by Laura Ann
“Well, whatever we do, it needs to be later because it’s time for me to get ready.”
Garrett kissed the top of her head. “I’ll walk you back.”
Together they headed toward the stalls, where Kinsley’s horse, Amadeus, stood waiting patiently for his master.
“Hello, my gorgeous boy,” Kinsley purred as she got closer. She put her hands on either side of her horse’s head and slid them up his cheeks and neck, reveling in the silky feeling of his hair. Kinsley put her forehead to his and took a deep breath. “Everything’s alright when you’re around, isn’t it?” she murmured.
Amadeus snorted and nodded his head in agreement.
Kinsley laughed and stepped back to open the gate, keeping her hand on his side the whole time. “Let’s get you all saddled and ready to go, huh? We’re going to show those spectators what a real horse can do.”
Again the horse responded and Garrett shook his head. “You and your horse. It’s like you can actually talk to each other.”
Kinsley smiled widely. “We can. Didn’t you know I’m bilingual?”
Garrett grinned and shook his head. “I’ve always loved horses, but you take it to a whole other level.”
Kinsley blinked rapidly as the sting of tears came to her eyes. “Must be a combination of you and mom,” she said softly. Although Louise Storm had never touched a horse until after she married Kinsley’s father, the sweet, gentle woman had never met an animal she couldn’t tame. There was just something about her that any animal, horses included, could sense and they adored her.
Kinsley always prayed she’d gotten the best of both worlds. She got her love of horses from her father and an uncanny ability to connect with even the most stubborn of personalities from her mother.
“She’d be so proud of you,” Garrett said softly, then cleared his throat. “Anyway, let’s get this ole boy saddled and out to the waiting area. They’ll be calling your name soon.”
Amadeus blew out a long breath and stomped his foot.
“Better watch it, Dad,” Kinsley said with a smile. “He doesn’t like being called old.”
Garrett rolled his eyes. “My apologies.”
Kinsley smiled even wider when Amadeus nodded in reply. “Alrighty. Time to get this done.” She put her white pad on Amadeus’s back, then lugged the hunter saddle up and over. Kinsley made short work of attaching all the belts, the routine second nature to her after so many years of practice. At last, she put the harness on and led her beautiful stallion out of the stall and started down the hall.
“Is it your turn already?” Tyrone asked as he meandered down the hall toward Kinsley.
She smiled at the young man, who helped make sure everything was just right for her at every event. “Almost. Have you seen Coach Ritton?”
Tyrone’s cheeks flushed and his eyes dropped to the ground while he pointed further down the corridor. “Yeah. He’s waiting for you.”
“Thanks,” Kinsley murmured. With another smile, she took off. I’ll bet Coach chewed Ty out again. Poor kid. He doesn’t deserve to be treated like that.
Tyrone has been working for Coach Ritton for several years, ever since the young man graduated from high school. He ran odd jobs, kept the tack clean and generally did anything and everything the coach needed. Being one of the best coaches in the country, any position on Coach Ritton’s staff was a coveted one, but that didn’t make him any easier to work for.
He was known as the Gordon Ramsey of the horse world, and truth be told, if he wasn’t as good as he was, Kinsley would have moved on a long time ago. She wasn’t fond of his brash manner or the way he treated his underlings, but she couldn’t argue with the results. Her rank had risen significantly since she had signed with Coach Ritton and this year, they felt she had a good chance at the national championship.
“It’s about time you showed up,” Coach Ritton said by way of greeting as Kinsley came around the corner with her father and Amadeus in tow.
“We’re here in plenty of time,” Kinsley said with a forced smile. “I think there’s still a couple riders ahead of me.”
“Don’t get cocky,” Coach Ritton growled. He eyed Amadeus with a critical eye. “Did you warm him up properly?”
Kinsley kept her fake smile in place. “Of course. We did that not too long ago.”
Coach Ritton glared at her and snorted, then turned his gaze back to the arena.
Kinsley joined him, watching the other competitors go through their routine. Finally, it was her turn. Turning to Amadeus, she nuzzled his face. “Ready, boy?” She giggled when the horse nibbled at her helmet. “Alright. Let’s show these people how wonderful you are.”
At the end of the day, Kinsley sat on a haybale just outside Amadeus’s stall and removed her boots with a groan. She sucked in a short gasp when she noticed a couple specks of blood from where the new boots had worn on her skin for too many hours.
Garrett tsked his tongue and shook his head. “This can’t continue,” he said in a harsh whisper. “We’re calling Quentin first thing in the morning.”
Kinsley nodded mutely. Now that her mind wasn’t on the competition, the burning and aching in her feet became overwhelming. I’m ready to do anything if it means getting to the bottom of this mystery. I’m not sure how much more of this I can take.
SAWYER STOOD IN THE corner of the lobby, sipping his soda and watching the crowd mingle. They were celebrating the one year anniversary of Lockwood Industries, which meant a party was in full swing. Tables laden with food stood in one corner while guests, employees and investors mingled in the center.
Sawyer put his cup to his lips and eyed the group. Ridge was off to one side with his brand new wife, nuzzling her neck. Sawyer snorted. Typical. Roman had his arm around Rose’s waist and the large diamond on her finger sparkled in the sunlight. Their wedding was only a few weeks away.
Sawyer’s eyes cut to Valentina and her new fiancé Andrew. They were chatting with a large group of people, but their hands looked glued together, as if they couldn’t bear to be even the slightest bit separated from each other.
Sawyer sighed and shook his head. It’s like we’re running a stinkin’ dating service, he mentally grumbled. Three! Three of our employees hooking up within the first year of our opening. That has to be some kind of record.
“Jealous?” Archer, one of the other employees, asked in his smooth baritone.
Sawyer raised a single eyebrow. “Are you kidding me? I’m way too young to settle down.”
Archer chuckled and brought his rootbeer bottle to his lips. “That’s what they all say,” he teased with a grin.
Sawyer fought the desire to roll his eyes. Archer was a good guy, but Sawyer wasn’t really in the mood to talk to anyone. Being surrounded by all the lovey-dovey couples was making his stomach churn and he wanted nothing more than to escape and go pound a punching bag or something.
“You know what else they say?” Archer asked, slapping a hand on Sawyer’s back.
“What’s that?” Sawyer took the bait.
“Me thinketh you doth protest too much.”
“What?” Sawyer made a face.
Archer laughed. “You spend far too much time complaining about the couples for you to not be next,” Archer said with a smile. He winked as he walked away. “Beware of that next assignment. It might just be your last.”
“Whatever,” Sawyer muttered, taking another sip of his drink. “Military bro or not, next time I get Archer in the gym I’m gonna pound him.”
Truth be told, Sawyer was in the mood to pound any of his military family, since they were the ones flaunting their relationships. Lockwood Industries might have been named after the Lockwood triplets, but it was run by a crew of people who had come together during their time on the battlefield.
Harlan, one of the triplets and Sawyer’s brother, had been captured during a mission and spent several months as a prisoner of war. When Harlan was finally released, Sawyer and Ridge, the other two triplets, had lef
t the military with their brother, determined to support him and help Harlan get back on his feet.
In a show of love and loyalty, three others they had served with, joined their group as their contracts came due. Archer, Roman and Valentina rounded out their motley crew of ex military employees and helped make Lockwood Industries the success it was.
It had originally been Harlan’s idea to start the company and the others had jumped at the chance to support him. Harlan had changed during his imprisonment. He had always been a protector and responsible, but he’d lost the side of him that used to play and tease with his brothers. As identical triplets, they’d gotten into a lot of scrapes over the years, but those days were now long gone. Harlan rarely smiled and Sawyer often found a haunted look in his eyes when Harlan thought no one was paying attention.
Sawyer didn’t know everything that had happened during Harlan’s time as a prisoner, but seeing how Harlan had changed told Sawyer enough. As he thought of his brother, Sawyer’s eyes drifted to where Harlan stood. His stoic face and focused gaze made Sawyer curious, so he followed Harlan’s line of sight and sighed.
Cora, Lockwood Industries’ secretary, was chatting and laughing with some past clients. Her red hair looked like burning flames in the sunlight shining through the large windows and her wide smile was contagious. Sawyer’s eyes went back to Harlan and he watched his brother’s hand tighten on his cup as Cora laughed heartily as someone’s joke.
The whole office could tell that the two had feelings for each other, but Harlan refused to acknowledge any of it. Cora was so open and expressive and her wide green eyes were almost always locked on her boss, but Harlan treated her as nothing more than an employee. In fact, sometimes he was more harsh with her than anyone else and Sawyer suspected it was because Harlan was angry about his feelings toward the woman.
Cora was a close family friend, having grown up with Harlan and Sawyer’s younger sister. Hiring her for the front desk position had been an easy, natural move, but the tension it was creating was becoming difficult.
“He needs to just kiss her and get it out of his system,” Sawyer muttered.
“Who needs to kiss who?” a deep, gravelly voice boomed from Sawyer’s right.
Sawyer held back the urge to jump at the sound. Some bodyguard you are, he scolded himself. “Nothing,” Sawyer said, turning with a smile and putting out his hand. “Just complaining to myself about all the lovebirds.”
Quentin Gruffman laughed and shook the offered hand. “Don’t complain too hard, or you’ll find yourself next on the list.”
Sawyer shook his head. “Not me. I’m more of a short term kinda guy.”
Quentin’s large, beefy hand slapped Sawyer’s shoulder. “That’s what they all say,” he teased. “Until it’s too late.”
“Careful,” Sawyer said with raised eyebrows. “Willow might overhear you.”
Quentin shrugged. “She knows I’m wrapped around her little finger.”
Sawyer shook his head but smiled. “You enjoying the party?” He waved his hand around. “We wouldn’t be here without your help.” Quentin was the main investor in their firm and Sawyer would forever be grateful for his help.
“It was a sound investment,” Quentin assured him. “Not to mention we love helping family.” Quentin’s younger brother had married the triplet’s sister and the whole Gruffman clan had adopted the Lockwood siblings.
Sawyer nodded.
“Speaking of which, I need your help,” Quentin continued.
Sawyer immediately straightened. “Is something wrong with Goldie?”
Quentin shook his head. “No. It’s a family friend.” He looked down at his cup of punch, then back up. “Do you know anything about horses?”
Sawyer frowned and shook his head. “Not really.”
“Ever heard of Kinsley Storm?”
Sawyer’s eyebrows shot up. An image of the gorgeous equestrian flashed through his mind. Sawyer might not follow horses, but anyone who watched the sports stations knew who Kinsley Storm was. She not only showed horses, she had a contract as a sports model as well. Her mother had been a brazilian beauty and her father from the United States, leaving Kinsley looking like a barbie doll. She was tall and in shape with a face like an angel. Sawyer gulped. “Uh, yeah. I’ve heard of her.” He tried to sound nonchalant, but wasn’t sure he succeeded when Quentin gave him an odd look.
Quentin huffed. “Well, she’s a good friend. Kind of like a sister, really and she’s in trouble.”
“What kind of trouble?” Sawyer folded his arms and spread his legs, an old habit formed during his service.
Quentin’s eyes darted around. “Not here. But I’ve spoken with Harlan and we’re meeting tomorrow at two in his office. I’d like you to join us.”
“Okay...”
“We don’t want to start any rumors so everything is staying on the downlow,” Quentin explained.
“Got it.” Sawyer nodded firmly.
Quentin nodded in turn. “I appreciate it.” He once again slapped Sawyer on the back. “Gotta go mingle, but I’ll plan on seeing you tomorrow.”
“Sounds good.” Sawyer watched as his friend walked away, his mind churning with possibilities. Does this mean I get to meet Ms. Storm tomorrow? And what exactly does a horsewoman need from a security firm? He took a deep breath. I guess there’s only one way to find out.
GET YOUR COPY HERE!
“Her Champion Bodyguard”