by Laura Moore
“Thanks a lot, Tod. I should have thought of these things myself.” From the look on Cassie’s face, one would have thought Tod had just given her the moon.
Tod smiled. He appreciated the fact that she wasn’t acting as if she was some know-it-all equestrian and he nothing but the doctor called in to administer the pills.
“Sometimes you need a little distance to be able to see the possible solution, that’s all. It’s nothing you couldn’t have worked out for yourself,” he added modestly.
“It does sound good, though, Tod. I wish I’d had that kind of advice for Cassie. What have you been reading lately, some new journal?”
“Hell, no, Cal. I’ve been reading Dr. Spock. Amazing how his ideas apply to all kinds of stuff.”
They had a fun, rather disorganized dinner with Cassie and Caleb playing blocks with the two Harper children, while Tod barbecued ribs and Delia fixed an enormous salad. Because this was a special occasion, and “Uncle” Caleb was visiting, Delia had allowed the kids to stay up late. By the time dinner was on the table, the children were sprawled on the living room sofas, fast asleep.
“No, Delia don’t get up, just tell me where the dessert is and I’ll bring it in.” Cassie was already clearing the dishes before the other woman could object.
Delia gave a rueful smile. “You’ve got me at a distinct disadvantage, Cassie. I haven’t been able to move that fast in about five months.” She glanced down at her swollen belly. “Though it’s beginning to feel more like five years. There’s a cake on the counter. Plates could be just about anywhere in that mess. “
“You really look terrific, Dee. In my humble opinion, you and Demi Moore have given motherhood a whole new meaning. And don’t try to con us into believing you don’t have Tod waiting on you hand and foot.” Caleb leaned back in his chair smiling fondly at her. “We all know he worships the ground you walk on.”
“And rightly so.” Delia teased back. “But it’s not Tod who’s the problem. It’s those two rascals. An octopus would have a hard time picking up after these kids and instead I sit around feeling like a beached whale.”
Cassie brought in the dessert and four plates she’d found in the cupboard. They sat around discussing kids, horses, and veterinary life as Caleb and Tod set about devouring the chocolate cake Delia had baked.
As the conversation started to wind down, Caleb stood and pushed back his chair. “Dee, that was delicious. Thank you. Tod, let me give you a hand carrying Joshua and Allie upstairs.”
“Sounds good. Delia, sweet, go on and put your feet up. Caleb and I will clean up the dishes later.”
“Whatever you say, honey ” Delia agreed with alacrity thrilled to escape the disaster in the kitchen. Her back was killing her; besides, she was dying for a chance to have a heart-to-heart chat with Cassie Miller.
“I like her, Cal,” Tod whispered in the darkened bedroom, gently depositing his sleeping daughter on the lower bed of the bunkbed she was sharing with her older brother for the night.
“Yeah. I guess I do, too.”
“Yeah? Glad to hear it. I was beginning to worry you were suffering from terminal stupidity when it came to women.”
Caleb snorted in the darkness. Tod grinned and continued. “I’ve noticed she’s not too hard on the eyes, either.”
“Yeah, I thought you might.”
“But what really astonishes me is that she seems to be, uh, interested in you.”
“Those faculty meetings you attend must be dulling your wits. A couple of years ago you used to be kind of sharp, and a hell of a lot funnier.”
Cassie eventually crept upstairs to the brightly painted bedroom, decorated with a wild kingdom of stuffed animals, and large, plastic containers bursting with toys, crayons, and children’s books. She was feeling as if she’d just survived an interrogation that would have made the Secret Service proud. Perhaps that was a slight exaggeration. That Delia Harper had asked and probed, ever so delicately ever so kindly about practically every aspect of Cassie’s life was not. Ordinarily, Cassie would have closed up like a clam, but she found herself talking freely enough, mainly because she sensed how much Delia and Tod cared for Caleb.
Delia did her fair share of talking, too. From her description, Caleb began to sound like some kind of latterday saint, a position to which Cassie was certain Caleb did not aspire. But she was more than happy to listen to her sing the praises of the man with whom, Cassie would admit only to herself, she was falling head over heels in love.
She’d been tossing and squirming, trying to find a comfortable position on the narrow single bed when a light knock sounded on the door. Rising, she went to open it. Caleb was there, his tall form backlit by the hall light.
Cassie was wearing a T-shirt that was a couple of sizes too big, with the words Just Do It across her chest. In one swift, sweeping glance, his eyes took in her long slim legs, her bare toes curling into the weave of the wall-to-wall carpet. The tantalizing thought crossed his mind that he, too, could just do it, just back her up, ’til the backs of her knees brushed against the twin bed frame and they were lying together, limbs all atangle. Then he could make really slow quiet love to her all night, swallowing her moans of pleasure, careful not to disturb the sleeping Harpers.
“Don’t, Caleb.” Her voice was husky. Pleading.
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t look at me like that.”
“Like what?”
She stamped her barefoot with impatience. “Cut it out. You know perfectly well how you were looking . . . like, like I’m that fourth slice of chocolate cake, or something. No way, not with our hosts in the room next door.”
“Ah, Slim. I’m sure you’re better than chocolate cake.”
“Fine, then. Appetizer, main course. Whatever. You’ve had enough.”
“That’s where you are absolutely wrong, Cassie sweet. I’m beginning to think I could never have enough.” He held up his hands to stop her words of protest. “All right, all right, I get the point. I just came in to say good night. Honest.”
“Good night,” she said softly.
He stepped across the threshold and their lips met and clung. He lifted his head and gave her an enchantingly crooked smile. “Better go before I’m too famished. Sweet dreams, Slim.”
Cassie was deeply touched by the spontaneous hug Delia gave her the next morning as they were all gathered outside the house, Cassie and Caleb ready to head back down to Virginia.
“Make sure you come with Caleb when your mare’s all set to go. It’s nice to have another woman around to balance things out.”
“I’ll try ” Cassie promised. Turning to Tod, she said, “Thank you so much for putting me up. It was really great to meet you.”
“We were delighted to have you, Cassie. I’ll keep you posted on how Hot Lips is coming along. Caleb tells me you’ll be riding in the Hampton Classic in August. Good Luck. I’ve always loved that show. If we can work out the logistics, you might be able to pick up your mare on the way back down to Five Oaks. Or we can keep her a few extra weeks if your schedule’s too crazy.”
“Thanks so much. For everything.”
Tod turned to his old friend and extended his hand. Caleb grasped it. “Good to see you, Cal. Remember, we want you back real soon.”
“You got it.” Caleb turned to Delia standing beside him and drew her into his arms for a warm hug. “Delia, take care of yourself. I’m looking forward to meeting the new addition to the Harper family.”
“So am I! You take care, too. Don’t work too hard.”
Then Caleb had hugged Joshua and little Allie, both decked out in matching Orioles’ sweatshirts, a present Caleb had given them the night before.
They rolled into the drive of Five Oaks by midafternoon.
The drive back had flown by with Caleb and Cassie listening to the radio, laughing, shooting the breeze. It had been so fun and easy. Cassie felt truly happy a giddy joy bubbling up inside her. As if she were a teenager out with her first lo
ve. Thinking, just maybe, that her love might be returned.
“I’m going to find Hank, see how everything went with Midnight. We had Gaspar cover her yesterday ” Caleb offered as they walked together toward the main barn.
“I was planning on checking how Topper and Pip are doing, maybe letting them out in the bottom pasture if Raff can spare it. Then I thought I’d take Arrow and Silverspoon out for a short spin.” Because of the trip, she’d cut her exercise schedule in half, giving both Orion and Limelight the day off, but the younger horses still needed a workout.
“Sounds good.” Caleb slowed his steps to a halt and stood in the driveway, his legs slightly apart, his hands thrust into the front pockets of his Levi’s. Startled, Cassie turned to look at him inquisitively.
He cleared his throat. “Uh, I was wondering whether you’d like to go out to dinner with me, maybe see a movie.”
“Tonight?”
“Yeah, tonight. Please, if you don’t feel like it, don’t say you have to wash your hair. I swear, I’ll never recover from the humiliation.”
She laughed, remembering the first time she’d said that to him. “I’d like to, honestly. Yes,” she repeated, nodding her head, her eyes shining. “Yes, I’d like that.”
“Good. Great. How does seven sound to you?”
“Fine.”
“Okay, then.” His smile was boyish and charming, his hands still balled in his pockets. “See you, Slim.”
Now she knew what they meant by the expression walking ten feet off the ground. She felt as if she might literally float away.
He’d asked her out on a date! She laughed and hugged herself, not caring if someone from the stable should see her and think her completely off her rocker. She had to get a hold of herself before she rode Arrow and Silverspoon, though. Otherwise, she’d be floating all right, but she’d land with a hard thud.
* * *
Caleb was grinning like a sap.
She’d said yes!
Okay, so it was only dinner and a movie, but maybe, just maybe, if Lady Luck were smiling at him, it might blossom into something more. God, it seemed as if from the moment he’d laid eyes on Cassie, he’d been in a constant state of arousal. Somebody had to take pity on him soon.
“Hey Caleb. How’d the trip go? Hot Lips behave herself?”
“Hank. Glad I found you. The trip was great. That place is something else. Amazing facilities. Hot Lips did fine on the trip, too. They’ll be starting therapy on her today.”
“Cassie must be real pleased about that. Where is she, by the way?”
“She’s doing some stuff with the ponies, then she was planning on riding the four-year-olds. I was hunting you down to find out how it went with Midnight and Gaspar.”
“Not as smoothly as your trip, I’m afraid. Come with me over to the barn. Midnight’s got a nasty cut on her. It didn’t need stitches, but I’d like to have you check her just the same.”
“Let me get my bag from the truck.”
“Okay, meet me at her stall. By the way I got some other bad news.”
“What?”
“Pamela’s called about four times since you left yesterday. Unfortunately I lost my temper at the fourth call and stupidly let it slip that you were coming back some time this afternoon. Sorry about that, Caleb.”
“Damn it to hell!” Caleb cursed heatedly. “Doesn’t that woman know what divorced means? No, it’s all right, Hank. It’s not your fault. I can handle her. That is, if I can’t find a good enough hiding place.”
* * *
“There’s not any serious damage, the cuts are all superficial, except for this gash on her shoulder here. I’m going to clean it up a little more for good measure and douse it with antiseptic powder. She’ll have a scar, though, Hank.”
“Yeah, and such a pretty lady” Hank said regretfully.
Caleb worked slowly and carefully, cleaning the ugly red flesh on the broodmare’s right shoulder.
“Did Gaspar do his job?”
“Yeah, though she put up a fuss at first. Struck out at him with her hooves a couple of times. That’s when she got hurt. We tried to separate them, to check her for injuries, but before we could, he’d mounted her.”
“I hope it did the trick. If it hasn’t, we’ll have to wait for her next heat. I don’t want her in the pen again until that wound is healed.”
“We’ll keep our fingers crossed.”
“And how did Gaspar come out of this? I’d better go see what shape he’s in, too.”
“He looked okay to me when I checked him afterwards, but you’ve seen him in action. He’s always so happy after he’s serviced a mare. Like the cock of the walk.” Hank grinned, shaking his head.
“I can understand that. Probably wouldn’t have felt it if Midnight’s hooves did make contact, the poor bastard was so excited. You want to come along?”
“No.” Hank shook his head. “I got some phone calls to make.” He brightened as a thought occurred to him. “Hey maybe if the phone’s busy for a while, Pamela will give up and leave you alone.”
“There’s always the hope.”
How he’d ever found her voice sexy, he couldn’t imagine. Right now, hearing her call out, “Caleb, are you in here?” in that slightly breathless trill was as irritating as fingernails raking down a chalkboard.
For a second he seriously debated ducking into one of the stallion’s stalls, but discarded the idea quickly enough. First of all, it was bloody dangerous. Most of the stallions were well-mannered, but getting the shit kicked out of him wasn’t totally out of the question, especially if the stallion couldn’t figure out what the hell Caleb was doing there. Second, it wouldn’t get rid of Pamela. She’d just lie in wait for him like some venomous spider.
He didn’t respond to her call, knowing she’d see him soon enough. Instead, he entered Gaspar’s stall and brought the stallion out, hooking him up to the closest cross ties. The click of her heels sounded against the cement floor.
Annoyed, he turned to face her. “What is it, Pamela? I’m a little busy right now.”
She smiled that slow practiced smile. He stared back at her, his expression one of total boredom. She was dressed to the nines. Tight white pants, probably one size too small, no, make that two, and a vividly printed silk shirt he assumed was purchased from Hermes, Versace, or one of those places. Wherever she’d gotten it, she obviously hadn’t thought it was worth buttoning, and had instead simply tied it under her breasts, the tails tickling her bare mid-rif. Nestled in the valley of her breasts, an obscenely large diamond rubbed her flesh. Jesus. He couldn’t even imagine what she’d done for that piece of jewelry. He eyed her with distaste. Did she really think he cared that she was braless? How utterly pathetic.
“Caleb, I must talk with you about Orion. I tried calling your office to find out when you’d be returning, and that beastly secretary wouldn’t tell me a thing. The lying hag. I was forced to call Hank, who’s always disliked me, and he kept brushing me off, as if I have no right to speak to you.”
“He’s absolutely right. Let me explain this to you once more. We are divorced. If you want to reach me, why don’t you use that lawyer of yours?”
Pamela smiled, “Caleb, you don’t really want that . . .”
“Look, Pamela, whatever it is, I don’t want to hear it. Will you please leave now, I need to examine this horse.”
“No. I have to talk to you. The contract for Orion you signed states that . . .”
“States that you have the right to bleed me each month for more years than most people pay for their homes. What else is new?” he asked, shrugging his shoulders and turning to the injured horse, refusing to pay Pamela any more attention. He figured she’d last about five minutes before she went away. Pamela hated being ignored.
Blocking her from his mind, Caleb set to work, his large hands moving over the stallion’s body, probing gently for any sign of pain. The horse flinched, shifting restlessly as Caleb’s fingers moved carefully over the hors
e’s deep chest. Caleb could feel where the flesh was swollen and bruised.
“She got you good, didn’t she, big guy?” Caleb murmured softly. He bent to grasp the stallion’s leg, closing around the knee joint and pulling the leg forward and up, checking for any sign of deeper tissue damage. From behind, he heard Pamela’s voice cry out. Startled, he lowered Gaspar’s hoof back to the ground.
“Ow! Caleb, I think I’ve got something in my eye. Ow! Please, can you look at it?”
He bit back an oath, and reluctantly turned to see what his ex-wife wanted now.
She was glad she’d made the decision to ride Arrow and Silverspoon lightly today. The thought of going out with Caleb tonight had her too distracted to do more than exercise them on the flat and over a few low fences. Just enough to have them paying attention to her for a little while. Just enough to make her feel as if she weren’t a total delinquent.
After sitting immobile in the Jeep for so many hours, the exercise had loosened her up, too. Now she was look ing forward to indulging in a long, hot bath. First, though, a quick stop at the stallions’ barn, so she could say hi to Orion, see whether the stallion had missed her.
“I can’t see anything in your eye, Pamela. Blink a few times and I’m sure it will go away.”
“But there’s something there! Look closer.”
Caleb angled his head once more to stare at his ex-wife’s mascara’d eye. His hands framed her face, holding it steady, finding nothing. He gritted his teeth. “Listen. There’s nothing there. Just blink your goddamn eye.”