“Not surprising,” Scott said. “Stinger isn’t a complete idiot. Rick’s my best man.”
Eve’s face turned warm. She jammed her hands in her back pockets and checked on Joey. He was already on the swing, one thin leg hooked around the tire, the other scuffing the ground. When Eve looked back, Megan was staring, her head tilted, astute eyes full of mischief.
“I’ve never met Rick,” Megan said, her tone sweet and innocent. “He’s your best man? In what way?”
“Lethal,” Scott said. “Not someone you want to annoy. But he can go where others can’t. And come out alive.” He looked at Eve. “You made out okay? He wasn’t too surly about being stuck here?”
“Not surly at all,” Eve said. She didn’t dare look at Megan. Sometimes she wished the woman wasn’t so darn intuitive.
“Good.” Scott gave a brief nod. “I didn’t expect any trouble. But I’ll re-assign him now that Joey’s here.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Eve said quickly. “Joey doesn’t care what people look like. And besides, Rick had a haircut—”
“It’s not about Joey,” Scott said. “I simply can’t ask Rick to be around children.”
“Why?” Both she and Megan spoke at once.
Scott folded his arms, ignoring their question. “Snake will replace Rick. He needs some downtime and can watch Joey.”
“But I already have a babysitter lined up,” Eve said. “A capable woman named Juanita. And I don’t need Snake. There’s been no more thefts.”
“Maybe nothing else has been stolen,” Scott said. “But there is an unsolved murder. So I want Snake here to watch over…everyone.” His voice hardened. “And if you find you’re too busy, he can bring Joey back to LA. We’ll look after him until your mother feels better. Or until you return.”
Eve looked at Megan. But Megan only gave an apologetic shrug and stepped closer to Scott, clearly in accord with her husband.
“But I don’t need you to arrange babysitters.” She fought to keep her voice level. “And I’ll have lots of time for Joey. My staff is top notch.”
“Of course they are,” Megan said soothingly. “But you need your time and energy for training. We only want to help. Especially since Victoria is determined to make you fail.”
“Look at me, Mommy!” Joey called. He perched on top of the swing, both legs wrapped around the tire, his hands gripping the rope. “Come and push me.”
She swallowed and glanced toward the barn. Stinger needed his legs wrapped, and a tongue tie, and the ring bit switched to his race bridle. And she needed to make sure his mouth was rinsed, just in case he’d managed to grab some hay. Rick was looking after the horse, but a trainer needed to supervise.
“Go and take care of Stinger,” Megan said. “I’ll look after Joey. We’ll meet you in the paddock. Then we can watch the race together.”
“Okay, thanks,” she said, gratitude warring with resentment. Scott undoubtedly had good intentions. And his concern was rather sweet. But he was accustomed to directing aggressive men, and she didn’t like anyone tossing out orders, especially in regard to her son.
Even more troubling was his inference that Rick couldn’t, or shouldn’t, be around Joey. Along with his announcement that Rick would be re-assigned. But maybe Rick had requested a new case. Maybe he didn’t want to admit he was bored. After all, Scott should know. The men spoke at least twice a day.
Joey was spinning circles on the tire now, laughing and waving at Megan with every turn.
Eve shot her son a last wistful look then turned and trudged into the barn, frustrated, conflicted and confused.
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Eve laid the yellow saddle cloth on Stinger’s back, smoothed out the wrinkles, and then followed with the jockey’s tiny saddle. So far, Stinger was surprisingly tractable, his ears locked on the spectators jammed around the rail.
She stretched his front legs, making sure no skin was pinched by the girth. He usually acted up at this point, rearing and charging forward, impatient to race. But Rick distracted him by jiggling his bit, and Stinger forgot to throw his hissy fit.
She shot Rick a grateful smile. Maybe Scott was right, and the horse was smart enough not to mess with Rick. Whatever the reason, Stinger was a model of obedience.
Owners were allowed in the paddock and she’d half expected Scott to linger too close, making suggestions and getting in the way. But he remained on the grass beside Megan and Joey, not even approaching until Rick was leading Stinger around the enclosure.
“First time I’ve seen our horse look so composed,” Scott said. “Think it will translate to the race?”
“I have no idea,” she said. “He’s never acted like this before.”
Scott’s eyes narrowed. “Any chance someone slipped him some drugs?”
“Not likely,” she said. “Rick installed new surveillance cameras. And Stinger was his normal self earlier today. He yanked Ashley all around the grass. Her arm is still bruised from his teeth. I think his behavior is related to Rick’s presence, rather than any drugs.”
“Okay, good.” Scott stared at Rick and Stinger, his gray eyes unreadable. He hesitated then his voice lowered. “You need to be cautious, Eve. He has issues.”
She stiffened, realizing he was no longer talking about Stinger.
“If he leaves after all,” Scott went on, “call and I’ll send Snake.”
She stepped back against the wall of the saddling stall. Scott was usually an incisive man. Today, though, he seemed to be talking in riddles.
“So Rick isn’t leaving?” she asked. “You’re not re-assigning him?”
“I can’t assign him anything. Especially since he quit.” Scott gave a rueful smile. “And he’ll be damn hard to replace.” His expression changed and he looked truly troubled. “I just wish you both luck.”
Eve leaned against the wooden wall, struggling to sort through Scott’s words. Rick had quit? The two men had been talking outside the barn, just before they led Stinger over. They’d nodded and shaken hands. She hadn’t had a chance to talk with Rick about Scott’s plans to replace him with Snake. Or even to ask Rick what he wanted. Had thought it best to wait until after the race.
But she had no idea what all this meant. In fact, her head was beginning to pound, as if too small for her muddled thoughts. All around, horses were prancing, people were babbling, and Joey tugged at Megan’s hand, trying to get closer. And Scott just stared with that grave expression, and now the jockey was striding toward them, expecting coherent race instructions.
Eve pushed herself away from the wall, shaking her head. She needed to concentrate on Stinger now. She’d brought him here, and he deserved her full attention. But she couldn’t dismiss Scott’s words, his veiled warning. Couldn’t ignore how it stoked her own misgivings.
She looked at Scott, knowing he’d either give a straight answer, or say nothing at all. “Why are you wishing us luck? Why do you think Rick will leave?”
“Because of Joey,” Scott said.
The jockey apparently decided she’d waited long enough. “Hi,” she said, stepping forward and reaching for Scott’s hand. “I’m Julie West.”
Julie shook his hand then strode over to Megan and Joey, including them in her polite round of greetings.
Eve stared at the tableau of horses and riders, feeling like she was a spectator. She knew Rick had an issue with children, but Scott spoke with such certainty. And not only was he a very intelligent man, but he also knew Rick’s background.
And now it wasn’t just her head that hurt. Worry wormed through the pit of her stomach, leaving her nauseous. She pressed a hand against her mouth, praying she wouldn’t throw up.
“Riders up,” the paddock judge called.
She swallowed and stepped forward on stiff legs. Rick and Stinger were circling in front of them. And Julie was looking at her, wondering how to ride the horse. And Eve knew she was a horrible trainer—just like Victoria said—because all she was thinking about rig
ht now was her son. And Rick.
“Guess you don’t want me to fight with the horse,” the jockey said, her voice encouraging. “I see you’ve taken off his blinkers. Anything else you want to tell me?”
Eve cleared her throat. There was plenty to tell Julie but only seconds left to do it. Stinger was a sprinter trying to run long. He disliked horses and people, but he was brave and full of fight.
“Maybe try to get him settled?” Julie added helpfully. “Save him for a run at the end?”
Eve nodded.
“I know it’s hard to concentrate,” Julie went on. “My husband says training is the hardest job of all. But I’ll do my best for your horse. I’ve watched his replays and know he doesn’t like to be crowded.”
Eve struggled to control her nausea. “I’ve been working him with other horses,” she managed. “He’ll tolerate them better now. He should have a good finish.”
“Your son is really cute. Love his boots.” Julie gave Joey a jaunty thumbs up then turned toward Stinger. “We’ll try hard to win so you can have a picture together.”
“Great,” Eve managed. She legged Julie into the saddle, galvanized by the jockey’s empathy. She clearly thought Eve suffered from rookie trainer jitters. That she was paralyzed thinking about the race.
This was certainly a poor time to worry if Rick and Joey would ever get along. Besides, if Rick didn’t have a job, he’d have to leave anyway. She certainly had no money to pay him.
She realized Rick was staring at her and averted her gaze. But he reached back and tugged her alongside him as he led Stinger into the tunnel.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice quiet but concerned.
She shook her head, determined to wait for a better time, when they were alone and could be honest. But it felt as if they were alone now, even as they passed through a gauntlet of spectators. Everyone stared at the horses and riders, not their handlers. Julie sat high in the saddle, knotting her reins and smiling at her fans as they called out encouragement.
Eve realized she was clutching her stomach and dropped her hand. “Scott just told me you’d quit,” she said.
“That’s right,” Rick said, totally unabashed. He alertly tightened Stinger’s lead line, stopping the horse from nipping a foolhardy fan who’d reached out to touch Stinger’s neck.
“Don’t you like working as a PI?”
“He wanted me on another case,” Rick said simply. “I didn’t want to leave you.”
“Oh, I see,” she said. “Well, that’s good,” she added. And relief drained the pressure from her head, and her stomach stopped flipping. She even managed to smile at a little girl with braces and a pink horse tattoo on her cheek.
So Scott was mistaken. Rick wasn’t running from anything, least of all Joey. But she didn’t want Rick to give up his job. They could work something out, maybe meet in LA, or between racetracks, or she’d simply wait for him to finish his next case.
“Scott’s agency is supposed to be the best,” she said. “He has his pick of people. Don’t you want that job?”
“I have a good horse in one hand,” Rick said. “A good woman in the other. There’s really nothing else I want.”
She tripped. Would have fallen in the tunnel if he hadn’t supported her, helping her keep pace with Stinger’s prancing walk. He handed the lead line to Dana, mounted on her steady escort horse, and Stinger smoothly joined the post parade.
Then it was only her and Rick. But her legs felt too awkward to move. Because this was even better than she’d hoped. Rick was good with animals but she’d always suspected he preferred motorcycles over horses.
She must have spoken out loud because he winked. “You’re right,” he said. “I don’t need any horse. Just you.”
She noticed he didn’t mention Joey, but he hadn’t had a chance to meet her son yet. Once he did, he’d realize Joey was a great kid. And he’d see how happy they all could be.
“Let’s find Joey and the others.” She grabbed Rick’s hand, excitedly tugging him behind her. She zigzagged through the crowd, her nausea replaced with anticipation. She’d never introduced a man as her boyfriend before. Joey would be ecstatic. Lately he’d looked wistful when he spotted other kids laughing with their fathers in the park.
She hurried toward the rail. Scott and Megan had staked out a good spot across from the finish line. Ashley and Miguel stood to Megan’s right and Joey was bouncing on his toes, clearly thrilled at his proximity to so many horses.
He pulled away from Megan and charged toward Eve, flashing his gap-toothed grin. “Mommy, your horse is nice and shiny, but he looks mean. He tried to bite the other horse but Uncle Scott said the leather pad stopped his teeth.”
Eve laughed, released Rick’s hand and gave Joey an impulsive hug. “He’s just eager to run,” she said. “And he’s not my horse. I’m only the trainer. Scott and Megan own Stinger.”
She gestured behind her. “Joey, this is Rick. He’s the one who made Stinger so shiny. He’s a good friend, he—”
She turned but Rick was no longer beside her. He stood on the other side of Miguel, staring intently at the parade of horses. But naturally he wanted to see how Stinger behaved in the post parade.
She forced herself to remain patient. In a few minutes the horses would start their warm up. There’d be a better time for introductions.
“Is Stinger’s jockey as good as you?” Joey asked.
“Even better,” she said, pulling her gaze from Rick. Maybe he didn’t want to talk right now. A lot of people were nervous before a race, including her.
“I hope she doesn’t break her arm. Like you did.” Joey wiggled in front of her, his feet moving as rapidly as his thoughts. “When will the race start?”
“Ten minutes,” she said. “They’re warming up now. The starting gate is right in front of us.”
“I can’t see.” Joey hopped up and down, trying to peer over the rail.
She and Megan smiled, but Scott reached in, scooped Joey up and placed him on his shoulders.
“I can see everything now,” Joey said, his eyes widening. He gripped Scott’s hair. It must have hurt but Scott didn’t say a word. In fact, both boy and man were grinning with delight.
Eve swallowed. She’d waited ten days to see Joey, to touch him, to hold his hand. It wouldn’t hurt to wait a little longer. In a few hours, Megan and Scott would be gone. They were kind enough to kid-sit so she could concentrate on her job. She couldn’t have it both ways.
And it was clear Joey loved Scott’s company. Why wouldn’t he? Joey needed a father figure. Someone kind and strong and smart. She peeked at Rick.
He was even taller than Scott, with shoulders every bit as broad. But he didn’t look at all inclined to balance Joey on his shoulders. Instead, he remained ten feet away, just staring across the track.
“He’s gorgeous,” Megan whispered, following her gaze. “Not what I expected at all… Not based on what Scott said.”
“He had a shave and hair cut,” Eve said. She paused. Didn’t want to pump for information. That wasn’t fair, to Megan or Rick. Besides, Scott was tight lipped about company personnel. Megan probably didn’t know much.
But the questions circled in Eve’s head, clamoring to get out, and she couldn’t keep her mouth shut. “What do you know about Rick?” she whispered. “What did Scott say?”
“Nothing.” But Megan touched her earring, a sure sign she was flustered.
Eve’s mouth tightened. “I think he’s a really good guy.”
“Of course he is. We just don’t want you to get hurt.”
She stared into Megan’s familiar eyes, so like her brother’s. There was no doubting her integrity. Megan had supported Eve from the day they met. True, her driving interest had been in little Joey, but she’d proven time and time again to be a rock solid friend.
Eve pulled in a resolute breath. “Then tell me what I need to know,” she said, “so I don’t get hurt.”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
Megan’s voice was gentle. “Look where he’s standing. Has he even talked to Joey yet?”
“That’s not fair. He was busy in the barn when you arrived. And then he had to take care of Stinger.”
Megan just looked at her, her beautiful face full of sympathy. “Scott says Rick has an over-developed sense of responsibility. And there are things in his past he can’t let go. No matter how hard he tries.”
“The horses are approaching the gate,” the announcer blared.
Eve pulled her head away and stared at the starting gate. Stinger looked blurry. She blinked several times, trying to rid her eyes of the annoying dust. The horse appeared on the muscle, yet composed. Rick had taught Stinger a little bit about respect, and he didn’t even try to strike the assistant starter.
“You’re wrong,” she said, turning back to Megan. “Rick hung the swing, bought the soccer net. He’s trying to make it nice for Joey. He wants this, just as much as I do.”
“It’s not that he doesn’t want it,” Megan said. “But he can’t handle it. And you deserve more… Joey deserves more.” And though her voice remained compassionate, there was a hint of steel in her voice. A warning.
“Hey.” Ashley squeezed up beside them, waving her hand and brandishing two betting stubs. “Stinger has been behaving so well that I bet another twenty bucks. We can add any winnings to Camila’s fund.”
Eve made an agreeable noise in her throat. At twelve to one odds, Stinger was probably a decent bet. A longshot with a chance. Dana and Julie had warmed him up perfectly, keeping him composed and cooperative. Julie looked relaxed as the horse walked into the gate, and Stinger seemed to appreciate her nonchalance. He stood motionless, waiting for the doors to spring open.
This was an exciting time, the moment they’d all worked for—every one of her staff. But she felt empty.
She glanced once more at Rick, willing him to look at her. At Joey. But he just stared at the horses. Every time he acted weird it had been when there were children around. And she couldn’t deny it any longer. Kids were his kryptonite.
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