Backstretch Baby (32 page)

“Anything about Camila’s baby?”

“She didn’t know Camila well enough for that. Not many people did. But they do know where Marcus is.”

“They know where he’s hiding? And they didn’t tell the police?” She jerked back, aghast. “But why? Everyone knows he’s the killer.”

“The Hispanic community doesn’t think so.” He paused. “I don’t either.”

“But you said Victoria wasn’t involved. That Scott sent an agent to Santa Anita.”

“That’s right,” Rick said. “And early indications are that Victoria hasn’t had any contact with Marcus.”

“But is the track safe?” Her voice rose. “Because Ashley walks alone at night. So does Miguel. And Joey’s coming–”

Stinger slammed the wall. His hooves were muted by the thick rubber, but he snaked his head over the door, his annoyance clear. He did not like people hanging out in front of his stall, especially if they weren’t carrying hay or grain.

She and Rick shuffled further down the aisle.

“Is it safe around here?” she repeated. “Are you going to look into this? What does Scott say?”

“He wants me to concentrate on you, especially since Joey will be here.”

“But someone murdered Camila. We can’t just forget about her. Or about the rest of the workers. Just because Scott ordered—”

Rick pressed a finger against her mouth. “It’s okay,” he whispered. “Doesn’t matter what Scott thinks. I can’t let this go.”

She nodded with approval. He may have cut his hair but he still had a rebel’s soul. And she had no doubt he’d find Camila’s killer. And that he’d keep everyone safe.

Bristol stared toward the doorway, as if she’d heard something. Seconds later, car doors slammed and a boy’s voice rang out.

“Joey’s here,” she said, twisting toward the door. His toy pony was still in the RV. She’d planned to have the present waiting on the chair by the barn, but he’d be just as excited to see real horses. And of course the orange cat would be a hit. The stray had taken up permanent residence since Rick’s arrival.

She strode down the aisle and rushed outside.

Joey hadn’t seen her yet. He stood by Megan, close to the fender of the silver Mercedes. He wore a white shirt that was surprisingly clean, a tiny pair of crisp jeans and tooled cowboy boots trimmed with black leather. And her heart felt like it would burst out of her chest.

Joey turned. “Mommy!” he called. Then he charged toward her, his arms and legs swinging like a windmill.

She sprinted forward and scooped him up.

“I missed you, honey.” She pressed her mouth against his head, pulling in his familiar smell, trying not to squeeze too hard. They were going to have such fun. This was a rare chance for him to experience life on the backstretch, where they could be together from dawn to dark and far removed from Victoria’s child ban.

He was already wiggling and she reluctantly set him down.

“I missed you too,” he said. He stuck up one foot, almost losing his balance. “Like my new boots? They’re just like Uncle Scott’s.”

“Very cool,” Eve said. “You’ll be able to ride a horse with boots like that. We have the perfect one here—”

“But I already did. And guess what!” He jumped up and down, his eyes sparkling. “I own a pony now! Her name is Bubbles and she’s all mine. And I’ve been riding, just like you. She has to live at my other grandmother’s house but I can see her whenever I want. Aunt Megan promised to drive me and she’ll take Rex, so it’s like I have a pony and a dog too.”

“Wow…a pony. That’s great.” Eve managed a smile, but her chest gave a funny kick, and her face felt like it was cracking. She’d wanted to be the first person to lift her son on a horse, to experience the joy on his face. But of course, Megan had wanted that too. She saw a lot of her brother in little Joey.

Eve glanced at Megan and Scott. They’d obviously been shopping together. Scott’s shirt matched Joey’s, and his boots were the same designer brand. He was an attractive man, a good man—even a decent rider—but today she just wanted them to disappear.

“We stopped to eat,” Megan said brightly, “so you wouldn’t have to worry about Joey’s lunch. And we brought some extra wraps, in case you or your grooms are hungry. We know you’re busy with Stinger and don’t want to get in the way.”

“Thanks,” Eve said, but her lower lip gave a little quiver. They were probably being thoughtful but it was also apparent they feared she’d be too preoccupied to feed Joey. Even though she’d rushed down the road and stocked up on kid friendly groceries. Cookies and peanut butter and white bread, but maybe she should have chosen whole wheat wraps and alfalfa sprouts.

“How’s the horse?” Scott asked, moving around the car to stand beside Megan. They looked like a power couple, beautiful, loving…childless.

“Doing well,” Eve said.

But nobody walked toward the barn. They all looked at Joey.

“It’s a great place here,” she said. “We have lots of grass and a sandpit. And an RV and a barbecue. Even a tire swing.”

“Can I go on the swing, Mommy?” Joey grabbed her hand. “Please?”

“Sure,” she said. “There are soccer balls too, and a net.” But he was already running toward the swing, his legs churning.

“Looks like a nice setup.” Scott swiveled, his cool eyes absorbing every detail.

“Rick hung the tire,” Eve said. “Made the net. Even rounded up the soccer balls.”

“Rick?” Scott turned back, his eyes widening. “Rick Talbot?”

She crossed her arms. Scott rarely acted surprised, always seemed composed, but his shock was apparent. Surely he didn’t think Rick was lazy?

“Rick’s always working,” she said. “When he’s not looking for barn thieves,” she added, before he thought Rick might be neglecting his real job. “Thanks for sending him,” she went on. “He’s a big help. And I really needed him. Even when I thought I didn’t.”

“Probably the first time you ever admitted needing anyone.” Scott’s mouth lifted in a teasing grin. He looked surprisingly boyish and Eve couldn’t help but smile back.

“Rick’s helped a lot with Stinger too,” she said. “He’s the only groom your horse doesn’t push around.”

“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.

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 right 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.