Dead Heat (17 page)

“Let’s talk about it tomorrow. I can’t think straight right now.”

“Okay. Go get ready for bed and I will get Chuck up into the bed.” Paige gave Chuck another kiss before grabbing a nightshirt and heading into the bathroom to brush her teeth.

Chuck was tucked into bed with his tail wagging under the covers and Cole was taping a garbage bag over the broken window. Paige pulled down the covers to what was quickly becoming her side of the bed and climbed in. She tried to stay awake to talk to Cole, but she succumbed to the exhaustion before he could even finish taping up the window.

With the weekend events, the trip to New York, and the latest shootout at her apartment, the shop was packed all day long. Things were flying off the shelves as the whole town turned out to hear the news. The Rose sisters practically ran the café out of her store so they wouldn’t miss anything.

“Oh, you poor thing!”

Paige groaned at Kandi’s grating snobby voice. “You must be going out of business. Why your shelves are bare! And here I was going to see if you were going to participate in the Summer Festival at the end of the month. Oh, that is just too bad. You know, if you need to sell the place, I was thinking of dabbling in a little store like this for fun.”

“I am not going out of business. Actually, the shelves are bare because I have sold out of most my things and haven’t had time to restock the shelves with new items. Of course, I will set up a table for the Summer Festival. Go ahead and sign me up. Thanks for thinking of me.” Paige was too tired and busy to fight with Kandi.

“Great,” Kandi said, but it came out shrill. “I’ll put you down on the list. You know, Bill and I are thinking of going away on a little romantic vacation. We were thinking a quick trip to the Keys. You have anything sexy I could surprise him with?” Paige tried not to roll her eyes. Kandi was under the misunderstanding that Paige still cared for Bill. While he might have hurt her and caused her to have a jaded relationship history, it did not mean she was holding a candle for him.

“Sorry Kandi. I only have things for teenagers and younger, nothing appropriate for our age.” Paige didn’t mean for it to sound snide, but apparently Kandi thought differently and flounced out of the store in a huff. Would she ever be able to just have a civil conversation with Kandi? After everything she had went through these past couple of months, dealing with a person still holding onto high school differences just didn’t seem worth it.

Cole closed the door after shooing the last customer out the door as politely as he could. He locked the door and turned back to her, “Wow, what a day!”

“I know. Getting shot at is good for business. No wonder rappers do it.”

“Well, come on upstairs while I walk Chuck. You can check out your new window, um, again.” Cole clipped the leash onto the fully recovered Chuck and headed out the back door.

Her feet throbbed from the busy day as she walked upstairs. She pushed opened the door into her private rooms and inhaled the smell of garlic bread. She kicked off her shoes and squished her toes in the new rug before heading to the kitchen. Her small table was set with two plates and a candle was lit at the center of the table. Warm garlic bread sat on the island along with a salad and another large bowl. She lifted the towel covering it and saw chicken alfredo with mushrooms and broccoli.

“I thought I would make you dinner after such a long day,” Cole said as he and Chuck entered the room.

“Thank you. This is beautiful and smells delicious.” Cole smiled and held out the chair for her. “Not as beautiful as you and not nearly as nice as you deserve.”

* * *

Dammit! How had things turned out this way? It was all because of his idiotic brother. He should have just retired and left his brother to rot in jail. Now his reputation was in tatters and that bitch was still alive thanks to her ugly dog. Where in the hell had he come from? He hadn’t even seen him and then the dog had suddenly attacked. He rubbed his bandaged arm and grimaced at the pain. He stopped his mental rant when the phone rang. He crossed the room to pick it up.

“It doesn’t look good with the indictment and I don’t want anything to happen right now that would jeopardize us not being able to get house arrest until our trial. We need to regroup and plan our next step. Just give it some time and then make it look like an accident. Murder-suicide after evidence of an affair is discovered. Or maybe a car accident... something like that.”

The phone clicked off and he threw the phone onto the bed. Sure, he’d give it some time. But after shooting up her place, twice, he didn’t think any kind of accident would be believable. However, regrouping sounded like a good idea. He’d follow her. Lead her into a false sense of security and then strike. She’d never see it coming.

* * *

A ringing phone penetrated her sleepy haze. Paige heard Cole answer it as she forced her eyes open. She looked over at the clock and mumbled incoherently when she found it was only seven o’clock. She had slept almost twelve hours.

“Good news and bad news,” Cole said as he sat down on the new yellow down comforter.

“Okay. I am up. Tell me.” She sat up in bed and waited for Cole to tell her the news.

“Everyone was indicted. Ranging from twenty-three counts of murder for Bob and Bruce down to accessory to murder for the rest of them. The trial has been set for next month.”

“Good. What’s the bad news?”

“Because of their status in the community, they were given house arrest. I don’t doubt for one moment they are in constant contact with each other planning their next step. I would place money on this not making it to trial because of them disappearing.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, but I will talk with Salmond and see what we can do to make sure they stay put. In the meantime, I have a surprise for you. Come on, throw these jeans on. I have an idea of how to celebrate the indictment and let you blow off some steam too.” Cole flashed her a smile right before tossing the jeans to her.

* * *

Paige jumped from the Explorer and took in the smell of oats, manure, and hay. It was the best smell in the world. It was only eight in the morning, but Keeneland race track was alive with activity. She looked down the rows of barns where grooms where bathing horses and trainers were walking horses to and from the track.

“This is great Cole. I used to ride all the time. I even worked here one summer in high school as a groom.” Paige took another deep breath and let the smells fill her lungs.

“I know. That’s why I thought you would enjoy an hour of riding.” Cole rocked back on his heels as he slipped his hands into the pockets of his jeans and smiled at her.

“Riding? You mean actually riding on the race track?” Paige couldn’t believe it. She had always wanted to do that. But the track and owners of horses worth thousands, and in some instances millions, of dollars didn’t care to allow just anyone to ride the horses on the track.

“Will has a couple of horses he said we could ride. Jose has them all ready for us.”

Paige squealed and leapt up into Cole’s arms. This was so cool. When she was younger, she had wished she could be a jockey. However, her dreams were dashed when she reached five feet seven. But, it never stopped her from dreaming of racing down the stretch towards the finish line.

They made their way past rows of white barns with green roofs until they reached the blue and white flag of the Ashton Farm. As Cole had said, Will’s barn manager was waiting for them. Two gorgeous chestnut horses were standing patiently while bits where being put into their mouths and blankets thrown over their backs. They were quickly saddled as Jose made introductions.

“Paige, you’ll be riding Molly. And Cole, you’ll be riding Polly. They’re sisters and are getting ready to be bred next month. Will said you can run them today before they get transported back to the farm at the end of this week.” Jose signaled the men holding the horses and waited for them to lead the horses one at a time to a hay bale.

Paige stepped onto the bale, lifted her right leg high in the air and fit her foot into the stirrup. Molly stood still as Paige tightened her grip on her mane and swung her left foot over Molly’s back. The freshly polished leather creaked as she settled into the saddle. She gently squeezed her thighs together and Molly instantly picked up on the cue and walked towards the track while Cole easily swung himself up on Polly.

A Keeneland security guard saw her coming and opened the gate onto the track. Paige glanced over her shoulder and found herself staring at the vision of Cole on top of a horse. He sat relaxed in the saddle as he confidently guided what looked to be a very happy Polly onto the race track.

Molly trotted out onto the track and Paige felt a sense of awe. Some of the best horses of all time had run on this track. Not only that, but it felt amazing. It may look like dirt, but the track was actually made of a synthetic blend called Polytrack. Molly’s trot smoothed out as she hit the soft track and Paige clicked her tongue urging Molly into a slow gallop.

“Let’s take them around the track a couple of times at an easy gallop and then I challenge you to a race.” Cole smirked as he pressed his heels into Polly’s sides and guided her up into a gallop.

“You’ll eat my dust, Parker!” Paige laughed as they set out around the iconic track.

“On my mark, set, go!” Cole yelled. Paige squeezed her thighs and dug in with her heels. Molly shot from the line like the well trained athlete that she was. Paige leaned over her neck urging her to find her stride. She had slid into the rail as she watched Cole keeping pace with her on the outside.

“Come on Molly!” she shouted. They rounded the half mile marker and Paige gave Molly her head. Molly immediately sped up when Polly passed her on the outside. As they flew past the three quarter mile marker Paige couldn’t keep the smile from her face. This was the most fun she had had in years.

Cole was about a half-length in front of her as she squeezed Molly with her legs. Molly lunged forward and gained on Cole and Polly. Paige looked down the homestretch and took in the enormous empty grandstands and then turned her eye to the finish line. The power she felt in Molly as she thundered towards the finish line was indescribable.

Molly pushed harder and Paige could only hold on as Molly came neck to neck with Polly. In unison, they ate up the track trying to be the first across the finish line.

“Go Molly!” Paige encouraged her as they made their final push across the finish line. The horses slowed, sweat turning their chestnut coat black.

“It was a dead heat. I would say we could do a half mile sprint to determine a winner, but I am afraid I wouldn’t win!” Cole laughed as he pulled Polly up next to her. “That and we better get back to open the store.” He leaned down and rubbed Polly’s neck. “Did you have fun?”

“I had the best time. This was amazing! It was the most thoughtful thing anyone has done for me. I feel so alive! Thank you, Cole.” Paige couldn’t stop smiling as she dismounted from Molly. She would never forget how today felt.

* * *

Paige tried to focus on what she was doing, but her thoughts kept drifting to the man carrying in supplies from the storage room. Cole had talked to Salmond who recommended staying put, increasing gun presence inside the home, and placing undercover FBI outside the shop. Cole agreed and tried to make Paige feel more comfortable and safe with the added security. In the past week, Cole had taken her out on dates, made her dinner, and helped her in the store every day.

The store had been packed with people stopping by to get the latest on the shootings and the New York trial. Dani had been taken home under the cover of night and was doing well. Cole had even worked with Mo to set up a double date with them so Paige and Dani could see each other. Cole had also arranged for her to talk to Kenna who was safely ensconced at Cole’s apartment.

All his actions showed someone who was caring and loving, not someone just pretending. They had a routine together, too. He’d walk Chuck while she showered. Then she’d make him breakfast and he’d make her lunch. He’d help her in the store and then he always thought of something for them to do together. Dinner in Lexington, renting a movie she’d wanted to see, or a visit to the comedy club. They were having so much fun she didn’t want it to stop.

It had been quiet for a week. No faces in windows, no mysterious footsteps following them, and no shooting. She knew Cole had a real job to get back to. But she was so afraid that he wouldn’t come back once he left. Paige was scared to death that this was only a fantasy and she wasn’t ready to give it up yet. Especially since she knew she was in love with him.

They had fun days and amazing nights together, but Cole had never said this was anything but an assignment. They didn’t talk about the future and never talked about their feelings. Unconsciously biting her lower lip, she knew it was up to her to make the first move. The fear of rejection hovered though. She didn’t know if she could take it if she was just part of his job. Was it better to put it all on the line and risk getting hurt? Or should she just keep it to herself and protect her heart?

“Heellooo?”

Paige jolted out of her thoughts and suppressed a groan when she raised her eyes and ran into two floatation devices stuffed into a children’s tank top.

“Hi Kandi. What can I do for you?”

“Aren’t you going to say hi to Bill too? I know you still pine for him and are sore about losing him, but you could at least be nice.” Kandi rubbed her hand over Bill’s chest, but stopped short of rubbing his pot belly.

“Hi Bill. I didn’t see you behind Kandi’s new coif. Now, what can I do for you Kandi?”

“I am checking on all the businesses participating in the Summer Festival for the PTA. It looks like you have a lot of work to do. It doesn’t look like you’ve done anything to prepare for it!” Kandi looked over her nose at the shop. Apparently she couldn’t see over her nose or her giant beach balls to see the streamers, balloons, and beach gear put up around the shop.