O'Brien's Lady (7 page)

As hard as she tried, Sonny could not get Michael out of her mind. She hoped with all her heart the Pierre's visit would help her rememeber the things that awaited her in Paris.

When sleep finally came, her dreams were not filled with Pierre and the glittering fashion world, but with the face of a colt named Midnight and the man whose touch had warmed her heart.

CHAPTER 6

"We'll bring him in from pasture now," Michael said. "Midnight has to learn to be handled."

Sonny watched proudly as the young colt, who by now was able to stand quite nicely, followed Graceful Lady's every move. Each and every day, Midnight grew stronger and was now galloping alongside his mother, the strong muscles of his body already quite pronounced.The two of them trotted, their heads held erect, their freshly groomed coats glistening in the morning sun. It was a magnificently beautiful sight as the wind blew through the silky manes of both of the chestnut Thoroughbreds.

"Look at him go, Michael. And just two weeks ago, he couldn't even stand." Sonny's face lit up with joy as she watched. It had become so much a part of her day to spend at least three sessions with Midnight, getting him used to human touch, becoming friends and gaining his respect and trust. Sonny had been told how important this period was in the final disposition of the animal. With frequent handling he would become pliable and easy to command.

"In a month, we'll begin to halter train him,"

Michael said.

"Why so soon? Can't we just let him run free a little longer?"

"No. He was bred for speed and to run and

he'll have a craving for that. To do less with him would be an injustice."

Sonny shook her blond head. "Injustice to the horse, or to you?"

Michael frowned and then his mouth turned up at the corners. "You're so skeptical, aren't you Sonny?"

You think all I care about is the purses and the titles this horse can win."

"Well, aren't you?" she challenged.

"Partly. To say I didn't care would be a lie. But, what I really enjoy is the pure line of Thoroughbreds which have been carefully protected by trainers and breeders like your father. You can't sell that or buy that at any price. You have to love the animal first."

"Nice speech," Sonny said as she turned her nose up.

Michael reached down and gave her a quick kiss on the forehead as he passed by. "Why, thank you. Nicest compliment I've had today."

Sonny smiled in spite of herself. She turned to watch Graceful Lady galloping about with Midnight following close behind. The plush green grass was in complete harmony with the tall pine trees that surrounded the farm. Taking a deep breath, Sonny hoped to avert Michael's attention which was focused on her. She could feel the warmth of his glaze and she instinctively looked over her shoulder.

There was nothing about Michael that should make her feel this way, she told herself, but he had always been a part of her life and his face had haunted her since the day she had left for Paris. He was twenty-three when she left, and dating young women. Sonny had hoped he would notice her, but he hadn't, and she had watched him from the window of her bedroom as her young heart had ached for him.

It was all so silly. Here she was, letting her emotions rule her mind, when she knew that he wanted Pinebrook for himself. He had told her once that his dream was to own his own horses and stables, and Sonny's father had made that dream become a reality. The problem was keeping her mind on business and not on Michael O'Brien.

As Michael moved closer to Sonny, his hand moved to her shoulder and he genltly pulled her toward him. She was so soft and caring when they were working with the animals and he longed to hold her again. His mind was filled with all sorts of things that should not be there, but he couldn't stop himself from wanting her.

Michael only had a few months left in which to show her how wonderful this life could be, and so far he had failed miserably. Although Michael had always had his choice of women, the one he wanted the most was the most unobtainable.

"It's time to bring them back in, isn't it?"

Sonny spoke quickly.

"Not yet." Michael's hand moved slowly over her cheek, tracing the line of her chin and then moving along her lips in feathery strokes. Sonny shuddered and closed her eyes. She didn't dare look at him now. This was the man who would take her inheritance from her if he could. And right now he was taking her heart.

She should hate him. Had he not been named in

her father's will, she might be nearing her return to Paris. Sonny tried to focus her thoughts on Pierre, but her skin began to tingle as Michael held her even closer.

"You're staring to fit right in here, Sonny." Michael's finger was stroking the side of her face again, doing strange things to her stomach.

"No, Michael, I don't belong here. That's why

I want to get this six months over with so I can get on with my life."

"And your love," Michael said curtly.

"Yes, my love of fashion photography. I'm very proud of what I do." Sonny defended herself.

"I'm sure you are."

"This is your life, not mine. And the sooner I get back the better for all of us."

She tried to turn away, but his hand came in back of her, gently guiding her until her blue eyes were locked into his brown ones.

"Why do you shy away from me, Sonny?"

"I've never run away from anything or anybody, Michael."

"Anything that reminds you of your father? Or is it anything that requires real work and an honest committment?"

"Is that your opinion of me? Then you don't know how hard it was to get established in Paris. Competition was very stiff."

Michael's dark eyes bore into her skin. "And that bothers you?"

"No." Sonny could feel the anger burning in her throat. "Sharing my inheritance with you bothers me!"

Michael's hand, which had been withdrawn now hung at his side. "Having me on equal grounds is what really hurts, right Sonny? I'm no longer Will O'Brien's son that you can flirt with and flaunt yourself around."

Sonny thrust her hands deep into her jeans pockets. She had to do something with them to dispel the urge she had to slap Michael's face.

"If I ever flirt with you, Michael, you'll certainly know it. As far as what happened four years ago, I can only say that I was a teenager who didn't know what she wanted."

Michael looked her squarely in the face as he spoke. "But now you do, is that it?"

"Yes. I want to get out of this place, to have my hair done and my nails long again."

Michael regarded Sonny with a strange look of curiosity. There had been no sacrifice on his part.

He was just continuing life as he knew and loved it, but she was stepping into something that meant nothing to her. This life was alien to Sonny, and she felt like the outsider she really was.

She pretended to be in charge, but underneath it all she felt inadequate and unequipped to make the decisions that Michael took as everyday life. She had

made all the sacrifices; the career she had to put on hold, the lifestyle that had to be changed, and the death she was still trying to cope with. No, things hadn't been easy for her.

"Here I am trying to run my business and you're worried about your nails." Michael threw his hands up.

"Our business, Michael," Sonny corrected him.

"Then act like it!"

"How would you have me do that? Pretend I enjoy all of this?"

"If you don't like it, then go back to Paris."

Sonny had been waiting for that remark.

Michael would like nothing more than to have her run home, leaving him in complete charge. That would solve only part of her problem, and make the other part worse. No, she had to stay, there was no other choice.

"And make it easy for you to steal my land?" Sonny smiled.

"I can't steal what's already mine, Sonny," Michael reminded her.

Sonny knew that she was allowing her emotions to run away with her and that would only serve Michael's purpose. If she were to stay on top of this situation, she would have to remain calm and in control.

There had to be a legal way to stop this partnership, and she meant to find it. She had accepted what Ben Mathison had presented from her father's will and never questioned its validity. Now she would see about that. Perhaps there was a legal way to remove Michael's name. She might have to do a little insisting, but there just might be a loophole.

Sonny enjoyed her morning drive to Ben's office. She had been too busy to make a trip into the city since her return home and this gave her the opportunity she needed. She had always loved San Francisco and every time she went there she was more fascinated by the rolling hills and the gleaming rows of white and pastel homes that lined them.

Traffic was light and she relaxed against the gray cushions of her father's wine-colored late model Cadillac. She pushed in the cassette and was instantly encircled with the sound of violins and full orchestration. Her father loved classical music that her mother had brought to both of their lives, insisting they relax, listen and enjoy. She had always stressed the theater and fine arts to her daughter, hoping she would not become so fervently involved in racing.

Twenty minutes later, Sonny entered Ben's office which was heavily paneled and filled with lush green plants. The furnishings were solid oak. The young girl at the receptionist's desk was dressed in a plain black suit and wore barely enough make-up to accentuate her exquisite bone structure.

"Go right in Miss Mead, he's expecting you."

Ben Mathison extended his hand in greeting. He wore a black crew neck, faded jeans and his hair was slightly tussled. Her father being a fastidiously neat and orderly person, she wondered how he and Ben had kept such a close working relationship through the years. Maybe they had found in each other the perfect counter balance for themselves. In that case, she assumed they worked in complete harmony.

One thing was certain, her father would not have retained Ben Mathison if he weren't convinced he was the best man for the job.

"I wondered when you would call for this meeting, Sonny." Ben leaned back in his leather chair and folded his hands on top of the disheveled desk.

"Ben, this partnership is not working."

Sonny leaned forward, her clasped hands resting on the desk.

"Why is that?"

"This isn't my life. I have a job to get back to and a very nice roommate who is getting stuck with added expense in my absence."

"I can understand how this has been very difficult for you Sonny." Ben's round face was filled with benevolence and he placed a reassuring hand over hers.

"My father knew how much I liked my life in Paris. He wouldn't have done this to me Ben, unless…"

"Unless what, Sonny?"

"Michael must have influenced that decision.

How he did it, I don't know, but I intend to find out."

"As I told you, Sonny, J.B's reasons were not revealed to me. He made the conditions and I made them legal."

Ben leaned forward in his seat and looked at her squarely. "My advise is to see it through, no matter how distressed you feel."

"And, if I don't, what then?" Sonny asked.

"You lose everything."

Sonny let out the breath that she had been unconsciously holding. "So, we're back to square one again."

"If you feel that Michael is not fulfilling his obligations as half-owner, then I could address that problem." Ben raised one eyebrow as he spoke.

"No, he's working hard and still spending time with my training," Sonny shrugged resignedly. She had just said it herself, Michael was beyond reproach. He was doing everything her father had asked of him, leaving her no room to bring legal action.

"Then you see, there's nothing that can be done. Just stick it out, Sonny. You're J.B's daughter and a Mead has never walked away from a challenge yet."

Sonny turned the key in the front door, as she balanced the pile of mail in her other hand. It was nearing lunch time and she was sorry she had wasted the morning on her visit to Ben Mathison. As she walked through the entry and the past the large dining room, her heels clicked on the random plank flooring. Katy had left a fresh pot of coffee and a plate of blueberry muffins on the kitchen counter.

Sonny kicked off her shoes, hung her jacket on the back of the kitchen chair, and poured herself a cup of hot coffee. As she sank into the comfortable captain's chair, she began leafing through the mail.

Most of them contained invoices for feed, or bedding for the animals. One was from their veterinarian and the envelope that caught her eyes was from Crescent Stables in Kentucky.

Sonny's interest was piqued and she tore into the flap of the envelope. She didn't recall doing business with them, so what could it be? Her eyes scanned the figures on the printed form, and then her mouth flew open.

Holding the paper in front of her, Sonny quickly dialed the number in Kentucky. Her heart raced as she heard the staccato rhythm of the ringing at the other end of the line. Her breath quickened when a high-pitched voice answered.