* * * *
“Damn me, darlin’, the doctor said bed rest, and that’s just what you’re gonna do,” Pop ordered.
Mel frowned. “But, Pop, tonight’s the championship.”
“An’ we don’t need you there.”
“Pop’s right, Mel,” Vanessa said. “We can take care of everything. Your health is the most important thing you have to worry about. You gave us quite a scare.”
Mel sighed. She didn’t like this fuss. She must be Pop’s daughter after all. “I’ve only got a bruise,” she offered, but knew her battle was lost.
“Yeah, a bruised tail bone. C’n hardly walk.” Pop shuffled around the bed and glared at her. “Could’ve been a damned lot worse.”
Mel had to admit the two of them were right. Her pain had been so great she’d expected something worse too. Nothing as simple as “take your prescription and you’ll be fine in about ten days.” Putting on her blue jeans a few moments ago had been agonizing, so she hoped the promised ten days flew by quickly.
An orderly brought a wheel chair to the door and announced Mel’s ride had arrived. She crawled out of bed, barely able to walk without grimacing. A bruised tail bone was embarrassing. Good grief. She’d fallen off horses before and never bruised a tail bone. Gingerly, she slipped into the wheel chair for the ride to the hospital entrance. Vanessa lowered the feet rests.
“Jake’s got it all under control,” Pop said from behind.
“I bet he does,” Mel murmured.
“We’re only showing Dreamcatcher tonight.”
Pop wasn’t telling her anything she didn’t know, but Mel bit back a barbed retort. After all, he was her dad, and he was only keeping up conversation.
“Did I tell you Cory won the walk and trot championship?” Vanessa asked from behind.
“No!” Mel twisted to look at her and felt a sharp twinge of pain.
Vanessa hurried up to the wheelchair. “Don’t turn. I know it hurts.”
Mel wrinkled up her nose and drew her brows together. She hated admitting weakness.
“Cory was first on all three judges’ cards.” Vanessa had a delighted look on her face.
“That’s great!” Mel said as she clutched the arms of the wheelchair. She puffed up with pride. “Cory will put the farm on the map faster than the rest of us.”
Vanessa nodded. “I’m already planning my advertising spread in the Show Horse Report. It should be grand.”
They reached the lobby. A bank of glass windows allowed the summer sun to thrust its way into the waiting area. In the glare, a single figure waited by the sliding glass door. Jake! A shiver skittered down her spine.
“What’s he doing here?” she said too quickly.
“Takin’ you home,” Pop answered.
“Shouldn’t he be at the show?”
“I said he had it all under control.” Pop nodded at Jake, who came toward them. “‘Sides, he volunteered.”
“It figures.”
“Mel, let me help you.” Jake offered his hand.
Feeling a flush creep up her face, Mel simply gave him a blank look. For a tense moment, he stared at her, and then stooped over to move the feet rests up. Mel climbed to her feet, wincing as the pain shot down her back. When he took her elbow, she was glad for his support.
“Y’all drive careful,” Pop said after Mel had clambered ungracefully into the cab of Jake’s truck.
Looking down at her father, at his thinning white hair, and his gnarled hand resting on the open window, Mel smiled. “I’ll be okay, Pop. Don’t worry about me.”
“Damn straight, you’ll be okay. Just wanted to warn that boy, there.” He backed away from the truck.
“See ya!” Mel said with a slight wave.
“Take care of yourself, Mel. We’ll look after the horses,” Vanessa called as they pulled away.
And then she was alone with Jake.
Mel pushed the button to shut the window. A thin stream of cool air from the dash board hit her face. She was hot, the summer sun beating through the passenger side window. The air conditioning barely made a dent in the uncomfortable cab. Or maybe it wasn’t the temperature. Maybe it was the tension that tightened between them as the truck darted through traffic.
She glanced at Jake, only to discover his eyes glued to the road. Minutes dragged by, and neither one of them spoke. Mel’s uneasiness increased. She needed to break the silence. She needed to thank him for the ride and tell him she was sorry. Sorry for what? So many things. Her list was long and rambling. Yet she dared not broach the subject that lay near her heart, the subject of the child they shared.
“I’m sorry about screwing up the class,” Mel said instead. “I think I had a good shot at winning.”
She saw him chance a glance at her before his gaze returned to the road. “You were winning.”
“I don’t know how I lost my balance.” She shook her head. “It isn’t like me.”
Mel noticed Jake’s grip tighten on the steering wheel. “It’s easy to fall off if your girth is cut.”
Chapter Eight
“What!”
Jake stopped at a light and looked at her. “The girth had been sliced so that motion and the rider’s weight finally severed it. That’s why you fell, Mel. Someone wanted you to fall.”
She let his words sink in. “Why?” Her gaze locked with his.
Jake held her gaze, his eyes moving as they searched her face. The light turned. He looked away and stepped on the gas. “I don’t know if someone was out to hurt the farm or to hurt you.”
“Me?” Mel frowned at the thought.
“Yes, remember the jog cart? I’m not so sure that was an accident.”
Suddenly the truck cab was too cold. Mel shivered and glanced out the passenger side window. The heat from the sun pummeled her face, just as a spike of fear speared her heart. Lenny. Was this “someone” Lenny? He was blackmailing her. Could he be trying to kill her too?
“That’s one reason I wanted to take you home,” Jake said.
Mel glanced back at him. “What did you say?”
“I wanted to take you home to get you away from the show. I’m not sure if you’re safe there,” Jake remarked without looking at her.
“But what if this person is the same one who set the barn fire?” Mel asked. “I might not be safe at the farm either.”
Jake took a deep breath. “You may be right. I hadn’t thought about that.”
“Maybe we should tell the police,” Mel suggested as she rubbed her temple. She didn’t need this added complication. Not when she felt like a broken doll. Not when she wasn’t focused enough to contend with this sinister possibility.
“They’ll want suspects,” Jake said.
Mel knew what he was thinking. Vanessa and her ugly rumor. But Vanessa had a motive too. Money. Greed. Mel sighed before she said, “Well, what suspects do we have beside you and Vanessa? We can rule you two out.”
“Are you so sure?” Jake’s voice was controlled.
“Yes,” she replied firmly.
Mel glanced at him once more, noticing the slight movement in his jaw. She studied the line of his brow and the upturn of his lashes. His sandy hair seemed lighter, as if the sun had bleached it blond. She longed to run her fingers through it and see his dimpled smile directed at her. She longed to feel his arms around her, warm and secure.
Mel turned away, remembering the night of the rain storm and the desire that was overwhelming still. As the same hot desire swept over her, she realized something else. Jake was concerned about her well-being. He was taking her home to keep her from harm.
“Okay, who else do we suspect?” Jake wanted to know. “I don’t have a clue.”
Mel chewed her lip. She couldn’t mention Lenny. Not until she learned what he wanted. Slanting another look at Jake, she said, “There’s that realtor. He’s a real slime ball.”
“What realtor?”
“The one who wants to buy Royalty Farm,” Mel answered. “I met him the
other night, but wasn’t impressed.”
“In that case, the motive would be ruining Royalty Farm so Vanessa will sell it. Doesn’t sound as if you’d be involved in that one.” Jake tapped a thumb on the wheel.
“Maybe I was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Mel reflected.
“It could be a disgruntled employee.”
“Do we have a disgruntled employee?”
Jake glanced over his left shoulder as he pulled onto the interstate highway. When he faced front again, Mel saw the tenseness in his jaw. “I don’t know, but it’s something we need to find out.”
* * * *
Mel was sick and tired of being sick and tired. She had literally been on her butt for five days. Bed rest. She hated it. Pushing the controller button, she flipped off the television and sat staring at the darkened screen. Pop’s living room was dim, cool and confining. Mel frowned. She hadn’t been this inactive in ages.
Not anymore. She was done with being an invalid, no matter what Pop and Jake said. Mel forced herself up from the cluster of pillows propped at her back and sat up. After pulling on her paddock boots, she stood and with only a twinge of pain in her hips, she started for the barn.
Late July in Kentucky, and it was hot with no break in the weather. Red clay dust swirled around her boots as she walked slowly. The sun beating upon her bare head was a welcome change from Pop’s cool house. Mel squinted to adjust to the bright glare.
She spotted Jake in the outside riding ring near the now leveled training barn giving Cory a lesson. Controlling the emotion that surged in her heart, she strolled up to the railing and leaned against the wooden fence.
“Hup there! Show that horse, Cory!” Jake called, his words coming to Mel as if in a dream.
The little girl spurred the big gelding into a faster trot and headed down a straight-away.
“Keep those hands up!”
Cory responded immediately. After raising her hands, she squared her shoulders and pulled her body upright. She lifted her little chin. Her sandy hair bounced up and down with each post as she rode into the turn. If she saw Mel standing at the rail, Cory didn’t acknowledge her. Her concentration was complete, a look of pride and confidence in her carriage.
Mel’s stomach turned, for she recognized herself in her little girl’s demeanor. She recognized the same stubborn determination, the same desire for excellence she had shown at that age. She also identified Cory’s willingness to seek approval, to please the man who was giving her a lesson, and it bothered her. Mel remembered how it had felt to want to please Jake. Once he had wanted to please her. Cory was a by-product of their desire to please each other. She regretted again her mistake. Maybe if she’d been stronger, she would never have given in to the passion that had consumed her good sense.
“Okay, walk and come on in and line up,” Jake instructed.
He stood in the center of the ring, tall and proud. He tilted his head and switched a crop on his jodhpurs, his thigh muscles defined beneath the jean-like fabric. Cory rode over to him and nudged the back of her horse’s front legs with the toe of her boot. The gelding stretched out and Cory poised herself for inspection. Jake circled around Cory like a judge. Once, he positioned her left leg and heel. Another time, he moved her hands higher.
Mel clutched the rough rail to control a sudden trembling. Oh, my gosh! The two mirrored each other. They had the same shape face and the same texture of sandy hair. The only difference was Jake’s misplaced dimple, high under his left eye. Cory’s dimples were more normally placed next to her mouth, and when she smiled at her father, her dimples seemed to light up her whole face.
Would Jake see it too? Would he perceive the child sitting on the back of the bay horse was a miniature of himself? Mel swallowed hard, regretting for the hundredth time they weren’t a family. Couldn’t be a family.
Again an emptiness as deep and wide as a rocky gorge gripped her soul. She’d made a mistake, and now she fathomed how big a mistake it had been.
“Mel!”
Startled, Mel glanced up to see Vanessa approach.
“Glad to see you up and around.” Her friend came to stand beside her.
“I couldn’t take it anymore,” Mel said, shifting uneasily.
“You stayed at home longer than I thought you would.” Vanessa didn’t look at her, but gazed across the riding ring.
“I suppose I was trying to be cautious.” Mel wondered if she had been trying to avoid Jake.
Cory turned the horse and headed toward them. “Hi, Vanessa! Mel!” she called with a wave of her hand. “Are you feeling better?”
“Yes, thank you.” Mel felt a flush of pleasure at Cory’s concern.
“Hey, that’s good. Did you see me ride? Isn’t Tia spectacular?” Cory reached down and hugged the neck of her horse.
“I think you’re both wonderful,” Mel said, a wistful note to her voice.
“Hop down, Cory. We need to go to the dentist.” Vanessa opened the gate and took hold of the horse’s bridle.
“I need to put Tia away.”
Jake came up from behind. “I’ll put your horse away, kiddo.”
“Thanks, Jake.” Cory dismounted and gave the gelding a final pat. She followed Vanessa to the car, but turned before she opened the door. “Hey, Mel, I hope you don’t mind Jake giving me a lesson. You can give me the next one.”
Love surged, love tinged with regret. Mel smiled. “I’d like that, Cory.”
Cory waved again and climbed into the car.
“Cute kid,” Jake said casually.
“Yes, she’s a charmer.”
Jake led Royal Tiara to the barn. Mel joined him.
“I’m glad you’re feeling better.”
“Thanks.”
They were quiet as they walked. A deep yearning burned and throbbed inside her. She felt hot, not from the summer sun, but from wanting...needing. She looked askance at Jake. His tan face was set, jaw immobile. Glancing down at her boots, she wished she didn’t feel this swell of desire and was able to remain distant, uncaring.
Maybe that had been part of her problem. She had never gotten over losing Jake. He’d been a third person in her marriage, even though she had tried hard. Now, it was even harder to pretend an aloofness, not when she’d seen him once more with his daughter—the daughter they should be parenting together.
“I haven’t made much progress,” Jake remarked.
“At what?”
“Finding a disgruntled employee,” he said. “I’ve watched all of our caretakers, Sam, Jose, and even Dave. I still don’t have a clue.” He grunted with disgust.
Mel hesitated a second, and then continued walking on. No, she wouldn’t think about Lenny. Not until she had dinner with him.
“It might be me or you,” she added.
“Or Pop. But it all just doesn’t add up.” Jake shook his head. “I must find out what’s going on. I don’t want to see anyone hurt again.”
“You care?” Mel’s remark was sarcastic. She couldn’t help it.
“Of course, I care.” Jake halted the horse and faced her. “What kind of comment was that?”
Mel stopped too. “Well, you say you care, but I seem to remember a time when you didn’t care enough about us here at Royalty Farm. You cared more about your career.”
Anger flared in his eyes. “Damn it all, Mel. You’re talking about us, not this farm. You know I’ve always had your well-being at heart.”
He clucked to the horse and walked on...fast. Mel couldn’t keep up. When she got to the barn, Jake had already stripped Royal Tiara and put him in the cross-ties. She peered at Jake through the metal bars of the stall.
Her pulse was racing. Her jaw set. His betrayal had bothered her for years, eaten away at her. In the past, she’d always side-stepped it, never confronting Jake. Not now. She felt an over-powering need to get her hurt and anger out in the open. Maybe it had something to do with the daughter she’d given away.
“I don’t know how you claim to ca
re about me,” Mel said quietly through the bars.
Jake glanced up from where he brushed the bay horse. He took a deep breath before he answered, “Mel, you think I left this farm because of my job offer in California.”
“Well, didn’t you? That’s what you told me at the time.”
Jake sighed. “I know that’s what I said, but that’s not the total reason.”
“What is it?” Mel’s face was flushed with bewildered anger. “Isn’t it about time you explain?”
Jake threw down the hard brush and confronted her at the stall door, his hand gripping the metal chain of the cross-tie. “I told you I had a new job because you wouldn’t accept the real reason. You had marriage on your mind.”
Mel bit her lip. Her eyes narrowed. When she answered, her voice was low and soft. “I thought we had a good relationship. I believed we were in love. I didn’t know you didn’t feel the same way until you walked out on me.”
Jake heard the derision in her voice. He lifted his hand from the cross-tie and ran it through his hair in a gesture of frustration. “Damn it, Mel. We did love each other, but we were too young. You were just eighteen and I had just turned twenty-one. Neither one of us needed to be married. You had college to get through. Pop had already paid for your first semester, remember? We would have ruined our lives if we had married that young.”
“What? Our lives are a raging success right now?” Mel snapped.
“You are a success. I’ve kept up with your career. You’re a well-respected trainer.” He shrugged and turned back to the horse. “The only thing I’d consider ruined is the mess the fire made out of Royalty Farm.” His voice trailed off.
“But that is out of our control.”
“Precisely.” Jake turned to look at her. Why couldn’t she understand? He wanted her approval. “We were too young, Mel. Too young. I did what I thought was best for you, for us. Can’t you see I was thinking of you?”
“Sure.” Her voice was like a cold winter’s day. “Thinking for me is more like it.”
“You just wanted to get married. You weren’t thinking about the consequences. If I had married you then, you wouldn’t have gotten your college degree.”
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