Eternal Vows (Hideaway (Kimani)) (6 page)

“What seems to be the problem?” asked a familiar voice. Everyone turned to find Jeremy standing in the doorway. The expression that had settled into the features of the former marine, ex-DEA special agent’s face was one few saw and probably did not want to see again. Repressed rage had darkened his face and eyes. “If there are complaints about a change in today’s menu, then speak up. If not, then I don’t want to hear another word about it. The chef and his assistants aren’t magicians, even though some of you would like them to be. It was
my
decision for them to concentrate on preparing food for tonight’s open house, leaving everyone to either eat what is available or you can check with your supervisors to see if they’ll permit you to leave the farm to go eat at Shorty’s Diner. What’s it going to be, folks?”

Lee was the first to acquiesce. “I guess I can eat cereal,” he muttered.

Jeremy’s expression softened considerably when he rested a hand on Peyton’s shoulder. “Lee, I remember a time when you ate Cap’n Crunch cereal every morning.” The other men smothered sniggles and laughter. Jeremy sobered again. He leaned close to Lee. “You grew up here and you should know better than to wear a hat indoors.” It was a hard and fast rule Sheldon had learned as a boy; he’d established the regulation when he’d first set up the farm, and it was still in effect thirty years later.

The apprentice groom snatched off his cap, crushing it against his chest. “Sorry about that.”

Jeremy’s fingers tightened on Peyton’s shoulder. “I’d like to talk you outside.”

Peyton had no idea what he wanted to talk to her about, thinking perhaps Ryan had mentioned their conversation about her wanting to work for another farm. “What is it?” she asked when they stood under the sweeping branches of an ageless red maple.

“Tricia called the house and Claire told her you’d left for the dining hall. So, I came to see if you wanted to have breakfast with us.”

“I’d love to. Unlike the guys, I don’t have a problem eating cold cereal.”

Jeremy ran a hand over his cropped hair. “I understand the men. I outgrew cereal years ago. But when I gave Andy the head count for the number of visitors we expect to attend this afternoon he said it was going to be impossible to make breakfast and lunch for the farm folks
and
prepare for the open house. It was only after I talked it over with Ryan we decided Andy should serve a stripped-down breakfast and lunch. You’d think after all they’d eaten last night they wouldn’t want to look at food this morning.”

Peyton had to agree. She’d missed the cocktail hour because she’d posed for wedding pictures; however there was an inexhaustible amount of food for dinner and after dinner. She’d overheard Nicholas tell the caterer leftovers were to be donated to a local food kitchen.

“Maybe they just need something to moan and groan about,” she said.

The instant the words were off the tongue Peyton thought about her conversation with Ryan, experiencing some guilt. Fortunately she didn’t need to look for a position because there had been one waiting for her even before she’d received her degree. Some of her classmates had sent out résumés prior to graduation with the hope they would secure employment if only to begin repaying student loans.

Fortunately for her she hadn’t been saddled with student loans. Her parents had covered the cost of her undergraduate education and as promised, Sheldon paid for veterinary school and the advanced training in the specialty of internal medicine and surgery. Living on the farm afforded her free housing and meals, and while she refused to accept a salary Jeremy had insisted on a stipend to cover what he’d considered personal incidentals.

Unlike Nicholas and Celia she didn’t have a trust fund. She’d been the sole heir to her maternal grandparents’ estate. It wasn’t a lot of money, but more like a contingency reserve. The last time she’d withdrawn funds within the five-figure range it was to pay an attorney for her divorce. What the fast-talking legal shark didn’t know was that she would’ve given him her last penny just to get her lying slug of a husband out of her life.

Taking her arm, Jeremy led her to the pickup similar to the one she drove. “I told Pop that he coddled the employees too much when he ran the farm. If he hadn’t retired there was the possibility they could’ve started up a union and eventually would’ve gone on strike if we didn’t meet their demands.”

Sitting in the truck beside her cousin, Peyton gave him a sidelong glance. Although he resembled his father more than Ryan, their personalities were very different. Sheldon was the consummate father figure while Jeremy had retained all of the qualities of a no-nonsense drill sergeant.

“Don’t you get tired of playing badass jarhead?” she asked.

When Jeremy smiled his features suddenly appeared boyish. “I can’t when I’m dealing with nearly fifty employees. When I came back to the farm it wasn’t my intention to take it over but to help Pop out. Then one day he decides he wants out, announcing to everyone he’s retiring. I know meeting Renee had a lot to do with it. Running the farm had taken a lot out of him, but when Renee gave him the daughter he’s always wanted he changed overnight and became a different man. Most times it’s as if he could care less about the farm. Every weekend he and Renee spend time at their cabin in Minnehaha Springs. They used to take Virginia until Tricia and Kelly convinced them to leave her behind so they could have some alone time.”

Peyton smiled. “I promised the girls we would camp out again. We had to cancel the last outing because it rained and we ended up in the schoolhouse instead.”

Jeremy started up the truck. “I think it’s safer to camp out indoors than out in the open right now. One of the men told me he saw a coyote running along the north quadrant. We’ve set several traps, hoping to catch it. I’ve also told the security people to review the closed-circuit footage every couple of hours.”

“If there’s one, there could be others, Jeremy. This is the time of year when coyote pups are born, and the mother and father are probably hunting prey. However, they’re known to avoid humans.” She’d noticed workmen erecting tents and setting up tables and chairs in the north quadrant. “Do you plan to move the tents?”

“No. We’re going to set up fences along the perimeter where we’ll release all of the large livestock guardian dogs. I’ve also arranged for the security team to patrol the area on horseback. Once we break ground to build the hospital I’m hoping they’ll leave because we’ll encroach on their habitat.”

“So, you’re really serious about building a hospital?”

He nodded. “Yes. The initial cost for construction and equipment for the operating rooms will be high, but I project we’ll be able to recoup the expenditures within two to three years because we’ll offer the same services to the surrounding farms as the nearest equine hospital. And with you and Ryan staffing it we’ll only have to hire one or two technicians.”

Peyton knew it was only fair she tell Jeremy of her future plans. “I’ve asked Nicholas whether he would
hire me.”

Downshifting, Jeremy slowed as he maneuvered onto the road leading to his home. “What did he say?”

“He won’t be able to give me an answer until next year. His contract with Dr. Richardson doesn’t expire until next September. That’s when he’ll decide whether to renew their contract. I don’t want to appear disloyal because your father did pay my veterinary school tuition.”

Jeremy stopped the truck and cut off the ignition. Resting his arm over the back of Peyton’s seat he gave her a long, penetrating stare. “You’re not being disloyal, Peyton. Pop paid it because that’s what he does. He paid for my college, Ryan’s and yours because he didn’t go, and not because he didn’t have the grades. He enlisted in the army to spite his father who’d wanted him to take over running the farm after he graduated. Pop claimed he never wanted to have anything to do with horses, but fate proved him wrong. I don’t know how much he’s worth on paper, but I do know he has enough money put aside for his grandchildren’s and his daughter’s college educations. As for you working for Nicholas we’ll revisit this conversation next year.”

Peyton smiled, relieved that Jeremy hadn’t tried to talk her out of leaving the farm. “Thank you.”

Jeremy angled his head. “Tell me something. What’s up with you and Nicholas?”

The powerful relief she’d felt subsided with his query. “What do you mean?”

“It looks as if our neighbor is quite smitten with my little cousin.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “Me?”

“Duh! Who else did you think I was talking about?”

“You’re wrong, Jeremy. There’s nothing going on between me and Nicholas.”

“Not yet,” he said under his breath. “Come on, let’s go inside. Tricia is waiting for us.”

* * *

Nicholas slowed the car, stopping at the electronic gates emblazoned with a bold letter
B.
Leaning out the driver’s side window, he stared into a camera. “Nicholas Cole-Thomas,” he said when an electronic voice asked his name. Within seconds, the gates opened and closed behind him as he drove through.

“How big is this farm?” Gavin asked from the rear seat.

It was the same question Celia had asked him earlier that afternoon. “It’s about ten thousand acres.” He glanced up into the rearview mirror. The person in the car behind his was driving with their high beams on. Signaling, he pulled over to the right to let the car pass, and then continued along the narrow, winding road.

“How long have they been in business?” Celia questioned.

“More than thirty years. Their claim to fame is that they’re the first African-American-owned horse farm to have a Derby winner.”

Celia met his eyes. “I’ve never been to a horse race.”

“That’s because you don’t like horses,” Nicholas retorted.

“It’s not that I don’t like them,” Celia said. “I’m afraid of them because they’re so big.”

“They can sense your fear, Cee Cee.”

She made a clicking sound with her tongue and teeth. “There are some things I’m not ashamed to admit I’m afraid of. And a horse is one.”

“What about you, brother Faulkner?” Nicholas asked. “Is there anything you’re afraid of?”

“Hell, yeah. Your sister.”

Folding her arms under her breasts, Celia pushed out her lower lip when her brother and husband had a good laugh at her expense. “How funny will it be, Gavin, when I cut you off cold and you’ll have to resort to taking care of your own sexual needs.”

“Whoa! Whoa!” Nicholas shouted. “I don’t need to hear that.”

Leaning forward, Gavin kissed the side of her neck. “Sorry, baby. Will you forgive me? Please, baby, please.”

Shifting slightly, she stared at him over her shoulder. “I’ll have to think about it.”

Listening to his sister and her new husband’s repartee was a reminder of the elder Cole-Thomas’s banter. Timothy’s refusal to argue with his wife always sent Nichola into a snit that lasted for days. Nicholas had tried to make his mother understand that after forty years of marriage her husband refused to verbally spar with a woman. Timothy would wait for her to stop talking, then smile and walk away. His decision to retreat rather than debate resulted in a peaceful, stress-free home environment.

The road diverged into four directions and Nicholas followed the sign pointing the way to the north quadrant. A towering flagpole with an American flag flying atop a black-and-red one lifted in the slight breeze. Teenage boys were doing double duty directing traffic and parking the many vehicles in an area designated for parking. He stepped out, pocketing the ticket for his car at the same time Gavin got out of the car and opened the door for Celia.

“Do you smell that?” Gavin asked.

Smiling, Nicholas slowly shook his head.
“Puerco,”
he said, answering in Spanish.

Celia sniffed the air. “You’re right. It is pork.”

Nicholas reached for Celia’s free hand. “If you’re a vegetarian or a vegan, then you’ve come to the wrong place tonight.”

The entire Blackstone clan was on hand, greeting and welcoming everyone to the farm’s open house. Nicholas stared at Peyton as she stood in the receiving line, holding one of Jeremy’s triplets. She was resplendent in a one-shoulder black dress that ended inches above her knees. Four-inch black patent leather pumps added height to her diminutive frame, and also called attention to her shapely legs. She’d brushed her hair off her face and tied it with black ribbon.

He couldn’t pull his gaze away from her face. The smoky-gray eye shadow made her eyes appear lighter than they actually were. The night before she’d radiated sophistication. Tonight it was unadulterated sexiness.

Reaching for her left hand, he smiled. “How nice to see you again. I hope you’ll save me a dance.” He dropped a kiss on the knuckle before he moved down the line, not giving her a chance to reply.

Peyton felt as if someone had just doused her with a bucket of cold water. She was shaking all over. Dressed entirely in black Nicholas appeared dark and dangerous, and the look in his equally dark eyes completely unnerved her. He had figuratively eaten her up with his hungry eyes.

Is that what others saw at the reception and she didn’t or refused to see? She’d attempted to mentally dismiss Nicholas as someone with whom she did not want to become involved, but so far she was losing the battle. But, on the other hand, could she afford to throw caution to the wind and accept what was so apparent? She wasn’t so detached that she was unable to recognize when a man was attracted to her. What she wanted to know was why hadn’t Nicholas shown a modicum of interest before now?

Her smile was back in place when Celia leaned in; they exchanged air kisses. “Thank you for coming.”

“I wouldn’t have missed this. You look incredible, girlfriend.”

Peyton blushed. “Thank you. So do you for a newly married woman.” Celia was stunning in an off-the-shoulder red dress, stilettos and a mass of loose curls framing her face. “I’ll never be able to thank you enough for asking me to be your bridal attendant.” It’d given her the opportunity to talk to Nicholas about a potential position at his farm.

Celia winked at her. “Are you practicing?” She pointed to the toddler Peyton cradled to her chest.