“The police,” Jake growled. “Just a bunch of country bumpkins if you ask me.”
“My, you’re testy tonight,” Mel echoed.
He glared at her. “Besides destroying some fine horses, the fire has devastated Vanessa financially and Pop emotionally, not to mention almost ruining my career.”
“Ah, the sacred career. I forgot about it for a moment.” Mel’s words were heavy with scorn.
“My career is my life. It’s who I am and what I do. You never understood that about me,” Jake said, scowling.
“But I have understood that about you. All too well.”
The direction of this conversation was making Mel uneasy, for it hit too close to home. It had been at the core of her disagreement with Jake ten years earlier, a disagreement that caused her to give up Cory and lose the family she now so desperately wanted. Jake had refused to marry her. Not that she’d told him the most pressing reason they needed to marry. She had wanted to be wanted for herself. To be loved for herself. But Jake had said they were too young. He had a great career opportunity in California.
“Well, if you’ve understood that about me, you also know I take responsibility for everything that happens when I’m in charge. Therefore, it’s my duty to salvage something from the barn fire.”
“Yeah, I know. For Pop’s dream.” Mel was curt.
“What’s so wrong with having a dream? What’s eating at you anyway, Mel?”
“Oh, don’t act so high and mighty with me, not after I just defended you with Vanessa.”
Jake sat up and shifted to sit on the side of the lounge chair, his eyes wary. “Defended me? What for?”
“Our boss has heard rumors you set the fire.” Mel coolly informed him.
“What!”
“Apparently it’s the gossip of the show. Jake Hendricks, arsonist personified,” she said, derision in her voice.
Jake leaned forward and grasped Mel’s chin in his fingertips. She couldn’t turn away. Her heart churned in her chest as she swallowed, her throat suddenly dry.
His jaw line hard, his eyes glittering and dangerous like the approaching storm, Jake asked, “What do you think?”
“I told you I defended you,” Mel said in a bare whisper.
“But do you believe it of me?”
Something important rode on her answer. Something like trust which she didn’t think she had where Jake was concerned. She felt her pulse quicken as he watched her intently.
“I don’t think you would deliberately set a fire that would kill horses,” Mel said taking a steadying breath. “No, I don’t believe you did it.”
“Good.” He released her. Standing up, he walked to the edge of the pool.
Mel stared after him, fascinated by his broad shoulders, trim hips and long, muscular legs. Her face hurt where Jake had held her. Absently, as she gazed at him, she rubbed her jaw. Had she really said she trusted him?
Turning around, Jake came back. “You know what’s ironic?” When Mel didn’t answer, he went on, “I’ve been thinking Vanessa has a pretty good motive for wanting to burn down the barn.”
“What?” It was Mel’s turn to scoff. “Why would Vanessa do that?”
“Money.”
“Money?”
“Yes. Insurance money,” Jake said. “And if she sells the farm without rebuilding the barn, she’ll have more of it.”
“Jake, that’s ridiculous.” Mel stared up at him, her breath catching in her chest.
“What’s ridiculous about it? People do crazy things for money.” He took a step closer.
“But Vanessa has plenty. Why should she want more? Why should she destroy her farm for it?”
Their conversation was only secondary. They communicated with their eyes. Jake stared at her with a peculiar intensity that held her heart inactive, suspended. Her face felt flush, not just with heat but with strange warmth that permeated through her motionless body.
“Vanessa doesn’t have all the money you think she does. Her father had debts,” Jake said, his voice suddenly hushed. “Vanessa has added her own.”
He moved closer and pulled her upright into his arms. Mel’s heart now galloped forward in her chest, just as thunder shattered the stillness. She could feel the warmth radiating from his skin. Smell that earthy male aroma, so basic and elemental. His work-roughened fingers chafed the soft flesh of her upper arms. This time, he didn’t hurt her, but held her gently, reverently.
Her gaze skimmed his face and held his. She shuddered with desire, making her hotter, making her lean toward him, almost begging, almost pleading.
Jake’s kiss was like soft rain drops. He misted her mouth and her chin and her closed eyelids and her mouth again with tiny offerings. She returned them, capturing his mouth, his beard-rough jaw line, his nose, showering him with all the desire that thundered through her body. Then his kiss caught hers and held her mouth captured, his tongue testing the softness between her lips. Mel responded once more, leaning into him, aching for him as never before.
As the first raindrops began to fall, he held her away from him. “Nothing like a shower of reason to help us cool off,” Jake said, his voice thick with passion. “This is stupid for us to do.”
Mel couldn’t respond. She opened her eyes, wanting to scream at him that it wasn’t stupid. That it was right. Perfect. Beautiful. But she couldn’t speak. And he left her standing in the rain, wanting him, wanting more, with no more adequate explanation than when he had left ten years earlier.
Chapter Seven
Jake stood in the middle of the make-up area while Mel warmed up Royalty. Damn! He’d been stupid. He should have known kissing her would lead to his wanting more. Craving it, like a man dying of thirst craves cool water. Jake had been so aroused, had wanted Mel so much last night, that he had forced himself to leave her alone. It had been the hardest thing he’d ever done.
No. Leaving Mel ten years ago had been the hardest. Jake switched a riding crop against his leg thinking about what he had done then. He’d been right to leave her. If he hadn’t, Mel would have skipped college and not gotten a degree as Pop had planned.
Thing was, he hadn’t figured on her getting married. That hadn’t been part of the plan. He had intended to marry her after she got that degree, after they’d both grown up a bit. But it wasn’t meant to be.
What was he doing now? Jake cracked the crop even harder against his leg, almost relishing its sting as Pop give Mel last minute instructions, and Sam, the assistant groom, checked her girth.
Last night he’d felt her response, and it had only quickened his own desire. Even remembering it, the throbbing in his groin made him uncomfortable. He recalled how her breasts, covered only by the thin cloth of a t-shirt and jumper, touched his chest—the honey flavor of her lips and the aroma of her lavender perfume.
Breaking into a cold sweat, Jake shifted in his stance and frowned. He couldn’t go on like this. The championship in Louisville seemed a lifetime away. He’d be a walking maniac if he didn’t get some relief before then.
But it was more than his physical reaction to the woman who now sat calmly on the back of the black mare. His leaving Kentucky had left emptiness in his life. He’d filled that hole with hard work. He was older now. Mel was wrong. He wanted more from life than just a great career. If he succeeded at Louisville, if his career at Royalty Farm took off, he wanted someone to share it with. The thought of being alone for the rest of his life caused a sharp twinge in his chest.
His scheme to have Mel react to his male charm had backfired big time. Except for her obvious sexual reaction to him, Mel had not shown any inclination to consider him anything more than a bothersome jerk. Another dumb male, like her ex-husband. Jake clinched his teeth, causing the muscles in his jaw to tighten. What if they lost at Louisville? What if Mel left the farm? He had to think about how he would cope if she vanished from his life again.
He must be realistic. He’d hurt her once. From the things she’d said, her marriage had hurt her
badly. Why would she want to trust another man? Why would she trust him?
The announcer called the class. Jake drew himself out of his musings.
“Mel!” he shouted and walked to where she sat aboard the horse.
She glanced at him, warily, but didn’t speak.
“Here’s your crop,” he said, offering it to her.
She took the end, and for a moment they were connected by the leather stick. He held his breath, wondering what she was thinking.
Mel nodded to him. “Thanks.”
Jake stepped back. She straightened in the saddle, stretching down her heels and pulling her chest up. He watched her lift her chin as if to gain confidence. Shortening her reins, she nudged the horse slightly with her legs and said “Trot.” Royalty’s Dreamer responded like a finely tuned car. The horse picked up her trot and carried Mel into the competition.
Sadness settled inside him. He hated that her conversation was always guarded and awkward, that Mel could no longer be free with him, like she’d been as a teenager. Stepping up to the rail, Jake put his hands on the wood, enjoying the rough feel of it. He needed the roughness as a reminder of his fate. Once, just once, he and Mel had consummated the love they shared. Granted, it had been a puppy love, a young love, but he’d found over the years that nothing else had equaled it.
Back then, his cooler head had prevailed. He’d done the noble thing, only to have fortune intervene when Mel married. Now that she was divorced and he had another chance, would some other cruel fate keep them apart?
Jake took a long breath and expelled it. Better get my mind back to business. Quickly assessing the circling horses and riders, he decided Mel was definitely wining the ladies’ five-gaited championship. She had Royalty set up nicely, going down straight-away at a fast, five-beat rack. One judge marked his score card as she passed.
Mel rounded the sharp corner, handling it perfectly. That’s when it happened—quickly without warning. Her saddle slipped to the left and she fell hard against the tanbark surface of the track. Royalty reared and galloped away.
Jake didn’t remember climbing over the railing. He heard the collective gasp from the crowd, but then he heard nothing but the pounding of his own heart as he ran the length of the track. He thought he heard Mel cry out.
“Mel!” Jake knelt beside her just as she gulped. Her eyes were wide with fright. He gently removed the derby from her head and tossed it aside.
Others quickly joined him, hovering over Mel, poking at her, probing. He wanted to protect her, shove them all back, and say she belonged to him.
“Jake, we’ve halted the class,” the ring master said, “and called for the ambulance.”
“Thanks, Don.”
“I don’t need an ambulance. It was just...my breath...knocked out.” Mel’s chest heaved with her effort to speak.
“Shut up! This is one time you’ll do as you’re told.”
Mel pushed up on an elbow. “Let me up. I can finish the class.”
“Damn it, Mel, you don’t have to prove how tough you are. You’ve had a hard fall. The medics are going to look at you.”
“You’re not my keeper, Jake Hendricks,” Mel snapped.
She struggled to move her feet under her, to get momentum to stand. A look of pain shot across her face.
“That’s it. You lie back. Flat,” he ordered. “You may have a head injury.”
Jake took Mel’s shoulders in his hands and gently but forcefully pressed her back down. The wool fabric of her coat was coarse to his touch. He was hot. She must be sweltering. He longed to remove the constricting garment, but he knew it best not to move her any more than necessary. Already the ambulance rumbled toward them. Mel threw him a look of exasperation. A feeling of despair clutching at his heart, Jake compressed his lips together and returned her gaze, not backing down.
Then the paramedics were there, and Jake was pushed aside. He stood, immobile, impotent, while Mel’s vital signs were checked, her neck was wrapped into a cervical collar and her body was stretched onto a backboard. At one point, he realized Pop stood beside him, the old man’s face like white paste. For once, Pop kept his mouth shut and didn’t remark about “makin’ you tough.”
“Someone going with her?” a paramedic asked.
Jake hesitated. He was nothing to Mel. She wouldn’t want him along for the ride. It was Pop’s place, not his. Making up his mind, he guided Pop toward the ambulance and helped him climb in.
As the ambulance left and the group of people began to disperse, Jake remained stationary, his gaze on his boots. The shock of the sudden accident began to seep into his consciousness. He took a deep breath, hoping to relieve the nerves that cramped his stomach. Nothing worked. He plowed a hand through his hair.
“C’mon, Jake, let’s go.” Dave’s familiar voice was forceful.
Jake glanced up. The little groom stood beside him, Mel’s saddle in his arms.
“They want to finish the class,” Dave said. “Pick up Mel’s hat, and let’s go.”
Walking in a nightmare, Jake followed Dave out of the arena.
“I want you to take a look at this girth,” Dave said when they arrived at their stall area. “Something’s wrong with it.”
“What is it?”
“I think it’s been cut.”
* * * *
Mel’s eyes flickered open. She was cold. Only a thin sheet covered her. She pulled the white, hospital sheet up to her chin, wishing she was back in the motel room listening to Pop’s snores.
Instead, the emergency room doctor had decided to admit her overnight. Now she lay flat on her back, disgusted with herself and her situation. She’d been winning the class. Royalty would have been the stake champion and positioned very nicely for the World’s Grand Championship in August. Not now. Not since Mel had lost her balance and toppled off the horse’s back.
She could kick herself. She’d never fallen off like that. Why now, just going around a sharp turn? It didn’t make sense.
Nothing made much sense any more. Not her physical reaction to Jake, not her longing for the daughter she’d given up, not the overriding guilt she felt for things long done and gone.
Mel glanced at the pale light seeping through the curtains at the window. It must be early. She sighed and shut her eyes. The doctor wouldn’t discharge her until mid-morning.
“Good morning, Melody.”
Mel’s eyes flew open. Lenny! Her ex-husband stood next to her bed. Fear, as cold and frosty as a winter’s day, seeped through her body. She stared at him, eyes wide, breathing quickly.
“What are you doing here, Lenny?”
“I thought I should offer you my support. I saw that horrible accident last night.” Lenny peered at her with eyes that didn’t register his concern.
“I don’t need your support.” She turned her head from his sharp stare.
He came nearer and touched the side of the bed. Mel’s flesh crawled. Pushing up on her elbow, and wincing at the effort, Mel tried to remove some of the disadvantage she felt lying flat in the bed. Her efforts simply put her at eye level with the man she’d grown to hate.
“You were doing so well, too,” he said with a sweet tone of irony in his voice.
Mel felt her stomach tighten. Sweat broke out on her body, causing her flesh to chill even more. She drew a deep breath.
“Get out of my room.”
“Now, Mel, is that the way to act?”
“Get out of my room! I’ll push the button for the nurse.” Flinching as a pain shot through her hips, Mel fumbled for the button.
“I wouldn’t do that. This is just a friendly little visit.”
“Come off it. You and I haven’t been friends for a very long time.” Mel fought a rising panic. “I said get out!”
As she grabbed the button, Lenny caught her hand in his flaccid fingers. “You wouldn’t want me to tell Jake Hendricks, would you?”
Mel went very still. “Tell him what?”
“About Cory.”
“Then say you’ll have dinner with me.” Lenny spoke softly, but the menace was plain.
“Don’t threaten me. I don’t like your games.”
“But you won’t listen to me otherwise.”
Mel’s gaze held his for one endless moment and then she broke eye contact, glancing away. Her breathing was shallow. Lenny meant what he said. Whatever he knew or thought he knew, he would use it against her. She had to do what he asked. Once. Just once. If for nothing else, but to discover what he knew.
Maybe when she had some clothes on and wasn’t half naked in a hospital gown, she would not be at such a disadvantage. With advance warning, she might be able to cope with her ex-husband. It was a chance she had to take.
“When?”
“In two weeks. Before Shelbyville. I’ll take you to the Old Stone Inn. You always enjoyed eating there.”
“Whatever,” she said, dismissing him and looking away. “Just let me know.”
“That’s my girl.”
Mel heard the triumph in his voice. She gritted her teeth. She’d lost again. Why hadn’t the divorce ended it all?
“I’m not your girl,” Mel said, but when she looked back, he was gone.
She let the tension seep away from her like the air from a balloon. Slowly, she slid under the thin sheet, her body shaking from shock. She clutched the edge of it. Lenny was blackmailing her, using whatever knowledge he had to make her do what he wanted.
But what did he want? Sickening fear blossomed again in her belly.
If Lenny knew about Jake, she must keep the news from Cory. It served no purpose for the little girl to know. Not now. Not when she was so happy.
What was Lenny going to tell Jake? What would Jake think when he learned he had a daughter?
Mel had never dreamed she’d face the day when Jake found out about Cory. For a teenager, tomorrow never comes. Consequences are overlooked.
Soon she might have to pay for the mistake she’d made. This time, two other people might have to pay with her.
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