Racetrack Romance BOX SET (Books 1-3) (126 page)

Martha’s words came back to haunt.
Have fun but save your heart for the marrying kind
. Unfortunately, dear Martha hadn’t provided instructions on how to protect the heart.

“I’ve arranged for a gelding to be shipped in tomorrow,” he went on, oblivious to her despair. “Nice little quarter horse, great on the trails. Never stumbles and won’t kick or bite. I know you like Lyric, but you’ll be a lot safer with this fellow. And then maybe I won’t worry so much.”

He shot her a rueful smile that made her eyes burn. He did care, just not enough, and it didn’t matter. He’d walk away, but the ride was worth it. She’d had more fun this past month than in her entire life. Could deal with the backlash later.

“A new gelding is coming?” Her voice cracked. “That’s nice. Is he off the track?”

“No. Belongs to my ex-wife. Laura doesn’t want him anymore, and he deserves a good home.”

Becky’s heart lurched in dismay, and the smile she’d been forcing faded.

“What’s wrong?” Dino looked genuinely puzzled. “Old Smoke’s a nice horse. I think a lot of him. So did Laura.”

He just didn’t get it. She pressed her hands together, trying to soothe her hopelessness. His wife’s horse. At least he was loyal. Maybe not to people, but to his animals. He did seem concerned about her riding Lyric. All in all, it was a thoughtful gesture, but she couldn’t imagine tying that horse and making love to Dino beneath the oak tree. It would seem wrong to do that with Laura’s horse watching.

Chirp
. Dino lifted a hand off the wheel, jabbed a button on his speaker phone and a crisp voice filled the cab.

“Dino, Jim Sapp here. Just a reminder your purchase option expires next week.”

“Yeah, no problem. Got everything lined up now.”

“Yeah?” The caller sounded skeptical. “I could request more time, but it’s doubtful we’d get another extension. We don’t want to let this slip by. I know how badly you want that property.”

“The money will be no problem,” Dino repeated. “Guaranteed. I’ll call you after the race.” He cut the connection and made a face at Becky. “Lawyers. Too bad we need them. So, are you ready for your win picture?”

She forced a smile, wishing she shared his confidence. It seemed Martha’s homebreds were fated to lose and the more she knew about horses, the more she appreciated how many things could go wrong. She plucked a piece of straw off her jeans and rolled it between her fingers. “I brought some nice clothes to change into closer to the race. I’m also wearing Martha’s good-luck necklace.”

“Is it the same necklace you wore last night?”

Last night
. Heat warmed her cheeks, and she fingered the outline of the necklace beneath her shirt. “Yes. She says the pearls are lucky and not to take them off.”

The pearls had stayed on last night too. Hadn’t moved, although her panties certainly had. Her pulse kicked reminding her how he’d propped her against the wall, lifted her dress and made her body sing. And afterwards she’d felt so exposed, so vulnerable, terrified he would guess the depth of her emotions. Surely he must know she wouldn’t have sex in a stall with just anyone.

He glanced sideways, giving her one of his heart-melting smiles. “I’m staying at the guesthouse tonight. Please tell me Martha has a night nurse so you don’t have to run off again.”

She nodded, reassured he had no idea why she’d fled last night. But for her, sex and love were intertwined. It was impossible to keep those feelings separate. “You must be tired,” she said, keen to change the subject. “Did Cody relieve you at all?”

“For a few hours. I never sleep much before a big race so it doesn’t matter if I’m in a chair or a bed. And sex is a great way to relax.”

“Oh, yes. It’s ah…great for relaxing.” She forced a painful smile and averted her head, trying once again to change the topic. “So from now on, a security guard will be in the barn?”

“As long as Slim’s around, yes.”

Thoughts of Slim pushed aside her own worries, and she straightened in the seat. “I understand he has to go. I just don’t want Martha too upset.”

Dino edged the truck and trailer past a noisy transport truck. “My job is to worry about the horses, not Martha.”

“And my job is to worry about Martha,” she said. “She’s everything to me. Just like your ranch is to you.”

“At least you’re remembering that it’s only a job. And jobs can vanish in a flash. That’s why you have to make money when you can.”

“Of course, like your bonus.”

“A bonus isn’t a dirty word, Becky. It’s a condition I negotiated. Something I’ve worked hard for so I can move home.”

Home
. Where she’d never get to see him. Yet, he was happy about it, eager in fact, and she knew she should be happy for him too. But maybe Echo wouldn’t win today. “Nothing’s for sure in racing,” she said almost wistfully.

“This race is as sure as they come.” His smile was quick and confident. “Echo outclasses the other fillies and is feeling amazingly good. She’s muscled up and aggressive. I’m hoping a win will please Martha and her lovable little nurse.”

He reached over and squeezed her hand, making her heart stutter. She knew he didn’t mean ‘lovable’ in anything but the most superficial way, but her heart still flipped despite her despair.

They turned into the Lone Star entrance, rumbled through the security gate and along the tree-lined drive. Stopped when a goat trotted in front of them, chased by a teary-eyed boy.

Dino lowered his window. “That’s a wild-looking goat. Need any help?”

“No, thank you, señor.” The boy swiped his eyes. “I’m supposed to rope him. But he keeps running away.”

Dino nodded soberly. “Goats are tricky. Try dropping this.” He tossed the boy a doughnut, calling out helpful encouragement while the kid scattered pieces on the ground. The goat circled back, interested despite the threat of capture.

Dino turned toward her, pausing when he saw her expression. “Hey, why the sad face? Did you want that doughnut?”

She shook her head, but couldn’t stop thinking how nice he was, how he made time for everyone. Probably would make a great dad.

“Please stop worrying about Martha,” he said gently. “A win today will energize her.”

She nodded, checking over her shoulder and hiding her expression. The goat was chewing pieces of doughnut, head up and standing still. The boy’s arm windmilled. The rope coiled through the air and settled haphazardly over the goat’s head, and the boy leaped with relief.

“Oh, look!” she said. “He caught him.”

Dino just stared at her, his eyes oddly intent. “You really like it here? The people? The horses?”

“Of course. How could I not?” But her voice quavered. He still held her hand, and it was dangerously easy to pretend he cared.

“You were a little reluctant before,” he said. “You never looked happy in the clubhouse.”

“Guess it’s not scary anymore. It’s actually intoxicating.”

“I guess ‘intoxicating’ is a good description, although it’s not a word Laura ever used.” He stuck his arm out the window and saluted the jubilant boy.

He was still smiling and no longer looked like he was sucking lemons when he spoke of his ex. “Guess you’re friends with her again,” she asked, “taking her horse and all that?”

“Hardly friends. But we were young and both trying to make each other into something we weren’t. Our marriage flop was as much my fault as hers.” He stared at Becky, as if settling something with himself. “You’re not like her at all.”

Becky’s fingers curved convulsively into her palms. She wasn’t sure if it was a good or bad thing, to be compared to an ex, although Dino looked completely satisfied as he backed into the area adjoining his barn. He even surprised her by stretching his hard arm across her lap and pushing open the door. “Please don’t go running off with any cowboys, even if they promise a hot breakfast.”

She started to laugh, but he tilted her head, covering her mouth in a possessive kiss.

“Hey, you want me drop the ramp…oh, sorry, boss—” Shane’s voice stopped abruptly. Dino lifted his head. “You’ll have breakfast later. With me. Okay?”

“I’m not at all hungry,” she managed, staring into his intent eyes, not even embarrassed that Shane hovered by the door. She just wanted the kiss to continue. And the way Dino was looking, he seemed to want that too.

He traced a finger over her top lip, his voice husky. “Gotta unload the filly.” He grabbed his keys and disappeared.

She gathered her composure and slid from the truck, slightly surprised that her legs didn’t buckle. It wasn’t just the kiss but the way he’d looked at her…full of wanting.

“Wow, she looks way better than last time,” Shane said.

Becky flushed but Shane wasn’t looking at her. He stared at Echo. And the filly did look good. Head high, eyes bright, tugging at the lead line as she danced around.

“Put her beside Chippy,” Dino said. “He’ll keep her calm. She definitely won’t be napping today.”

“Stall’s all ready, boss.” Shane turned Echo and led her to the barn. “Good morning, Becky,” he called over his shoulder.

“Hi, Shane,” Becky said but clearly he wasn’t expecting a reply. After the kiss he’d witnessed, his interest was now polite and perfunctory…and Dino’s expression, extremely satisfied.

Chapter Thirty-One

Dino watched Red lead an aggressive Echo around the paddock. The filly pranced with eagerness, a sharp contrast to her last trip to the track, when she’d been too tired to stand.
That fucking Slim
. Well, Slim couldn’t sabotage her anymore, and the filly looked like a winner now that she hadn’t been hung out to dry on a hot walker.

Her main challenge would be from the four horse, the speedy filly from California. But if the race unfolded the way he expected and the fractions were sensible, Echo would run third or fourth and then gallop past them in the stretch. The one horse was a closer and would be around at the wire but shouldn’t pose too big a threat.

“Our horse is looking good, boss,” Shane said.

Dino nodded but instinctively tugged Becky a step closer. Shane had been staring at her with wistful eyes, and it was important that a man mark his territory. He’d never realized Shane was so persistent.

Or that he could feel so possessive.

Sighing, he lowered his arm. Becky wasn’t like Laura. She’d been friendly to Shane, but definitely not flirtatious. And it wasn’t her fault she was so damn pretty. Shane wasn’t the only guy looking.

She’d changed from her jeans and T-shirt and now wore a silky sky-blue dress that dipped a bit too low over her breasts. He rubbed his jaw, still undecided about that detail. Maybe it wasn’t all that low, but he knew what was underneath so his imagination was working overtime.

It could be the necklace and not the dress at all. Martha’s pearls looked vastly different on Becky, so sexy, especially when her dress was pushed down and her beautiful breasts bared. Like last night. Jesus, he stiffened just thinking about last night.

“Think the four horse will run under twenty-three?” Shane asked.

Dino jerked sideways, trying to corral his thoughts. Generally he could think of sex and horses at the same time, but today he was a little tired, a little confused. Couldn’t figure out why his arm kept reaching for Becky’s waist. It must be that fucking Shane.

“Yeah, should go about twenty-three,” he finally said.

Shane nodded. “That’ll be good for our filly then. She’s a different horse today. What do you think was wrong with her last time?”

Dino felt Becky’s tension and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. She always agonized about how bad news might knock Martha into a tailspin, and if remaining mute about Slim kept her happy, then he was committed to keeping his mouth shut.

“Guess we’ll never know,” he said.

His eyes met hers, and she gave a grateful smile. She wore lipstick, some pinkish shiny stuff, and her mouth looked soft, sexy, delicious—

“Guess we’ll tell Brad to sit third or fourth?”

Dino pulled his attention back to the paddock and the colorful riders filing from the jocks’ room. “Yeah. Tell him to sit close if they run that first quarter in twenty-three. If the California horse shoots off much faster, he’ll have to rate our filly.”

“You want
me
to give Brad the instructions?”

“Sure.”

Shane grinned, tilting his hat at Becky before stepping forward.

“That was nice of you,” she whispered.

“I just wanted him to leave us alone,” Dino said.

Her brow furrowed. “Aren’t we going to bet?”

“You told me once you never bet,” he teased. “Now you’ve devised your own betting theory. Which one are you using today?”

“The dress-up angle,” she said. “The four horse looks nice but so do the people around the one horse. I’m betting Echo and the four horse for my exacta, and I’m using the one horse in the trifecta.”

He pretended to shake his head, but she’d chosen the exact same horses he’d picked, after an hour of detailed analysis. Maybe her theory had some validity. She’d definitely learned a lot since that day in the clubhouse when she’d averted her head and mumbled that she didn’t bet.

“You’ve chosen good ones,” he said. “Just remember to leave Echo on top. She’s going to win.”

“All right.” She pulled some crisp bills from her purse. “I was going to box them but that will raise the payoff, and Stephanie needs the money. Everyone seems to have forgotten her.”

There was an accusatory note in her voice that he didn’t understand, but Brad was nodding as he listened to Shane, and the paddock judge yelled ‘Riders up!’ It was time.

Red held a prancing Echo, and Shane boosted Brad into the saddle. Brad slipped his toes in the irons and Shane followed the filly, looking so proud Dino was glad he’d let him handle the saddling. Shane was smart and dependable, and more responsibility would keep him from breaking off and starting his own stable.

It would also give Dino more time with Becky—although soon, he’d be living at his ranch and racing closer to San Antonio, and Martha would probably be in some retirement home, and who the hell knew where Becky would be.