by Robyn Grady
Getting out of the car, she took in Ajax’s plastic grin and the way his big shoulders in that chambray shirt slouched just a bit as he shook out his wet hands. He went to take a step closer, but then blinked and rocked back on his boot heels instead.
“Well, this is a double surprise,” he said, acknowledging Lanie, who was out of the car now, too. “Veda.” He jerked a thumb over his shoulder. “I mentioned Fallon Kelly was staying over. She used to ride for us.”
Still standing by that magnificent horse, obviously realizing that Veda was Ajax’s latest squeeze, Fallon sent over a half-hearted wave. Veda recognized her face from that story she’d read about her online. While Lanie joined Fallon, Veda and Ajax simply stood there, drilling into each other’s eyes.
“You want to come down to the office?” he asked her.
“I’m not holding you up?” Veda replied.
His eyebrows drew together before he nodded toward the path. They walked side by side, neither saying a word the entire way. When they got inside, they moved through to his private office, and he shut the door.
She wanted him to talk first. Would he try to say this was completely innocent, or that it was all in her head? Maybe the time had come where he would simply say that he felt bad about them not working out. That would definitely fit.
“I know what you’re thinking,” he said.
“What’s that?” she asked.
“That Fallon and I... That something’s going on.” He gave an exaggerated shrug. “We’re just friends.”
“If I could make an observation...”
He exhaled. “Go ahead.”
“I would put my money on her wanting way more than friendship.”
Veda almost expected him to deny knowing it, too. But he only searched her eyes as his bristled jaw worked from side to side. Veda’s stomach went into free fall.
“We went for a ride,” he said. “There was a clap of thunder. Fallon’s horse freaked and galloped home. That’s all there is to it.”
Veda’s throat was blocked with emotion. At the same time, she felt something akin to relief. This was really over. He didn’t want to admit that he and Fallon Kelly had slept together in the past. And it sure as hell seemed like they were sleeping together now.
“Okay,” she said.
His eyes narrowed. “Okay?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“I’m getting the impression that it matters a lot.”
She tried to ignore the tears pounding away at the backs of her eyes, threatening to break through.
“The bottom line is that I don’t trust you.”
His eyes grew darker as the line of his mouth hardened. But his voice remained level. She guessed he might actually be hurt. The Stud always did the dumping, not the other way around.
“So I’m the only one who’s supposed to embrace blind faith?”
She frowned. “What the hell are you talking about?”
“The Booshang fiasco. I keep defending you when other people think you might be involved.”
Talk about deflection. How dare he throw that other stuff in her face now.
He cut her off before she got to the door.
“We need to talk, Veda.”
Her unshed tears kept building up, but she held them back.
“I have nothing more to say.”
“I don’t know what you want from me.” He drove both hands through his damp hair. “Galloping down that hill, I swear I was only thinking of you.”
“Don’t worry.” She shoved past him. “You’ll get over it.”
Veda hated to think just how quick.
Fourteen
The next day, the stewards’ meeting was over in record time.
As Ajax left the building, he didn’t have a chance to rehash the findings with his family before a tidal wave of reporters descended. There were TV cameras crowding him in while microphones got shoved in his face.
“How do you feel about the decision?” one reporter asked.
“What’s your next move?” asked another.
“Clients have left Rawsons,” someone cried out from the back of the mob. “How badly has this discredited your name?”
In his faultless attorney style, Jacob stepped forward and spoke for the family.
“This meeting was a courtesy to let Ajax Rawson know that samples taken from Someone’s Prince Charming confirmed that no State Gaming Commission regulations were violated with regard to illegal drugs, medications or other substances. Furthermore, we would like to make clear that Mr. Rawson was not aware of Paul Booshang’s questionable actions on the day under investigation.”
A different reporter from a national network got her question in.
“Why did Paul Booshang implicate you, Ajax?”
Ajax stepped forward while his family arced around him. “You’d have to ask him. It seems bizarre and a total waste of time to me.”
“Today Booshang implicated another big stable owner in multiple past misdeeds dating back decades,” the same reporter said. “Will Drake Darnel be investigated?”
Hux fielded the question. “We can’t speak for anyone else.” He clapped Ajax on the shoulder. “We’re just glad to get back to business as usual.”
There were a few more questions asked and answered before Jacob stepped in again and closed the session.
“Well done,” Hux said, shaking both his sons’ hands as the reporters began to drift away. “And now that we’re all law-and-ordered out, I suggest we put on our feed bags.”
Wearing a smart pantsuit, Lanie piped up, “There’s a new place opened around the corner. Grape pie’s on the menu, I hear.” She found Susan’s gaze. “Not anywhere near as good as yours, of course. But it is the man of the hour’s favorite.”
Ajax loved grape pie almost as much as he loved the support his family was showing him. He couldn’t have been more pleased with the outcome. But for once he wasn’t particularly hungry. He was thinking about Veda. He couldn’t get her out of his mind.
Jacob was hugging the women goodbye. “I gotta go. I promised Buddy and Tea I’d cook my world’s best ever spaghetti tonight. Pasta from scratch. Sauce to die for.”
Susan planted a big kiss on his cheek. “You need to give me the recipe.”
“And we need to see the rest of the family up here again soon,” Hux added as he drew Susan close. “There’s nothing better.”
Clearly Hux and Susan were in love—had been for many years. There was a familiarity and trust that radiated whenever they were together, and it didn’t matter that they weren’t as young as they once were. That kind of love just grew and grew. It was real and it was lasting.
“I’m going to shoot off, too,” Griff said, checking his wristwatch.
“Big date tonight?” Jacob asked, nudging Ajax in the ribs as if to say, We know this dude’s game.
“As a matter of fact...none of your business.” Griff gave a wink as he headed off.
Which left four to enjoy that new place Lanie had recommended.
“Ajax, I need to apologize,” Hux said as the women walked off ahead of them.
Ajax wasn’t sure this was the right place or time.
“We can talk later, Dad.”
“It’s been weighing on my mind...how I expected too much of you, and even learned to depend on you. You’re right. I don’t show nearly enough gratitude for what you do. I haven’t truly acknowledged how much you’ve sacrificed.”
Ajax felt as if his chest just puffed out ten inches. He and Hux had said some things to each other they shouldn’t have. It was good to hear his father open up this way.
“We wouldn’t be nearly as successful,” Hux went on, “if it weren’t for all the hours you put in every week.”
“Well, I love taking care of my team.”
Susan w
as calling out, “You guys coming?”
Hux replied, “Be right there.” Then he caught Ajax’s gaze again and gave a definitive nod. “Jacob has his career. Griff and Lanie, too. And you, Ajax, have made a real name for yourself in this industry, not only as a trainer and businessman but as a gentleman.”
Ajax ran a finger around the inside of his collar. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
“People enjoy your company. They want to work with you. Yes, we’ve had some losses these past weeks, but that won’t take away from your legacy.”
Legacy? “I’m not that old, am I?”
“Well, you’re old enough for this.” Hux reached into his jacket’s inner pocket and drew out a folded document. “You deserve this, son. I should have taken care of it sooner.”
When Ajax unfolded the paperwork, his stomach did a flip. He could barely believe his eyes. “This is a partnership agreement.”
“Between you and me for the farm.”
Ajax coughed out a laugh. This was precisely what he’d wanted. What he had decided to demand as long overdue. Inside he was kicking his heels, pumping both fists, because he was legitimately happy.
Yep.
He really was.
“It needs your signature,” Hux explained as Ajax handed the contract back.
“Sure.” He blew out a shaky breath over a smile and added, “Thanks. I really mean that.”
“I know you do.” Hux hesitated. “But I can see you’re focused on something else right now.”
Ajax rolled back his shoulders, shook his head. “You don’t want to know.”
“Let me guess. Veda Darnel.” When Ajax nodded, Hux’s expression deepened. “I owe you an apology there, too. I attacked that girl’s character when, of course, she wasn’t involved in the Booshang mess. Veda Darnel is important to you. I should have given that more consideration before running my mouth off. I was just pissed at her father shooting his mouth off to the press...pointing fingers...”
A reporter rushed over—the same guy who had asked about their next move.
“A heads-up,” the reporter said. “We’re all shooting over to get a statement from Darnel.”
“You’re out of luck,” Ajax said. “Drake Darnel is in the hospital.”
“Negative. My sources say he got out this morning. I’m not sure that he knows he’s been implicated in the wrongdoing today.” The reporter was striding away. “We’re about to find out.”
“They never let up,” Hux said, removing his hat to dab his brow with a monogrammed handkerchief. “Hell, I almost feel sorry for Drake having to face it alone, and with no warning.”
Ajax didn’t care about Drake Darnel. As that reporter jumped into a news van and sped off, he was thinking about the one person who didn’t deserve a grilling. The only person he cared about right now.
Veda.
* * *
Earlier that morning, when Veda had arrived, the doctor had yet to finish his rounds and give her father a green light to leave. In the waiting room, Veda had taken the time to reaffirm her decision, effective as of today.
To say Drake Darnel was a difficult man was an understatement. This week he had provoked not one but two significant disagreements. Rarely did he show that he cared. As far as fatherly affection was concerned, he’d missed practically every class. But that was on him.
Veda had her own life now.
The drive home from the hospital had been strained. Now as Drake walked into the house and headed for the kitchen, Veda took in his lanky figure. He was getting older...more gray hair and even more impatience. When she was a little girl, of course she had respected him. Growing up, she had no choice but to endure his miserable moods. Even as an adult, she had taken his BS. But now, if Drake wasn’t on board with the whole mutual respect thing—if he wanted to continue with this crazy controlling crap—then she didn’t need to be around him anymore.
She was done.
In the kitchen, he found his favorite Wedgwood cup and saucer. After the water boiled, he brewed his pungent green tea without a word or a look. She knew the drill. Her father dished out his silent treatment as often as sharks shed teeth.
As he lifted the cup, he sniffed and said, “Thank you for collecting me this morning.”
Veda’s reply was hollow. Automatic.
“You’re welcome.”
“The doctor said that I’m well enough to drive again now.”
Meaning he didn’t need her to taxi him around in one of his many cars housed in that huge, pristine garage.
Wonderful.
He took his time slicing a lemon and squeezing just enough into the brew before his gaze lifted to meet hers for the first time that day.
“This hasn’t been a good week,” he said.
“Tell me about it.”
He grunted and squeezed some more lemon.
“Veda, are you still seeing that man?”
She stiffened. Firstly, she didn’t want to think about Ajax right now. She wished she never had to think about him again. Secondly, her father needed to back off.
“I won’t discuss Ajax Rawson with you,” she replied.
“I think we need to talk about it,” he said.
“I really don’t.”
“Come into the living room and we’ll sit down.”
As he moved toward her, Veda’s patience expired and she held up her hand for him to stop.
“I won’t do this anymore.”
He frowned. “Do what?”
“I need to walk away. I mean really walk away. I should have done it a long time ago.”
His brow furrowed before he scratched an ear and set his cup and saucer back down on the counter.
“I need to show you something,” he said. “Something I see every day and yet never want to acknowledge.”
Veda pushed out a heavy breath. “You’re talking in riddles.” Trying to manipulate her.
“A riddle... I suppose it is. Maybe we can solve it together.”
Veda narrowed her eyes at him. She hadn’t heard him use this tone before, or this tactic. “You aren’t making any sense.”
“Why don’t you come and see for yourself?” When she continued to study him, trying to work out the trap, his eyebrows pinched before a small smile hooked one side of his mouth.
“Please, Veda?” he asked.
She couldn’t remember a time when Drake had looked anything close to vulnerable. Whatever this riddle was, she had to see it.
She followed him through to the den, a large, well-appointed room with its own library, wet bar and assortment of fine art, including a full-sized bronze horse sculpture at the dead center of the room. Drake went to stand behind his ultra-tidy desk and waited for her to join him. When they were side by side, he slid open the top left-hand drawer, reached inside and pulled out three items...a pair of gold wedding rings and a photograph. A family photograph from when Veda was a little girl, prior to going to school.
He laid the rings in his palm and flipped over the photo—the inscription on the back read, “Veda’s three!”—before placing it faceup on the desk. In awe, she took in the image of father, mother and daughter sitting on the chesterfield in the living room. Drake was so young, with dark hair and no scowl lines. With her cheek pressed against Veda’s, her beautiful mom was beaming. The room was packed with people smiling for the camera or looking adoringly at the lucky girl with her striking cloud of red curls. Drake was holding a kids’ picture book—a birthday gift, Veda assumed.
As she let the image sink in, Veda’s throat ached with emotion. There was gratitude that she had once known this kind of support coupled with a near-desperate longing to know it again. She was still digesting the fact that Drake had kept those wedding rings and this happy family snapshot when he drew a fourth item from the drawer. It was an old book.
The one in the photo.
“I wanted you to grow up to be smart and happy,” he said, focusing on the cartoon barn animal scene on the book’s cover.
Absorbing every detail of the cover, with its two horses, cow, three pigs and fluffy little dog, Veda got this warm, rippling feeling. She couldn’t be sure, but it was so similar to the picture she’d had in her mind for so long...an image of how her own animal farm might look.
Her father cleared his throat but then studied the photograph again with a smile she had never seen on him before...like he not only remembered but also cherished having had that joy in his life.
“I spent practically all my time on the business,” he said, “making sure you were both well provided for...that you could grow up with everything you needed and deserved. The trouble started the day after this party. She asked me to spend more time with you both. As the years went by, her patience turned into irritation and, ultimately, despair.”
Veda picked up the musty-smelling photo and looked into her mother’s smiling eyes. So many times she remembered her saying that she had only ever wanted three things: a happy child, a nice home and a good husband. Was that too much to ask?
“The more your mom insisted I put work second,” he went on, “the more I retreated and looked back, clutching on to something—someone—who had never truly been mine. To take my mind off fixing a real problem, being less selfish, I began to focus on that aspect of my life. I picked and picked until I felt it like a scab on my heart.”
He was talking about the woman Hux Rawson had fallen in love with and married. The mother Ajax had lost around the same time Veda’s own mom had died.
“I was an uncompromising fool, stuck in my ways.” Drake eyes were glistening. “I threw it all away.”
Veda had never heard her father speak like this before...with insight and humility. Like a human being rather than a cracked and bitter shell.
“I saw you slap her once,” she said.
He cringed like he remembered it well. “She had stopped talking to me. Stopping caring altogether. I thought she might have someone else.” He shook his head hard. “I was wrong. There’s no excuse. None.”