O'Brien's Lady (9 page)

"I just love horses, Sonny. And now that Michael owns Pinebrook…"

"Half of Pinebrook," Sonny corrected.

"Well, half or all makes no difference to me.

As I was saying, the thought of owning a farm is just too much to hope for."

Carol Ann dropped her dark lashes, which Sonny was certain were fake. She had made her implication very clear and now Sonny would have to think of something clever to say. But her mind was suddenly blank.

"Maybe you'll make enough money someday to buy yourself a horse," Sonny answered sweetly. "If not, you're always welcome to come by and look at ours." She hoped she had caught the emphasis on the word "ours", and when she saw the look in Carol Ann's eyes, she was confident she had.

Sonny paid for the shampoo and left without the manicure. She didn't want to stay a minute longer and listen to her needling. Not that it bothered her, she just didn't like Carol Ann. She was obviously out to get Michael now that he had inherited property. That

would not happen, because Sonny would not return to France until her end of the agreement had been settled and she was sole owner of the property. Forcing Michael to sell his interest to her would be difficult, but she was ready for the challenge. Just three more months to go.

Returning home, Sonny shivered at the thought of Carol Ann inhabiting the farm, perhaps even her

house. What she hated most was the painful thought of her sharing Michael's life. Stop it, she told herself. Michael had a right to outside interests, just as she did.

Pierre. Yes, Pierre would be here soon and that would make everything right. She would focus her attention on him and get Michael out of her mind.

Sonny was sure that a visit from the charming Frenchman would take her mind away from Michael O'Brien.

One roll of film was left to be processed and Sonny clipped her hair back from her face and slipped the over-sized butcher's apron over her brown tweed pants and white blouse. She always approached each developing session with a great sense of excitement and anticipation. Would her processed pictures capture what she had seen in the lens or would some last minute movement altar some feature?

Pierre had always appreciated fine photography, and he would be as excited as she was with the results she had so masterfully achieved. Her studies were, as Katy had so eloquently stated, like great paintings.

Sonny wasn't quite sure how she had managed to create that sense of magic, but it was there. The wonderful evolvement of the foal as it learns to move about and gallop at its mother's side was all on film. The gentle nudging of Graceful Lady and the adoration with which Midnight followed her every move were all in the photographs.

Sometimes, when they had to separate the two, Sonny was able to capture the expression of hurt and longing in the dark eyes of both Lady and Midnight. Those were among her favorites.

Sonny worked until the final picture was hung to dry. She smiled at the results, which were even more phenomenal than the last. As she began to empty the trays of solution, she heard a knock at the thin door.

"Can I come in?" Michael's deep voice startled her.

"Yes."

His large frame seemed to fill the small room as he edged in behind her. The light blue shirt hugged his broad chest and a wisp of dark hair curled up toward his neck. Sonny continued to clean the trays in the small sink. When she moved back to the counter, Michael's body was pressed against hers in the tiny space available.

"Hey, these are great."

"You like them?" Sonny looked up into his face and she watched the smile that worked its way across his broad jawline, slowly touching his lips.

She knew the pictures were good, but she was happy to have his approval, something she rarely needed from anyone when she had confidence in her own work.

"I like you." Michael's hands were on her shoulders and Sonny fought the urge to lean against the warmth of his chest, where she knew the hard rhythm of his heart would beat against her back.

She felt the slow sensuous movement of his fingers as they moved down her arms, stroking her with the lightness of a breeze, filling her with a storm of unbridled emotion.

"Did you see the expression in Lady's eyes?" Sonny inclined her head to the side and Michael bent down to kiss her lightly on the neck. If he'd just stop for a minute she could make enough small talk to end this, but his lips were warm and moist and she turned to protest.

"Listen, Michael…" Her words were stopped by the hands that cupped her face, holding her gently, securely before his lips trailed the outline of her nose from the very tip to her forehead. She braced her palms against the counter in back of her, trying to move away from his touch, but wanting to have him even closer.

"Pm sorry about the horse," Michael said with sincerity.

"What horse?" Sonny asked.

"The one I bought at the auction. If you're really unhappy, I'll find a way to cancel."

Sonny had not expected this from Michael.

Damn, she thought. Just when she had figured him out, he did something so out of character that it threw her into a false sense of security. Why did he do this? Couldn't he just be uncaring and unscrupulous for the next three months?

"What's done is done, Michael. Just consult me the next time." Sonny tried to steady the uneven flow of words, but Michael's presence and the tart smell of his cologne was doing strange things to her."I promise, I'll tell you each and every move I am going to make."

"You needn't be sarcastic, Michael. You should have known that the

Purchase of a new horse was important. What would my father have said if you had taken it upon yourself to represent Pinebrook."

Michael moved toward Sonny, and she felt like the air had been sucked from the room. Her anger was simmering now, and she did not want him to think he could break her down. She would show him just how strong a business partner she could be. At least that was her plan.

"You want to know what I am going to do next?" Michael asked.

Sonny shook her head, "I am going to kiss you." His voice was quiet but firm.

And then, he did kiss her. His arms were around her waist, pulling her gently to him. She wasn't going to fail for his flirtatious ways. She would be strong. Her intentions were stronger than her emotions, and Sonny wrapped her arms around his neck, and she closed her eyes, feeling the little soft kisses move from her forehead down to the contour of her cheeks, before pressing his lips to hers.

"Michael," she gasped as she pulled herself away. His dark eyes looked down at her and Michael smiled warmly. For a woman who dressed and tried to act like a sophisticate, he knew that Sonny was still the innocent child that had left four years ago. Her sweetness touched him and he knew that she would not have him knowing how unsure she really was. The fear in her eyes was coupled with the desire that burned in her face, and he knew that she needed, more than anything, to belong somewhere. Michael hoped with all his heart that somewhere would be here at Pinebrook. With him.

Pulling the curtain back from her bedroom window, Sonny watched Michael as he walked back down the hill to the stables. She wondered if his knees were shaking as hard as hers. What was he thinking about her? Did he kiss Carol Ann that way? Not that it should matter to her…but it did. Everything Michael said or experienced was important to her. She could not shake this strange feeling of attachment that existed between them. Like a link in a chain, she felt Complete when he was holding her. Sonny changed into jeans and shirt and finished

the afternoon halter-breaking Midnight. The young colt was easily handled and very responsive to accept the apparatus around his slender neck.

Will and Michael watched as she put the young colt through the routine of walking in a circular motion, teaching him to feel a gentle pull of the rein, and knowing what it felt like to be guided by human command.

As Sonny grasped the leather strap in her fingers, she gently guided Midnight, keeping up with his brisk pace.

"Who-o-a, Midnight," she called. "Michael, he really wants to move."

"Just be firm, Sonny. Don't, let him lead you, that the important thing to remember. He has to learn to take his commands from that rein."

"All right, but he's strong." She pulled back slightly on the reins, just enough to let the colt know that she was still doing the leading. His head turned in her direction and then he slowed to a comfortable gait.

"She's got em' now," Will said. "Look at em' Michael, he can hardly wait to run again." Will's dark eyes burned with excitement and he folded his arms and watched Midnight responding to training. He had waited many years for this kind of a horse, and was sorry that J.B. weren't here to see it himself.

Michael came forward and situated himself so that Sonny had to brush past him each time she made

the round. She tried to keep her head turned away, but some force pulled her around and each time, she looked into Michael dark eyes.

He was not the gentle made in the dark room who had kissed her with such warmth. Now he was strong and determined and every bit the experienced trainer.

As her leg brushed past his she felt the surge of excitement that passed through her and she tried to move away the next time.

The afternoon breeze rifled through Sonny's hair, and she forgot about the split end she had just conditioned and reached in her pocket for a rubber band. Tieing her hair back from her face, she watched Graceful Lady take the lead as she was returned to the ring. Midnight's haltar was removed and he followed close behind. As the chestnut horses galloped around, the green pines served as nature's perfect back drop for their sleek, muscular bodies.

"There's not a creature on this green earth to top the Thoroughbred," Will said.

"I think you're right," Sonny agreed as sheleaned against the wood fence.

Will slipped his arm around her shoulder.

"Your father loved this place. He was always happy to be home after his travels."

Sonny turned away, but not so quickly that Will could not see the pain in her blue eyes. He had

watched her leave the farm, and now she was back, fitting into the routine of the stables quite nicely. He noted the sheer joy on her young face as she worked with the Lady and her colt. Those were signs of hope. For, if Sonny did not stay here, then a sale might be eventual and Will could not bear to leave his home or the animals he loved.

Michael closed the gate and joined them. "He's coming around, Dad."

"You handled him well, son."

Michael ruffled Will's salt and pepper hair with his hand in a playful gesture. "I had a good teacher."

Sonny watched their playful exchange and envied them. Her father was not a playful man. He was serious most of the time, bent on his business and keeping things run smoothly.

Sonny had always admired those traits in J.B. She on the other hand was impulsive. Given to change, she didn't always think things through. Even her trip to France had been quickly decided. Her long time friend Jan had landed a modeling contract with an agency in Paris and wanted a roommate. Sonny had gone along, hoping to get enough work herself through an agency to help pay the rent.

Modeling had soon bored Sonny, and through her photography, she found the career that best suited her needs and talents. She wondered what life would have been like if she had stayed here. Would she and her father ever had time together? It was a question that occurred to her often and one she would never have answered.

Michael gave his father a mock punch in the stomach and then turned his attention to Sonny.

"You look bushed. How about dinner with me, tonight?"

Sonny shook her head. After his appearance in the dark room earlier that morning, she preferred to keep her distance. "I have some reading to catch up on. Maybe some other time."

Will winked at Sonny. "Better say yes. He may not make the offer again."

"Yes, I will. Again…will you have dinner with me?" Michael's eyes danced with merriment and

one thick eyebrow arched as he watched her reaction. She suddenly found him hard to resist, and what could be wrong with dinner. She would just see that he kept his distance.

"All right, Michael. I'll go." Sonny smiled and winked mischievously at Will, whose face shown with satisfaction.

Michael swept his hand under her chin and kissed her lightly on the tip of her nose. "I'll shower and change and pick you up at the house."

Sonny stood under the pulsating water of the shower, allowing the warmth to ease her tired muscles. Working with Midnight was proving to be strenuous work and her shoulders felt sore to the touch. Her hair, which had become tangled, now had to be washed again. Pity that she had spent her money to have it done that morning.

Feeling refreshed after the shower, Sonny slipped into a red jersey dress with a pleated skirt. She fastened the fabric belt and then pushed up the sleeves to just above her elbows. The rounded neckline accentuated her slender neck and she fastened a single strand of pearls and stepped into her black heels.

Sonny allowed her hair to fall over her shoulders. She had inherited her mother's naturally wavy hair, so styling was quite simple. She was grateful for that. But, her complexion came from her father who had dark hair and bronzed skin. She tanned easily and did not have the fairness of a natural blond. Now, as she applied lip gloss, she needed very little else. Her constant exposure to the sun had left her rosy-cheeked and healthy looking.

Michael greeted Sonny at the door with a low whistle of approval. She smiled appreciatively and found herself loving the way his eyes scanned the length of her body, beginning at her toes and ending with her face.

"You should wear red more often," he said as his arm went around her shoulders.

Sonny was trying not to stare, but Michael looked magnificently handsome in a white shirt, open at the throat. Grey trousers hugged his long legs and a navy blue blazer framed his broad shoulders and slender waist.

Her photographer's eye suddenly pictured Michael in a jungle scene, with his khaki shirt and pants and a rifle slung over his shoulder. He was the perennial hero that usually had to be fabricated in books or movie theaters. Only now he was real and he was here.