Racetrack Romance BOX SET (Books 1-3) (127 page)

“Why are you frowning?” she asked. “Is something wrong with Echo?”

Her eyes had widened with such concern he squeezed her hand, grabbing any excuse to touch her. “No. Echo looks fine. Things are going to work out great.” But maybe not so great for Becky.

The Lone Star meet was closing soon, and a win today would be good for Conrad Stables. And for him. It’d be an excellent time for Martha to sell. Hunter had posted a bullet work and was back in form, and Conrad horses had been receiving positive press. Becky, however, would be stripped of the job she loved. There probably weren’t many nursing positions that included racehorses.

“Let’s find a spot at the rail,” he said, shaking off his melancholy. “Unless you want to watch from Martha’s box.”

“I prefer the rail,” she said. “Besides, I don’t want to see Ted.”

Amen to that
. They threaded through the crowd and joined the lineup at the betting windows. She rattled off her wagering instructions to a solemn pari-mutuel attendant then stuffed the tickets in her purse.

“You sound like a pro,” he said, “and you bet a helluva lot too.”

Her eyes sparkled with anticipation. “I bet for Martha and Stephanie, and I wanted to put money on Echo too, seeing as how her trainer is unusually confident.” Her face turned serious and she touched his arm. “I really pray you earn your bonus today. You work hard and deserve every good thing.”

Her generosity shocked him. She wasn’t thinking about her own job or what Echo’s win might mean but truly placed other people first. Probably why she was a nurse.

And maybe that explained why he wanted to forget the race and simply enjoy her company. “Guess as long as the horse and rider come back safe, that’ll be enough.” His voice was gruff. “Just pray for that, honey.”

“Hey, Anders! You’re the guy I want to see.”

A wiry man limped from the crowd, clumsily transferring a shiny cane to his left hand so he could extend his arm.

“Jimmy,” Dino said, shaking his hand. “How’s rehab going?”

“Super. Couldn’t be better. Just need to climb on some horses and get the old leg working. Be back in the jock room soon.”

“Glad to hear it.” Dino nodded, uncomfortable with Jimmy’s forced enthusiasm and the unmistakable tint of desperation.

“That’s why I wanted to see you. I really need something to gallop.” Jimmy’s throat rippled convulsively. “Quiet ones, nothing fancy. I’ll even do it free.”

Dino stared in dismay. Nine months ago, Jimmy Jones had been a top jock on the Texas circuit. One unlucky fall and he was propped on a crutch, begging for rides. Worse, the man looked beaten. Definitely not in any shape to gallop a finely tuned Thoroughbred.

He paused, searching for an excuse, knowing he couldn’t live with his guilt if Jimmy suffered another accident. “Don’t really have anything. Maybe a pony horse.”

“Yeah, anything,” Jimmy said but his shoulders drooped. No jock wanted to be relegated to a tractable pony horse, especially a rider of his status. “I just need to get back on the track. Miss the horses…it’s tough, you know.”

“What about Chippy?” Becky asked softly.

“Chippy? Yeah, Chip.” Dino brightened, relieved he could help after all. The gelding would be perfect. The vet had prescribed long trots for his injured leg and Chippy was ever-obliging, always looking after his rider. Jimmy wouldn’t be over-mounted yet could keep his dignity. “When can you start?” Dino asked. “Got a horse in rehab. Needs a light rider. No one has hands quite like you.”

“Tomorrow morning. I’ll come by at six.” Jimmy’s voice broke and he blinked rapidly. “Sure appreciate this. Man, I appreciate this.” He pumped Dino’s hand and hobbled away, swinging his cane with renewed vigor.

“I’m sorry,” Becky said. “I know you need Chippy’s stall and he was going back to Martha’s, but Chippy can help that jockey.”

“No, everything’s good,” Dino said. “I should have thought of Chippy.” He followed her gaze as Jimmy weaved through the crowd, his limp almost jaunty. It would be a little costly—Chip taking up a race stall—but hell, it was the right thing to do. And Malcolm would have approved. He’d always worried about the riders as much as the horses. The race industry truly missed a man like Malcolm.

“One minute to post,” the announcer’s voice blared, jolting him from his reverie.

“Let’s go.” He grabbed Becky’s hand, hustled her through the surging spectators, and joined Red and Shane by the rail.

Shane gestured at Echo, circling behind the starting gate. “She looks like dynamite, boss. Never saw her so composed, yet so on the muscle.”

Dino glanced at Becky but she wasn’t looking at Shane, wasn’t posing or giggling or flashing her eyes. She watched Echo with rapt attention, content to be at the track, content to be with him. And when she gave him her beautiful smile, something kicked in his chest, and he gratefully kissed her cheek.

***

An assistant starter guided Echo into the gate, and Becky tightened her grip on Dino’s hand. Both Dino and Shane thought the California horse would lead the way but also believed Echo would have no problem running her down in the stretch. Still, racing was unpredictable. She fingered Martha’s necklace with her other hand, trying not to chew her nails.

Martha always said ‘pace makes the race’ but it seemed that if a horse was faster, it was more likely to win. And clearly the California horse was fast. Dino said Country Zip could run an opening quarter in just over twenty-two seconds but that Echo had a stronger closing kick.

So, she’d bet Echo to win, Zip to place, and the one horse, Rocky Atlantic, to come third. If the horses finished in that order, Stephanie’s rent would be covered for three months—even longer because Martha had said she’d also give her winnings to Stephanie.

Becky glanced at Dino. She used to think he was always composed before a race but now that he was touching her, she noticed the tenseness in his body.

And he was holding her hand! Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined a moment like this. She wanted to pinch herself. Best of all, he didn’t look at other women, not even the pink-shirted blonde who’d literally bumped his hip trying to snag his attention.

He caught her gaze. “Give that lucky necklace a rub,” he said. “Horses are ready to go.”

“They’re in,” the announcer called.

She edged further between Shane and Dino, straining to see the chute. Heads jostled in the starting gate, and jockeys’ silks flashed. She concentrated on Brad’s distinctive yellow, praying for a clean break.

The gates snapped open. “They’re off!” the announcer blared.

Turquoise silks flashed as Country Zip burst to the lead. A clump of horses followed, but she couldn’t see Echo. She twisted, staring first at the big screen then at the live action on the track, not sure which was the best view.

Beside her, Dino stood rock steady, his gaze on the horses. “Wait, Brad,” he murmured.

“Opening quarter in twenty-two seconds flat,” the announcer said, and the crowd gasped.

“Looking good,” Shane said.

“That’s good, right?” Becky gripped Dino’s arm and tried to stop bouncing.

“Good for Echo,” Dino said, “but you need the California horse to hang on for second. Might be hard for her at that speed. Although the one horse should be able to close for third.”

Becky gulped. It was impossible to watch and cheer for three horses. Hard enough to find Echo. She stretched on her toes, spotting Brad’s yellow silks moving fluidly in fourth. Tight on the rail.

“Move her out, Brad,” Dino muttered.

The horses swept around the turn with California Zip showing the way, five lengths clear of the pack and Echo comfortable in fourth. Becky had no idea where the one horse was, but she couldn’t stop jumping as Brad edged Echo wide and took dead aim on the leader.

Echo’s ears flicked forward. Brad seemed to melt into her neck. Her stride lengthened and slowly, oh so slowly, she inched up to Country Zip. The California horse was all heart and struggled gamely, but Echo was too strong. The filly flattened her ears and streamed past, leaving Zip galloping vainly in her wake. Two lengths. Three—Becky gasped in awe as Echo crossed the wire four lengths in front.

Country Zip staggered across in second, and a bay horse closed on the outside for third.

Shane hollered and thrust his fist in the air.

Becky was lifted off her feet. “It’s done!” Dino said, his eyes glinting with satisfaction as he whirled her around. “And you cashed in big too.”

“What horse came third?”

He grinned and set her back on the ground. “Rocky Atlantic. You got the trifecta, honey. Echo, Zip and the longshot. Should be a nice payout.”

She squeezed her purse and studied the tote board. She hadn’t known the one horse had got up for third, had been concentrating on Echo. But she’d done it. She was cashing in on a trifecta—one of the hardest bets to make.

“Just remember who taught you to bet, Miss Becky,” Shane said.

Becky grinned, couldn’t remember being happier. Martha finally had a win, Stephanie too, and Echo had just earned Dino his bonus—and his ranch. Which meant he’d be leaving soon.

Her face tightened and suddenly her smile hurt.

“Come on, honey,” Dino said. “Let’s get a picture.”

A security guard congratulated them, opening the gate so they could enter the winner’s circle. Red proudly led Echo and a grinning Brad into their midst. Dino patted Echo then reached up and shook Brad’s hand. The photographer gestured.

“A happy moment.”

Ted’s voice
. Becky locked her expression before turning to greet him. She’d forgotten about Ted but this was perfect. He couldn’t criticize the Conrad horses today—Echo had shown both courage and ability.

However, Ted looked genuinely happy about the win. Even smiled. “An excellent result. Wish Martha could have seen this.” His gaze drifted to her throat, and his smile disappeared. “What are
you
doing with that necklace? That belongs to my aunt.”

“She loaned it to me.” Becky’s hands swept to the pearls. “It’s just a copy. For luck.”

“Doesn’t look like a copy,” Ted snapped. “And it’s not ethical to wheedle into her affections.”

“Hey, Ted. Come join the picture,” Dino called. He walked up, tugging her closer to Echo. He felt so solid, so normal and she pressed closer to his side. Ted turned on his heels and stalked from the enclosure.

“Why’s he leaving?” Dino asked.

“Look this way,” the photographer called.
Click
.

Payouts flashed on the screen behind them, and the crowd roared. A three hundred and eighty-four dollar trifecta! Becky stared at the numbers, trying to calculate Stephanie’s winnings, but the sum was too big and she was still off balance from Ted’s accusation.

Echo tossed her head and spun, almost bumping the confident lady who breezed past the guard and into the winner’s circle. Danielle always looked so assured, so gorgeous, so perfect. Becky swallowed, forgetting about the race, about the winnings. Forgetting even about Ted, as Danielle rose on her toes and boldly kissed Dino’s cheek.

“That was an amazing race,” Danielle purred. “Those fractions were impressive. A track record. I’d like to run a feature on your training methods. Dinner this week?”

Dino gestured at Shane and Red who were high-fiving beside Echo. “Probably you should talk to those boys, Slim and Stephanie too. It was a team effort.”

Danielle laid a possessive hand on Dino’s arm. “Of course. But I was thinking of a quiet dinner, just the two of us.”

Becky stepped back, an awkward smile plastered on her face. Shane, Red and Echo were already leaving. Should she go with them or wait for Dino? Good media was critical, and Dino would have to play nice with Danielle, even if he didn’t want to. But maybe he did. She backed another uncertain step.

Dino pulled her back to his side. “Wait for me, honey. We need to figure out how many pictures we want.” He thought for a second then looked over Danielle’s head and called to the photographer. “Eight copies please, Jack.”

Danielle looked at Becky, a slight frown marring her perfect skin. “I understand if you’re working tonight but what evening are you free? This would be a full feature.”

“Great. Drop by the office tomorrow,” Dino said. “Around ten. We can all talk then.” He winked at Becky. “You’ll have to get up early though.”

“What about Wednesday or Thursday night? I’d like a candid interview, just the two of us.” Danielle gave Becky a contemptuous once-over. “You don’t mind sharing him one night, do you?”

Becky’s face turned warm, and she wished she’d left with Echo. She could feel Dino’s gaze but didn’t want to look at him. Wasn’t sure what to say. That she’d won his fidelity in a horse race?

“I hope she doesn’t want to share,” Dino drawled, “because I surely don’t want to.”

And then Becky did look at him. He always spoke slowly when he was thinking, tended to hide his emotion behind a lazy drawl. And he stared now with such intensity, not paying a drop of attention to Danielle, that she was swept with gratitude and a sense of belonging.

Danielle’s heels clicked and slowly faded, but Becky couldn’t drag her gaze from Dino. Her heart seemed to be pounding out of her chest. “I can never tell if you’re serious or just being nice,” she finally managed.

“Guess that means I’ll have to try harder. Come on. Let’s join our horse.” He guided her along the pathway toward the backside. “Echo’s probably at the test barn. Can’t leave until she passes her urine.”

She walked beside him, still slightly stunned. But she’d witnessed it. He’d turned down the gorgeous Danielle Whitlock. And they weren’t even on Conrad property. “How do they take urine from a horse?” she asked, surprised she could even formulate a sensible question.

“A pee catcher, a little cup on a stick. Aren’t you forgetting something?” He waved his cell phone. “Better call Martha. She’ll be anxious for the results.”

Oh, God, she’d forgotten about Martha. She grabbed his phone and pressed in the number. “Echo won!” Becky said. “Won easy.”

Martha gave a delighted squeal. “Malcolm would be so pleased. I’ll have Jocelyn chill the champagne. Be sure to bring Dino and Slim with you.” She gave a girlish giggle. “And give Dino a kiss for me. I’m sure you won’t mind that.”