Thoroughbreds and Trailer Trash

by Bev Pettersen

  Two swinging doors and they were in the Center. The rest of the way she knew by memory. It was a little creepy, picking their way through the dark, but Peanut’s stoic presence was reassuring.

  A horse nickered and Peanut’s ears pricked. Poor guy. He was a friendly fellow but his contact with other animals was minimal. She straightened his head and led him into the solar chamber. Pressed a switch. The lights lowered, the sound grating in the dark. A clear light covered both her and the pony.

  She eyed the clock, monitoring the time. Larry, the night watchman, checked the building every hour but his routine never varied. Top of the hour, every hour. She should be in and out of the Center with time to spare.

  “Hope this works, fellow,” she whispered, resisting her impulse to stroke his neck. The floor had been washed at the end of the day, and she didn’t want to leave any evidence of their visit or cause any extra work for the technician.

  Ping! Both she and Peanut jumped as the timer sounded. Sometimes twenty minutes felt like an hour, and it seemed as though they had both been dozing. She raised the lights, turned off the switch, and Peanut trustingly followed her back down the aisle.

  They squeezed through Wally’s apartment door and onto the walkway. She replaced the key with a sense of relief. Done.

  A truck roared up the drive and her hand tightened around the lead line. Definitely a diesel. Hopefully Wally. But just in case, she tugged Peanut into the shadows, straining to see.

  Aw shit, not Wally. Her heart pounded as Larry stopped his truck and stepped out. Not good. He wasn’t the smartest guy around but he was methodical. He’d definitely check all the doors, including Wally’s apartment. Damn Burke must have changed the times. Shit, shit, shit!

  But maybe Burke wouldn’t freak out. He seemed so tolerant around her, even amused. However, the rational part of her brain knew he couldn’t overlook this. She’d have to be fired. He’d expressly forbidden Peanut to set foot in the Center. Had even given what he thought were valid reasons. And maybe they were to him but she loved her little pony.

  She choked back a panicky breath, her mind scrambling. Tied Peanut to the doorknob, praying he wouldn’t nicker, then tugged off her sweatshirt and tied it around her waist. Sucked in several gulps of air and jogged out, forcing her breath to come in rapid-fire huffs as though she were in the middle of a strenuous run.

  Not difficult. Her heart already raced, and a line of sweat trickled between her breasts.

  “Hi there, Larry,” she called, meeting him between Wally’s door and the truck. “I’ve been jogging every night but haven’t seen you around.”

  “Mr. Burke instructed me to change patrol times. Not much crime around here but it’s good to shake things up.”

  “Yeah. Good idea,” she said brightly. Damn Burke.

  Larry continued toward Wally’s apartment but she rushed forward, pausing under the white driveway light and blocked his path. “I jogged by Wally’s door and it’s secure. You don’t have to do this end.”

  “Thanks, Jenna, but I still have to check,” he said. “It’s my job to keep everyone safe.”

  She smiled and widened her eyes. “Yes, and I personally feel much safer, knowing you’re around, changing up the schedule. You’re so smart. You probably walk another route too…checking different doors first.”

  “Yes. That’s right.” He shuffled his feet and glanced toward the far end of the building. “Sometimes I do check the receiving doors first.”

  She nodded encouragingly. “They’re probably the easiest doors to jimmy open.” She smiled over her shoulder and edged along the walkway, relieved when he followed her away from Wally’s door.

  “Maybe I’ll see you up here tomorrow night,” he called as he veered off the path and followed the walkway along the back of the building.

  “Maybe,” she said. “What time are you coming?”

  “Ten ten, and then again at ten fifty. I can bring you a cold drink, if you want?”

  “Oh, I can’t drink when I’m running, but it’s nice to know you’re around. You hurry now and check those side doors. You never know what’s out there.” She faked a nervous shiver. “You do have a gun, don’t you?”

  He nodded, patting his bulky holster. “Right here on my hip. And I completed my firearms course and a second update. Mr. Burke was happy to hear that.”

  “I bet he was,” she said dryly. She backed out of the light before pretending to jog away, peeking over her shoulder until the beam of his powerful light disappeared around the building.

  She wheeled, retraced her steps through the mantle of darkness and untied Peanut. “You are one smart fellow,” she whispered. She couldn’t resist giving him a big pat then hustled the obliging pony into the woods, up the path and back to his safe kennel.

  Chapter Nine

  “Tea? Lemon? Really, sir, you are too kind.” Jenna stared in delight as Burke placed a teacup, complete with a slice of fresh lemon, on the table beside her stack of files.

  The corner of his mouth lifted in a familiar twitch. “If it makes rebellious employees call me ‘sir,’ I’ll bring fresh lemon every morning.”

  “Really? But I’m starting to like the name Burke.”

  “So am I, Jenna.” He reached down and flipped through the files, not looking at her. “Actually I have a favor to ask.”

  “Oh, of course. Hence the tea.” She leaned back in her chair, hiding her disappointment with a flippant smile.

  “The big horse’s owners are flying in next week for a tour of Three Brooks,” Burke said. “They’re a brother and sister team, but according to my sources the brother makes all the decisions.” He dropped a brochure on the table. ‘Ridgeman Racing Stables’ was splashed in glitzy gold letters across the front.

  “Ah,” she breathed, staring in admiration at the chestnut with the imperious head pictured on the front cover. “Then the Derby horse must be Mr. Nifty. He’s coming here? Oh, my.” She lifted both hands, waggling her fingers in anticipation. “I can’t wait to touch him.”

  A low noise sounded and she jerked her head up. Burke was actually laughing, a deep sexy laugh that softened his chiseled jaw and made her forget all about horses. He circled the table, still chuckling. “We do this tour right, you’ll be able to touch him all over,” he said.

  Touch him all over. She swallowed, yanking her gaze off Burke’s beautiful mouth, and staring instead at his ridged forearms. But that wasn’t wise either. She feared she might lick her lips. It had been a little too long since she’d stopped seeing Colin, and she’d always had a thing for muscles. Probably a natural fixation developed from working with big horses. Completely understandable.

  She cleared her throat. “So you want me to help take the owners around? No problem. I’ve done quite a few tours.”

  “Yes, that’s what the receptionist said.” When he turned around, his smile had been replaced with a customary scowl. “I’m not exactly sure what Frances does behind that counter besides crossword puzzles. I expected she could look after some tours. We may have to make a position adjustment.”

  There was no doubt what he meant. “She’s fine,” Jenna said quickly. “Just a little set in her ways. She keeps the feed room clean and the staff washroom. Beside, I always do the tours with Wally. Usually I look after technical questions and he looks after the business side.”

  “Really? Wally doesn’t know the technical side?”

  There it was again and she took a hasty sip of tea. First a threat to Frances and now obvious disapproval of Wally. All in thirty seconds. Burke was so damn attractive, she sometimes forgot he was also dangerous. Big mistake. She set her cup on the table, hiding her slight tremor.

  “Of course, Wally knows the technical side,” she said. “But it’s just the way we did things. He’s great with people. And smart. You might want to consider using him for the tour. After all, he’ll need to build a relationship with Nifty’s people.”

  Burke stepped closer and abruptly dropped three green files
in front of her. One ‘N’ and two ‘M’s.’ ‘Murphy, Jenna’ included. She couldn’t believe her luck.

  “You want me to work on these now?” she asked, trying not to stare at her name. “And once I check everyone’s certificates, their salaries are adjusted?” She kept her voice neutral, almost bored. This was way too easy.

  “Not quite. Anyone you find eligible for a pay hike, based on educational qualifications, will then sign a document testifying validity. Employees are automatically terminated for falsehood, so it provides us with recourse…in the event action is required.”

  She swallowed a lump the size of her fist but crossed her arms and shrugged, pretending the topic was all rather amusing. “Terminated? What a ridiculous word. Why don’t you just say fired? And nobody’s going to fake something so easily checked. Gosh, don’t you trust us?”

  He turned, crossed to the large window, and studied the workmen. Silent. If he were trying to intimidate her, it worked.

  She forced a disdainful sniff and flipped open a file but couldn’t resist a cautious peek. He still stared out the window, his broad back to her. Everyone had an outlet, and it was obvious construction was his. That fresh piney smell showed he’d been working with wood again. His hard hat had been tossed on the corner chair, the battered white hat that had been so misleading on his first day.

  Sometimes she wished he were a simple laborer. A saw whirred from outside and someone laughed, but it seemed like hours since anyone in this office had spoken. He hadn’t answered her question, and it was painfully apparent he didn’t trust them.

  “Why didn’t you just go into the construction industry?” she asked quietly, unable to remain silent.

  “My family would have been appalled.”

  “You like this instead?” She gestured at the files in frustration. “Searching for weak links, entrapping employees, firing well-meaning staff? Frances and Wally are good people.”

  He spun from the window and stalked toward the door, his voice clipped. “Better get to work. This isn’t efficient use of company time.”

  The door closed behind him with a controlled click. Heck, he didn’t even slam doors. She picked up her tea, trying to warm her cold hands, trying to ignore the fact she’d just been given a very clear warning.

  It would be risky to sign a paper, but it was too late to back out now. Besides she and Em needed that eighteen-percent raise and since she was stuck in Burke’s office, laboring over boring files, there should be some type of reimbursement. Or at least that’s what she tried to tell herself.

  She dropped her head in her hands and sighed, wishing Burke wasn’t her boss, wishing she wasn’t grade-eleven stupid and wishing the expensive lemon didn’t leave such a bitter aftertaste.

  ***

  Jenna patted the chestnut gelding on the neck and nodded at the handler, pleased with his progress. “Guess he’s returning to the track tomorrow. Is he scheduled for the saltwater spa?”

  “Going there now.” The wiry man holding the gelding paused, his gaze darting to the floor then back to her face. “Jenna, I was wondering if you’d ask Mr. Burke if…well, I was hoping you’d ask if we could take a break at ten? You know, we might need to use the bathroom, have a smoke, and, well it’d be nice to have a regular break.”

  “Just take it, Jim.” She shook her head in exasperation. This was the third time today someone had asked her to approach Burke. “He’s actually very reasonable as long as you do your work. Besides, you never worried about smoke breaks before.”

  “With Wally, we just took them when we wanted.” Jim had the grace to flush. “It never really mattered.”

  “Well, I’m afraid those days are over.” She gave a rueful smile. “This place is going to be quite busy.”

  “Wally said if we banded together, we might be able to force Mr. Burke to re-install him as manager.”

  “Wally said that?” She shook her head at the ridiculous notion Burke could be forced to do anything. “Where is Wally anyway?”

  “Out back, doing inventory. A little pissed about it too.”

  Of course. Wally wasn’t accustomed to grunt work. She nodded, pushed open the swinging door and walked down the aisle past the reception area.

  “What’s another word for superfluous?” Frances asked, poking her head up from her crossword puzzle. “Nine letters.”

  “Redundant.” Jenna paused. “Maybe you should spend less time with your puzzles and work at the computer a bit more. Sweep twice a day instead of once.” Annoyance darkened Frances’s round face. “Just until Burke goes,” Jenna added. “Just to be safe.”

  “But I smile at him now. And I answer the phone.”

  “But it hardly rings.” Jenna softened her voice, trying to be tactful. Frances could be quite spiteful if annoyed; conversely the woman’s feelings were easily bruised. “Everyone uses cell phones now. I’ll continue to do the tours but why don’t you tell Burke you’d be happy to do some of his typing?”

  “Maybe.” But Frances flounced back in her seat, clearly resentful. “By the way, I saw your sister’s boyfriend on Facebook,” she added snidely. “They seem to be having a good time. Take a look.”

  Jenna leaned over the counter. Emily’s face flashed on the screen followed by a black sports car. A skinny, nondescript guy leaned against the fender, one arm around Em’s shoulder, his other hand splayed over…her breast. The self-satisfied leer on his weasel face was nauseating.

  “Are there any other pictures?” Jenna asked, but it was an effort to work the question past her tight throat. “And can you tell me where this was taken?”

  “A little town somewhere. Look at the cheap motels. Good grief. Aren’t you Facebook friends with your sister?”

  Jenna shook her head. She barely went on Facebook; her ancient computer was much too slow.

  “I can see why.” Frances snickered. “There’re some raunchy pictures here. Maybe you should sweep the feed room first. Then I’ll let you see them. All I can say is your sister deserves her reputation.”

  Jenna lunged over the counter. Grabbed a pen and rammed it into Frances’s hand. “Watch your mouth. Now write your password down. Or else I’ll have my buddy Burke kick your useless ass out that door.”

  Frances shrank back, the chair squeaking in protest. “I didn’t mean it. And I shouldn’t have said that about Emily. You’re both skinny and pretty and you’ve both been nice to me. I’m sorry.” Fear blanched her face as she scribbled down her code. “Please don’t tell him to fire me. I’ve worked here for fifteen years. I deserve this job.”

  Jenna snorted and grabbed the paper, checking that she could decipher Frances’s scrawl. It was convenient Frances thought Jenna could control Burke—that everyone seemed to think it—but Frances was a gullible fool.

  She shook her head in disgust and swung around. The blood drained from her face. Burke stood in the doorway, arms crossed, expression carved in granite.

  “Hi.” She forced a flippant smile. “Guess we sorted out who will type your papers.”

  She sauntered toward the door. He probably hadn’t heard. Oh, please, God. She prayed he hadn’t heard. But he didn’t step back and she reluctantly stopped, lifted her head and met his hooded gaze.

  “I’m heading into town to meet with the hay suppliers.” He glanced over her head at Frances. “We’ll discuss this incident later.”

  “Perfect.” She raised her voice so Frances would be sure to hear. “Drop by the usual time. I’ll chill the beer. Make some of my special cornbread.” She added a tight smile before brushing past him and escaping.

  At least, Burke hadn’t given her away in front of Frances. Time enough to face the music later. But obviously he’d heard something. What had she said? ‘I’ll have my buddy Burke kick your lazy ass out the door?’

  Well, lots of people referred to others as buddy. It wasn’t her fault if Frances misunderstood. Jenna hadn’t specifically said Burke would do what she wanted. She’d merely inferred it. People had to be so car
eful with words now; it was such a shame. Surely Burke would understand that?

  She rechecked the password, tucked the paper safely in her pocket and circled around the building. Her thoughts shot back to Emily. God, what the hell was her sister doing in Philadelphia?

  Voices grew louder. Wally leaned against some hay bales, a clipboard tucked under his arm, while two stable hands called down numbers. “Hey, take a break, guys,” he called when he spotted Jenna. “What are you doing out here? You in the dog house too?”

  “I’ve got another horse to massage,” she said. “But I just talked to Jim and I don’t think it’s wise to stir everyone up. Burke isn’t going to like it, and…certain jobs might already be in jeopardy.”

  “Screw him.” Wally’s voice rose. “He’s looking to push me out and I’m not rolling. There’s already talk in town he doesn’t belong. Doesn’t understand the area. Our hay supplier promised to raise his price.”

  Jenna dropped onto a bale, shaking her head. “But Wally, how is that going to help Three Brooks? I can tell you exactly what Burke will do. He’ll find another supplier out of town. Your friend will lose an important contract, our profitability drops, and Burke will be pissed. You don’t want to piss him off.”

  “He doesn’t scare me. And if I’m fired, I’ll hit Burke Industries with a wrongful dismissal suit. Even if I lose, the publicity will have to hurt.”

  Jenna pulled out a piece of hay and chewed glumly on the stalk. “If you want your old job back, you’re going to have to earn it. Everyone else has stepped up. Come on, Wally. You can too.”

  “Just stick close to him,” Wally said. “Let me know what he’s doing. Although maybe you won’t find that too big a chore.” Something ugly stained his voice and she jerked her head up.

  “By the way, how was Peanut’s visit to the solarium?” he added. “Want me to keep a key by the statue so you can continue treatments?”