterness destroys a person, Drake,” she said. “It turns them rotten from the inside. It turns them bad.”
Her father’s eyes flashed at the same time he hurled his glass into a corner. As shards and water flew everywhere, Veda barely flinched. In fact, she stepped closer to the bed.
“Ajax is funny and laid-back. He’s charming and brave. People are naturally attracted to men like that.”
The corners of Drake’s mouth pulled down more. His words were a harsh, hateful whisper. “You like to hurt me.”
Veda withered. “You really are deluded.”
When she was halfway out the door, he called out. “I’m going home tomorrow. Friday.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be gone.”
“Veda.”
She counted to ten before she turned back around. “What now?”
“I’ve changed my mind.”
She looked at him hard. “Changed your mind about what exactly?”
“You can drive me home.” He fluffed the sheet. “Be here by nine. Don’t be late.”
* * *
Lanie was lost in her thoughts when the cab driver kicked off a conversation.
“Said on the radio there’s supposed to be a thunderstorm rolling in later today.”
> Glancing out the window, Lanie spotted a distant bank of clouds. “Rain is always nice.”
“Oh, sure. As long as it’s not too fierce.” The driver added, “I have a vegetable patch at home so I take notice. Beets and peas and onions this year.”
Lanie had gone back to her thoughts, trying to find a solution to her nagging problem, when the driver spoke again.
“Was it fine weather where you flew in from today? The rest of the state’s supposed to be clear.”
“I’m just back from visiting a friend in Germany.”
“That’s a long way to visit a pal,” he said with a gravelly chuckle.
“We have a lot in common. And it was a special occasion.”
Lanie had met her German friend at the Dressage World Championship in Tryon, North Carolina. She wasn’t able to attend Lanie’s birthday party, but with good reason. She’d been preparing for her wedding, at which Lanie had just been a bridesmaid.
Although not too many people knew, Lanie really wanted a family someday, and the ceremony, which was held in the private courtyard of a centuries-old winery estate, had pulled all her romantic strings. Aside from the scenery and the couple’s heartfelt vows, she couldn’t help but remember the other special person she met during that trip to North Carolina. Kade Wilder had been a guest at one of the events held at the championships. He was handsome, articulate and passionate about running for Congress.
They had spent the night talking and later followed each other on social media. When Lanie had posted about her party, Kade had messaged he would be in town and would love to personally pass on his wishes. He had arrived late, but the dance they had shared was worth every second of the wait. As he’d held her in his arms, she had practically drowned in the dark blue pools of his eyes.
She wasn’t the type to get goofy over a man, but her stomach had been filled with so many butterflies that night on the dance floor, and later when they had spoken alone. Perhaps the attraction was one-sided, though. Kade hadn’t tried to kiss her that night, and he hadn’t tried to contact her since.
“We’ll be there in thirty,” the driver said. “I’ve heard of Rawson’s farm. They’ve had plenty of winners over the years.”