Backstretch Baby (33 page)

“Maybe try to get him settled?” Julie added helpfully. “Save him for a run at the end?”

Eve nodded.

“I know it’s hard to concentrate,” Julie went on. “My husband says training is the hardest job of all. But I’ll do my best for your horse. I’ve watched his replays and know he doesn’t like to be crowded.”

Eve struggled to control her nausea. “I’ve been working him with other horses,” she managed. “He’ll tolerate them better now. He should have a good finish.”

“Your son is really cute. Love his boots.” Julie gave Joey a jaunty thumbs up then turned toward Stinger. “We’ll try hard to win so you can have a picture together.”

“Great,” Eve managed. She legged Julie into the saddle, galvanized by the jockey’s empathy. She clearly thought Eve suffered from rookie trainer jitters. That she was paralyzed thinking about the race.

This was certainly a poor time to worry if Rick and Joey would ever get along. Besides, if Rick didn’t have a job, he’d have to leave anyway. She certainly had no money to pay him.

She realized Rick was staring at her and averted her gaze. But he reached back and tugged her alongside him as he led Stinger into the tunnel.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice quiet but concerned.

She shook her head, determined to wait for a better time, when they were alone and could be honest. But it felt as if they were alone now, even as they passed through a gauntlet of spectators. Everyone stared at the horses and riders, not their handlers. Julie sat high in the saddle, knotting her reins and smiling at her fans as they called out encouragement.

Eve realized she was clutching her stomach and dropped her hand. “Scott just told me you’d quit,” she said.

“That’s right,” Rick said, totally unabashed. He alertly tightened Stinger’s lead line, stopping the horse from nipping a foolhardy fan who’d reached out to touch Stinger’s neck.

“Don’t you like working as a PI?”

“He wanted me on another case,” Rick said simply. “I didn’t want to leave you.”

“Oh, I see,” she said. “Well, that’s good,” she added. And relief drained the pressure from her head, and her stomach stopped flipping. She even managed to smile at a little girl with braces and a pink horse tattoo on her cheek.

So Scott was mistaken. Rick wasn’t running from anything, least of all Joey. But she didn’t want Rick to give up his job. They could work something out, maybe meet in LA, or between racetracks, or she’d simply wait for him to finish his next case.

“Scott’s agency is supposed to be the best,” she said. “He has his pick of people. Don’t you want that job?”

“I have a good horse in one hand,” Rick said. “A good woman in the other. There’s really nothing else I want.”

She tripped. Would have fallen in the tunnel if he hadn’t supported her, helping her keep pace with Stinger’s prancing walk. He handed the lead line to Dana, mounted on her steady escort horse, and Stinger smoothly joined the post parade.

Then it was only her and Rick. But her legs felt too awkward to move. Because this was even better than she’d hoped. Rick was good with animals but she’d always suspected he preferred motorcycles over horses.

She must have spoken out loud because he winked. “You’re right,” he said. “I don’t need any horse. Just you.”

She noticed he didn’t mention Joey, but he hadn’t had a chance to meet her son yet. Once he did, he’d realize Joey was a great kid. And he’d see how happy they all could be.

“Let’s find Joey and the others.” She grabbed Rick’s hand, excitedly tugging him behind her. She zigzagged through the crowd, her nausea replaced with anticipation. She’d never introduced a man as her boyfriend before. Joey would be ecstatic. Lately he’d looked wistful when he spotted other kids laughing with their fathers in the park.

She hurried toward the rail. Scott and Megan had staked out a good spot across from the finish line. Ashley and Miguel stood to Megan’s right and Joey was bouncing on his toes, clearly thrilled at his proximity to so many horses.

He pulled away from Megan and charged toward Eve, flashing his gap-toothed grin. “Mommy, your horse is nice and shiny, but he looks mean. He tried to bite the other horse but Uncle Scott said the leather pad stopped his teeth.”

Eve laughed, released Rick’s hand and gave Joey an impulsive hug. “He’s just eager to run,” she said. “And he’s not my horse. I’m only the trainer. Scott and Megan own Stinger.”

She gestured behind her. “Joey, this is Rick. He’s the one who made Stinger so shiny. He’s a good friend, he—”

She turned but Rick was no longer beside her. He stood on the other side of Miguel, staring intently at the parade of horses. But naturally he wanted to see how Stinger behaved in the post parade.

She forced herself to remain patient. In a few minutes the horses would start their warm up. There’d be a better time for introductions.

“Is Stinger’s jockey as good as you?” Joey asked.

“Even better,” she said, pulling her gaze from Rick. Maybe he didn’t want to talk right now. A lot of people were nervous before a race, including her.

“I hope she doesn’t break her arm. Like you did.” Joey wiggled in front of her, his feet moving as rapidly as his thoughts. “When will the race start?”

“Ten minutes,” she said. “They’re warming up now. The starting gate is right in front of us.”

“I can’t see.” Joey hopped up and down, trying to peer over the rail.

She and Megan smiled, but Scott reached in, scooped Joey up and placed him on his shoulders.

“I can see everything now,” Joey said, his eyes widening. He gripped Scott’s hair. It must have hurt but Scott didn’t say a word. In fact, both boy and man were grinning with delight.

Eve swallowed. She’d waited ten days to see Joey, to touch him, to hold his hand. It wouldn’t hurt to wait a little longer. In a few hours, Megan and Scott would be gone. They were kind enough to kid-sit so she could concentrate on her job. She couldn’t have it both ways.

And it was clear Joey loved Scott’s company. Why wouldn’t he? Joey needed a father figure. Someone kind and strong and smart. She peeked at Rick.

He was even taller than Scott, with shoulders every bit as broad. But he didn’t look at all inclined to balance Joey on his shoulders. Instead, he remained ten feet away, just staring across the track.

“He’s gorgeous,” Megan whispered, following her gaze. “Not what I expected at all… Not based on what Scott said.”

“He had a shave and hair cut,” Eve said. She paused. Didn’t want to pump for information. That wasn’t fair, to Megan or Rick. Besides, Scott was tight lipped about company personnel. Megan probably didn’t know much.

But the questions circled in Eve’s head, clamoring to get out, and she couldn’t keep her mouth shut. “What do you know about Rick?” she whispered. “What did Scott say?”

“Nothing.” But Megan touched her earring, a sure sign she was flustered.

Eve’s mouth tightened. “I think he’s a really good guy.”

“Of course he is. We just don’t want you to get hurt.”

She stared into Megan’s familiar eyes, so like her brother’s. There was no doubting her integrity. Megan had supported Eve from the day they met. True, her driving interest had been in little Joey, but she’d proven time and time again to be a rock solid friend.

Eve pulled in a resolute breath. “Then tell me what I need to know,” she said, “so I don’t get hurt.”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Megan’s voice was gentle. “Look where he’s standing. Has he even talked to Joey yet?”

“That’s not fair. He was busy in the barn when you arrived. And then he had to take care of Stinger.”

Megan just looked at her, her beautiful face full of sympathy. “Scott says Rick has an over-developed sense of responsibility. And there are things in his past he can’t let go. No matter how hard he tries.”

“The horses are approaching the gate,” the announcer blared.

Eve pulled her head away and stared at the starting gate. Stinger looked blurry. She blinked several times, trying to rid her eyes of the annoying dust. The horse appeared on the muscle, yet composed. Rick had taught Stinger a little bit about respect, and he didn’t even try to strike the assistant starter.

“You’re wrong,” she said, turning back to Megan. “Rick hung the swing, bought the soccer net. He’s trying to make it nice for Joey. He wants this, just as much as I do.”

“It’s not that he doesn’t want it,” Megan said. “But he can’t handle it. And you deserve more… Joey deserves more.” And though her voice remained compassionate, there was a hint of steel in her voice. A warning.

“Hey.” Ashley squeezed up beside them, waving her hand and brandishing two betting stubs. “Stinger has been behaving so well that I bet another twenty bucks. We can add any winnings to Camila’s fund.”

Eve made an agreeable noise in her throat. At twelve to one odds, Stinger was probably a decent bet. A longshot with a chance. Dana and Julie had warmed him up perfectly, keeping him composed and cooperative. Julie looked relaxed as the horse walked into the gate, and Stinger seemed to appreciate her nonchalance. He stood motionless, waiting for the doors to spring open.

This was an exciting time, the moment they’d all worked for—every one of her staff. But she felt empty.

She glanced once more at Rick, willing him to look at her. At Joey. But he just stared at the horses. Every time he acted weird it had been when there were children around. And she couldn’t deny it any longer. Kids were his kryptonite.

“They’re off!” the announcer called.

She swung her gaze back to the starting gate. Stinger burst from the four hole. But the number two horse was even quicker and shot to the front. For a moment it looked like Stinger would challenge for the lead. She could see Julie coaxing him, trying to persuade him to settle. But she didn’t have a hammer hold on his face, wasn’t turning it into a big battle. And by the time they entered the first turn, Stinger had relaxed and settled into fourth, running beside a white-faced bay on the rail. Running easy.

Eve blew out an admiring breath. The horse usually refused to conserve his speed. But today he was letting the jockey position him, seeming to understand that the rider knew best.

“I’ve never seen him rate like that,” Megan said. “Thought he only knew one way to run.”

Julie’s reins were so loose they were almost flapping. Yet Stinger wasn’t taking advantage and charging to the front. Instead, he galloped smoothly behind the front-runners, biding his time.

“She’s an amazing rider,” Eve said.

“Yes,” Megan said. “But you taught Stinger patience.”

“Rick helped,” Eve said. “He showed Stinger he couldn’t always be the boss.”

She kept her gaze on the galloping horses. Julie was a better jockey than she’d ever been. But Eve’s riding background certainly helped with training, and it left her with a sense of accomplishment. Maybe despite everything, she would make a good trainer.

“Run faster!” Joey called, wiggling from his perch on Scott’s shoulders. “Pass those horses now, Stinger.”

Stinger and Julie seemed to hear him. By the quarter pole, they’d moved up to the leader’s flank, so effortlessly Eve’s confidence swelled. If he could just keep running, he might hang on for second. Jackson would have to be happy, and so would Stinger’s loyal owners.

She glanced sideways. Megan and Scott were both cheering but their incredulity was obvious. Clearly they hadn’t expected their sprinter to handle the increased distance. But they hadn’t once voiced any concern. They’d stood back and allowed her to train their horse. And even though they were interfering with Joey, she couldn’t help but be grateful.

She could feel Ashley beside her, leaping up and down as Stinger thundered down the stretch. But Eve didn’t look at her, or at Rick again. She was a trainer now and she needed to keep her eyes on the horse. Julie waved her whip once and it seemed Stinger had been waiting for her signal.

There was no question he had plenty in reserve. The two frontrunners were slowing and Stinger blew past them, widening the gap between him and the rest of the field. He crossed the wire a length in front, with Julie rising in the stirrups and patting his neck.

“I think he won!” Joey called, his voice gleeful.

And then Megan was hugging her, and Ashley too, and they were all jumping by the rail.

“Nice training job,” Rick said into her ear. Then he looped the lead line over his shoulder and walked out to greet the horse.

“Do you win a trophy, Mommy?” Joey asked.

“Just money,” she said. And even though most of it would go to the owners, she shared a relieved smile with Ashley and Miguel. Because the bonus Jackson had promised meant they’d just earned more from Tizzy and Stinger then they had after three weeks of work.

“Congratulations,” Eve mouthed to them. And then she gestured for the Viper to join them in the winner’s circle. Dana’s steady gelding had been instrumental in teaching Stinger tolerance, and she wanted all his connections in the win picture.

Eve reached up for Joey, ignoring Scott’s frown. Scott reluctantly lifted her son off his shoulders and set him on the ground by her feet.

“Let’s meet Stinger in the winner’s circle,” she said to Joey. “Now I get to stand by you, instead of always being on the horse’s back.”

“I like this way better,” Joey said, gripping her hand.

“Me too,” she said.

“Anyone still hungry?” Rick asked, expertly flipping a sizzling steak to the back of the barbecue.

“Are there any hotdogs left?” Joey scrambled off the swing and bolted to the grill. “I like those best.”

“Don’t run around the barbecue,” Rick snapped. “It’s not safe.”

Eve stiffened. She felt Megan’s accusing eyes, saw her son’s hurt.

“Sorry.” Joey kicked at the dirt with the toe of his cowboy boot. “I’m not hungry anyway.” He scuffled back to the swing, his tiny shoulders slumped.

“Let me push you, buddy,” Scott said, striding over to the swing. “Five more minutes, and then Aunt Megan and I have to go.”

“Wish you could stay,” Joey muttered. “And sleep in the RV with me and Mommy. Not
him
.”