MILLIONAIRE'S SHOT: Second Chance Romance

by Bev Pettersen

  “Lean further over his shoulder when you swing,” Cassie called, walking toward the middle of the field so she’d be closer to Grace and Freckles. “Just make sure you don’t hit his legs.”

  Grace leaned over the saddle, concentration evident in the set of her chin. She pulled back her mallet and swung. There was a satisfying crack and the ball bounced over the grass. Grace whooped with triumph and even Freckles appeared pleased, his eyes tracking the ball as it rolled down the field.

  “Well done!” Cassie called, her voice lifting with excitement. “Now trot to the ball and hit it again.”

  Freckles seemed to understand the directions. He pricked his ears and trotted after the ball, even approaching from the left as if aware his rider held the mallet in her right hand. He was remarkably helpful, positioning himself for the swing and remaining rock solid until Grace’s seat was safely back in the saddle.

  There were no control issues from riding him in a halter either. He wasn’t trying to take advantage of the fact that he had no bit in his mouth, or that his rookie rider wasn’t giving him much guidance.

  Grace hit the ball again and it trickled across the goal line.

  “I did it” she called, pumping her mallet in the air. “I love this game. I love this horse!”

  Cassie laughed. Freckles wasn’t at all concerned about the mallet waving so close to his face. He was fearless, the type of horse determined to do a good job no matter the task. And he inspired confidence in Grace, who was now leaning forward and hitting the ball with the gusto of a more advanced player. The groundwork they’d done with the mallet had also helped. She wasn’t missing many balls.

  Grace trotted back to Cassie, a grin splitting her face. She pulled Freckles to a stop and showered him with neck pats. “He’s following the ball by himself. How does he know to do that?”

  “He thinks like a cowhorse,” Cassie said. “Except he’s working the ball, not a steer.” She set the bucket of balls on the grass. “Freckles is taking great care of you. Maybe you should reward him now. For the movies, we give the animals a break every hour.”

  “I’ll get off now,” Grace said quickly. “Loosen his girth and let him eat some grass in the shade. Then afterwards maybe we can practice some more?” Cassie gave an approving nod. Grace might be heir to billions but she definitely knew to take care of her horse. It had taken Gramps time to teach Alex that same lesson. When his father had first dropped him off, Alex had viewed horses as machines, questioning why Cassie was always trying to find shade.

  “You don’t even own most of these horses,” he’d said. “They’re just at your grandfather’s for training.”

  “They still get hot,” she said, squeezing her horse behind the barn, on the tiny strip of shaded ground where her grandfather always took his riding breaks. “Gramps says to treat them firmly but with kindness and respect. Then they’ll try harder.”

  Alex had just rolled his eyes and sauntered into the kitchen to grab a glass of water. But the next week he found some old boards and a tarp, and made a bigger overhang against the outer wall of the barn. After that there was room for three horses and they always had the perfect spot to stand and take a break.

  It was sometimes hard to analyze his reasons but once he decided a course of action, he always followed it. He’d certainly taught Grace to take good care of her animals. For some reason, Grace just hadn’t enjoyed riding…until now. So maybe Gramps was right and the girl really did fear her mother.

  Cassie pulled two bottles of water from the bucket and followed Grace to the tree line. The girl had already dismounted and was loosening her girth, crooning to Freckles the entire time. She might be reserved like Alex but fortunately she’d also inherited his innate kindness, not Rachel’s mercenary nature.

  Freckles lowered his head to grab bites of grass, as if aware he was being rewarded with free time and considered it his due.

  “It’s good he already has a halter on,” Grace said. “It’s easier for him to chew without a bit in his mouth. I won’t be able to do this when I take him home though. Mom doesn’t let her horses eat grass when they’re saddled. And I really want her to like him.”

  “She will,” Cassie said, passing Grace a bottle of water. “But it’s fun to hang out with your horse and take grass breaks together. It builds a bond.”

  “At our stable the grooms hold the horses,” Grace said. “And Mom and Santiago take their breaks in the office.”

  Of course, Cassie thought, twisting the cap off her water bottle. The Sutherland barn had an air-conditioned lounge with a full kitchen and bar. The office was similarly equipped, but located at the back and much more private. Rachel and Santiago clearly spent a lot of time together. Maybe if Rachel had a new boyfriend she’d give up her fixation on Alex, and it wouldn’t be necessary to spend time on a plane or live miles apart in a secret house.

  She sipped her water, picturing Santiago. She’d only met him that one day at the Club but he was definitely handsome with striking dark features and an athletic build. No doubt, women found the star player attractive. But there had been something in his eyes, a careful watchfulness that had been rather disconcerting. Of course, she and Gramps had been upset about Ginger, more or less accusing Santiago of going back on his word. Naturally the man had been displeased.

  “How long has Santiago ridden for your mom?” Cassie asked, stepping forward and swatting a stubborn horsefly off Freckles’ rump.

  “About two years,” Grace said. “Mom met him at a tournament in Florida. He really helps the team and they’ve been winning a lot more since he came. The last trophy was so nice Mom put it in the display case. She’s getting so good at polo.”

  At usual Grace talked more about her mother’s abilities than her father. She didn’t seem to realize Alex was much more accomplished. But where did Santiago fit in? Maybe he was the one who intimidated Grace. It sounded like she had stopped riding about two years ago, about the same time Santiago had arrived. And Grace had refused to take a lesson from him when Cassie had been away at the Center. Maybe it wasn’t fear but simple aversion.

  Cassie pressed her lips together, loath to pump a student for information. She sat down, trying to focus instead on counting the polo balls in the bucket. It was a luxury to have so many. Seven were scattered in the grass behind the goal posts but those could be retrieved at the end of the lesson. That was another fun thing Grace could do with Freckles. Gather balls. A nice safe activity, away from Santiago.

  And then she couldn’t keep her mouth shut any longer. Because if Grace was afraid of Santiago, there was probably good reason. And she couldn’t ignore it. “Do you hang out in the office too?” she asked. “You know, with your mom and Santiago?”

  “No,” Grace said. “Mom and Santiago need to talk, and plan their game plays in private. So I help the grooms. Sometimes they let me bandage if a horse is quiet enough.”

  Cassie’s gaze turned to Freckles’ legs. It was standard to wrap a horse’s legs to protect against swinging mallets. And Grace had done an excellent job bandaging. The polo wraps were snug and even. “Did your mother teach you how to wrap?” she asked.

  “Oh, no,” Grace said, her eyes widening. “Mom doesn’t do that. Grooms take care of that stuff. That’s why we pay them. And then polo creates jobs for the ones who can’t afford horses. Mom is really nice about helping people like that.” But her words sounded hollow and she shot Cassie an odd look. “You think Mom’s nice, right?”

  “Of course.” Cassie fingered the handle of the bucket, afraid Grace had caught something in her expression. “Your mom is definitely a hard-working polo player,” she added, reaching for something positive to say. “Very committed. I worked as a groom at your stable when she was in college. Your dad brought her back to play sometimes. She practiced all day.”

  “In New York she never had good horses to ride,” Grace said. “But after she met Dad, she was able to ride on better teams. And have better polo ponies. It’s important to play
to win. Especially when people are watching.”

  Grace bent and plucked a daisy. She rolled the stem between her fingers then slowly pulled off each pedal. She didn’t say anything else and the only sound was of Freckles chomping grass.

  Grace stared a long moment at her hand. Then she abruptly opened her fingers, dropping the mutilated flower fall to the ground. “That’s why she doesn’t want me to ride,” she said tonelessly. “Because I’m fat. And people will see. She’s embarrassed I’m not very good. And that I’ll take up too much of Dad’s time.”

  Cassie gaped, swept with anger and an aching empathy. Rachel didn’t want Grace to ride? And Grace knew it?

  “But it’ll be different with Freckles,” Grace went on. “She’ll finally be proud of me. And maybe it’ll even be fun again.”

  Cassie jerked to her feet so fast she knocked over the bucket of balls. This was definitely abuse, emotional abuse of the worst kind. “You should talk to your dad about this.”

  “No! He’ll just get angry at Mom. And I don’t want him to leave.”

  “Your dad won’t leave you,” Cassie said, blinking in dismay.

  “Yes, he will. And then I’ll have to move to Argentina with Mom and Santiago, and I’ll never see him again.”

  “So you’d rather live with your dad?”

  “I want to live with them both.” Grace twisted at her hands, her face flushed with emotion. “I want everything to stay exactly like it is now,” she said. “And I want to talk about a different subject, please.”

  “Okay,” Cassie said, her heart aching for the young girl. “How about I get a horse and we pass the ball back and forth? See how Freckles behaves in a game situation.”

  “That will be nice. But please don’t tell Mom I was talking about her. Or Santiago when he comes.”

  “Santiago?” Cassie asked, her head still spinning from Grace’s revelation. “Is he coming here?”

  “Yes,” Grace said. “I heard Dad tell him to drive over here and check out your horses today. They were talking low though, so I couldn’t hear everything.”

  Probably whispering so no one would hear. Rachel definitely wouldn’t like the idea of her right-hand man fraternizing with the enemy. No doubt Santiago would be displeased as well—forced to drive to Gramps’ rundown property and evaluate some horses, instead of lounging in an air-conditioned office, flirting with Rachel.

  Didn’t matter though, because Alex’s word was law. And with Santiago’s approval, Gramps would have a chance at selling to the collegiate team. Santiago would have to judge the horses as suitable…if he were honest. At least he was coming here to ride and would be removed from Rachel’s influence.

  Gramps would be ecstatic with this news. Cassie just hoped Santiago would give them a fair trial. And that she’d have a chance to tell Alex about his daughter’s reluctant disclosure.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  Cassie winced as Santiago leaned down and took another belly shot, fearlessly swinging his mallet between Digger’s churning legs. She peeked at her grandfather, checking his reaction. It was great that Santiago had come today, but her grandfather had never condoned high risk shots. And to possibly lame a horse Santiago didn’t own seemed rather irresponsible…unless he was acting on Rachel’s instructions.

  However her grandfather didn’t make a sound. He simply crossed his arms and looked stoic. He’d insisted on walking down to the south field to watch, but now she wished he’d remained on the porch. This was simply too important. If Santiago liked the horses, the college would reconsider their purchase. Heck, even if he just liked one of them, it would provide Gramps with some income. It would also be one less horse to feed, one less animal for him to worry about.

  “Digger sure looks different with Santiago riding,” Grace said. “I didn’t realize he could run so fast.”

  Cassie nodded, deciding she needed to be more grateful. Alex had kindly asked Santiago to come, and the man was here. No doubt about it, Santiago was a superb rider. He was giving quite a show. Digger zipped around the field, responding instantly to his rider’s commands. He wasn’t as fast as Ginger but he was agile and gallant, and not at all intimidated by Santiago’s mallet swinging so close to his fragile legs.

  “I thought you didn’t allow belly shots on your horses,” Grace said. She lowered her voice even though Santiago was galloping at the far end of the field.

  “They’re okay if you’re a pro,” Cassie said, trying to be diplomatic. “And Santiago has excellent timing.”

  But Gramps gave a derisive snort. “A millionaire’s shot,” he muttered. “The only people that try those are the rich. Because they don’t care about crippling up their horses.”

  “But Mom tries those shots all the time,” Grace said.

  “Exactly,” Gramps said.

  Cassie gave him a quick nudge, suspecting everything they said would be repeated to Rachel. “Digger and Santiago both look great out there,” she said, changing the subject. “They’re working well together. We should have shaved Digger’s mane first though, like Ginger’s. So it doesn’t tangle up the reins.”

  “I suppose,” Gramps said. “But other disciplines prefer a mane. I hate to cut it until I’m positive he’s going to a polo home. Digger does seem to trust Santiago though. And I’m glad he came here because I refuse to let my horses go out on trial again.” His voice darkened. “Not after what happened to Ginger.”

  “I’m going back to the barn now,” Grace said.

  She turned and retreated up the path, her shoulders hunched.

  “Please don’t talk about Rachel when Grace is around,” Cassie said, giving her grandfather a reproachful look. “No one likes to hear negative things about their parents.”

  “I’m always upfront with my students,” Gramps said. “With everyone. You know that. Besides, that kid already knows the truth. She’s just not used to hearing it. And I’m not afraid of Rachel.”

  Cassie sighed. He should be afraid. Rachel had already damaged his reputation, and the only reason Santiago was here today was because of Alex. Quite likely Santiago hadn’t even told Rachel that he was coming. Which meant the horses had to be approved today, before Grace went home and told her mother about his visit.

  Santiago galloped a graceful loop around the goal line then cantered toward them, tall and motionless in the saddle. Usually she could tell when a rider liked a horse but his helmet shaded the top of his face, and his lower jaw was unreadable. She pressed her palms against her jeans. Felt her grandfather stiffen beside her. Despite his brave talk, he knew Santiago’s approval was critical.

  Santiago pulled Digger to a halt. He pulled off his helmet, and it was clear now that he was smiling. “I like this horse,” he said. “He’s not as fast as your mare but he’s more tractable. I put him under a lot of pressure and he handled it well. He’d be a solid mount for any college team.”

  Cassie didn’t realize she was holding her breath until it escaped in a rush of relief.

  “I have two more, about the same level as him,” Gramps said quickly. “I’m sure you’ll like them too. Cassie can tack them up.”

  “No,” Santiago said, shaking his head. “I don’t have time to ride any more horses. It’s a busy time with lots going on. Maybe in the fall.”

  Cassie met Gramps’ gaze, and the disappointment she saw in his face mirrored her own. September would be too late. The college intended to purchase their horses by the end of the month.

  Her eyes narrowed on Santiago. He was the collegiate advisor. Surely he knew their buying plans.

  “The committee is in the process of making a short list,” she said, studying his expression. “We’d like our horses to be on that list.”

  Santiago shrugged. The smile remained on his face but he adjusted the reins, avoiding her gaze. And then she understood. This was all futile. He’d come today because of Alex. But he worked for Rachel. And he wasn’t about to do anything to jeopardize relations with her—whatever that relationship was.r />
  “We can have the horses ready in minutes,” Gramps said. And the plea in his voice wrenched at Cassie’s chest. “They won’t take long to evaluate. They’re nice horses too, sound and athletic. Tex is a little green but he’s almost as fast as Ginger. We’ll bring them both down at the same time. I’ll hurry.”

  He twisted toward the path but Cassie placed a hand on his arm, hating to hear her proud grandfather reduced to begging. “It’s okay,” she said. “Santiago knows they’re nice horses. And that they’d be great for the college. But he works for someone else.”

  She couldn’t resist shooting Santiago a hard glare. It wouldn’t affect him—the man was too arrogant—but it made her feel better.

  However, his reaction surprised her. He actually looked rather surprised. Then a look of resignation crossed his face. “That’s right,” he admitted, leaning over Digger’s neck. “And the college won’t buy your horses unless my boss wants it to happen. So my opinion is irrelevant. Until I have further direction, we’re all just wasting time. Yours as well as mine.”

  His gaze cut over her head, and he straightened in the saddle.

  Cassie swung around. Alex had stepped from the path in the trees and was striding toward them. “How’s it going?” he asked.

  Santiago gave a polite nod. “I like this horse,” he said. “Jake did an excellent job with his training.”

  “Did you try the other two yet?” Alex asked.

  Santiago shook his head.

  “But you’re going to,” Alex said, and it wasn’t a question.

  “Yes, of course. If that’s what you want.” Santiago quickly replaced his helmet. “I’ll check out whatever they bring me.”

  “It would be easier for you to ride back to the barn,” Alex said, “than for Cassie or Jake to walk. You’re quite capable of tacking up a horse. We’ll wait for you here.”

  Santiago looked at Cassie then inclined his head. She nodded back, her mouth twitching. She didn’t dare look at her grandfather for fear she might laugh. And she didn’t want to rouse Santiago’s resentment any further. But it was enjoyable to see the man brought down a peg, even if it wouldn’t help. Obviously, once Santiago reported the day’s events to Rachel, she’d do her best to scuttle any sale.