Hot Quit

by Kathryn Roberts

  Alex tried to stand her ground although her stomach felt as if someone had kicked her. “I’d never hurt Jackson,” she whispered.

  “Of course you wouldn’t. That’s why you bought his mortgage and why you’re going to call it if I don’t sell Rawlins.” He continued to stroll back and forth as if she were not standing in his path. “I know your type. You’re a barracuda; part of the fun of winning is tearing apart your victim. Jackson met someone like you a while ago, and he’s still recovering. But,” he stopped suddenly and directed a cold, heartless stare at her, “of course you knew that before you got here. You knew he’d be hungry for money. Hell”—he threw his arms up—“you even knew exactly how much to offer.”

  “What are you talking about?” she said, truly worried and feeling the walls closing in around her.

  “OK. I guess I’ll play along with you. Jackson used to do very well giving lessons to a number of people. One of which was a woman much like yourself, who thought winning was the most important thing.” He turned his back on Alexandria, as if he could no longer look at her. “She was a non-pro, who was limited to riding her own horse, and when it came to a big money prize, she drugged her horse. Well, the National Cutting Horse Association did random testing and happened to pick her horse. Not only did it come up dirty, but it was a ringer, not even her horse. Jackson, her trainer, got fined and suspended, which I’m sure you had no trouble finding out. Then she proceeded to attack everyone, from the judges to Jackson, and when he didn’t stand up for her, she sued him. It cost him everything he had saved for the ten-thousand-dollar balloon payment on his place, and the suspension made sure he had no way to earn it back in time—no way but your very convenient offer. I tried to loan him money, but he wouldn’t have it. It’s important to him that he’s his own man, you know.”

  Alex’s heart ached for Jackson; as honest as the day was long, he’d been vandalized. She knew without a doubt that what Everett said had happened precisely the way he explained, but she saw too clearly how the case against her was becoming iron-clad. “You have to believe me…I didn’t know. I just told Hesperia to find me the best trainer. I didn’t know.”

  Her plea was unanswered; he continued as if she’d said nothing. “Well, you have all the cards. Your competitive edge is such that you ought to hand out Band-Aids to your business associates. But”—he turned and captured her in his hateful glare—“Jackson is a son to me. I’m not going to allow you to make him suffer. Rawlins is yours, but let’s make it a sporting deal, something a woman like you can brag about at the next corporate meeting. I heard you bet Jackson you’d beat him this weekend. I’ll sweeten the pot. You beat him and I’ll sell you Rawlins for whatever price you name.”

  She stood, her silence filling the room along with James Everett Covington’s contempt for her. How could she convince him she was not the conniving hussy he thought her to be? She used to be, but she honestly knew she didn’t have the stomach for it now. Tears of despair welled in her eyes.

  “Not sweet enough?” he growled sarcastically.

  “No. That’s not—”

  “Any price you want, and it’s yours, but in addition to Rawlins, I want you to leave Jackson and never see or talk to him again.”

  “I can’t do that. I love him.” She wiped away tears that were falling freely now.

  “Pretty good act, but you don’t love him. He’s just a piece in the plan to get what you want.”

  Alex shook her head slowly, unable to fight the lies, unable to speak. Footsteps outside the door drew both their attention and when she heard the key sliding into the lock, she turned and ran to the bathroom before Jackson entered and found her crying.

  “Well, howdy, youngster.”

  She pressed against the door and heard Everett’s greeting. Jackson answered. His gruff voice was as sweet as music to her ears and she recognized the sound of pleasant surprise as he returned the greeting and asked where she was. Holding her breath, she waited for the older man to tell what he believed to be the truth, but he didn’t, and suddenly she knew his plan. Jackson would never know. Everett wanted her to disappear without Jackson finding out what part he played.

  If she told Jackson the truth, he was sure to take sides with the man who had mentored him, the man he loved as a father. She would lose him either way. Perhaps it was best to acquiesce to Everett’s wishes. Perhaps it was foolish to think it would ever work, that it was ever meant to be.

  “Hey, in there.” Jackson rapped lightly at the bathroom door. “How beautiful do you have to be to get on a horse?”

  She quickly wiped away the remaining tears. “I’ll be there in just a minute.” She ran cold water on the washrag and covered her eyes, hoping to erase the redness. Holding the cold cloth, she heard the rumbling of their voices in the next room. She would figure out a way. Alexandria Payne was not a loser. Alexandria Payne would find a way to keep the only man she ever truly loved if it took everything she had.

  Minutes later, she emerged. “Ready?” She looked directly to Everett, daring him to do or say anything.

  “You betcha,” the older man said, gathering his hat from the dresser. “I’ll meet you there later. I have to do a little more visiting.”

  His sly smile left no doubt in Alexandria’s mind that he was not through with her.

  “Done deal,” Jackson said as he opened the door and waited for her.

  Mechanically, Alexandria warmed up horses for Jackson. Her mind was definitely not focused on riding, but what Jackson taught her blended well with her natural ability. Trisha was there and rode circles around Jackson until he was forced to acknowledge her efforts. The two walked ahead of her, and Alex felt the pangs of not only jealousy, but of impending loss. If she were not there for Jackson, would he yield to Trisha’s unceasing attack? Trisha’s life certainly was more centered around his beloved cutting horses than hers had ever been, and, as difficult as it was to admit, Trisha was pretty, almost stunningly so. Would Jackson be happier with someone like her?

  No. Trisha was toxic. She was spoiled and determined to have things Trisha’s way. She was…everything Everett accused her of being. Logic told her they were a pair, but her heart told her there was a difference. She had changed. She loved Jackson. If it meant he would be happy, she would walk away from him in a minute. If only she knew what was best for him.

  It was impossible not to watch him walk leisurely around the warm-up arena, speaking with people as he went, greeted by all, respected by all even though his name had been dragged through the dirt. She felt like an intruder, like a voyeur, watching from afar, lusting after the goodness that was Jackson Morgan. During his first two classes, Alex never felt more like an outsider. Jackson placed first in the Open Futurity class and second in the Open Derby class; each time he came first to her to share his success, but was quickly drawn away by others who wished him well.

  Slowly the realization developed that, like the underdog, everyone wished him well. He’d been wronged and the cutting community, his family, rallied behind him when he accepted the punishment without comment. He was a gentleman to the end, and in the end, it brought him honor and respect that transcended whatever the world tried to do to tarnish it. Thinking about his personal fortitude, watching him ride like a human god, for the first time Alexandria began to really understand what had been missing from her life. Jackson was part of it, but the largest portion lay hidden within her.

  Trotting toward her, his smile was infectious, demanding return. “Do me a favor and go to the trailer and get the bridle with the sweet iron bit.”

  “What’s up? You don’t usually forget anything.”

  “I know, I know,” he said softly. “Please. I need it for the next class, and I’m deep in it with a woman who has three nice horses she’d like me to work with.” A gleam entered his eye as he continued, “I’ll make it worth your while…”

  “I bet,” Alex joked, her heart beating a little stronger just thinking about the offer. She reined toward th
e gate and eased her mare out and through the barn area to the trailer. Dismounting, she unlocked the tack room door and reached inside for the bridle. As she locked the door and turned back to the mare, she heard a voice from the side.

  “I’m glad I found you alone.”

  Alex stopped, thought out carefully what she was going to say, then spun slowly on her heel to face the man connected to the voice.

  “That’s pretty much the way I feel, Paul.”

  “Trouble in paradise? My sympathies. Anything I can do?”

  Alex laughed. “Oh, I think you’ve done enough. Why didn’t you tell me you bought the loan on Jackson’s ranch?”

  “A quite brilliant move, if I do say so myself. It never hurts to hedge a bet.”

  She stared at the man she thought she knew. “At one time, I really thought you were special. How unfortunate for me that I seem to be in the middle of something you’ve created and for which I’m going to have to pay.”

  “You made the choice, Alexandria, darling. It’s you who has changed. I sensed from the beginning of this deal that you were failing me. We have been such a good team for so long and it’s due to the fact that we are the same person. You won’t be happy with that cowboy. He can’t possibly keep you interested once the rutting season is over.”

  Instantly, without the slightest warning, she slapped Paul. “You’re disgusting.”

  He stood fast, still smiling. “I suppose I should be insulted, but your coarse boyfriend only proves your tastes have changed.”

  “There’s more to him than you could ever hope to be.”

  “Well, again, I’m hurt. However, getting back to the reason for my visit. I see no reason to destroy our lucrative business arrangement just because we no longer are engaged. I am hoping you will come to your senses and pull through our difficulties.”

  Alex was stunned. She’d been so misled by their relationship, but perhaps he was right. If she did choose to leave Jackson, she’d have nowhere to go if not back to the life she’d known. Of course, there would be changes, but what else was left? The moment seemed to be rushing her toward a decision Alex was having a tough time making. Alexandria would have had no problem deciding. Could she set Alex aside and regain that barracuda attitude?

  “Did you know about the connection between Covington and Jackson before I came here?”

  “Of course. I thought you knew too, until you called excited by your finding. At that point, I thought it better not to tell you; after all, it was my way of letting you have the glory, so to speak.”

  She turned to the mare and prepared to mount up. “How kind.” His hand gentle on her shoulder caused her to pause.

  “I’m not heartless or without conscience, Alexandria. I just feel the need to fight for what’s mine the only way I know how.”

  He pulled her to face him, but she looked at the reins in her hand. “You’ll never know how much I want you back.” He leaned forward and kissed her gently on the forehead. “I’ll take you under any circumstances. I’m a proud man, but I’d even beg to have you back.”

  Alexandria was sick to her stomach. She turned and mounted, riding away without a word.

  Alex felt like a thief, stealing happiness from the night. In her mind, Jackson had made sweet, gentle love to her with every word he had spoken. She tried not to think of it as the last time, but every time he whispered her name, she heard good-bye. By morning, she had made the decision to try her best to win. At the least, she would prove herself an apt student and Jackson a talented teacher. If he could say nothing else after she was gone, he could say she had learned well.

  The next day Alex and Jackson prepared for their big ride. As they saddled, he made jokes about her not beating him too badly, but she knew he was trying to put her at ease and settle the nerves that had crept upon her like fog settles over the city. Both were riding novice horses and both used their warm-up time judiciously. Both were ringside when her name was called.

  She looked at Jackson, who nodded and smiled encouragement. Her hand was trembling as she picked up the rein and urged the horse toward the herd. The palomino sensed tension and broke into a slow jog, but Alexandria quietly pulled him back to a walk and approached the herd.

  Deciding on a black baldy cow that was fairly deep in the herd, Alex eased the gelding in, focusing on the particular animal she wanted. The palomino had his head down and hunted the cow perfectly. One by one, the surrounding cows peeled away, leaving the one in question. The yellow horse obeyed when Alex turned him loose and began working the cow. It felt good. Turn for turn, stop for stop, the gelding shadowed the animal who searched for a way back to the herd. Alex sat quietly, allowing the horse to show his stuff, falling into the rhythm. She was so glad to have picked a cow that showed the palomino’s ability and that all was going well that she forgot time.

  On the sideline, Jackson grew anxious as Everett rode up beside him.

  “She needs to get off that one and get another,” he said, prompted by nerves.

  “I wouldn’t worry about her, son. She’ll come out all right.”

  “I want this for her more than I’ve ever wanted anything else in my life,” Jackson said under his breath to no one but himself. He concentrated on her, willing her to hear him, and when she pulled up, perfectly timed, he was able to breathe again.

  Alex collected herself for another try. The cow she chose this time left the herd easily, but stalled. Like water filling a glass, panic rose as Alex urged the gelding closer to get action from the cow. One good turn was all she got, and quickly she chose to quit the cow and get another. She realized time must be running out and tried to hurry, but just as she cut the third cow from the herd, the buzzer sounded.

  Relieved that she’d ridden without any major errors, she patted the palomino’s sleek neck as she exited and rode to Jackson. Before she got there, she saw Everett by his side, and once again the dead feeling gripped her chest and cut her breath in half.

  “Good job,” Jackson said, his gravelly voice sounding like heaven and hell all at once.

  “Seventy-four,” the announcer said in the background.

  “I told you she was an expert,” Everett said flatly, leaving her to wonder if he’d told Jackson anything. One look at the younger man confirmed he knew nothing.

  “Go cool him out. You have enough time before my class starts,” Jackson said, reaching out for her hand and tugging gently to bring her close enough for a quick kiss. He was vital and good. Alex suddenly felt guilty because she knew it couldn’t last. Their hands lingered, touching as long as they could as she rode toward the warm-up pen to cool her horse off. Tearing herself away felt like a prelude to what was to come.

  Several minutes later, crisp and fresh in a starched white shirt and jeans, Jackson rode into the arena as she rode up beside Everett. If he loved Jackson, then surely he couldn’t destroy him. He’d not hold her to the bargain that would kill them both, even though she’d never really agreed.

  Jackson was totally focused on his horse and his job.

  Sitting proudly astride his horse, Everett didn’t look at her or acknowledge her presence. He was intent upon the man who began his first work in the arena. Alex focused on Jackson, not knowing or caring what score she’d received. He was poetry in motion as he became one with the sorrel horse. The mare herself wasn’t flashy or attractive until he put her on a cow. Then she blossomed and grew beautiful under his guidance. Alex likened herself to the mare, reasoning that she had been only a fraction of what she could be until she met and trained with Jackson Morgan. He brought out the best in her as he did with the plain mare.

  The first cow challenged the mare only slightly, and Alex knew she had much more to give. As if in agreement, Jackson quit and found another cow. It was a black one that looked a little wild, but Jackson must have been able to read it better than she, proving there was still more for her to learn. It began slowly hunting for a way back to the herd; then, after finding the sorrel blocking its escape each t
ime, the animal picked up the pace. Jackson and the catty mare were there at every turn. Spectators whistled and hooted at turn after turn, and the more frustrated the cow became, the faster and better the mare worked.

  Alex knew time was running out, that there was no way she could beat him. There was no animosity when she admitted defeat, only pleasure and admiration for the man she loved so dearly.

  Suddenly, without any warning, Jackson pulled up.

  The crowd moaned.

  The buzzer sounded. He’d scored a hot quit after an unbelievable ride, and there wasn’t a person horseback or afoot who didn’t know he knew better and could have avoided it.

  Alex was horrified. Like a shot to the gut, she realized what was going on. She looked to Everett, who was shocked but whose expression was stoic.

  Head high, Jackson collected the mare and rode from the arena toward the trailer. Alex started to follow him, but Everett cut her off.

  “You won, missy. Now go tell him good-bye.”

  “How can you do this? I won’t do it, I can’t do it.”

  Everett’s face remained devoid of feeling. “He knows. I told him. You haven’t got a snowball’s chance in hell now.”

  Again, as if she’d just received a second Golden Gloves punch to the stomach, Alex wanted to double over and cry. The decision had been torn from her. She couldn’t breathe, but it didn’t matter; nothing mattered but Jackson.

  “Go tell him good-bye. You owe him that much. Make a clean break.”

  She rode to the trailer, dismounting before she got there so she could watch him as he unsaddled. Slowly, painfully, she inched her way toward him. When she was within reach of the truck, she stopped.

  “Jackson.”