Winning Ways (4 page)

Abandoning herself to thoughts of Kurt had been an unfortunate mistake, and Liz's restlessness threaded through the remainder of the day. In the study, she looked at her empty schedule book, and thought again about Colleen's plan, and her own good intentions. She pulled out the list of prospects, and reached for the phone.

A woman answered, her voice lilting with a hint of accent.

"Aliqua Arabians, Eve speaking."

"Hi, this is Dr. Liz Barnett in Garden Valley. Marilyn Cook gave me your name."

"...Yes?"

Liz gulped at the frosty tone of voice. Perhaps mentioning Marilyn wasn't such a good idea.

"She said you have horses for sale, and I'm looking for Arabian breeding stock. Specifically, mares."

The woman's tone didn't sound friendly. "Oh. And who are you again?"

"Liz Barnett. I'm the new vet at Doc Sams' practice, and I own Legacy Arabians in Garden Valley. I've been here about six months."

Eve's tone warmed considerably at the prospect of a real sale. "Well, I do have some mares for sale. I breed predominantly Polish, some Egyptian. Would you care to look at the stock I have available?"

"I could come by tomorrow." Or any day, for that matter.

"Fine. My trainer's away at an auction, but I can show you what I have."

Liz put the phone down and took a deep breath. Here I am again, shopping for horses when I should be chasing customers.

The next afternoon, Liz again cruised along the road to Placerville. The ever-present Sierras reigned over the valley like ermine-mantled monarchs. The magnificence and desolation of northern California energized her, and filled her with optimism that goals could be accomplished on a grand scale.

South of Placerville, Liz quickly came upon El Dorado, a quaint town in the heart of gold country. Following Eve's directions, Liz pulled into an enormous gated entrance of white marble and ornate wrought-iron. An elegantly-lettered sign hung over the drive. The paved road climbed gradually through a huge stand of ancient pine trees. Emerging from the green canopy, Liz gasped. On the hillside sat an incredibly large house, obviously brand new and custom-built. Beautiful landscaping framed the building against the evergreens on the mountain behind it. A garden area, stone benches, gazebo, and large deck filled one entire side of the property.

She drove past the front, and pulled in next to a late-model Corvette parked beside a new Lincoln Navigator. A luxury six-horse trailer sat alongside the barn. That cost an easy fifty-grand. The traditional New England style barn was gorgeous, complete with cupola and antique weathervane. Behind the building, white-fenced pastures spread in every direction.

Walking along the stepping stone path to the front door, Liz promised herself she wouldn't leave that farm without Eve's business.

Before she could lift the knocker, a small, shapely woman in her mid-fifties opened the door. Eve Aliqua was every inch Irish: vibrant green eyes, a ruddy complexion sprinkled with tiny freckles, and flaming red hair pulled back in a ponytail.

She smiled and gestured toward the living room. In person, her accent was more noticeable.

 "I made some iced tea. I'll be right back."

Liz examined the surroundings while she waited. Spacious rooms were illuminated by floor-to-ceiling picture windows, providing a panoramic view of the surrounding foothills and valleys, the mountains standing guard on the horizon. Lustrous oak beams and paneling glowed in the reflection of carefully designed lighting in each area. Comfortable, unpretentious leather sofas and chairs huddled around a tile-topped Spanish-style coffee table.

Eve certainly had money, but from where? Selling horses? Surely not. More likely an inheritance or a lucrative divorce. A moment later, Eve returned with a tray.

Liz wasted no time in offering her a business card.

"I'm in the process of setting up my equine practice. Are you a client of Doc Sams?"

Eve rolled her eyes and shook her head. "When he can work me in. I usually have to get the vets to come over from Cameron Park. Not for emergencies, of course. It's too far." She looked at the card. "But now that you're available, I can call you."

Liz beamed, her stomach doing a somersault. This isn't so hard.

Eve moved to a glass-fronted barrister's bookcase by the fireplace, and pulled out a thick notebook.

"You can look through the pedigree book, see if anything matches up with your breeding program."

"Eve, I feel really peculiar calling you out of the blue, like this."

"Oh, that's all right. I will say, it rather threw me when you mentioned Marilyn. We've had some problems in the past, and I wondered just what she'd thrown my way this time."

Liz paged through the binder, bewitched by the extraordinary bloodlines. Any horse that had ever been anything was included in the first three generations of every pedigree. She could barely contain her excitement. What a gene pool! Here's a chance to bring some outstanding blood into my herd, if I can just afford it...

Eve's lightly clipped words penetrated Liz's thoughts.

"We can go up to the barn whenever you're ready. I think the grooms have everyone cleaned up."

As they walked across the gravel toward the impressive building, Eve apologized.

"I'm not very good at showing off the horses to prospective buyers, and I can't demonstrate their riding or driving capabilities. But if you see something you like, perhaps you could come back when the trainer is here."

Liz's stomach fluttered with anticipation of seeing the mares that matched those incredible pedigrees.

The interior of the barn was finished in solid oak, smooth and lustrous. Liz looked down the length of the immaculate aisle. When the lights came on, inquisitive faces appeared over stall doors, and Liz didn't breathe for a moment. The heads were exquisite, as Arabian heads should be. She walked slowly down the aisle, stopping at each stall for a closer look, understanding that they were some of the finest horses she'd ever seen. Her heart sank. I'll never be able to afford any of these mares.

Eve opened a stall door. "This mare is a Polish-Russian cross. You can see that her conformation is a little different than the others. That's the Russian influence. They prefer strong, athletic horses. She's in foal to our straight Egyptian stallion, and due in January."

Liz assessed the dark gray mare. The horse's features were heavier than Liz preferred, but the conformation was excellent and the animal had a regal, almost distant bearing.

"Why are you selling her?"

Eve closed the stall door. "Actually, I just don't like her very much." She shrugged. "Her personality isn't as friendly as the rest of my mares."

Liz nodded, but said nothing. You're not exactly out-going yourself. Horses are very tuned-in to human body language.

Following Eve down the aisle, Liz seriously considered the gray mare. A real possibility...introduce some diversified blood into my herd. Plus, the foal she's carrying could be really outstanding.

Eve stopped beside another stall door and waited for Liz's reaction. Inside the twelve-by-twelve enclosure filled with mounds of straw, a magnificent white mare watched the two women. Her large, dark eyes held a soft luminosity. Her statuesque body was strong, yet delicate, with superb bone structure and faultless conformation. The horse had a magical effect on Liz. All she needs is a unicorn horn.

"Fair Lady's a ten-year-old Polish-Egyptian cross. I've had six beautiful foals out of her."

As if summoned, a tiny head peeked around Fair Lady's chest. The foal was an exquisite replica of her mother. Fair Lady lowered her head and, chuckling in her throat, nudged the little one back.

Eve laughed. "As you can see, she's a very good mother."

They moved on down the aisle, and Liz looked at other horses, but couldn't shake the image of the white mare.

Abruptly, Eve turned, brushing past Liz. "Well, it's about time you showed up!"

She walked rapidly toward a tall silhouette in the open barn door. Liz turned her thoughts to how she could manage to buy the gray mare and Fair Lady.

Well, well. If it isn't Doctor Barnett!"

     Liz's heart froze at the sound of the familiar voice behind her. What's he doing here? Hayloft fantasies rushed into her head, but she quickly pushed them aside. She turned, and met Kurt's gaze.

"Hi...I'm sorry, what was your name again?"

The flicker of a smile beneath his moustache implied that her impudence had been wasted.

Confused, Eve stared at Liz. "This is my trainer, Kurt DeVallio. Have you two met?"

Liz struggled to keep her expression neutral. "Yes, we were introduced at the Sacramento show." If you could call it an introduction.

Kurt cleared his throat. "I'll go unload my gear and let you two get on with whatever you're doing." He threw Liz a veiled look. "Nice to see you again."

She nodded, but said nothing as he sauntered away. Unbelievable! Of all the bad luck.

Eve's voice brought Liz back to the business at hand.

"Did you see any mares you're interested in?"

"Actually, I'm considering the gray Russian, and I love that white mare with the foal. Would you consider a package price?"

Eve grinned. "I'm in the horse business. Anything's possible."

On the drive home, Liz pondered the sticky turn of events. I suppose Mr. Cowboy would have something to say about a lady vet working at Aliqua. His attitude concerning women had come across loud and clear at the show, but there'd been no hint of it there in the barn. He might have his opinions, but probably wouldn't buck the boss. Eve didn't appear to be a woman who would put up with chauvinistic behavior. Following that thought, Liz decided her own biggest challenge would be to keep Kurt from influencing her.

A minute later, the prospect of new horses at Legacy sent a jolt of excitement through her. Muscala, the Russian mare, had never been shown. Eve had acquired her strictly for bloodlines. Fair Lady had been retired from showing years before, and enjoyed the pampered life of a top-producing broodmare. The only negative aspect of the deal was that Fair Lady's beautiful filly foal was not part of it. Eve had adamantly refused to sell her.

Even without the baby, Liz's "package deal" had ended up costing eighty thousand dollars - more than she'd anticipated, but a reasonable price for such excellent bloodstock. She knew she probably shouldn't be dipping into the savings account, but she was beginning to have a much better feeling about the future. Once I have some cash flow, I can replace what I borrow.

The following morning, she returned to Aliqua to sign the sales contract and drop off a deposit check.

Eve smiled brightly as she handed over the paperwork. "Congratulations, and welcome to the area. We're about due for vaccinations and foal check-ups, so I'll definitely be giving you a call."

A cloak of security settled around Liz's shoulders. Things were definitely looking brighter. Giddy thoughts filled her head as she took everything out to the truck. I can't believe I actually own Fair Lady. She rolled down the window to release the heat in the cab, then headed toward the barn for one last peek at her fairy tale horse. At the door, she heard angry words echoing inside.

Kurt's voice rang sharp with irritation. "I'm telling you, you're making a mistake. That mare is one of the best horses you've got."

Liz stood outside the door, not meaning to eavesdrop, but also reluctant to get involved in an argument that sounded as though it might concern her. Then her true feelings edged in. What she really didn't want was to face Kurt again - an upsetting thought. Her career - no, her very existence - depended upon her profession. She could not afford to be distracted or deterred by anyone or anything.

She stepped inside the door, pausing for a minute to let her eyes adjust to the dim light. Kurt stood with his back to the door, Eve in front of him, her face flushed with anger.

Kurt's voice rumbled. "And why you'd even consider selling her that - "

Eve spotted Liz, and quickly shook her head at him. An overly bright smile masked her ruddy face as she strode toward Liz.

"I'm going to turn Fair Lady and her baby out for awhile. Since you own her now, would you like to lead her? The baby will just follow...Oh!" She laughed. "I guess I don't have to tell you that."

From the corner of her eye, Liz saw Kurt move to the other side of the aisle. Her thoughts churned as she haltered Fair Lady, then led her out of the barn. Why is he being so standoffish? He didn't even say hello. Recalling the heated argument she'd overheard, a chill ran across her neck.

From the murky depths of the stall, Kurt watched her, letting his gaze roam boldly over her body, licking his lips at the way her shirt caressed her breasts, then tapered softly into her trim waistband. His gaze drifted to her tight rear-end, and a stir moved beneath his belt buckle. What that woman does for blue jeans is a crime!

His delicious discomfort painted all sorts of erotic images into his brain. He remembered how good she'd felt in his arms, and he teased himself with the vision of seducing her on a bed of straw.

Exhaling sharply, he directed his thoughts back to his task. Not now. There's only one thing I should be thinking about, and I don't need any distractions. He watched Liz and the horses disappear through the barn door. Maybe later.

After returning home, Liz tried, without success, to figure out Kurt's puzzling behavior. I guess I'm a little short in the experience-with-men department. She giggled out loud at the understatement. Who did she think she was kidding? Kurt DeVallio wasn't like any man she'd ever met. Fascinating. A little frightening. His take-charge attitude irritated the hell out of her, but in spite of everything, she felt deeply attracted to him. And now I'll have to work with him. Why can't my life be simple?

She telephoned Aliqua later that evening.

"Hi, Eve. I forgot to ask you when I could pick up the mares."

"I can't let Fair Lady go until the filly is weaned, but you can pick up Muscala any time...Actually, I guess I could just have Kurt deliver her to you."

Liz had conflicting emotions about the idea, and her heart skipped a beat.

"Okay, that'll be fine. Let me know."

If she had the chance to talk to him alone, he might act differently...maybe she'd even find out what the argument was about.