In To Blue: Book One Of The Blue Series (6 page)

Buddy comes in the room with breakfast for the three of us.  I am so upset I can’t eat.  My stomach is in knots.  “I am sorry Buddy I can’t eat right now.  “It’s ok.”  “Buddy, I can’t thank you enough for what you did.  You saved my life.”  Buddy shrugs it off.  “It was nothing.” “I am so proud of both of you.  You both are a lot stronger than I give you credit for.”  Uncle Rex smiles. 

“Buddy, how are my babies?”  “They are fine Avery.  Doc checked them out this morning and they all looked real good.  I have some of the guys repairing the stables.  Fortunately there wasn’t a lot of damage.  We were able to get the fire out quickly.”  

All of the sudden I hear a commotion outside.  I hear someone yell.  “Please I need to see her.”
 
Oh shit!  It’s Grant
.
 
What is he doing here?  Who is he arguing wit
h
?  I realize in that moment Uncle Rex and Buddy have security stationed outside my room. 

Buddy steps outside.  “It’s ok.  He can come in.  Grant walks in he looks tired and flustered.  He nods to Buddy and Uncle Rex and rushes over to me and sits on the edge of my bed.  “Oh Avery are you all right?  I heard what happened.”  I’m so confused.  “Yes. I’m fine.”  “Don’t let my darling niece fool you.  She could have been killed.”  Uncle Rex smirks. 

“Grant what are you doing here?  How did you hear about the fire?”  “Avery I always stay informed with the local news of any city I do business in.  I was reading over the online addition of the newspaper and the top story was about what happened to you.  The paper said that you were attacked? “Avery is that true?”  I’m speechless.  “Damn right it’s true.” Buddy mumbles.

Sherriff Pullman, and another deputy walk in my room.  “Avery, I’m sorry to bother you but we need to talk about what happened at the ranch.”  I explain to Sherriff Pullman what I remember about what happened.  As I recall last night’s events, Grant grabs my hand squeezing it tight.  I can see the anger tense across his face.  “Avery we are working every angle we can to track down the person or persons responsible.” 

“What I need to tell you based on the evidence found we don’t believe that they were after your horse Sapphire.”  He pauses.  “Avery, we believe they were after you.”  I’m stunned. I look around the room.  Grant, Uncle Rex and Buddy look shocked.  “Sherriff how can you be so sure?”  I ask.  I can tell by the look on his face he doesn’t want to upset me.  “Avery the tire tracks we located, we believed belong to a truck.  However, there were no trailer tracks found behind the vehicle.  If someone was going to take a horse they would need a trailer.  Also we found rope outside your private stables and I am not talking about lead rope it was too thin for lead rope.”  “Did you find anything else?”  “Yes.”  He pauses.  “A bottle of chloroform and a rag.”  I immediately gasp.

“Based on what you have told me and where we found the items, the assailant must have dropped it before he entered the stables.  Do you know of anyone that would intentionally try to hurt you?”  Doubt begins clouding my judgement.  I’m scared to say Coy.  What if I am wrong but then again what if I am right.  My horses could have been killed.  “I don’t know for sure, possibly Coy Walker.  He has had a few choice words for me and sent me a threatening text.”  “I knew it.”  Buddy whispers.  Grant looks like he is ready to come unglued.   

“Avery, May I see your phone?”  Sherriff Pullman asks.  I start looking around for my phone.  “I have it.   I grabbed it when I got you some clothes and your purse this morning.” Thanks Buddy.  I scroll through my phone and hand it to the Sherriff.  He snaps a picture of my screen with is phone.  “Have you questioned the Walker’s Sheriff?  “Of course I have Rex. I’m looking at them very carefully but so far I haven’t found a connection.  Their alibi’s check out.  I promise if they are involved I will get to the bottom of it.  I need to get going. I’ll be in touch.”  As the sheriff and his deputy leave Uncle Rex and Buddy walk out with them.  I turn and look at Grant his face is full of concern. 

“I can’t believe you are here Grant.”  “Avery, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.  When I read what happened this morning I was so afraid.  I don’t even want to imagine what I would do if something happened to you.”  “Grant I’ve missed you so much.”  I start coughing as I sit up. “Take it easy.”  He pauses.  Grant leans over carefully puts his arms around me and kisses me.  “I wish I hadn’t of left.”  “You are here now that is all that matters.” 

Dr. Lancaster walks in.  “Avery, let’s look you over.”  Dr. Lancaster quickly examines me.  “I’m going to release you on the condition you rest for the next couple of days.  I’m writing you a prescription for cough syrup and an inhaler.  Smoke inhalation can cause shortness of breath and you may have to use the inhaler.  It’s nothing to worry about.  It shouldn’t last but a few days.”  He hands me the prescriptions and leaves the room.  Grant can you hand me my bag?”  Grant hands me the bag of clothes Buddy brought me.  “I’ll let you get dress.” 

I finish getting dressed and slip on my boots.  I sit on the bed thinking about what happened last night.  It is so hard to fight back the tears.  I don’t understand why this is happening.   Finally, everyone walks back in. I turn toward them. “I don’t know about you but I am ready to get home.” 

Uncle Rex and Buddy look extremely worried. “Darlin we’ve been talking and we don’t think you need to go back home.”  “What?  Where else would I go?”  “It’s not safe there. Avery, even with added security someone got to you.” Buddy whispers.  “Where in the hell do you think I should go?”  Grant clears his throat.  “To New York with me.” 

“Are you fucking kidding me?”  I’m totally taken aback.  I cannot believe that Uncle Rex and Buddy think I should go to New York with Grant, a man I have known for a little over a week. “The hell I am.  I’m going back to my house.” I instantly become winded and start coughing.  “Avery take it easy, deep breaths.”  Grant whispers. 

“Darlin, I know this is not the most ideal situation and I know that the two of you haven’t known each other for very long.  Robert Dobson thinks very highly of him.  He flew all the way down here just to make sure you were all right.  You are in serious danger darlin.  You could have died.   I know this may go against my better judgment but I promised your Daddy to take care of you.  Right now Mr. Harrison is our best option to keep you safe.  No one knows him and whoever is after you would never be able to find you in New York.”  I hate it when Uncle Rex is right.

“Avery, I can handle the business side of things.  If you stay at the house you not only put yourself in danger but also Blue and all of our horses.  If you aren’t there then whoever is after you has no reason to come back to the house.”
 
Damn
.
  Buddy is right.   I will get him for that one.  He threw out the Blue card.  I start crying.  “I don’t want to leave you all.  I don’t want to leave my babies.”  “Don’t worry about us darlin.  We will take good care of Blue and all the horses.  We’ll be just fine.” 

“How long do you expect me to be gone?”  “We know we can’t keep you away indefinitely but for now let’s say two weeks” Grant smiles.  I reluctantly agree.  I’m so upset about all of this but a part of me welcomes the rest, the change of scenery and a chance to be closer to Grant.  “Great.  Marie is packing your things and meeting you at the airport.” Buddy smiles.    I hug Buddy and Uncle Rex and tell them goodbye. 

On the way to the airport we stop at the pharmacy and fill my prescriptions.  Once we make it to the airport, I hug Marie goodbye and Grant grabs my luggage.  We board Grant’s private jet and he helps me get buckled me in.  He walks into the cockpit and greets the pilot and co-pilot.  He returns and buckles himself in and within minutes the plane is taxiing to the runway and we are airborne. 

Once we are in the air, Grant removes his seat belt and then helps me unbuckle mine. I start to cough.  “You ok.”  “Yeah.  My throat is just scratchy.”  A nice middle aged woman appears.  “Mr. Harrison can I get the two of you something to drink.”  She asks.  “Yes Claire, two waters please.”  Grant grabs my cough syrup and measures out the correct dose into the plastic measuring cup that came with the bottle. 

Claire returns and hands us each a bottle of water.  Grant walks over and gives me the syrup.  I down the cough syrup.
 
Ugh!
 
It’s awful. I quickly take a sip of water to rinse the horrible taste out of my mouth.  “You need your rest.”  Grant grabs a pillow and a blanket and I lay down on the couch
.
I can’t believe I am going to New York with Grant
.
  Suddenly I realize I’m more tired than I thought.  It doesn’t take long before I fall sleep. 

“Avery, wake up.  We need to get you buckled in.”  Half asleep, I slowly walk over and sit down in one of the seats.  Grant helps me get settled and buckles me in. The plane lands and we quickly exit the plane.  Grant has a car waiting for us.  We climb in and leave the airport.  I’m so sleepy.  That cough syrup must be pretty strong.  I pull out my phone and text Buddy.   I wanted to let him know we landed in New York City.  I also quickly text Julie telling her that I would be out of town for a few weeks but that I would call her later to explain.  I’m so tired.  I can’t even look at my phone anymore.  I put it in my pocket and I doze off. 

I wake up to Grant carrying me into his house.  He takes me through the living area and down a hall to a bedroom.  He lays me on the bed, removes my boots, and lays a blanket on me.  I am completely wiped out.  Within a few minutes, I fall back to sleep. 

When I wake it is dark outside.  I get up and start wandering around the house.  The house is immaculate.  I am trying to get a feel for the place as I enter the living area.  “Good Evening Ms. Foster.”  I turn and behind me is a man standing in the kitchen.  “I’m Zander, Mr. Harrison’s personal chef.”  I walk over to shake his hand.  “Nice to meet you Zander, call me Avery.”  Zander is a tall thin man.  He looks about my age.  Zander has long dark hair tucked neatly in a ponytail and dark brown eyes. 

“Avery, could I fix you something to eat?”  Zander asks.  “Not right now but maybe later.”  “Sure.”  “Zander where is Grant.”  “I believe he is in his office with Mr. Parker.”  “Would you like a glass of wine?”  Zander asks.  “Yes please.” 

Zander brings me a glass of white wine and I sit on one of the soft tan leather couches in the living area.  I look around the living area trying to size up the room.  In the middle of the living area is a square brown coffee table that sits on a brown and tan area rug.  The hard wood floors look rustic but elegantly polished.  The room is definitely filled with warm neutral colors.  I look directly ahead of me at the fireplace that is encased in polished oak.  It is gorgeous.  I walk up to it running my hand along the mantle. 

As I’m admiring the fireplace, Grant and Lance enter the living area from the hallway on the opposite side of the room. “I’ll have the attorney’s draw up the contracts.  They should be ready in two weeks.” Lance says to Grant.  “Avery, I didn’t know you were awake.” Grant quickly walks over to me.   How are you feeling?”  “I’m fine” 

“Lance, you remember Avery Foster?”  “Of course I do.  How could I forget?  How are you Avery?”  “I’m good.  How are you?”  “Couldn’t be better.  I better get out of here.  It was really good seeing you again Avery.”  I smile at Lance as he leaves. 

Grant and I walk over to the couch and we sit down.  “I was going to have Zander prepare shrimp linguine for dinner if that is ok with you?”  “Sure.”  He gets up and walks into the kitchen.  He talks to Zander and then returns and sits down beside me.  I feel nervous. I guess because I have never been here before.  Maybe it’s the fact that someone attacked me last night or my horses could have been killed.

“Avery, how are you doing?”  “I’m fine.”  “I wasn’t asking how you are feeling.  I meant how are you handling all of this?  You have been through a lot.  I know that you are not fine.”  “Grant I’m ok.  All this takes a little getting used to.”  “I know but I’m here if you want to talk.  Bottling your emotions up inside only makes it worse.  Besides I want you to be comfortable here.  You are safe here Avery.  I won’t let anything happen to you”.  Grant puts his arm around me and I bury my head into his shoulder.  We sit there silent just enjoying each other’s company.

An hour later Zander serves us dinner.  We eat, neither of us having anything to say. I can’t stop thinking about what has happened.  I’m worried about my horses and my family.
 
Could Coy really be behind this
?
  It’s so hard to think about.  Fear begins taking over my body. 

We finish dinner and Zander clears our plates. As we make our way back to the living area.   I start to not feel well.  My throat is getting scratchy and I start to cough and I can’t stop. “Avery!  Are you ok?” Grant helps me to the couch.   I can’t answer him.  I’m coughing so hard I can’t breathe.  A man in a suit enters the living room. “Everything ok Mr. Harrison?”  “No.  Jacob.  Ms. Foster needs her meds now!”  “Yes sir.” 

Jacob returns with my inhaler and cough syrup.  Grant hands me the inhaler and I spray it in my mouth.   Instantly I can breathe again.  Grant then hands me a dose of cough syrup.  It’s so awful but I manage to choke it down.  “Zander can you bring Ms. Foster some water.”  Zander quickly brings me a glass of water and I take a few sips.  “Is that better?” Grant asks. “Yes.  Thank you.”  “Let’s get you back to bed.”  “Ok.” 

We walk back to what I believe is the guestroom.  “I think I would like a shower first.”  “Would you like some help?” Grant laughs.  I smile. “No.  I think I can manage. He kisses me on the cheek and then walks out of the guest room. 

I feel much better after taking a shower and drying my hair.  I grab a tank top and shorts from my suitcase and I slip them on.  I brush my teeth then climb into bed.  The bed is so comfy.  As I am about to doze off.  Grant enters the room.  “I just wanted to tell you goodnight.” 

He leans over and softly kisses me on the lips.  Get some rest and I will see you in the morning.  Grant turns to walk out.  “Wait.  Grant don’t leave.” He turns around and walks back over to the bed and sits down.  “What is it Avery?”  “I don’t want you to leave.  Stay in here with me.”  He has a stunned look on his face.  “I need to finish up a few things in my office.  I’ll be back in ten minutes.”  “Ok but ten minutes is all you get.”  He smiles.  “That is all I need.”

              I am startled as I feel Grant pick me up out of the bed.  He is shirtless only wearing some knit pajama pants.  He holds me in his arms as he kisses my forehead.  “I want you to sleep with me.”  I nod.  I am so groggy from the cough syrup.  I fall back asleep. I’m awakened a short time later as Grant lays me in his bed.  He climbs in the bed behind me and pulls the covers up over us.  He leans over and wraps his arms around my waist pulling me in closer as we are spooning.  I drift off into dream land.

I awake the next morning feeling refreshed.  I roll over and I see a handsome gorgeous man sleeping next to me.  I want to wake him with sweet kisses but he looks so peaceful I decide to let him sleep.  I walk back down to the guest room to get dressed.  I notice passing through the house that no one was around.  I make it back to the guest room and grab some clothes.  I slip on some jeans, a blue t-shirt and boots. I glance at my phone its ten after seven. 

I walk through the living area to the back of the house.  The back yard it beautiful.  I walk through the double doors to the back patio.  It is amazing.  It has everything, an outdoor kitchen, a sitting area, a bar and a TV.  Plus it has a pool and a pool house.  It is incredible.  His property his huge it looks as if the land goes on forever. 

As I’m walking around the by the pool, I hear the sound of a horse.  Excitement fills me. Out towards the middle of the property I see horse stables.  I walk out toward them making my way to a fence. I go through the gate making sure I lock it back as I make my way to the stables. 

Inside there are four horses all beautiful.  I walk up to each of the horses and pet them.  They all seem to be excited they have company.  I decide to take the first one out of his stall to take a look at him.  I notice he steps awkwardly.  I look down and immediately become angry.  He needs his hoofs trimmed. I bend over and get the horse to bend his leg. Sure enough he needs new shoes.  I check the other horses and sure enough they all need trimming and new shoes.  Also the horse on the end stall has a large sore on his belly that looks infected. 

My guess is that he wasn’t saddled properly and the saddle rubbed him raw.     I’m furious.
 
How in the hell could Grant neglect these babies like this?
 
I am so going to give him a piece of my mind.  I start looking around the stables to find a hoof trimmer and some unused shoes. 

“Avery, I have been looking for you all over. I was worried.  I figured you would find my stables.  I just didn’t expect you to find them first thing this morning.”  Grant laughs.   I’m so pissed at him I could scream.  “I’m surprised you found your stables at all.  It’s obvious you don’t come out here much.”  He looks shocked. 

“Avery, what are you talking about?”  “Grant, you know damn well what I am talking about!  These horses haven’t had the proper care.  If you don’t want to care of them then why have them?”  “Avery, I don’t understand.  I do care for my horses.  I know I don’t get out here as often as I should but that is why I hired a caretaker for my horses.  “Your so called caretaker has done a shitty job”.  I immediately start coughing.  “Avery take it easy.  You need to calm down.  Deep breaths.”  I calm down enough to stop coughing and catch my breath.  That episode wasn’t so bad. 

I regain my composure.  “These horses need their hoofs trimmed, new shoes, and the one on the end has an infection.” “Oh no!  I didn’t know. What do I need to do?”  Grant asks.  “We need to get to a farm supply store.  I need to get supplies so I can trim out and change their shoes.  Also you don’t have a lot of the proper supplies that the horses need.  We need to pick up quite a few things. 

“The doctor said you need to rest.”  Grant says sternly.  “I know what the doctor said but these horses need my help.  Besides when your feet hurt, you immediately take of your shoes right?”  “Well, Yes.”  “These horses don’t have that luxury.  Now let’s go.  The sooner we get back the sooner these babies can feel better.” 

∞

We arrive back to the house.  One of the ground keepers is waiting on us with a side by side and helps us load the supplies.  We make our way back to the stables and we are greeted by a man who look as if he is still a teenager. 

“Mr.  Harrison is there something wrong with the horses?”  I realize this is the so called caretaker.  I want to just light into him but Grant puts his arm around me stopping me.  He leans over and whispers “Please don’t yell at him.  He didn’t know any better. I should have gotten him proper training.”  I nod

“Timmy we need to do a better job of caring for these horses.  This is Ms. Foster she owns a horse ranch in Kentucky.  She is going to show you how to properly care for the horses.”  Timmy smiles.  “Yes Mr. Harrison.”  “I have to get some work done will you be ok?”  “I’ll be fine I am in my element.”  “Yes you are baby.”  Grant kisses me and heads back to the house. 

“So you take care of the horses for Mr. Harrison?”  “Yes Ms. Foster.”  “Have you cared for horses before?”  “No ma’am.”  He can see I’m disappointed.  “You see Ms. Foster, my parents kicked me out when I was seventeen.  I was homeless living on the streets.  Mr. Harrison gave me a place to stay and this job.  I’m sorry if I didn’t do a good enough job caring for the horses.  I thought I was.”  I feel so awful all the sudden.  Here I was about to rip this kid a new one.  I’m glad Grant stopped me.  I’m so touched by what Grant did for Timmy.  It makes me fall for Grant just a little bit more. 

“It’s ok Timmy.  Let’s get to work.”  Timmy and I spent the day caring for the horses.  I showed him how to properly trim and shoe them.  After we finished with their shoes, we clean out their stalls, and then wash the horses.  We treat the horse with the infection with some antibiotic cream and a sterile bandage. 

I then show Timmy the proper way to saddle the horse.  We adjust all of the saddle buckles so that the saddles will all fit properly. “Now Timmy we need to make sure the shoes are comfortable for the horse.”  The best way is to ride him around.  “Can’t you just walk him around?  “You can but you can’t always tell if the horse is comfortable.  By riding him you can tell if he shifts his body weight more easily. 

“What are the horse’s names?  “Well the first one there you have is Cash.  The gray one is Sterling, the white one is Platinum and the dark brown one with the infection is Coco.  I check Cash’s saddle and I climb on him.  “No.  Ms. Foster you can’t ride Cash.  He is mean.  He won’t let anyone ride him.”  “He is fine.  He probably didn’t want someone riding him because he was in pain.”  I walk him around.  “See Timmy, he is walking very smoothly and he is not agitated at all.  He is happy.  He likes his shoes. 

I look toward the house and I see Grant running towards me. “What in the hell are you doing!   Get off of him!   You could get hurt!”  Grant yells.  I walk Cash up to Grant.  “Cash is fine.  He just needed new shoes.”  “The doctor said for you to rest and I specifically recall him telling you not to be riding horses.  Now come down from there.”  I stay right where I am. 

“Damn it Avery! Cash is a very dangerous horse.  He can get very agitated very quickly.  I don’t want to see you get hurt.”  I slowly climb off Cash.  “You are not to ride him again Avery.   I mean it.  You could get hurt.  I think you have done enough today you should rest.”  “Let me just check the rest of the horses to make sure their shoes are comfortable and I will be in.”  “Ok but that is it.”  “I promise I’ll be right in.” 

Timmy and I finish up and we put the horses back in there stalls.  “Tomorrow Timmy we will cover more of the basics.”  “Ok Avery.”  As I head back to the house I feel good.  For a moment I felt like I was home caring for my horses.   I really miss my babies.  Blue would be so jealous. 

I make my way into the house and walk into the kitchen.  “Can I get you something Avery?”  Zander ask.  “Water would be great.”  He hands me a glass of water.  Grant walks up.  “How are you feeling?”  “I feel fine.”  “Avery I know this must be hard on you but you need to take it easy.  I know taking care of my horses makes you more comfortable here but you really need to take care of yourself.”  “I know Grant.  Trust me I’m fine.” 

“I forgot to ask you something.  Lance is having a party tonight in the city which I have to attend.  He has invited some potential clients that he wants me to meet.  I would like for you to go with me but I understand if you don’t feel like it.”  “Grant, I would love to go but I don’t think I can.”  “Avery, are you not feeling well?”  “No Grant, I’m fine I promise.  It’s just that I don’t have anything to wear.”  “He smiles. 

“I sent my personal stylist out to pick you up some dresses.  I hope you don’t mind.”  “No, not at all but you didn’t know if I was going or not.”  “I figured if you didn’t go tonight, I knew at some point we would at least go out for a nice dinner.” “I guess I better get ready then.”  Grant kisses me. 

I head into the guest bedroom and I quickly jump in the shower.  After my shower, I throw on my bath robe and dry my hair.  I walk in to the closet.  There are several gorgeous dresses most of them blue.  I quickly find this long lavender one shoulder dress. It is gorgeous.  I quickly look around and find some rhinestone incrusted silver strappy heels.  I lay the dress on the bed and place the shoes on the floor.  I grab my makeup bag, my straightener, and my curling iron.  I decide wear my hair the way Julie styled it for the charity ball.  I first get make up on then get my hair fixed.  It doesn’t look exactly like Julie’s but close enough.  I put all of my stuff away. 

I look down at my hands they are all calloused and rough looking.  I grab a nail file and some nail clippers and clean them up.  I take a nail brush and scrub my calloused hands trying to smooth them over.  I quickly apply some hand lotion.
 
This will just have to do
.
  I grab a strapless lace bra and panties and then I get dressed.  I look in the mirror.  I don’t feel very confident people will know I’m not from around here.  I grab the matching clutch purse and put my phone and my inhaler in it just in case.