Winning Ways (14 page)

In the uneasy moment, Kurt saw her gaze move to the open bag.

Surprise edged her words. "You're leaving?"

He shifted his attention to a point above her head, struggling to remain strong. Her scent filled the room, making him painfully aware that she stood within one step of his embrace. Don't go there, man. You'll only dig yourself in deeper.

"I really need to get back. Eve's going to have my head for being away so long, and I have horses to get ready for Stockton."

She dropped his hands and looked up at him, her eyes hooded with emotion. "I'll leave you to your packing."

A wave of desire crashed through his good intentions, and his arms snaked around her slender body.

"Liz, please," he whispered, stroking her hair. "Don't go."

Pushing aside her fear, she melted into his arms and nestled her cheek against his chest. A musky male scent clung to his denim shirt. His breath burned against her ear as he murmured through her hair, sending shivers across her neck. His hands moved possessively down to her waist, pulling her body up against him. Thrilling shockwaves raced through her, and she slipped away into her fantasies.

Four hours later, the truck headlights poked like miner's lamps through the pre-dawn darkness, illuminating the road directly ahead. Kurt stared into the shaft of light. A damned tunnel. Long and narrow, with no light at the end - just like my life.

As he headed home, his mood was heavy. His desire for Liz had overpowered his good intentions, and now reality tormented him. He'd taken advantage of her obvious feelings for him - a gift he didn't deserve. Not only had he exploited her trust, he'd encouraged her with the promise of more time together. He sighed. He'd meant it at the time. God knows, it had been too long since he'd felt that way. He wanted to turn the truck around and go back. Back to the woman who made him feel as though everything would be all right.

A second later, he pushed away the tender thoughts. As difficult as it would be, he had to disentangle himself from her. He couldn't promise her something he wasn't sure he could ever deliver.

His memories sifted through time to his lost wife. Like Liz, she'd been fresh and honest and trusting. He'd loved his young bride more than she'd ever known, but his own selfishness and blind ambition had taken precedence over the only bright spot in his life.

He stared into the darkness and vowed that he'd never put himself in that vulnerable position again.

When Liz arrived at the stalls the next morning, shrill, indignant whinnies filled the air.

"Sorry, Boys and Girls. I overslept." She laughed wickedly. "Actually, I had a sleep-over."

Bill Benton appeared as she filled the last feed bucket.

She grinned. "Hello, Bill. The mare still isn't for sale."

He threw her a crooked grin.  "Actually, I've been thinking about buying your colt - the one you beat me with."

Liz's thoughts flew. If Bill Benton wanted to buy two of her horses, they must be pretty darn good. Good enough to keep. Good enough to make a name for Legacy Arabians.

"Sorry, I'm not selling anything right now."

He shrugged. "Let me know when you're ready."

He affected a limp salute. "By the way, you did pretty good at this show. For a woman!"

During the long drive home, Liz's thoughts were like a whirlwind. Perhaps Kurt's right about my chances at Nationals. I probably shouldn't be so hung up on building Legacy's name in the show ring. Top bloodlines can build a reputation, too. With great horses, and the right person beside me to help the farm grow, there's no telling what could happen. She giggled out loud. Maybe, maybe, maybe! I'm so infatuated I can't see my hand in front of my face!

Eve's cool greeting confirmed Kurt's prediction that she'd be angry.

"Well, hel-lo! Nice of you to drop in." She moved closer, frowning. "You said you'd only be away for one day. Would you care to explain?"

He shrugged. "There were lots of good horses at the show, and some big-name farms. It's important that I know who the competition is. And Billy Benton's horses kicked some butt!"

Her tone sounded menacing. "And was Miss Veterinarian there, too?"

Kurt became wary. "Yes. As a matter of fact, she's one of the people we'll need to beat. Her colt took reserve, and both her mares took firsts in their classes, plus a championship for the filly. Barnett has quality stock - we can't forget that."

He turned away and reached for a halter and lunge-line. He hoped Eve couldn't read whatever might show in his expression when he talked about Liz. He knew one thing for sure: he'd need to put her out of his mind, or he'd be out of a job, and right back where he started.

Liz checked the supply case in the truck, her stomach jumping with anticipation of seeing Kurt again. I'll need to keep a strictly professional attitude while I'm working on Eve's horses. I don't think she'd appreciate knowing that her trainer's involved with her new vet. Latching the heavy metal cabinet doors, she glanced up at the pasture. Fair Lady and her new shadow, Marcy, nibbled their way along the edge of the fence. Liz watched her beloved horses, and a feeling of well being settled into her mind.

Kurt's truck wasn't in sight when Liz arrived at Aliqua. She sighed with disappointment, but her brain told her it was probably just as well.

Eve met her at the barn door.

"Good Morning. How was Tahoe? I hear you had a successful show."

Kurt must have told her.

Liz grinned. "I did, indeed."

She followed Eve into the barn, listening to her chatter.

"Kurt is off doing whatever trainers do on their days off. We'll have to get along by ourselves today."

Eve patted the shoulder of a very pregnant mare standing in crossties.

"She's seven months along. Needs her second rhino shot, and I'd like you to do an ultrasound. She seems awfully large for this early in her pregnancy." Eve raised an eyebrow and smiled hopefully. "Maybe she's carrying twins."

"You'd better hope not. Twins are bad news."

Eve cocked her head, obviously puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Liz filled a syringe and snapped the air bubbles out of it. "Twins very seldom survive. If the mare doesn't abort, you can usually count on one of the foals being stillborn, or dying right after birth. Once in a while, the remaining twin will survive, but it's rare."

Eve didn't respond, clearly sobered by the harsh facts.

Liz went about her work quickly and efficiently, taking the mare's vital signs, checking the udder, and listening to the sounds within the mare's swollen belly.

"Everything's fine. I hear only one heartbeat, but we'll see what the ultrasound shows."

Twenty minutes later, Liz straightened up and switched off the machine.

"You can relax. One foal, but a big one. You'll need to be on hand for this delivery in case she gets into trouble."

Eve's face had been pinched with concern, but now relaxed into a relieved smile.

"We will. She's one of my best Polish mares. The sire is also pure Polish, so this foal is an important one." She thought for a moment, then grinned. "Big, huh? Good. These days, everyone is looking for the larger Arabians."

Liz kept her expression neutral. Does this woman ever think about her horses as anything other than dollar signs?

Eve gestured toward the end of the barn. "Listen, I'd like you to take a look at another horse before you leave."

She led the way to a stall in the corner, and Liz gulped as she recognized the filly she'd rescued from the hayrack.

Eve sounded disgusted. "She injured herself at a show a couple months ago, and I think the show vet botched the stitching. She's developing proud flesh across the coronary band. Really screws me for showing her at halter."

It was clear that Eve didn't know anything about Liz's involvement with the filly's injury, and Liz didn't intend to change that fact. She knelt down beside the horse, and gently lifted the delicate foot out of the bedding for a closer look. Sure enough, the wound had healed, but ugly pink scar tissue had ruffled up into a ridge across the front of the foot. I wish I'd had the chance to follow up on this injury.

She stood up, shaking her head. "It's still pretty fresh. Could be repaired." She looked directly at Eve. "How valuable is the horse? Is she worth spending money on cosmetics?"

Eve tossed her head. "She's very well-bred, but not as good as some of the others. I can sell her to someone who wants performance or a pleasure horse. She could be a good broodmare someday. Scars don't matter in any of that."

Twenty minutes later, Liz steered the truck toward home. Eve's ignorance really surprised her. She's been a breeder for a long time. How could she be so clueless about twins? Eve's apparent lack of knowledge bothered Liz. But worse than that, the woman simply had no personal feelings for her horses. They were, as Kurt had put it, commodities, assets, goods for sale.

Liz shook her head. Her own horses were her link with life, treasured friends and companions, always there for her no matter what garbage the rest of her life handed her.

Colleen's voice bubbled through the phone. "How'd your show go? Tell me everything."

"Reserve Champion Stallion sound okay?"

Colleen squealed like a teenager at a rock concert, and Liz told her the story, complete with Karma's bucking bronco act in front of the judge.

Colleen was equally impressed with Liz's other wins.

"You are cookin'! Are you taking all of them to the regional?"

Liz hadn't thought about the regional show for a couple of days, but she spoke without hesitation.

"I haven't decided yet. I'm definitely taking Karma and Ashiiqah, but I'm still on the fence about Amy."

The conversation eventually moved to other topics.

"While you were at the show, I sold two of Marilyn's mares."

"That's great, I'll bet she was thrilled."

Colleen's tone became serious. "She hasn't been answering the phone, and I guess she doesn't have a message machine."

"Uh-oh, I hope she's okay. I'll run over and see her in the morning."

"Good, let me know. Oh, and the same buyer wants to see the ones you're keeping. His name is Frank Jones."

After saying goodbye, Liz sat for a few minutes, again mulling over her indecision about the regional show. There'd never been any question in her mind about taking all three of the horses she'd worked so hard to qualify. Why did she question her decision now? Bill Benton had ruffled her feathers, made her feel stupid, but that shouldn't alter her plans. Maybe I should discuss it with Kurt. The thought jarred her. One night with him and you can't make up your own mind? I think not!

The next morning, Liz pulled up the driveway to Marilyn's house. The windows were dark, the porch light on. An uneasy thought came with the memory of Marilyn's dazed state on the night of the fire. What if she's unconscious in there? Knocking loudly, Liz tried the door and found it locked. She scribbled a note and stuck it in the screen. As she climbed back into her truck, she looked over at the black lump that had once been a working barn. Her throat tightened with pain at the flashback to that terrible night - and all the changes in her own life that had come of it.

At home, the answering machine message-light blinked insistently. Annie Brown, the woman from the exhibitor party, wanted pregnancy checks on seven mares. Liz smiled with anticipation. Continue getting calls like that, and she'd be able to turn her life around, if she put her mind to it. She returned the call and scheduled the farm visit for the end of the week. Infused with confidence, she picked up the phone again and called another of the farms on Colleen's list. Fifteen minutes later, she'd scheduled a farm call with a ranch in Placerville. She closed her appointment book with a satisfied snap. Finally. All the pieces are starting to fall into place.

Marilyn telephoned that afternoon, her voice bright and clear.

"Been visiting my sister in Stockton. Never could go anywhere overnight when I had the horses here. Haven't seen Sis in about a year. What's up?"

She sounded pleased by the news of the sale.

"I'll get on over to Colleen's right away and sign the registration transfer papers."

A short silence hummed through the line, and when she spoke again, her tone was timid.

"Uh, Liz? Listen, I know I haven't thanked you enough for what you did for me. I just want you to know, if you need help with anything - anything at all - I'm available. Just call."

"Thank you, Marilyn. I might just do that one of these times."

Over the next few days, Liz worked to get caught up at home and in the barn. Amy and Ashiiqah were crazy to get out into the pasture, so Liz gave them some time off.

"Only for a day or two, Ladies. We have serious work ahead of us."

Karma wasn't allowed the same treat - too risky. The colt was full of himself, and Liz figured, with her luck, he'd get rambunctious and hurt himself. He'd have to stay in the barn until after the regional show, maybe longer, if she took him to Nationals.