Racetrack Romance BOX SET (Books 1-3) (123 page)

But obviously Slim couldn’t be trusted. When she’d left the barn, a watchful groom had been camped in a chair beside Echo’s stall. It was a relief the filly had a twenty-four hour guard—Dino was taking no chances. She was grateful it was him, not her, who had to confront Slim.

“Yeah, maybe he was at the hospital.” Stephanie’s voice turned increasingly drowsy. “Jocelyn called. Wanted to know where the stirrup leather was from the splint. Guess Slim was picking it up.”

Becky’s phone suddenly weighed ten pounds. Dino had told Slim he’d get the leather. “What did you tell her?”

“I gave the hospital permission for release. It’ll cost more to repair than replace, but that’s Slim’s decision. By the way, did you practice on Lyric today?”

“Dino and I raced,” Becky said absently, still thinking of Slim. “Thanks to you, I won.”

“Wow, girl. You’re a fast learner. Dino must have been shocked.”

“I wouldn’t say shocked,” Becky said. “More like mad.”

“He should have been impressed, not mad. What aren’t you telling me?”

“He thought Lyric might stumble.”

“Well, shit. I’ve galloped Lyric. He never worried then.” Stephanie snorted. “Still, you beat him in a race, so you must have got his attention. Have you had sex with him yet?”

Becky forced a chuckle, but Stephanie’s casual question stung.
Sex
. It sounded so trivial, so mundane, and did nothing to describe the wonderful way he made her feel. The way she soared when they touched. Riding double, being able to wrap her arms around him—she hadn’t wanted the ride to end. And his possessive kiss, right before he left to tell Slim it wasn’t necessary to move, had left her breathless.

She shook her head, trying to ward off a rush of heat, but her heart was already skipping. Tonight she’d see him again. Dinner at a nice restaurant. And she had the perfect dress, compliments of generous Martha—

“I asked if you had sex yet?” Stephanie repeated, softening her question with a slight laugh. “Stacey is wondering because Dino left the bar alone again this week, even though some reporter was all over him like a tick on a dog. She figures he has a hot chick stashed somewhere.”

“Who’s Stacey?” Becky asked, grabbing the diversion.

“Another trainer. She has a thing for him, but so far he hasn’t taken advantage. She’s a bit of a snob, and Dino doesn’t like people like that.” Stephanie’s voice lifted with a hint of smugness.

Becky made an agreeable sound hoping to keep Stephanie talking, while she scanned her memory for any image of Stacey. Could have been any one of a number of women standing at the rail—she really didn’t remember, although she definitely remembered the reporter, Danielle. Beautiful, aggressive, determined.

“But you’re okay with all this, right?” Becky asked, her fingers squeezing the tiny phone. “You don’t mind if Dino and I hook up?”

“Go for it. All we’ve done for the last few months is watch race video.”

“Video? You mean you go to his place at night and watch races?”

“Of course. That’s part of my job. Besides, Dino is fun but not the keeping kind. Girl, I’m not a complete fool.”

Becky paced a circle around her bedroom. There it was again—someone to have fun with, the same thing Martha kept saying, and the well-meaning warnings were tiresome. She didn’t intend to fall for Dino but it was only natural she didn’t want to share him. And since she’d won the race today, he’d have to follow the terms of the bet and not see anyone else while at Conrad’s.

A month would be more than enough to get him out of her system. To make sure she was comfortable with sex and nakedness and hot men. Then she’d be ready to look for what Martha and Stephanie called the ‘keeping kind,’ someone open to settling down and starting a family.

She propped the phone against her ear and relaxed against the window sill, enjoying the sweeping view. It was always reassuring to have a solid plan.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

“Goddammit, Slim.” Dino glanced over his shoulder at the gaping groom, then grabbed Slim’s arm and propelled him along the driveway, away from gossiping tongues. “Lay off the liquor. It’ll be impossible to find another job if people think you’re a drunk.” He angled his head, avoiding the reek of the man’s breath. “Come on. I’ll make a pot of coffee, and you can explain why you went to the hospital this morning.”

“I don’t have to tell you why I go anywhere.” Slim belched but leaned on Dino’s arm as he staggered toward his house. “At least not anymore.”

“I’m guessing you picked up the stirrup leather. I want to know why.”

“Jocelyn told me to go. And I didn’t mean for all this to happen.” Slim’s words slurred. “Need the money.”

“Let’s talk about it.” Dino pushed open Slim’s door and followed him into the dark coolness. “I might make a few calls if you come clean. Got a friend with a broodmare facility who needs a good man. But you have to ’fess up.”

Slim sank in a chair, almost falling off the side before lowering his head into his hands. “I can’t leave Jilly. I asked her to ride that day. Fucking bitch. I oughta shoot her.”

“Lyric?”

“Fucking horse bitch.” Slim groaned. “And now my baby girl barely knows me.” He looked at Dino with bloodshot eyes. “Don’t you see? You’d be tempted too. Anyone would. Just a few races. To own half a mare like that.” A ball of spittle hung on the corner of his mouth. “The other jockeys knew she wasn’t safe, but my brave little Jilly rode, just for me. Such a good rider too. Beauty bucked her off every day but she never cared. Loves horses. Still does. Wonder where that old pony is. Might do her good to see Beauty.”

Dino rubbed his temple then rose and yanked open the cupboards. Coffee. The man might make more sense after coffee. But based on his ramblings, Becky was right—Jill and Slim had been promised part ownership of Lyric. What a mess.

He added water to the machine and walked across the room to grab a mug, almost tripping over a meowing cat.

Slim raised his head, displaying a drunk’s sudden belligerence. “She’s the only horse I ever let loose. Never would have done that to any of the others.”

Dino’s hands fisted. He stalked closer, realizing Slim was no longer talking about a long-lost pony.

“Wanna hit me? Come on. I deserve it.” Slim waved at his face but the gesture left him unbalanced, and he knocked the table instead. He looked at Dino, seemed to absorb his disgust, and his aggression faded as quickly as it had arisen. “I ain’t proud of all this. Worked hard, made my name, going to keep that at least.”

“Aw, fuck, Slim. You need a lawyer.” Dino paced around the kitchen, his movements jerky. He’d suspected Slim had left Lyric’s stall open, but having it confirmed shocked him. The man was a horseman, for crissakes. He shook his head in disbelief. “You hate the mare that much?”

Slim groaned and covered his face.

Dino flung open the cupboard. Clearly Slim was contrite, but he would have to get his head straightened before he was allowed near horses again, and Dino was too revolted to even look at him. “Got any more liquor?” He banged open the cupboards, checking every shelf, searching for a hidden stash.

“Ain’t going to drink anymore,” Slim said. “Too late for that.”

“When I come back tomorrow night, I want you sober. We have to find you a place to live, somewhere to work, a doctor.” Dino squeezed his eyes shut. Martha’s insistence that Slim be allowed to stay on the grounds was now even more troubling. He wanted the man gone today.

“I’m sorry, Dino.” Slim’s hands muffled his voice. “You’re a good man. Just in the wrong place.”

Dino poured a cup of black coffee and slammed it on the table, but Slim’s head lolled forward, his eyelids lowering.

“I’ll talk to you after the race tomorrow,” Dino snapped. “Stay out of the barn. Away from the horses. Away from people. And sober up. You’re lucky if the police don’t get involved.” He checked one last cupboard but found no more rum, dumped some food in the dish for the yowling cat and stomped out the door.

He stalked back to the barn, shaking his head at Slim’s ramblings about shooting Lyric. One thing was clear. Whether the mare’s faults were real or imagined, no way was anyone riding her again. If Becky was hurt, he’d never forgive himself.

Some of his concern eased when he saw Cody camped in front of Echo’s stall, which meant Lyric, stabled in the adjoining stall, was also protected.

“Want a little break?” he asked

“Sure, boss.” Cody reached under his folding chair and pulled out a greasy brown bag. “I want to heat up some leftover pork for supper.”

“Okay. Do it now. And grab anything else you want from the kitchen. I don’t want you leaving this spot again tonight.”

“Sure.” Cody gave a good-natured grin. “Don’t know what I’m watching for though. Only people around were you and Slim.”

“Slim? How long was he here?”

“Only a minute,” Cody said. “He was in the office. Paid back the ten bucks he owed me. Told me I was a good groom. I know you said he doesn’t work here anymore but…”

“The barn’s off limits. He knows that.” Dino checked Echo’s stall. The filly looked back, eyes bright and eager. “She looks fine though,” he added, his tension easing.

“He didn’t do anything. I swear it, boss. Just wanted to pay me back my money.”

“Okay. Heat up your supper. I’ll watch her for a bit.”

“Sure thing.” Cody walked down the aisle, shaking his head as Lyric stretched over her door, threatening to bite. “That mare is damn saucy,” he called over his shoulder.

“She doesn’t like many people,” Dino said. Only Becky. Lyric had liked her from the first day. Maybe the mare had sensed her depth. But what person would have guessed such an appealing woman hid behind that prickly surface? He rubbed his jaw, trying to remember when they’d first met.

He hoped she hadn’t been around when he’d been sleeping with Greta. He wasn’t sure why that made him uneasy but he felt vaguely stupid, like when he overlooked a promising filly in the sale ring. Not that any rival trainer was about to waltz in and scoop up Becky. She didn’t get off the property much, and her time was devoted to Martha. Lyric. Him.

A smile creased his face. Not a bad setup really. He had her to himself, safely kept, and it didn’t seem like they’d tire of each other any time soon. He scratched Echo beneath her jaw and blew out a sigh, liking the fact that Becky was far removed from the casual alliances that often sullied track life. Of course, that hadn’t stopped Laura.

The chime of his cell phone startled Echo, and he stepped back and dug in his pocket. “Yeah.”

“Big day tomorrow?” Laura’s saccharine-sweet voice filled the phone.

“Well, speak of the devil. I was just thinking of you. How soon can you and lover boy move out?”

Her voice rose. “If you had stayed home a little, it wouldn’t have happened.”

“I know,” he said.

“I just wanted to make you jealous.” She stopped. “What did you say?”

“Sorry I couldn’t make you happy. How soon can you move out?”

She was silent for a moment. “Two weeks after I have my money,” she said. “And this is the absolute last extension. I’m sick of living in the boonies.”

You didn’t have to live there
. But he clamped his mouth shut knowing they’d each slung enough mud. Too many times. “I’ll call after the race,” he said.

“What is this big race tomorrow? The one you’re sure you’ll win?”

“It doesn’t matter,” he said, suddenly superstitious. “I’ll call you in the evening.” But he couldn’t keep the longing from his voice. “Christ, it’ll be nice to get home.”

“Maybe not so nice. The barn roof is leaking, and the north fence blew down. Place is falling apart.”

He chuckled but didn’t bother to reply. Finally, it seemed, her barbs no longer hurt. “Talk to you tomorrow, Laura, and…thanks.” He closed the phone.

Cody ambled down the aisle, wiping his mouth with the back of one hand and carrying a Coke in the other. A fresh grease stain marked the center of his shirt. He dropped into the chair with a grunt. “Man, those porkers are delicious. Got a few more ribs if you want to try some. Left over from my sister’s wedding.”

“Thanks but I’m going out for dinner.” Dino tilted his watch. Just enough time to shower and change. “I’ll check back before Becky and I leave, and again at midnight.”

“So Becky will be with you? Is she coming by the barn?” Cody rubbed vigorously at his shirt, suddenly worried about the grease stain.

Dino’s eyes narrowed. Cody was about Becky’s age; it made sense that the two were friends. Cody always seemed to be hanging around when she groomed Lyric too. He’d noticed them talking when he’d completed Tracey’s paperwork. The camera in the office was actually rather convenient. “You married, Cody?” he asked abruptly.

“Not yet. Looking though.”

“You
want
to get married?” Dino couldn’t keep the incredulity from his voice.

“Sure, if I can find a nice girl. Someone who likes football and horses. Big tits wouldn’t hurt either.” He reached in his pocket, unwrapped a stick of gum and shoved it in his mouth.

Dino didn’t think Becky liked football, but he didn’t want to take any chances either. He folded his arms and stepped forward, pasting on his gravest expression. “Did Slim tell you about the new dating rules we implemented last week?”

Chapter Twenty-Nine

The tie was too much. Dino tossed it over the chair then rifled through his closet, looking for a sports jacket. Becky probably didn’t own a cocktail dress, and he didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable. Quite possibly she’d show up in jeans, although lately her clothes had changed. Tighter, colorful, sexy. Maybe she’d wear those tight black jeans and white shirt that dipped really low.

His hand stilled over a hanger. Sometimes he wished she’d return to her baggy clothes. It had always meant trouble when Laura dressed up. Not that he was going to open himself up to a woman again. God, no. He liked to make them happy, not turn them all sour like he’d done with his wife.

He just wanted to give Becky a nice night. Her face had glowed when she spoke of Martha’s favorite restaurant. But maybe he’d better dress down too. Jeans, white shirt, jacket. He could leave the jacket in the truck if she wore casual clothes. The restaurant might not like it but the hell with them.