Racetrack Romance BOX SET (Books 1-3) (132 page)

“Definitely not,” Martha said dryly.

“I mean it. He’s good with the horses. But that’s it.”

“Yes, of course,” Martha said. “Although a handsome trainer is preferable to an ugly one. The win pictures are much nicer.”

Becky choked on a blend of amusement and despair.

“And Dino did what he was hired for,” Martha went on. “Echo tied a track record. The race world will remember Malcolm Conrad.”

“Indeed they will.” Ted’s voice sounded behind them, his steps forceful.

Becky swung around, instinctively moving in front of the bed, not trusting his aggressive walk or the way he brandished a sheet of paper.

“It’s too early for visitors,” she said. “Martha hasn’t finished breakfast yet.”

“She seems to have time for racing news though,” he said. “And this is an online version, hot off the press. But perhaps you’d like to see it first, Nurse Becky.” He shoved the paper in her hand, standing so close his stale coffee breath fanned her face.

An excerpt from
Racing Daily
. She stared uncomprehendingly at the article: “The Miracle of Steroids” by Danielle Whitlock. Danielle’s face was grainy, but the words below her picture were clear.

When a trainer consistently achieves a high win percentage, racing fans take notice. But after Echo Beach, trained by Dino Anders, scored a scintillating victory at Lone Star Park, stewards also noticed. The result—a positive test for steroids, which results in disqualification of the horse, trainer suspension and a punitive fine.

Insiders whisper that Anders has mastered the art of chemical warfare and relies extensively on illegal drugs to propel his horses to the front of the pack. Conrad Racing Stables, the owner of Echo Beach, is his latest partner in crime and it’s understandable now why Conrad horses improved significantly under Anders’ tutelage. Unfortunately, honest trainers have little chance of beating an injected horse, and this most recent violation corrodes the integrity of American racing.

Despite the steroid ban and stringent testing, some people crave a win at any cost, which casts a blight on the race world. Fortunately for horse lovers, this time the cheaters were caught.

The paper slipped from Becky’s stiff fingers. Ted bent and scooped it off the floor. “No problem,” he said. “I’ll read it aloud.”

“No!” But her protest emerged as a cracked whisper.

“What is it?” Martha propped her arm on the pillow, staring first at Becky, then at Ted.

“Only that your overpaid trainer spends more time trying to beat a drug test than he does with honest methods. And he was caught.” Ted’s mouth tightened. “The Conrad name has been dragged through the mud. So much for Uncle Malcolm’s legacy. What do you suppose this will do for our prices?”

Martha stared at the paper in Ted’s hand, her color fading to a sickly white. A trolley squeaked down the hall and a nurse giggled, but there was no sound in the room.

Becky couldn’t move. Tried to speak but no words came out. And there was nothing to say.
Dino had failed a drug test
. He’d said he’d do anything to win, do anything to buy back his ranch, but she’d never imagined he’d cheat. Never imagined he’d jeopardize Martha’s health, smearing her horses and stable in the process.

But she remembered how easily Echo had trounced the competition, remembered his unusual confidence. She should have suspected something was wrong. Her stomach twisted. They’d even celebrated afterwards—celebrated Echo’s win, Conrad success, Dino’s bonus. Now in a single stroke, he’d shattered everything. “How could he?”

She didn’t realize she’d voiced her anguish until Ted turned, his voice bitter. “You never know what lengths people will go. But the stewards will punish Mr. Anders. His career is finished. No reputable owners will send horses to him. I know this is upsetting but racing has too many variables for someone in fragile health to be involved.” He glanced from Becky to Martha and back to Becky. “I’m sure you agree the horses and estate should be sold, and Martha moved to a more controlled environment.”

His voice faded to an incomprehensible drone. Becky could see his face, his moving mouth, but was incapable of coherent thought. This couldn’t be blamed on Slim. Echo had been under a tight watch. But maybe, just maybe, Dino hadn’t known. Maybe he had an excuse. “Has…the trainer seen this?” she asked, clinging to a kernel of hope.

“Of course. The stewards give notice before publication.”

She swallowed convulsively but couldn’t seem to get enough air.
He’d known yesterday.
That’s why he’d stayed away. They had to find out through a sleazy paper from a sleazy article written by a sleazy reporter.

Part of her wanted to punch Danielle. The woman was jealous, vindictive and obviously didn’t take rejection well. Becky even understood some of the woman’s pain. This last betrayal shredded her own heart and oh God, she should be worrying about Martha right now.

She rushed to her side.

“It’s over then.” Martha’s voice wobbled. “I don’t have the time or energy to fight a steroid scandal.”

“Of course not.” Ted inched closer to the bed.

Becky glared, refusing to step back. He might be acting solicitous now, but he should have known better than to blindside her with such devastating news. It was lucky Martha hadn’t suffered another heart attack. What a prick. She wanted to boot him out the door.

“I’m very tired.” Martha squeezed her eyes shut, her face a mask of despair. “I want to talk to Dino at some point. And, Ted, call that real estate agent. But right now I want to be alone. Please, I just want to sleep.” Her eyes closed.

Becky frantically grabbed her wrist. “Pulse is f-fine.” She glanced at Ted, her words tripping in relief.

Ted exhaled and walked across the room, motioning her to follow. He waited by the door, his expression grave. “We have to safeguard her health. Best we don’t bother her with many details. The horses will be sold, and I have a buyer for the property. Pick out a few things from her room that she’d want transferred to the new facility. I think a month’s severance will give you plenty of time to find another job.”

She just stared, unable to speak, unable to fathom life without Martha. Not seeing her every day, not hearing her suggestions, her criticism, her advice. She knew this day would come, thought she was prepared, but the reality was staggering.

Ted shoved a set of keys into her hand. “I arranged for one of Martha’s cars to be delivered to the hospital. You can drive over to Autumn Acres and check out her apartment. Tomorrow you can take care of your own packing. Jocelyn has given me a detailed inventory of Martha’s valuables, so I know everything will remain intact.” His gaze flickered over her neck. “Including the pearls. You must return the necklace. It’s only ethical.”

Becky stared mutely.

“Martha should decide that.” Dino’s deep voice sounded behind them. “It’s only
ethical
.”

She twisted. Dino propped a big arm against the wall above her head. Didn’t look at her but instead stared so coldly at Ted, he looked almost unfamiliar.

“That’s rich.” Ted’s sneer remained but he edged back a step. “You’re not in any position to be talking ethics. Did you think the steroids wouldn’t be discovered?”

Dino dismissed Ted, his expression shuttering as he turned to Becky. “I’m sorry. I’d hoped to tell you myself.”

She could feel his shame but was shocked at his words. As if announcing it himself would make everything all right. “How could you d-do that?” she asked. “How could you crush everything she ever worked for?”

“Becky, I’m not responsible for this.” He crossed his arms. “And it doesn’t only impact Martha. My career is crushed too.”

“It’s always about you, isn’t it. Your career. You hurt Martha so badly.” Her own eyes itched and she swiped them, annoyed to feel hot tears. She needed to escape, needed to go somewhere and cry. Away from Dino, away from the hospital, away from the world.

Ted cupped her elbow and urged her down the hallway and for once she was grateful for his presence. “Come with me,” he said, almost gently. “I’ll show you where the car is parked.”

***

Dino stared at his office wall, ignoring the insistent vibrating of his phone. The lawyer again, and there wasn’t a damn thing left to say. Echo’s disqualification stripped him of his win, his bonus, his ranch. Worse, he felt like scum. The way Becky had looked at him, the hurt and betrayal in her eyes, had cut him far worse than Laura’s cheating ever had.

He reached for the coffee mug, surprised to see his hand shook. But hell, she must know he’d never do that. He cared for her, goddammit, wanted to make her happy. And now she’d just lost her job, her home and Martha. Everything she’d ever loved—and blamed him.

Unfortunately he had nothing to offer in their place. Just another unemployed trainer with piss-poor prospects.

“Hey, boss.” Stephanie poked her head around the door, her eyes grave. “Shane called. That Kentucky agent firmed his offer on a couple horses. Can have a trailer come by in the morning.”

Dino sighed and leaned back in his chair. Already the news was flying. “Which horses?”

“Hunter and Lyric.”

Lyric
. Ted wanted the animals disbursed quickly but dammit, he needed to get some pictures of Lyric for Jill, and Becky probably wanted a last ride. He dragged a hand over his jaw, remembering her smile when she was around Lyric. The mare was cranky and opinionated, probably too intelligent for her own good, but she made Becky happy.

“We’ll hold off on Lyric,” he said. “Hunter can go if the price is right.”

“Really?” Stephanie tilted her head. “That doesn’t make sense. I thought you’d try to keep Hunter, not Lyric, a mare that doesn’t even race. Aren’t you going to fight the suspension?”

“No grounds. Echo was in my care, and Slim is dead. Trainer is always responsible.”

“Well that sucks,” she said.

“Just tell Shane that Martha’s nephew wants the horses gone within the next thirty days. But I’m keeping Lyric around until the end.”

Stephanie dropped into a chair, scratching absently at the skin beneath her cast. “Where will you go?”

“Guess my apartment by Lone Star.”

“But you won’t be able to go to any public track. Not for six months. You can’t train. Can’t even talk to Shane.” She paused, hit with the significance of the ban. “Are you going to be okay?”

“Sure.” But the word sounded rusty. He cleared his throat. “Don’t worry. I’ll try to find jobs for you and Cody and the rest. By the time your wrist is healed, I’ll have something for you.”

“But what about
you
? And your reputation? It’ll be hard to get good horses, hard to find owners—” She must have seen the despair in his face and snapped her mouth shut. “You’ll find something,” she said quickly. “And I’m glad Martha is okay. Can’t imagine her in a seniors’ home, but I’m sure it’ll be fancy with top-notch care.” Her eyes widened. “Oh, hell! What about Becky? She won’t have a job, and Martha means the world to her. She must be devastated.”

Dino gripped his coffee mug, fighting another rush of pain. “Probably she’s a little upset,” he drawled. “Just like everyone else.”

“Don’t pretend you don’t care. I know you better than that.”

Liquid sloshed the side of the cup, splashing his desk. “She thinks I’m selfish.” He blotted at the spill. “That I used steroids. Forced Martha to a nursing home. I’m not one of her favorite people. Not now.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Stephanie said. “This is Becky we’re talking about, not your ex-wife. Becky’s as loyal as they come. She might be a little upset, but she still cares. My God, look how she feels about that battle-ax Martha.”

“I could never make her happy.”

“What a cop-out. Women always love you. Your ego doesn’t need stroking.” She rolled her eyes and stood up. “Becky’s solid. I’m going over to watch the new gallop girl. It’s been weeks since I’ve been around a horse and I miss them. Thanks for the cat food.”

“Wait. Did she ever talk to you?” But Stephanie strode out the door.

He rubbed his temple. No time to brood anyway. He had plenty to do. Evaluate Martha’s horses, figure a way to keep his business afloat, tell Laura the deal was dead. But he wished he’d talked to Becky about moving south—should have brought it up days ago—back when he thought he might own a ranch.

Now he had nothing. And now she thought him a scumbag.

But
only yesterday morning she’d said she loved him. Yesterday morning when he’d pretended not to hear. He should have jumped on it then, but he’d been stunned. Hadn’t been ready. Like when someone drops an unexpected gift in your hands, and you can only stare.

And how could she still love him if she thought him so selfish? Of course, Martha was selfish too, and she still loved Martha.

Martha hadn’t been caught doping horses.

Goddammit, this was stupid. He shook his head and yanked open his drawer. Everything he’d ever worked for was at risk, and there was no time to agonize over a woman. He grabbed his stack of Stewards’ rulings and Racing Commission announcements. Laboratory tests were sometimes wrong. Maybe he could hire an independent lab and prove Echo’s sample was contaminated.

A manila envelope slipped to the floor.

He scooped it up. His name was scrawled in black ink. Slim’s writing. He ripped it open.

Can’t do this any longer, Dino. The life insurance will look after Jilly better than I ever could. Didn’t mean to hurt the horses, only wanted to scare Martha. Tell her I’m sorry. Echo was the only horse I ever injected. You always were fair, but Jilly’s my daughter. I owe her.

He stared for a long moment, swallowed and lowered the letter. So it hadn’t been an accident. Slim
had
committed suicide. Was responsible for the positive test, the sabotage, everything. A disgruntled ex-employee and the reason didn’t even matter. Not anymore. Because now he had proof.

The stewards would review the evidence. If mitigating circumstances could be proven, he’d be back in business. No harm done. And if Echo’s win was reinstated, he’d earn his bonus and be able to buy back the ranch.