Foolish Gamble

by Lita Lawson

  “Mail my portion to me,” she instructed him. “And make sure you take out every dime of what I owe you. Spare me any guilt money.”

  Austin stepped up to the dais until he was beside her. He leaned up toward her and Cassi looked into his tantalizing eyes and handsome face.

  “Congratulations, Cassi, you did it. You showed everyone.” Austin said in a voice only she could hear over the noise of the crowd.

  She looked at him, his full lips she would never feel upon her skin again. And she couldn’t help herself, but she wanted, needed, one last kiss. She kissed him lightly at first, then deeper. When she went to pull away, he held her head in his hands and kept kissing her. His tongue entered and demanded her response. She leaned down, twining her fingers in his hair, and it took every ounce of her being to pull herself away from him. The sound of the crowd got louder as they had apparently been enjoying their kiss.

  Austin looked somberly into her eyes, “No matter what you think of me, I love you.”

  A sob caught in her throat as a tear trickled down her cheek. How she wanted to believe him!

  “Please, meet me afterwards. We need to talk.”

  Cassi couldn’t trust her voice to speak, so only shook her head no. She saw the anguish in his eyes and wanted desperately to believe it wasn’t an act. But she could no longer believe this man.

  “Don’t make me beg.”

  His voice tore her heart again. “I can’t, Austin. If you love me, you’ll leave me alone.” Before she turned Foolish Gamble around to leave, she said, “Our deal is complete.”

  She didn’t look back at him as she left the winners circle. The victory had lost its luster.

  Passing the grandstand, she didn’t hear a man yelling at the fence as she passed the grandstand to go back to the stables.

  “That’s my girl!” Cassi’s father yelled.

  Billy Joe Sloan stood at the stables and offered Cassi a hand as she dismounted Foolish Gamble. He began to unsaddle the horse.

  “Hey, Billy Joe.” she called in greeting.

  “Congratulations on your win an’ all.” A big boyish grin covered his face from ear to ear. “All your hard work paid off.”

  “Yeah, it sure did,” Cassi smiled. The smile faded at the realization she wouldn’t be here if Austin hadn’t become partners with her, giving her the ability to enter the necessary races to qualify for this one.

  “You don’t seem too happy right now,” Billy Joe observed.

  “It’s kind of hard to fully enjoy it when I know what I now know about Austin.” Cassi had confided earlier in Billy Joe all the details of what Austin had done.

  Billy Joe scuffed the toe of his boot in the dirt. “I know you don’t wanna hear this, but I gotta say my piece. I know what he planned was wrong and all, but Cassi,” his voice trailed off, “I gotta tell you, he’s not been the same since you found out. He hardly even comes out to the barn anymore. Most of the time he sits in the big house, from what I hear, and stares out the window all day. His hearts breakin’, too.” Billy Joe looked Cassi in the eyes. “I know what he did was wrong, but I can also see when someone’s hurtin’. And he’s hurtin’ real bad.”

  Like she wasn’t? She had trusted him. She hadn’t trusted anyone since she was a little girl. Austin had taken that trust and used it for his own advantage. She couldn’t forgive him, even if his heart was broken as well. He should have thought of that before he tried to sabotage their deal. The deal she entered into with full faith and trust.

  “Sorry, Billy Joe, but Austin deserves to be as miserable as I am. It’s all his fault.”

  “Just had to say my piece.” Billy Joe patted Foolish Gamble on his hindquarters. “Congratulations on the win, anyway, Cassi. At least you get to keep your farm.” He turned to leave, and said, “And if you ever need help, give me a holler.”

  “Will do, Billy Joe.” Cassi grabbed him before he left and gave him a quick hug. “And thanks for being a friend.”

  “No problem,” he answered as he blushed at the hug. “Be seein’ you around.”

  Later that evening, Cassi led Foolish Gamble into his stall at her farm. Her farm! She didn’t have to move. The realization helped ease the aching of her heart. Foolish Gamble tossed his head and whinnied.

  “You did great today, buddy,” she gave him a carrot. She leaned into the blanket of roses hanging on the stall door. Inhaling their scent reminded her of her first kiss with Austin. How she wished things had been different. The victory would have been much sweeter to celebrate with him.

  The sound of a vehicle turning down the drive interrupted her “what-if” thinking that was a waste of time. Headlights peeked into the barn and she recognized it as Austin’s Jaguar. She didn’t know why he thought he would be welcome here.

  She waited as his tall frame silhouetted in the lights approached her. He stopped several feet away.

  Clearing his throat, he said, “I know I betrayed your trust. I can’t tell you how terrible I feel about my initial intentions, but I swear, Cassi, after getting to know you, knowing you weren’t playing me for some ulterior motive of your own, I called it off. Called Garrison off. I wanted you to win.”

  She heard the sincerity in his voice and words.

  “I’ve got your check for the proceeds and I know you wouldn’t take another dime more than what you earned, so I’ve given you only your portion of the money.” Stepping closer to her, he handed her the check.

  She stood unwavering in her stance, not wanting him to know that it was killing her, watching him try to undo everything he had done wrong.

  “I know I’m the last person you want to see, but I wanted to give you this.” Austin pulled a small gift-wrapped box out of his jacket pocket and handed it to her. “Here,” he stated simply.

  She knew he watched her while she opened it. Her fingers fumbled untying the ribbon. Opening the lid, she lifted a shiny item out of the box. It was a brass nameplate with Foolish Gamble’s name engraved on it. “Oh, it’s beautiful.” She fought the tears welling in her eyes.

  “You both did a fantastic job today. It’s just a little something to remember today.”

  The sentiment threatened to undo what little composure she was hanging on to. All her emotions—heartache and betrayal—burst forth. “You could have had everything, Austin. You didn’t have to scheme to get it.” Her voice shook. “I loved you—”

  “Please,” he pleaded, “don’t use the past tense. I hope one day you can forgive me. I’ll be waiting. I’ll wait forever if I have to. I pray to God you’ll forgive me.” He jogged back to his car.

  She watched, her throat swollen with heartache, as Austin drove away.

  There was simply too much to overlook. How her heart wanted to, but her mind knew better. If she couldn’t trust her family, her own father who abandoned her, how could she trust Austin, who purposefully tried to swindle from her the things she treasured the most.

  She watched the car’s taillights fade into the distance, and turned to run to the safety of her house before she did something foolish like chase after him.

  For the next week, Cassi ran errands almost every day. With the prize money deposited, she met with bankers to renegotiate the mortgage and paid part of the back taxes owed. They weren’t out of the woods yet, but she and her brother didn’t have to be worried about the sheriff coming out to serve them eviction papers anytime soon.

  Even though she was busy, she couldn’t help but think about Austin and the myriad of emotions he conjured up. One minute it’s disappointment, the next, a longing to see his smile, think about his kiss or remember the touch of his callused hands on her body.

  And every night, sleep eluded her. She replayed every moment she’d spent with him, every word, every facial expression. And tossed and turned, waking up unrested and unhappy.

  Returning home from the grocery store the next afternoon, there was a sign at her driveway. Slowing as she pulled in, she read it. “Home of Foolish Gamble”. She gasped. There wa
s only one person she could think of who might have done this.

  While unloading groceries, she heard the sound of popping gravel signaling the approach of a vehicle. A pickup truck driven by Billy Joe pulled up, a horse trailer behind it. Austin’s car was behind the trailer. What in the world were they doing here again.

  “Cassi,” Billy Joe tipped his hat while he went to the back of the trailer where Austin was.

  She watched as they opened the trailer door and put the ramp down. Confusion and surprise filled her as they walked Bella Donna out of the trailer. As Billy Joe closed up the trailer, Austin walked toward her, leading the horse.

  “See y’all later,” Billy Joe called as he hastily climbed back into the pickup truck and sped away.

  Too stunned to say anything, she stood staring into Austin’s amber eyes.

  “I was hoping to make amends. Even if you never forgive me, I’ve decided there’s only one thing that I can do to try and show you how sorry I am.” He pulled a sheet of paper out of his back pocket and handed it to her. “Here,” he stated simply.

  She sensed him watching her while she opened it. The document seemed familiar, like she had seen it before. Quickly she scanned the words and gasped. It was the registration for Bella Donna. “You’re kidding me, right?”

  “No.” Austin replied.

  “I can’t accept this.”

  “You must. It’s the only thing I have to offer you.” His eyes looked deep into hers, “You know what some people say. A man doesn’t give a horse to anyone—only someone he truly cares for.”

  Tears welled in her eyes and one fell onto the paper.

  Austin quickly grabbed it from her. “Hey, be careful. You’ll run the ink!” He dabbed at the wet spot.

  “Please say you can forgive me, give me one more chance. I’m going out of my mind without you.”

  Cassi recalled all the years spent never trusting anyone, never letting anyone in. How lonely would her life be if she didn’t take a chance on him, no matter how foolish it might be? Life, loving, are all a gamble. Her victory with Foolish Gamble had been hollow without Austin to share it with.

  She looked into his eyes and ran a finger along his jaw. She watched him close his eyes at her touch. How she loved his face and the way one touch from her could move him.

  “All right,” she whispered. After all, a woman couldn’t live without love.

  Austin’s eyes opened wide. “You mean it? You’ll give me another chance?”

  “Well, I think another business agreement is in order.” She watched his face fill with confusion.

  “Name your terms.”

  “I’ll keep your horse, if we breed her with Foolish Gamble. If successful, we’ll be joint owners of their offspring, and this farm.”

  He grabbed her in his arms and twirled her around. Austin rained kisses all over her face. He heard Bella Donna shuffling behind them.

  “Hang on,” he yelled as he got Bella Donna and put her in a stall next to Foolish Gamble. Then he grabbed Cassi into his arms again. He pushed her up against the blanket of drying roses hanging from Foolish Gamble’s win.

  “I love you Cassi,” Austin whispered huskily in her ear.

  “And I love you,” she whispered back.

  EPILOGUE

  ONE YEAR LATER…

  Cassi stood in the barn, exhausted after being up all night awaiting Bella Donna giving birth. Foolish Gamble had been mated with her and she couldn’t wait to see if it would be a colt or a filly. She handed Austin another cup of coffee out of the thermos she had brought with them. He looked as weary as she was.

  Bella Donna whinnied from within the stall where the vet was still with her. Cassi wrapped her arms around Austin’s back and leaned on him.

  They’d had a small Christmas wedding in their barn and then had a huge reception at the Keller estate. Austin’s family had expected it and Cassi had obliged. His grandmother insisted on buying her wedding dress, and Cassi enjoyed their time together shopping for it. And she thoroughly enjoyed the way Austin looked at her as she walked down the aisle to marry him.

  In a little over a year, they had developed their farm into a sought-after training facility and just broke ground to build another stable for a larger breeding facility. Bella Donna’s foal would be their first joint effort.

  The vet announced, “It’s a filly.” A gangly pony tried to stand up on wobbly legs.

  Austin turned around and faced her, “I’ve already got a name picked out.”

  Cassi arched an eyebrow in curiosity.

  “I want to name her ‘Cassi’s Gamble.’ I was never happy until you loved me. If you hadn’t taken a second chance on me and forgiven me, I’d be a miserable man.”

  She saw moistness in his eyes and it almost made her cry, too. She smiled at him.

  “That’s okay with me, Austin, if I get to name our first child.” She saw the look of confusion shadow his face.

  “What’s that got to do—?”

  His voice trailed off and Cassi saw the realization of what she was implying hit him full force.

  “You mean you’re ready to start trying to have kids?”

  “I’m more than ready,” Cassi beamed. “We’re already expecting.” She watched as his infamous megawatt grin spread across his face. She quickly added, “I get to name it if it’s a boy.”

  “And if it’s a girl,” Austin replied, sweeping Cassi into his arms, “I think I’ll name her Joy. Joy for what you’ve given me and joy for what we make together.”

  He kissed her, long and slow, and the kiss was just as thrilling as their first one. Cassi wanted to pinch herself. Everything she had ever wanted she now had. But she had to gamble to get it. It was a foolish gamble at the time, but it had paid off against all the odds.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Lita fell in love with romance and alpha males when her mother took her to see Gone With the Wind. An avid reader since she was in elementary school, her passion for love stories evolved when she decided to try her hand at writing one. She hopes you enjoy her stories, from the first kiss to the happily ever after. Lita is a member of Romance Writers of America®. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two cats.

  Look for her next novel, Candidate For Love, due for release in the fall of 2015.

  For more information about the author, visit www.allromancenovels.com.