Racetrack Romance BOX SET (Books 1-3) (81 page)

Dino joined him at the window. “Easy on the eye, isn’t she?”

“Doesn’t listen well though.” Mark spun toward the door.

“Wait.” Dino grabbed his arm. “Don’t yell at her. She’s had a tough time. Besides, she isn’t going anywhere. Only picking grass.”

Mark returned to the window and rolled his aching shoulders. Last night, he’d worked out until he was exhausted, trying to think, trying to come up with a solution, and now every muscle protested.

“Jesus. Now the guard is helping her.” Dino chuckled as the guard walked over and began pulling handfuls of grass from beside the wall of the barn. “Technically he hasn’t left his post, but I can see where his attention is, and it’s not on Assets.”

Jessica said something, and the guard smiled. She bent back down, her jeans outlining her shapely rear.

Dino set his full mug on the desk and adjusted his cowboy hat. “Sorry, Mark, but the scenery is much better out there. Think I’ll mosey over and help with Buddy’s grass picking. You’re the big trainer. You can stay and problem-solve.”

“Keep your hands in your pockets,” Mark said but Dino only gave him a cocky salute. Mark sighed and continued to flex his aching shoulders. Grabbed his phone and checked his messages, but there was nothing from Boone. Maybe he could avoid the man for six more days. Then he wouldn’t have to tell Boone he couldn’t fire Jessica. Damn, it wasn’t right. She’d worked so hard, had saved Assets twice. She deserved a raise, not a kick in the ass.

He was already fucked though. No way would he be able to keep training Boone’s horses after he told Jessica his suspicions—that her knee injury wasn’t as serious as she’d been led to believe. He stared out the window, watching as she pirouetted and tossed grass at Dino, all easy grace and elegance. When she’d arrived, the limp and swelling were pronounced, right after an appointment with her doctor.

He blew out a ragged breath. She wanted to hide out at the track, but that was because her grandfather had been systematically knocking her down. God only knew how far Boone’s power extended. However, skiing seemed to be her lifelong ambition, and she deserved another shot. He knew what it was like to have a dream, and the least he could do was give her the push to pursue it.

But the Breeders’ Cup was
his
ambition. And Carlos needed the money to help his family immigrate, and Maria needed the money from Boone’s filly for the lawyers, and Dino wanted to buy back his ranch. Goddammit, he needed to keep Boone’s horses.

He raised a hand to his head and massaged the persistent pain in his left temple.

His phone buzzed, but the number showed a different owner than Boone. Normally he didn’t welcome calls from Sophie and Devin, but Boone was the only one he was desperate to avoid today. He opened his phone.

“Hello, Mark,” Sophie said, her tone too crisp for a happy call. “I see you moved our Bobby horse up to eighteen thousand claiming. Isn’t that a steep jump?”

Mark took a patient breath. “Buddy won at twelve, and this new race is shaping up easy. A third at this level will make you more money than a win at a lower level.”

“Oh, I see.” Her voice softened. “I assumed you moved him to a higher claimer because you didn’t care about winning. Thought you just wanted that girl to buy him. I do apologize.”

“No need.” Because your assumption is absolutely correct, he thought grimly. “You coming this afternoon?”

“Yes. And we don’t accept checks from her sort of people.” Sophie gave a disdainful sniff. “So tell that girl she needs two thousand in cash.”

That girl
. Mark didn’t try to smooth the bite in his voice. “Of course,” he said. “And we’ll have your final bill as well. Since I won’t be seeing you again, I also prefer cash.”

He snapped the phone shut, deciding he better not take any further calls. It wouldn’t be wise to piss off any more owners or there’d be no horses left to train. And unfortunately Boone was shaping up to be a very unhappy owner.

***

The security guard stiffened, swallowed a bite of cookie and abruptly rushed back to his post. The big dog must be coming, Jessica thought, glancing over her shoulder. Sure enough, Mark had emerged from his office, looking more relaxed than he’d been all morning. His smile slipped though when he saw the cookie in the guard’s hand.

“You have grass stains on your uniform,” he said to the red-faced guard before lowering himself on the ground beside her and Dino. “Thought you made those cookies for me?”

“You didn’t want them,” she said, studying Mark’s face, trying to gauge his mood, “but these discerning gentlemen certainly did.”

“That was last night. Today is different.”

Today is different?
What exactly did that mean. He’d ordered her to stay close to the barn, had seemed genuinely worried about her safety, but she knew he’d been making calls about Abdul. He definitely hadn’t wanted her beside him last night. He was probably still annoyed, and rightly so. “I can make you another batch if you want,” she said.

“You can make me some cookies too,” Dino said. “But I need a drink. That last one stuck in my throat.”

Mark’s amused smile made her cheeks warm, but he didn’t say a word about her cooking. Or about the choking episode.

Dino rose and brushed off his jeans. “Okay if I go to the kitchen, Mark? You look after her a bit?”

Jessica stiffened. “I don’t need anyone to look after me—”

Mark reached over and squeezed her hand. She swallowed and stopped talking. Even Dino looked surprised at the public gesture. But Mark was looking at her so sweetly, totally devoid of the frustration that had possessed him in the exercise room.

Mark nodded at Dino but kept his eyes on her. “Is Buddy ready to run?” he asked.

“Oh, yes.” Anticipation made her smile, and she clenched her stomach, fighting her butterflies. “I have three bags of grass ready to celebrate after the race. He had a few bites now but not too much.”

She waved goodbye to a grinning Dino and twisted around. Mark had sprawled out on the grass, and it was rather odd to see him so relaxed, chewing on a blade of grass, eyes closed as he absorbed the noon sun. “Is that why you’re here?” she asked. “You were afraid I’d feed Buddy too much grass?”

“I’m here because I like to be with you, Jess. And my phone is off. It’s quiet. No police, no child services, no stabber.” He kept his eyes shut but was smiling.

Obviously he was no longer mad. She dropped to the grass beside him, hiding her happiness behind a little sniff. “I don’t think you should be lying on the ground though. An owner might come by. It doesn’t look very professional.”

“Trainers can do what they want. Besides, my owners are already annoyed. Or about to be.”

She studied him, resisting the urge to rest her head on his shoulder. He wouldn’t like that, she knew, not at the track. It was monumental he’d held her hand for a brief moment. Besides, he seemed bothered by something. Not his owners though; it was no secret they all loved him. Mark even had a wait list. Dino said he had enough requests to fill another ten stalls.

“Tell me about your parents,” he said abruptly.

She propped up on an elbow. She could see the contours of his chest as he breathed, could see his muscles ripple when he bent his arm to chew on the grass. But his eyes remained closed. Good. It was hard to talk when he leveled her with those penetrating blue eyes. Sometimes it seemed as though he could see right through her.

She plucked a tall piece of grass and tried chewing, but it wasn’t as cool as he made it look so she tossed it aside.

“Dad died in a car accident when I was a kid. Cancer got Mom three years ago.” She shrugged even though he couldn’t see it. “Gramps was never happy with his only son’s marriage. Mom tried, she tried hard, but nothing ever pleased Gramps. They were always arguing.”

“She work for your grandfather’s company?”

“Yes, as a personal assistant. She wanted to leave, but Gramps made it tough.”

“Did he support your skiing?”

“No. They fought about it. Mom thought it best I go to school in Switzerland. Said it would help with my skiing.” Jessica sighed. “I think she just wanted me out of the house.”

“Or maybe it was to get you away from your grandfather,” Mark said slowly, almost reluctantly. “Maybe he used you as a bargaining tool. You’ll never know what really went on, so don’t be too hard on your mom.”

“You’re just as hard on your dad.”

“Check.” His mouth curved in a smile. “And I am starting to empathize with him a bit, although I’ll always wish he could have been content with one woman.”

“Some men never are.”

“I could be,” he said softly.

“My God!” Jessica shielded her eyes from the sun, pretending to stare at the adjacent barn. “Is that Trish sunning herself topless again?”

Mark jerked up and stared, then grinned and dropped back on the grass. “Sneaky. But looking is different from availing.”

“Availing?” She rolled the word around. “That’s a good word. Like last night when you didn’t avail yourself of me?”

“I wanted to. Had to settle a few things first.”

“Is everything settled then?” she asked, scarcely daring to breathe.

“Yes.”

“So you’re going to hire me?” She twisted with delight. “Keep me on as a groom?”

He shook his head.

“A hotwalker then?” A groom would be better, but a hotwalker was okay too. She just wanted to stay at Mark’s barn. Stay close to him.

“No, honey.”

Her hopes crashed. She averted her head and ripped at the blossom of a dandelion.

“Maybe it’s not time to hang up your skis,” he added. “Why don’t you get a second opinion? Maybe the doctor you’re seeing is a little…off base.”

A cloud rolled over the sun, cooling the air, and she shivered. “What exactly are you saying?”

“Your knee looks great,” he said. “If you were a horse, I’d race you.”

And that was the real problem. His focus was always horses. She was pleading to stay, and he didn’t care enough to let her.

She wrapped her arms around her chest, trying to keep her heart from cracking. “Please don’t make me leave, Mark.” Her words caught on a convulsive choke. “I’ll work for food and the little tack room. And I’ll pay twenty percent interest on anything I owe you.”

“God, Jess, it’s not that.” He sat up and squeezed her shoulder. “The horses can wait—I’ll wait. But you need to do this other stuff. Without your grandfather’s interference.”

The guard shot them curious glances. Mark immediately dropped his arm, leaving her colder and more alone.

“Great.” She scrambled to her feet. “That’s what I’ll do then. Just get Buddy settled then fly over to Europe and rejoin the ski team. Perfect.” She snatched the empty cookie container, snapped on the lid and stalked off.

Mark was an idiot! Three doctors had said she was finished. Well, only one to her face. Her grandfather had been so attentive that first week, even flew her home in a private jet. She hadn’t talked to the team doctor. Anton had been optimistic about her return, but it hadn’t happened.

She grit her teeth, shoving away the memories. That was a lifetime ago, and she was a dedicated horse person now. Didn’t imagine or want any other life. Buddy shoved his head over the stall door, watching her with his liquid eyes.

She slipped into the stall and pressed her head against his neck. When she scratched his jaw, he twisted his head, grunting with pleasure. He was so handsome; there’d be no problem finding him a home. His whiskers and ears were now neatly trimmed, and his dark coat gleamed. Technically he was a bay, but he looked black except for the jagged white striping his nose. So easy to spot in a race.

“Don’t run too hard today,” she whispered. “Just get around. I’ll be waiting at the finish line.”

He made an agreeable whooshing sound and stuck his nose against her pocket, always so gentle. She could probably learn to ride him if they had more time. A shame she’d never even sat on his back.

She edged forward and peered down the deserted aisle. Some horses were lying down, enjoying their morning nap. Buddy was in the eighth race, and Mark had another two horses in the third and fourth, so it would be a long wait. Mark had disappeared, probably gone to join Dino, and the two guards were looking outward, doing exactly what they were supposed to be doing.

She stepped back in the stall, knowing it might be her last chance to sit on Buddy. This was the perfect time. However, he was a tall horse, almost seventeen hands, and when she tried to swing up he skittered away in surprise.

She hurried to the tack room and returned with a plastic stool. When she plunked it down in the straw and stepped up, he resumed eating, as though having a white stool in the middle of his stall was a common occurrence.

She pushed the stool closer and leaned over his back. It was probably dangerous to have a stool next to a loose horse, but he’d have to learn about mounting blocks soon enough. Besides, this was Buddy and he was always very, very quiet.

She sucked in a breath. Swung her leg over his back and pulled herself on.

Oh, God. It was glorious. From her lofty position, she could see through his ears all the way down the aisle. Could see the lazy brown gelding that napped all day, the bay with the sore front leg, and Assets who jerked at his hay net like a rebellious teenager.

Wow! She leaned forward and stroked Buddy’s silky neck. He felt so different from Ghost, slimmer and elegant, and his trusting personality filled her with confidence. He was the kind of horse who’d always look after his rider.

His braids were perfect too, all in a tight, straight line except for a clump of hair at the withers. Mark always yelled about leaving enough mane for the jockey to grab, and she drew her legs up and crouched like Emma Rae. Yes, he was right. There wasn’t enough mane. Maybe she should take out a couple more braids. The tiny strand she’d left really didn’t give Emma Rae much handhold. She’d never considered it from the jockey’s perspective before.

She slipped her hand in her pocket and pulled out a peppermint, and Buddy stretched his head around and lipped it gently from her palm as though he’d done it a thousand times before. What a cool horse. She could probably ride him bareback to the kitchen, walk back with a coffee and not spill a drop.