Kate Sherwood - Dark Horse 01 - Dark Horse (4 page)

So, JP’s it is. Dan pulls jeans and a black T-shirt out of the duffel bag in Chris’s closet, and reflects that it’s just as well they’re going somewhere casual. Kentucky may not be the Deep South, but it’s far enough down that people believe in dressing for the occasion. And Dan is going to be dressed for a neighborhood bar, not a fancy restaurant. A quick look in the bathroom mirror confirms that, as usual, he could use a shave. He has fair skin and green eyes, and his hair is dark brown, so when he’s got stubble, it makes his eyes stand out—glow, practically. He used to think that growing a beard would help make him look older, less vulnerable, but he’s come to realize that for him, the opposite is true. Still, he can’t be bothered to shave. He’s just seeing Chris, after all.

He throws his riding clothes in Chris’s washing machine, hoping he remembers to pull them out to go in the dryer when he gets back. It’s a foregone conclusion that he’ll be sleeping in Chris’s spare room. He definitely intends to drink enough to make driving a bad idea, and a cab ride out to the barn would cost a week’s salary. Not that he sees his salary most weeks, he reminds himself. But the anger’s gone, and he’s left mostly with a sense of confusion. He knows things are tight for Molly and Karl, but are things really so bad that they’re willing to risk their reputations or even a kid’s life?

He decides to walk to the bar. It’s not that far, and it’s a nice afternoon. Besides, things will be easier the next day if his truck is already at Chris’s place. He arrives just as Chris pulls into the parking lot, and he waits at the door for his friend. Chris is driving his brand new truck, and Dan suppresses a little twist of jealousy. Just one more thing Dan’s career choices don’t pay for.

Chris nods as he gets out of the truck. “Hi, Danielle.”
“Christine, you’re here.”
Chris grins. “I’ve been calling you Danielle for five years, and this is

the first time it occurred to you that I have a girl’s name too?”

Dan shrugs nonchalantly. “I was saving it for when the time was right. And somehow, just now… it felt right.”
Chris just nods. “Well, in honor of the auspicious occasion—you can buy the first round.”

They go inside, and Dan waves to the bartender and waitress. Chris is here often enough that he knows most of the staff almost as well as Dan does. They find a table near the back, and the waitress brings their drinks without waiting for them to order. “Are you guys gonna be eating too?”

“Yeah, probably. But not for a while.”

The waitress nods and heads off to another table, and Chris and Dan sit back with their drinks. They’ve each got a beer and a glass of Wild Turkey. Dan looks at his glass thoughtfully, while Chris watches.

“Trying to decide what kind of night it’s going to be?” Chris asks. “Shoot it or sip it?”
“Yeah.” Dan regretfully picks the glass up and takes a sip. “I got stuff to deal with tomorrow. Better take it easy.”

Chris looks a little interested, although he’s also paying a good bit of attention to a blonde in a halter top over by the bar. “Dealing with stuff, huh? Anything I should know about?”

Dan shakes his head. There’s no point in dragging Chris into things. Chris grew up across the road from Karl and Molly, so he might have some insight, but he might also have divided loyalties. Besides, Dan wanted to get away from the barn to clear his head, not to dwell on things. He asks about Chris’s family, instead, and gets updated on all the goingson of the Foster clan. The conversation flows easily, more drinks come, and food is eventually ordered and eaten.

There’s a bit of a pause in conversation during the meal, but as Dan is mopping up the last of the gravy with a French fry, Chris breaks the silence with, “So, Danny—what are your feelings on threesomes?”

Dan takes a moment to carefully swallow his fry, and washes it down with some beer. “Just to be clear, are you one of the three?”

Chris grins and shakes his head. “You wish, sweetheart.” He nods somewhat discreetly over Dan’s shoulder. “There’s a couple over there, about your four o’clock, both guys, and they’ve been eying you up since they got here.”

Dan shakes his head. They’ve been through this a few times before. Chris seems to think that he can give Dan permission to start dating again, or at least to start having sex. Dan has tried to convince him that Chris doesn’t really have that authority, but he hasn’t shown any interest in Dan’s opinion on the matter.

“I’m just saying, man. If I were that way inclined, I would be inclining all over these two. One of them’s kinda grizzled looking, in what I imagine might be a sexy sort of way, and the other is fucking built. Tall, like I know you like ’em….” Chris stops, apparently realizing that the last comment might be a bit over the line.

Dan is too preoccupied by Chris’s description to be upset by the reference. He frowns, and turns to look over his shoulder, then turns back to his friend.

“Chris, you idiot, they’re not checking me out. They know me. They were looking at a horse today.” Dan cocks his head. “And what makes you think they’re a couple?”

“What, if they know you, they can’t check you out? The two aren’t mutually exclusive, you know.” Chris shakes his head in mock dismay at his friend’s lack of self-esteem. “And, trust me—they’re a couple. You know my gaydar’s better than yours, so don’t even try to argue.”

Dan has to admit that Chris is right about their gaydar. Dan’s is terrible, and Chris’s is shockingly good for an alleged heterosexual. “Don’t feel bad, baby,” Chris continues. “It’s just because you’re so pretty—you don’t have to seek out the boys, they all flock to you like bees to a flower.” Chris smiles beatifically, and then his grin turns wicked. “And they’re checking you out
again
. I swear, the younger one just licked his chops!”

“Jesus, Chris, keep it down! I might have to deal with them again sometime, you know!”

Chris leans back triumphantly in his chair. “You might have to deal with them right now. They’re coming over.”
Dan groans. If Chris hadn’t started all this, it would be a perfectly natural, casual meeting between acquaintances. With Chris’s wild speculation playing through his head, though, Dan knows he’s going to feel awkward. And then he’s going to try to act natural, and that will make him feel more awkward, and the whole thing will just turn into a nightmare for Dan, and an endless source of amusement for Chris.

Chris’s eyes shift from Dan to the new arrivals, and Dan turns to acknowledge them.

 

“Dan, hey. We thought it was you,” Evan starts almost shyly.

Dan doesn’t really understand that comment. They were twenty feet away—are they both so shortsighted they can’t recognize someone from twenty feet? Or was it meant to be an insult, based on him not being memorable? But that doesn’t make sense—they’d both been totally pleasant that afternoon, and even if they didn’t like him they didn’t seem like the kind of assholes who’d walk across the room to make their disdain clear.

Apparently Dan’s rumination has gone on a little too long, because Jeff and Evan are looking at him somewhat strangely as Chris leans across the table with his hand outstretched. “I’m Chris. Sorry about Dan, he’s… drunk? Or just socially awkward. Possibly a little of both.”

Dan rolls his eyes. “Sorry, yeah. I’m not all here.” He pulls himself together. “You’re out without your sister?” he asks Evan.
“Yeah, well… I’m not her favorite person right now.” Evan makes a face.

“You told her no on Monty, then?” Dan looks from Evan to Jeff, who nods.
“Yeah. And I wanted to thank you for that.” Evan smiles. “I can be a bit bullheaded, and I didn’t want to just take Jeff’s word for it. So it was helpful to have a second opinion to back him up.” Evan looks tentatively at Dan. “He reminded me… well, he made it clear how dangerous eventing can be.”

Dan really doesn’t want the conversation to go in that direction. “Well, I hope you give some of the other horses some thought. Like I said, Sunshine would be great, I think. She’s a Hanoverian, too, so she’s a similar type, but she’s a bit less headstrong. She’s not quite as athletic as Monty, but I don’t think that should matter, at Tatiana’s level.”

Jeff nods. “Yeah, we called out this evening and arranged to see her tomorrow. If Tat’s done sulking by then.”

Evan grimaces. “It’s too bad Karl and Molly built Monty up so much. I mean, they’ve got Tatiana thinking that she and that horse are soul mates or something.” Evan shakes his head. “It’s frustrating, really. I mean, I’ve met so many great people around horses, and then something like that comes up, where they clearly know it’s not suitable and push it anyway….”

Dan breaks in. “Well, it was a judgment call. We can disagree with them without thinking they’re evil or something.” He might not be too happy with his employers, but he can’t just sit around and listen to someone run them down.

Evan looks abashed. “No, of course. You’re right.” He grins apologetically. “See, like I said, I can be bullheaded.”

Jeff puts a gentle hand on Evan’s neck and shakes him ever so slightly. Even Dan doesn’t miss the way Evan leans into the touch, and Chris looks like he wants to do a victory dance. Dan doesn’t look forward to the gaydar-bragging that is sure to follow.

“Well, anyway, we’ll let you get back to your evening. I just wanted to thank you again for helping us out today.” Evan smiles sincerely before continuing. “Tatiana may not thank you, but—”

“She’ll be grateful when she’s calmed down a little,” Jeff breaks in, “and when she’s riding a horse that she can control properly.”
Dan nods. “Well, I hope it works out. And I guess I’ll see you tomorrow, if you’re going out to the barn again.”

The two say goodbye to Chris and head for the door. After they leave, there’s a pause, and Dan braces himself.
“Well, they seem nice,” Chris starts. It’s innocuous enough, but Dan knows there’s more coming. “Yeah, a really nice
couple
. Really, one of the nicest
gay
couples I’ve met in a while.” Dan starts laughing. “And you know what, Dan? If I was right about them being gay, which, for the record, I was….” Chris nods proudly before continuing. “If I was right about that, then you should admit that I was also right about the other part… they were totally checking you out!”

Dan just laughs and shakes his head at Chris. Reality has never been much of a factor in Chris’s decision making process, Dan knows, and sometimes there’s just no point in arguing with him. “Yeah, okay, ‘me, Jeff, and Evan, sitting in a tree….’”

Chris claps his hands triumphantly. “That’s right, baby!” Then a more serious expression comes across his face. “But, in a tree? Really? I mean, I’m not an expert on the gay sex thing, but I think the first time at least you should be on the ground….” And the evening continues on as expected.

Chapter 3

A
S HE
’
D
planned, Dan spends the night in Chris’s guest room. Robyn is responsible for the feeding and day-to-day chores at the farm, so technically he can sleep in a little if he wants, but he finds himself waking with the sun out of habit. He has a quick shower and some leftover Chinese for breakfast—it tastes even better reheated than it had the night before when they’d ordered it. Dan pulls his work clothes out of the dryer and gets dressed, then heads out the door. Chris is still sleeping.

Dan isn’t really looking forward to running into Karl and Molly, so he’s relieved that they are nowhere to be found when he gets to the barn. It’s peaceful there in the early morning, just the sound of horses happily munching their hay. Calm eyes follow him as he walks down the aisle, and when he stops at Monty’s stall, the big gelding puts his head over the door in greeting, although he doesn’t stop chewing while he does it. He’s gotten a piece of hay stuck in his forelock, and Dan pulls it out and playfully tries to insert it in Monty’s mouth.

Robyn comes down the aisle with an armful of lead ropes, her red curls already pulling out of the ponytail she’s trying to control them with. “Admit it, Dan, you love that horse. You sabotaged the sale because you want him for yourself.”

He knows Robyn is only joking, but it stings a little anyway. “What is all this ‘sabotage’ stuff? If they want to sell Monty to an inexperienced kid, they should find someone with a blind trainer.” Dan runs his hand along Monty’s muscular neck. “Jeff wasn’t going to let the sale happen no matter what I said.”

Robyn raises an eyebrow. “‘Jeff’, is it? You guys pretty close? And what makes you think the buyers would listen to him anyway? We’ve seen how well our bosses listen to you!”

“Well, I’ve got a feeling Jeff might have a few ways to convince Evan to pay attention.” The words aren’t much, but Dan puts a suggestive note in his voice, and Robyn picks up on it.

“
Really?
Does that mean what I think it means? And is it confirmed, or are you just guessing?”

Dan knows he shouldn’t be gossiping, but he’s worked with Robyn long enough to know that she has no malicious intent—it’s just a way to make her boring job a little more interesting. “Let’s call it an educated guess,” he hints, and takes a couple lead ropes from her. “You taking the big boys out first?” He checks to see which horses are done eating—they always hang their heads over their stall doors as soon as they’re finished with their meals, waiting to go outside.

Robyn looks like she would be shrieking if she didn’t know better than to make a fuss around the horses. “Wait, wait…
how
educated are we talking, here?” Dan just grins at her, and puts the halter on Monty. Robyn stares at him. “You left early yesterday… your truck wasn’t here this morning, so you didn’t spend last night at home….” She grabs his arm. “Dan, please… just how educated is your guess?”

He laughs and shakes his head. He’s taken this far enough. “No, not very educated. We just saw them in the bar last night, and they looked pretty close.”

Robyn looks temporarily disappointed but then brightens. “Wait, ‘we’ were in the bar? Who were you with? Is there any gossip there?”
Dan slides the stall door open and runs the chain of the lead over Monty’s nose. The gelding is usually well-behaved, but if he decides to act up, Dan knows he’ll appreciate a little extra leverage. “Sorry, just Chris. I’ve given you all I’ve got on the gossip front.” He stands aside and lets Monty leave the stall, then starts toward the barn door.
Robyn isn’t put off for long. As Dan leads Monty outside, she follows with another horse, and calls up to Dan. “But that’s pretty good already, Dan! It’ll give me something to look for when they’re here!”
He opens the gate to the field and takes Monty inside. “Just don’t be obvious about it. Karl and Molly are already pissed at me. I don’t need to get blamed for ‘outing’ customers.”
“I’ll be good, I promise.”
Robyn brings her horse into the field and waits for Dan to shut the gate before releasing him. Dan takes the halter off Monty and watches fondly as the big horse takes a few springy trotting steps and then erupts in a series of high-spirited bucks. Dan knows he did the right thing the day before, so he doesn’t feel guilty about being glad that Monty is still at the barn.
He helps Robyn take the rest of the horses out, except for Sunshine and a couple others that might be of interest to the Kaminskis. Karl and Molly haven’t left him a note as they normally would, letting him know about the buyers, but it’s a lot easier to leave a horse inside for an extra hour or two than it is to catch one that doesn’t want to be caught. He also keeps Chaucer in, and sets to work grooming him and tacking him up. They’d done dressage the day before, so Dan puts his jumping saddle on today.
He keeps an eye out for the Kaminskis as he works with Chaucer but doesn’t see them. He also doesn’t see Karl or Molly, which is a bit unusual. They’re both strong riders and do their fair share of work in the barn. He hopes something else hasn’t gone wrong. Sunshine wouldn’t bring nearly as much money as Monty would have, but at least it would be something. He gets an unpleasant churning in his belly when it occurs to him that they might be away because of a problem unrelated to the barn. He’d checked his cell that morning, but if they were still angry from the day before, maybe they wouldn’t want to tell him….
When he’s cooled Chaucer down and turned him out, Dan decides to take a walk over toward the main house. It’s not that he’s looking for Karl and Molly. Really, he’d be just as glad to avoid them for a while. But it’s a little unnerving for them to not have left a note or anything.
He reaches the clump of trees that separates the house from the barn area, and peers around. He can see their car in the driveway, with another car and a truck parked behind it. He squints. The car looks like the rental the Kaminskis had been driving yesterday, and the truck really looks like Chris’s. He knows Chris handles the barn’s legal matters, but he wouldn’t usually be involved in a simple horse purchase, and it doesn’t make any sense for the Kaminskis to be buying without even trying Sunshine, especially not after the failure with Monty.
Dan leans a little farther, and then catches himself. What’s he doing? Whatever’s going on, he’s established that everyone is fine, so he really has no excuse for further spying. He turns and heads back to the barn. He’s frustrated about being kept out of the loop. If he hadn’t run into Jeff and Evan the night before, he’d have no idea that buyers were expected that day. And without knowing the situation, he can’t really make intelligent decisions about what to work on.
Robyn is still cleaning stalls when he gets back to the barn, and instead of figuring out which horse to ride next, he makes a snap decision. “I’m going to get changed and take a long lunch, okay, Robyn?” “I thought you said the Kaminskis were coming?”
“Yeah, I thought so, but I don’t really know. Maybe they changed their minds. Anyway, it’s Sunshine—Karl or Molly can ride her if they need to.”
“Yeah, okay.” Robyn’s brow creases. “You know it’s, like, ten o’clock, right? That’s a pretty early lunch.”
“I’m taking a drive. It’ll be almost lunch by the time I get there.”
Robyn nods understandingly. “Oh, okay.” Dan turns and heads up to his apartment, and Robyn calls after him, “Say ‘hi’ for me!” Dan waves to show that he heard but doesn’t turn around.
He gets changed into jeans and a button down and heads down the stairs. There’s still no sign of anyone but Robyn, so Dan scrawls a note on the chalkboard.
Back around 2—D.
It seems a little petty not to tell them where he’s going, but he expects they can figure it out, or Robyn will fill them in.
He pulls out of the long farm lane and heads for the highway. He knows that he puts in plenty of hours at the barn, but he feels a bit guilty all the same. Leaving early yesterday, taking a long lunch today—it feels decadent. Then he thinks of where he’s going, and his guilt subsides.
The drive takes about an hour, and then he’s pulling into the beautifully landscaped grounds that give the place its name. “Willowbrook” may sound like a cliché, but there’re a lot of willows and at least one brook, so it’s hard to argue with. He finds a parking spot and heads into the main building. He signs in at the desk, as usual, and heads down the familiar hall. A couple of the nurses nod hello, and he smiles back. He can’t imagine doing their jobs, dealing with all this every day.
When he reaches the door of the room, he pauses. He always needs a moment to prepare himself. After a deep breath, he puts a smile on his face and pushes the door open. He crosses the room to the bed and pulls up a chair. “Hey, Justin. Sorry I missed a couple days—your parents were having a bit of a fit, and I had to work some extra hours.”
Dan pauses and realizes that he’s waiting for a response. If Justin ever did say anything, Dan would be so freaked out he’d probably run screaming from the room, but it somehow just feels rude to assume that the man won’t contribute to the conversation.
Dan reaches out and takes Justin’s hand. “And Robyn says ‘hi’. She’s got a new boyfriend, I think, but she’s being pretty quiet about it—I wonder if that means she’s serious this time. And I went out with Chris last night. Just JP’s, of course. I’m still working a couple shifts there. Chris seems good. He won that case, the one with the tire factory. And his sister’s having another baby, he said—I think they’re still trying for a girl.” It feels strange to talk to Justin about new lives, so Dan changes the subject.
“We had some buyers in for Monty. Were your parents here yesterday? They might have already told you this.” Another pause for the non-response, then Dan continues. “Anyway, Monty was really good. Well, you know—he was Monty, but he was good on the flat, at least.”
Dan fills another ten minutes or so talking about horses, the successes and failures of life as a trainer. Then he pulls out the sandwich he’d picked up on the way. “None for you, man, sorry. This is from that place on Limestone, where we went that time with Kelly and Phil? They make good sandwiches, but, God, do you remember how nasty the soup was?”
He eats quietly and then tidily bundles up the wrappings and puts them in the trash. A nurse he hasn’t met before comes through the door and stops when she sees him. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know anyone was in here.”
Dan resists the urge to point out that there’s always someone in there, since Justin never really gets to leave. “I was just on my way out.”
“Oh, don’t let me rush you.” Her smile is almost flirtatious. “I can come back later, if that’s better for you.”
“No, I really was just about to leave.” Dan leans over and brushes Justin’s bangs back, then kisses him on the forehead. “Bye, baby. I’ll see you in a couple days, probably.” Dan makes sure he doesn’t inhale when his face is near Justin. There’s no smell, but rather than making Justin seem clean, it just makes him seem… empty.
Dan nods to the nurse and heads outside. He’s always so happy to get out of that room, and then even happier when he can leave the building entirely, breathing in the fresh outside air. He doesn’t like to think about Justin being stuck in there permanently. He doesn’t like to think about having to go back himself for his next visit. But he knows it’s really not about what he wants. It’s about doing the right thing. There have been times when Dan hasn’t been sure what that was, but this isn’t one of those situations. As long as Justin needs him, Dan will be there. He knows that as well as he knows anything.