Racetrack Romance BOX SET (Books 1-3) (77 page)

The hurt in her voice put him on the defensive, and he immediately stiffened. “Whether you’re living in a tack room, an apartment or at my house if you’re working as my groom, there’s a control element that isn’t healthy. I don’t want to think you’re with me for any reason other than that you want to be.”

“Ah, yes, I keep forgetting about your little hangups. A father’s mistakes and all that.”

She was turning into a sour old mare again, and he wished they were home so he could fuck some sense into her. That was usually the best way to communicate with a woman. A good diversion was always second best.

“Thanks for helping me with the office work,” he said, holding her, despite her little wiggles that showed she wanted to leave.

“You’re welcome,” she muttered.

“Want to go for dinner tonight?” Usually when he was with someone for two days in a row, he was relieved to return to his solitary lifestyle. But last night he’d missed her. Had even considered driving back to the track to see if she’d come home with him.

“Sorry, but I’m already invited to Maria’s.”

“Maybe tomorrow then.” He hid his disappointment with a quick kiss. “Guess we should get you to the hospital.” He opened up his arms. “Run along, then.”

She leaped up, smiling impishly when she spotted the telltale bulge in his jeans. “Poor baby.” She stretched, and her shirt rose, exposing her flat belly, the curve of her hip. His hot gaze met hers, and she must have seen something in his expression because she took a prudent step backwards. “Come on, remember your rules,” she said. “And I really want to see Dick.”

“We could drive to my apartment instead,” he said, but she’d already moved to the door. He gave a resigned shrug, rose and walked to the desk. He scanned the impressive amount of work she’d completed then opened his briefcase. “I meant to give you this yesterday, but you were sulking on the plane. And since we’re going to the hospital…”

He passed her the silk scarf she’d admired at the Keeneland gift shop. At first he’d been surprised because she didn’t seem the type to wear scarves, but later he’d guessed why she had eyed it with such longing. “Perfect for covering knife scars,” he added.

“Oh, thank you, Mark! Dick will love it.”

And her beautiful smile made him happy he’d taken the time to circle back to the shop.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Jessica watched as a squealing Abdul twisted on the floor while Maria tickled his narrow feet. He was clean, happy and already had gained three pounds. Her satisfaction clashed with trepidation when she spotted three bags of boy’s clothing beside the ancient television.

“Looks like you’re planning to keep him,” she said.

“He reminds me of my nephews in Tijuana.” Maria stopped tickling Abdul’s foot and looked at Jessica. “He loves my cooking. He’s happy.”

“But it’s been four days. We have to tell Mark soon. And what if that man discovers Abdul is here and pays a visit?”

Maria gestured toward the kitchen. Pedro looked up and gave Maria such a tender smile, Jessica’s heart ached. If only Mark looked at her like that. He was certainly demonstrative in private but very reserved when people were around. It was hard to be confident with a man like Mark.

“Pedro will keep us safe.” Maria spoke with absolute certainty as she returned to the toe tickling.

Jessica tried not to flinch at Abdul’s high-pitched squeals but now understood why camels ran faster with screaming boys. “So what else did your acupuncture friend find out?” She had to raise her voice so Maria could hear.

“He was sold by his parents when he was four but doesn’t remember the village he came from,” Maria said. “Somewhere in Pakistan. He raced camels and was shuffled around. Then he was put on a plane and told to pretend he was someone’s son. Nothing hard. He just had to steal a few things.”

“He was pretty good at stealing,” Jessica said dryly, remembering how Abdul had swiped her phone. The boy was now absorbed with his crayons, and Jessica admitted she was a bit hurt he’d transferred his affections to Maria and Pedro so quickly. After all, she was the first one to feed and clothe him. She was the one who’d suffered Mark’s wrath. Which she would suffer again if Mark discovered the boy was here.

Sighing, she crossed her legs and leaned back on the worn carpet. “I think we should tell Mark today,” she said. “He already sent the picture to the police. With the right questions, maybe they can figure out why that man stabbed Dick.”

“But Abdul doesn’t know anything about it. All he saw was the man dig under the flowers. Then Abdul was supposed to get a bike, but the man was really cross so he ran away.” Maria beamed with pride. “He’s such a smart boy.”

Abdul put down his crayon and passed Jessica a folded paper. She opened it and saw a bright drawing of a heart and a heaping plate of food, and his smile was so grateful, her heart flopped.

She clasped the precious gift close to her chest, moved he hadn’t forgotten her after all. “Yes, he definitely is a smart boy.” Her smile wobbled. “That’s why we should tell Mark.”

“But we can’t.” Maria crossed her arms. “Not yet. The authorities will take him from me. We have to wait. Once Belle wins on Breeders’ Cup weekend, my bonus will pay for a lawyer.”

“I didn’t know Mark had another horse in the Cup,” Jessica said.

“Not on Saturday. She runs on Friday,” Maria said. “Belle is the filly Trish didn’t cool out. Same owner as Assets.” She rolled her eyes. “The kind of owner who doesn’t know his horse’s barn name.”

Jessica dipped her head and nervously folded a corner of the drawing. She didn’t want to tell Mark about Abdul and disappoint Maria, and she prayed Maria would accept her if she found out she was a Boone. But the way Maria’s lip curled whenever she discussed owners showed a deep-rooted bias.

Racing was a class-conscious society, and Jessica had experienced it firsthand. When she was dressed up at the sale, escorted by Mark, she’d had a lovely conversation with two owners; they’d even handed her their business card. Yet this morning, in dirty jeans and pushing a muck cart, those same owners had glanced the other way, as though afraid she might stop and try to talk.

Abdul yawned. Jessica rose and pulled on her jacket, conscious of Maria’s imploring brown eyes. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to hide the boy a bit longer. Abdul had already told the acupuncturist everything he knew. It probably wouldn’t matter if they waited a few more weeks.

“Thanks for supper,” Jessica said. “Looks like everything is working out for this rascal.” She tousled Abdul’s hair then dropped a stack of bills on the TV. “Abdul and I sorted through most of the betting tickets. That’s what we made so far, almost a hundred and fifty dollars.”

“Keep it,” Maria said. “We have everything we need. Use it to buy your horse.”

“Mark loaned me money for Buddy.” Jessica turned away, hiding her expression, not sure if her discomfort was due to the puzzled look on Maria’s face or because, once again, she was relying on a man for support. “Did I tell you Dick has a single room. He’s doing great!” Jessica added, eager to change the subject. “But he hates the hospital food. Doesn’t remember anything about the attack. If Mary hadn’t looked out the window…” She shuddered and reflexively rubbed her neck.

“Horse people are good to have around,” Maria said. “They think fast and know first aid. Brave and loyal too.” She squeezed Jessica’s arm as they walked to the door. “
Gracias
.” Maria often reverted to Spanish when emotion tangled her thoughts, and now her words raced.

Jessica smiled, understanding the sentiment if not the words, and shoved aside any lingering reluctance to hide the boy. Abdul was doing great. In fact, Maria, Abdul and Pedro already acted like a family. And when Pedro left the kitchen and shook her hand, Jessica felt pretty good about herself.

Yet when she left their cozy apartment to trudge back to the barn, her loneliness returned. It’d be nice to have a place close to them. An apartment was bound to become available once the Belmont meet ended and workers moved to Aqueduct. If Mark gave her a reference, she’d be able to get another job, even if it were only as a hot walker.

However, Mark’s operation was so professional. She sighed, knowing she’d always wish she worked for him. She’d find excuses to drop by—just like Trish. She’d ache to be part of his team and resent him dropping in for afternoon sex. Anything good they enjoyed would quickly sour.

She simply needed more reassurance than he was able to give, and the knowledge that she was so needy left her hollow and disheartened.

She kicked a rock, listening as it bounced into a shallow ditch. Sometimes it was creepy walking along the backside, but she could see the lights of her barn now, and in a few minutes she’d be home. Home, but only for nine more days. Everything would be much simpler if Mark just relented and hired her.

A light flickered in the tow ring next to Mark’s barn. Someone shone a powerful flashlight on her face, and she flinched, squeezing her eyes shut.

“Oh hi, Jessica.” The guard shifted the light. “Just had a tip that the boy Mark wants to find was hanging out back here.”

“That’s great. Good luck, Terry.” She smiled, glad the dark hid her expression. “Mark will be so pleased if you can catch him.”

Humming, she slipped into the back of the shedrow and padded down the aisle. Jerked to a stop, surprised by the strange man in a ball cap standing in front of Assets’ stall. He fumbled in his pocket, and the irritated colt stretched over the stall guard, impatient for a treat.

“Hey, stop,” she called. “Only the groom can feed that horse.”

The man ignored her. He simply glanced toward Terry’s absent post and held out a carrot. Rude fellow. And feeding by strangers was totally against Mark’s rules.

She rushed forward and snatched the carrot from his hand.

The man wheeled. Her heart slammed against her ribs. The ball cap was different, but the eyes were horribly familiar. Flat, expressionless, cruel. Adrenaline spiked, and she froze. Couldn’t move. Opened her mouth to yell, but her shout surfaced as a squeak.

He reached in his pocket. Her mind suddenly connected with her muscles, and she whirled and ducked into her room. Slammed the door shut. Fumbled with the lock but her hand was too numb, too awkward. The force of his kick whipped the door open and knocked her against the wall.

She rose on wobbly knees. Her mouth was bone dry, her panicked call for Terry barely a gasp. She stared, horrified by the knife in the man’s hand. He edged forward, his face carved with intent. She whimpered but couldn’t force her legs to move. Somehow when she needed them most, her legs were unresponsive.

Movement blurred, and Kato launched his little body from underneath the cot. His claws attached to the stranger’s right leg; the man jerked sideways. Fear galvanized her, and she bolted past him, through the door and down the aisle, screaming like a banshee until every horse in the barn churned with shared fear.

Terry rushed wide-eyed from the dark, a flashlight in one hand, the other on his holster.

“Man with a knife,” she yelled, sinking to her knees and gesturing behind her.

Terry spoke crisply into the radio on his hip then edged down the aisle. Her knees buckled, and she peered outside, terrified the man would circle and reappear through the front door. But tires crunched and yellow lights banded the dark as two more security guards rushed in. A warm arm circled her back.

“I don’t feel very good,” she muttered.

Someone wrapped her in a blanket and led her outside. Lights strobed. Terry’s concerned face flashed in front of her, and other faces appeared. Strange arms tucked her in a warm car, but she couldn’t talk, and her shivers wouldn’t stop.

“Is my neck bleeding?” she finally managed.

“No, you’re okay,” Mark said.

“Oh, hi. When did you come?” But her words were thick and clumsy, and her mind scrabbled. “Did you see Kato?” she asked.

Mark stared at her, his eyes filled with regret, and she knew.

“Oh, no,” she groaned. “He saved me. When I came back from Maria’s, a man was feeding Assets a carrot. He chased me to my room. Kato jumped out, and I got away.”

“Same man as in the picture?”

She nodded, and Mark’s arms tightened.

“I’ll be back soon. Wait here.” He murmured something to the man in the driver’s seat then adjusted the blanket around her shoulders. “What’s in your hand?”

He pried the carrot from her fingers and held it under the dome light. “Damn. Look at this. The carrot’s hollowed out.”

Jessica watched as the man in the front seat dropped it into a plastic bag, but her mind remained sluggish. Disinterested even.

Someone with a blue notepad came and asked a lot of questions but talking was hard work, and she was glad when Mark said something and the man left. Terry’s head leaned in the window, and he squeezed her shoulder. She was moved to another car and fell asleep.

She woke in a cold sweat, panicky with fear. Didn’t know what bed she was in except that her head was pressed against Mark’s chest, and she was cradled in his strong arms. Her breathing steadied as she sucked in his familiar smell. She sensed he was awake, and then the unbearable knowledge rocked her.

“Kato?” Her words clogged in a painful whisper.

“Didn’t suffer.” His hand soothed along her spine. “We can bury him behind the barn, if you’d like.”

She choked into his dampening chest. “Be a g-good spot.” Her voice was scratchy and it hurt to talk, but she tilted her head, straining to see his face. “He…was my first pet. I’m still gl-glad you gave him to me.”

“So am I, Jess. God, so am I.” And he stroked her hair until she fell back to sleep.

***

“Want to sleep longer?” Mark murmured in the darkness.

“No, I really want to get back.” She stared at his bedside clock, watching as the fluorescent numbers changed to four-thirty a.m. “Where’s Kato now?”

“In my office.”

“What was in the carrot?”

“They suspect arsenic, but we won’t know until tests are run.”

“Why?”