MILLIONAIRE'S SHOT: Second Chance Romance (28 page)

Cassie nodded, smiling along with Grace. The solitary ride across the fields had clearly cemented Grace’s trust in Freckles. And boosted the girl’s confidence. Having a good horse was like having a best friend, one that was always available. Freckles would certainly make Grace’s out-of-state move less difficult.

That is, if Alex still wanted to move.

Cassie dropped her arms and stepped back. Gramps said Rachel had turned down the estate so there was no way Alex could move now. He wouldn’t put Grace in front of a judge. Besides, Grace would never say anything negative about her mom. The girl wouldn’t even admit that she feared her. So once again it was a deadlock.

“I think I should ride Freckles back today,” Grace said, still smiling. “I just want him to be safe. Do you think he’s rested enough?”

Cassie stared down at Grace’s trusting face. They’d been so close to finding a solution, but Cassie’s presence would always be a liability. And Rachel’s trigger.

“Do you think he’s rested up enough?” Grace repeated.

Cassie glanced at Freckles. The horse had already shoved his nose back in the hay. He didn’t look tired, just relieved the hugging had stopped so he could continue eating.

“I think you’re more tired than he is,” Cassie said, struggling to keep her voice light. “But let’s check with your dad.”

She took a bracing breath and reached for her phone. Her hand froze over her pocket, struck by the significance of Grace’s words. She’d just admitted she wanted Freckles safe. That must mean she didn’t trust her mom. Even though she refused to verbalize that fear to Alex.

From outside a car door slammed.

“That must be your dad now,” Cassie said, swinging around with renewed hope. Grace was finally opening up about her fears. She just needed to talk openly to her dad. And then maybe to a judge. But it wasn’t Alex’s voice they heard at the far end of the barn. It was Santiago.

“You’re not going anywhere with him,” Cassie said, placing a protective hand on Grace’s shoulder. “Even if he says he has your mom’s permission. You’re staying here and waiting for your dad. Okay?”

Grace gave an emphatic nod. “I’m not leaving Freckles alone here,” she whispered. “Just in case Mom is still in a bad mood.”

Cassie blinked. She hadn’t realized Grace had talked to her mother before she dropped her phone in the field. “Did you tell your mom or Santiago you were riding over here today?” she asked, keeping the concern from her voice.

“I tried to tell her,” Grace said. “But Mom was yelling too much. She said I was going to live with her forever. And that it was all my fault Dad wanted to move away.” Her lower lip quivered and her throat gave a convulsive swallow. “And she said a bad girl like me doesn’t deserve to have any pets. So it’s good Smokey and the kittens aren’t here. Because she never likes anything Dad and I like.”

Her words turned shrill and Cassie pressed a warning finger over her mouth. It was great Grace was finally acknowledging her real feelings, and hopefully she’d repeat them to her dad. But it was best if they remained quiet. There was no reason they’d be found in this back stall. Santiago didn’t even know they were here.

“It sounds like he’s talking to a groom,” Cassie whispered, her tension easing. Santiago wouldn’t dare muscle Grace in the car with both Cassie and a groom around, even if he had Rachel’s permission.

“No,” Grace said. “The grooms are gone. They don’t come back until five o’clock.”

Cassie swallowed. “Let’s be really quiet then.” She checked that her ring tone was muted and sent a hasty text to Alex:
Grace and I are at your barn. Santiago just arrived. Can you hurry?

And then a second car door slammed and Cassie almost dropped her phone in the straw. Because there was no mistaking the second voice. Rachel had arrived, and judging from the sounds she was clearly in a rage.

Grace edged sideways, pressing closer to Freckles. Santiago and Rachel were still talking outside the barn, and even though their words weren’t discernible, it was clear they were arguing.

“She’s really mad,” Grace whispered. “And she won’t like it that I lost another phone, and then she’ll yell at me even more. She won’t be happy about Freckles either. Especially since he came from your barn.” Her eyes looked big in her pale face. “I better get him out of here.”

“Wait.” Cassie placed a cautionary hand on the door, blocking Grace’s exit. The grooms were gone. If Rachel heard a stall door open and the sound of a horse’s clopping feet, she’d rush down the aisle and investigate. But with any luck, she might not even notice Freckles. Or Cassie.

She winced, hating to imagine Rachel’s reaction if she found Cassie inside the barn.

“I think we should climb over the stall door and tiptoe out the back,” Cassie said. “We’ll wait for your dad on the path, behind the back paddock where we put Digger.”

Grace’s mouth flattened in a stubborn line. “No, I’m not leaving Freckles. Not when Mom’s so mad. She never likes my pets. And it’s the rider’s responsibility to look after her horse.”

“Or the instructor’s,” Cassie said. “How about if I stay here and look after Freckles? You can go to the poolhouse and wait. But be very quiet, okay. And don’t come back to the stable until your dad gets you.”

Grace thought for a moment then gave a little nod. “You’ll take good care of Freckles? Promise you won’t leave him alone with Mom?”

“I promise,” Cassie said. “Now go.”

She cupped Grace’s leg and boosted her over the top of the door. It was no different than legging her onto a horse and Grace landed easily on the other side of the stall. But she lingered, obviously torn.

“Go on.” Cassie gestured at the end door. “I’ll take care of Freckles. And I’ll see you soon.”

“Thanks,” Grace said. “And I’m really sorry for saying I didn’t want lessons anymore. You’re the best instructor ever. And please don’t tell Mom I lost my phone. Not until Dad comes. He’s the only one who can make her calm.”

“I won’t say anything,” Cassie said, shooting an urgent look down the aisle. “But you go now.”

She waited until Grace scampered out the back door, then turned and pulled off Freckles’ cotton cooler. This stall was supposed to be empty. No reason to attract attention with a colorful blanket. She just hoped Rachel and Santiago stayed at the other end of the barn.

She sat down in the straw and sent Alex a second message.
Rachel and Santiago are both at the barn now. Text me back. Don’t call
.

A rather cryptic message but he’d understand.

She propped her back against the wooden wall, cradling the phone on her lap. Freckles chewed his hay, unperturbed by a silent woman hiding in his stall. Or the angry voices outside.

Her phone vibrated and she snatched at it like a lifeline.

Where are you?
Alex texted.

In the back stall with Freckles. Where are you?

Only 15 minutes away. But Rachel is upset. It’s best if she doesn’t see you.

I know,
Cassie wrote.
So come quick.

I will. Is Grace okay?

Yes
, Cassie typed.
She’s waiting for you in the poolhouse.

She won’t answer her phone. Is she okay?

She’s anxious to see you,
Cassie wrote.
But she dropped her phone in the field.

She clutched her own cell as the voices moved closer, and try as she might, resentment mingled with her fear. She was the one hiding in the straw, protecting Freckles. But Alex wasn’t concerned about her. He’d never made any secret that his life was focused on Grace. She knew and understood that. But right now, when her back was against the wall, her heart rate spiked with fear, she needed to know that he was hurrying.

She stared at the screen, willing his next text to arrive. Contact with him made her feel less alone. And several minutes had already passed. So he should be here soon.

But when his next message arrived she could only stare:
I’ll stop at the poolhouse on the way. Santiago will help you.

She studied his words in disbelief. Sure, Santiago wasn’t as erratic as Rachel but she didn’t trust him either, despite Alex’s assurances. The man did whatever Rachel asked. It was entirely possible they’d push Cassie beneath Freckles’ feet and then swear that she was trampled. Which was quite absurd since Freckles was incapable of trampling anyone.

She shot a reassuring look at the placid horse. His nose was still tucked in the hay, blithely unaware he was in a hostile barn. No doubt he was accustomed to a range of voices on a movie set, voices that were excited and loud and threatening.

Threatening?

She rose to a crouch, straining to hear. It was mainly Rachel talking. And her voice was definitely louder, more menacing. They were inside the barn now and Santiago was no longer saying much. It was all Rachel.

“Did you think I wouldn’t find out?” Rachel was saying. “That all this time you were working for Alex?”

“I was working for the family, for Grace, that’s all—”

“Shut up! You betrayed me!”

“For God’s sake, Rachel, put down the gun. Alex is coming. And if you anger him anymore he won’t give you a cent. He’ll cut you off from everything.”

“He can’t cut me off from Grace. I’m her mother.”

“But you’re waving a gun. Clearly that makes you unstable. Any judge would agree…” Santiago’s voice drifted. Cassie didn’t know if the frightened pounding of her heart made his words harder to hear or if his voice had lowered. But she could only catch portions of his sentences now. And it was no wonder he sounded different. Almost desperate.

Rachel had a gun.

Cassie jerked up, crouched then rose again, fear making it impossible to remain still. She was tempted to scramble over the top of the stall and bolt out the back door but the voices were too close. She could even see flashes of movement: a shoulder, an arm, flashing blond hair. Rachel seemed to be circling Santiago now, her steps jerky.

“Just take the offer,” Santiago was saying. “You’ll have money as well as the estate. And you know you don’t care about Grace. Alex does.”

“And see him and our child with another woman!” Rachel spat. “That’s never going to happen. I’d rather them both dead.”

Cassie gasped then pressed a hand over her mouth. There was no doubt she was the other woman. And the venom in Rachel’s voice was terrifying. No wonder Grace feared her mother’s rages. Cassie dropped to the straw, her entire body shaking.

“It’s the only way,” Santiago said. “You’ll have everything you’ve ever wanted.”

“But he’ll turn around and make more money. And they’ll be happy. He always loved that woman. I’d like to kill her and see how miserable he is.”

“That would be a bad idea.” Santiago spoke matter-of-factly, as if he routinely discussed the pros and cons of murder. “You’re the ex-wife with a history. The first person they’d look at. You’d end up in prison.”

“I said I’d like to kill her,” Rachel said, her voice more composed now. “Obviously I’d be caught. But if Alex dies, Grace inherits everything. And I am her mother.”

“You can’t kill Alex.”

“I’m not,” Rachel said. “You are.”

They were so close, Cassie heard Santiago’s patient sigh. “Rachel, you pay me a lot of money but I’m certainly not going to kill him—”

“Walk to the office,” she said. “That’s where he’ll find us having sex. He was still in love with me. Naturally you two fought.” Her giggle was high pitched and rather eerie in the cavernous aisle. “I do like the idea of two handsome men dying for me.”

“Good God, Rachel. That’s not—”

“Don’t talk. Just move.”

“No, I’m leaving.”

“Then I’ll shoot you here.” Rachel’s voice was more level now, crisp with purpose.

Cassie pressed her disbelieving hand tighter over her mouth. This couldn’t be happening. Santiago and Rachel were friends, teammates and quite possibly lovers. There was no way she’d shoot him.

Santiago didn’t appear to believe Rachel’s threat either. He seemed amazingly cool, shrugging as he strode toward the office. Neither of them looked sideways. And that was fortunate because if they glanced at the end stall, they would have noticed a strange horse eating hay.

But when they left the office, they’d be staring directly at Freckles. They wouldn’t miss him then. And they’d look in the stall, wondering about the horse, and they’d discover her hiding place…and realize Grace was also on the property.

Cassie gulped. If only Freckles were smaller. Or lying down.

She unbuckled her belt, crept across the straw and wrapped the narrow leather strap around his neck. Her boss had trained this horse. Maybe she could duplicate the commands. But she didn’t have a stick to tap his knees and Freckles was contentedly eating hay, not anticipating going to work.

“Down, boy,” she whispered.
Please.
She tugged at the belt around his neck and at the same time tapped his knees with her hand. But he only stared in confusion, a piece of hay protruding from the side of his mouth.

Despair swept her. It wasn’t going to work. And she didn’t know the last movie he was in, or what training was fresh in his mind. Maybe he needed to be prompted by a whip or a whistle or clapping. It could be anything.

At least he had stopped chewing. He was studying her now as if he realized she wanted something. And he was a very obliging horse. Even if she didn’t copy his cues exactly, it was obvious he wanted to please.

She tugged his head downward again, tapped his left leg and this time clucked. He eyed her for a second then tentatively lowered his head and bowed. Her relief was so sharp, she wanted to hug him. But it wasn’t enough. His head was down but his big rump was still visible over the stall door.

She remained crouching, and gave another tug and tap. He stretched out his front legs and ponderously lay down, even flattening his head against the hay, too obedient to even try to eat.
You wonderful horse
. No one would see them now and he looked relaxed, as if prepared to hold the position for hours.