Backstretch Baby (14 page)

“All done.” She waved her hands in the air, hoping to distract him. “First time ever. My palms are sweating.”

“Congratulations,” he said, obviously understanding the enormity of the occasion. “So Tizzy’s in?”

“Yes. Sixth race on Saturday, an allowance. And the rider is a woman. I think he’ll like her.”

Rick folded his hand around hers. “We should celebrate,” he said. “Let’s take my bike, do a little sightseeing, then have a nice dinner.”

She opened her mouth to protest. She hadn’t seen Juanita and the children in two days. Banjo’s back needed be checked, Tizzy’s whiskers should be trimmed, and Stinger needed to stand in ice water. Plus she was exhausted from riding this morning.

Rick’s thumb traced the inside of her palm. Odd, how his body was granite hard, yet his touch so gentle. It made his embrace the night before doubly hard to forget, even though her mind should be filled with Tizzy. And if she didn’t have so much to do, it might be fun to go for a little bike ride.

“Miguel already hosed Stinger,” Rick said, “and I looked after Banjo’s back. Ashley will stay until the five o’clock feed, and Miguel will take over until we return. Most trainers watch their horses from the gap, but you’ve galloped all morning. You need a break.”

“I was going to take a break,” she said. “A little nap.”

“That’s not really a break,” he said.

And now his thumb circled the sensitive underside of her wrist. It was hard to think when he touched her like that. Just his finger grazing her skin, but it made her remember what it was like to have all his fingers, both hands, his mouth…

“This way we can be alone,” he added, his voice persuasive. “We need to talk about who might want you gone. Until we figure that out, I’m not leaving your side. But if you’re tired, sure, we can stop somewhere and nap.”

The inflection he put on the word ‘nap’ made the sun feel even hotter. When she’d stepped down from her last horse that morning, she’d been exhausted. Didn’t want to do anything but grab an apple and hole up in the dorm for an hour. Now though, she felt a lot of things. And not one of them was tired.

“I think you know the note writer,” he went on, his thumb stroking a trail over the pounding pulse in her wrist. “So we need to decide how to proceed. Getting away from the track will help you analyze things more clearly.”

It was hard to analyze much when he was touching her like that, making it hard to breath. And it was certainly hard to think.

She freed her hand under the guise of tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. When he’d first shown her the note, she’d been baffled and hurt. Then angry. What distressed her most was how it sucked away the barn’s positive energy. All Rick’s conversations this morning had been less about the horses and more about people. And he hadn’t just peppered her with questions. He’d quizzed Miguel and Ashley too.

It was disruptive and draining. They’d already spent too much time worrying about bridles and batteries and Victoria. Rick was probably frustrated as well, but too conscientious not to follow her around. No wonder he wanted to figure this out.

And she wasn’t helping. Instead of thinking about the possible note writer, she was melting at his touch and breathlessly wondering what else those capable hands could do.

“Okay,” she muttered, stepping back and gathering her composure. “Let’s go somewhere and talk. I realize you’re in a hurry to finish this bodyguard job too.”

His mouth lifted in an amused smile. “That’s not what I said.”

*

The powerful engine throbbed as they cornered another hairpin curve. Eve tightened her arms around Rick’s waist. She’d started out holding his hips, but he’d adjusted her position with a warning rev. She rested her head against the soft leather of his jacket, keeping her weight centered, determined to be a good passenger.

It was weird to have no control, to rely on someone else to look after her safety. But a bike didn’t buck or bolt or spook, and he was an excellent driver. With the horses far away, and nothing to do but sit, her mind began to relax.

The note he found on her car changed everything. The bridles, buckets and car battery could no longer be dismissed as simple thefts. Maybe even Banjo cutting his back hadn’t been an accident. And anyone who would deliberately hurt an animal had to lack the smallest shred of decency.

But she didn’t know anyone like that. Victoria might want to discredit her as a trainer, but she’d never hurt a horse. And did Victoria even know anyone at Riverview who’d do her dirty work. An old boyfriend maybe?

She closed her eyes and rested the side of her helmet against Rick’s broad back. Her mind, soothed by the rhythmic rumble of the bike, skipped over a myriad of possibilities. However, it kept circling back to Victoria. No doubt, the woman was power hungry and quite likely still had influence at Riverview. It shouldn’t take long to track down her old acquaintances. Eve didn’t know how to go about questioning Victoria’s friends, but she was quite certain Rick did.

At some point, the hum of pavement changed to the crunching of gravel. She peered at the towering redwoods, relishing the invigorating air. They followed a narrowing trail, much too small for cars. Passed a sagging fence and bumped into a meadow filled with weeds and wildflowers.

Rick cut the engine. He pulled off his helmet, then twisted on the seat, and helped remove hers. “Able to do any thinking?” he asked.

“Yes.” She sighed. “But the only person that makes sense is Victoria. And she’s my boss’s wife so I’m not sure how it can be resolved. Any way it shakes out, I’ll lose my job.”

He helped her off the bike, not saying a word. And the fact that he didn’t dispute her statement was rather depressing.

She circled the bike, weighing her options. No matter what Victoria did, or how much proof Rick found, Jackson would always side with his wife. And animosity toward Eve would spill over to Ashley and Miguel. So all three would lose their jobs.

Possibly she could quit and train on her own. Then she could hire them back. But that would be impossible to do now. She hadn’t competed in a single race. It would be difficult to convince owners to send her their horses, especially since Santa Anita had an abundance of good trainers and most people still viewed her as a jockey.

Rick pulled a coffee thermos from his saddlebags, still silent. Usually she barged forward, with little thought of consequences, but he was encouraging her to stop and think. And clearly in this case, what was right might not be what was best.

He sat down on the grass and poured two cups of coffee.

After another moment, she sank down beside him. “Hopefully it’s not Victoria,” she said, appreciating his patience. “But even if it is, I guess I don’t want you to prove it.”

Rick nodded. “That’s what I thought too.”

“But you realized it way before me.”

He passed her a coffee mug and draped a comforting arm over her shoulders. “Seems like it’s Victoria who’s causing you all this trouble. But there’s less than a month left in the meet, and no real harm done. If accusations are avoided, you and your friends can return to Santa Anita and hang onto your jobs. At least it gives you time to work out some options.”

“Being on a tight budget doesn’t give much wiggle room,” she said.

“Just get some races in,” he said. “Make a little money, build up your creds. I’ll watch the barn and horses. Seems the best option is to let this blow over.”

She sighed. It didn’t seem right to ignore Victoria’s vindictiveness, but he was correct. There was no advantage to be gained by nailing her to the cross and forcing Jackson’s hand. Rumor was that their marriage was headed for the rocks. It was probably easier to just wait her out.

“Maybe it’s good we’re at Riverview,” she said, closing her eyes, soothed by the warming sun. “Not closer to Victoria’s line of fire. You’re sure it’s her too?”

“Ninety percent.”

“Does this mean you’re leaving?”

“Not a chance.” He pressed a kiss on the top of her head. “I still have to watch the horses. And you. But now it involves preventative measures…day and night.”

He shifted, positioning her between his hard thighs, leaving little doubt as to what he wanted those night measures to involve. And she couldn’t hide her own shiver of awareness.

She swallowed, glad he couldn’t see her face. He was so confident, so certain with everything he did. And while she didn’t want to fake coyness, she wasn’t in the habit of hooking up with someone who would be in and out of her life so quickly. On the other hand, she had no doubt where this would end. If Ashley hadn’t walked into the barn last night…

She glanced around, pretending to be absorbed with the meadow and the colorful golden flowers. It was private here, much quieter than the barn. She wondered if he’d brought a blanket. Probably not. The saddle pads behind the bike weren’t that big.

She took a swift sip of coffee, wishing she wasn’t so jumpy, wishing it were possible to relax.

He certainly could.

One tanned forearm, sprinkled with darker hair, was casually looped around her waist. She could feel the steady beat of his heart, absorb the masculine scent of his skin. But he didn’t seem inclined to make a move. Wasn’t trying to spread her out in the grass, checking how far his skillful kisses would take him.

He was just drinking from his mug. And holding her.

She took another sip, actually tasting the coffee this time. It was excellent, with a hint of hickory. Her favorite. Obviously he hadn’t bought it at the track kitchen. Or maybe it tasted so good because this coffee break was unexpected. She wasn’t chugging it down in a mad rush, injecting caffeine before her first gallop of the morning.

There was no reason to rush here. Rick was good company, able to appreciate silence. The meadow was interesting and full of life. Even if there were no horses to watch, there was still plenty to see. Like the agile squirrel scampering from tree to tree, and the rabbit that nibbled on the clover, ears constantly twitching.

She relaxed against his chest, liking that he didn’t rush to fill the quiet. The sun was warm, the buzzing of the bees comforting. And slowly the stress seeped from her body. Her eyelids lowered, only flickering open when a shadow blotted the sun.

She peered up at a circling hawk. Rick lifted his boot and thumped it onto the ground, sending the rabbit scooting to the safety of the trees.

She jerked upright. She’d thought he was as relaxed as her, but his reaction said otherwise. He was a natural protector, even of little bunnies. But if he wasn’t tired, why didn’t he try to kiss her?

“That was nice of you.” She touched his knee. His jeans were pleasantly warm from the sun and she left her hand on his leg, telling herself it was a more comfortable position.  “I wasn’t even thinking of the rabbit,” she said. “And what could happen.”

“Good.” His breath fanned her hair. “Means you’re not worrying.”

“This is actually quite nice.  Getting away like this.”

“Then I should probably stay around,” he said. “Make sure you keep relaxing. Scott wants me to help out any way I can, so this is progress.”

There was a little innuendo in his voice, as if the progress wasn’t solely related to his job. Although maybe she was misreading him again. Maybe his desire to stay at the track was more about earning points with Scott than scoring with her.

“Admit it,” she said, keeping her voice light, pretending his answer wasn’t all that important. “You just want to stay and play in the caps tournament, wow everyone with your great aim and guzzle free beer.”

He chuckled. “There is that.”

But then he placed his hand over hers before she could even formulate another question. “Let’s get back on the bike,” he said. “There’s a waterfall close by. Supposed to be quite a sight.”

She nodded and scrambled to her feet. She didn’t like feeling out of control and it was easier on his bike. Not so confusing. She could still wrap her arms around those hard abs, but she didn’t have to peek at his face, wondering if and when he might kiss her.

She waited for him to rise, and caught him watching her with eyes full of such sexual intensity, she flushed. But he merely rose and led her to the bike. And it was clear that even though the air was crackling, he sensed her uncertainty and was prepared to give her a little more time.

A little more time…but probably not much.

Rick lifted his mouth. His hand still cupped the back of Eve’s head. He stared for a moment, his eyes glittering. Then his mouth swooped back down for another hungry kiss.

If there had been a course in the art of seduction, she thought, he must have aced it. She’d never been wooed so thoroughly. From the bike ride to the scenic stops and romantic restaurant, the entire day had been perfect.

He didn’t rush. Ever. He’d merely been waiting, with every touch of his hand turning a little more familiar. Obviously an effective technique since she was now plastered against him, so tightly she could feel every ridge of his chest. His other hand was splayed over her bottom, holding her close, and it was clear—at least to her—that she was his for the asking. His body filled her senses, even as he angled her head further back, so he could more deeply explore her mouth.

Which was all wonderful, except for that little voice in the back of her head reminding that he worked for her. Or rather for Scott. And that this was a very short-term affair. A more cautious woman would probably step back and think things through.

Rick lifted his head an inch. “Let’s go home,” he said.

“Where’s home?”

“Wherever you are.” And he spoke so sweetly, his voice so thick with emotion, that the last of her reservations melted away.

She wanted this. Enjoyed being with him, whether it was working at the track or cruising on his bike or simply sitting on his lap and enjoying the scenery. Usually she didn’t like being away from the horses for long, but they’d already been gone eight hours. And she wasn’t at all anxious.

She wasn’t obsessing about Banjo’s back or Tizzy’s race or Victoria’s next scheme. She was no longer brooding about missing her weekend with Joey. Even the fear that Scott and Megan might be eyeing joint custody no longer seemed insurmountable. Instead, she felt weirdly content. Happy.