Ladd Haven (12 page)

Examining the distant foliage for signs
of movement, Troy held his breath. His pulse quickened. Sure
enough, a black patch of body was negotiating its way through the
wooded space. Slow, leisurely, the animal picked its way through
the brush, emerging onto the trail ahead of him. Troy edged off the
trail a hair, careful not to draw attention to himself. The bear
was a good size, too, easily capable of causing harm if he wanted.
The bulky animal swung its head around, a tan tapered snout lifting
in his direction. Troy tensed. Curious but unfazed by his presence,
the animal returned to its business, lumbering in the direction of
the stables. The bear didn’t seem to care one whit about him,
sniffing and poking into bushes. Troy instantly wondered at guest
encounters with the animals. Was Mr. Foster worried about such a
thing?

They claimed the hotel was at one with
nature. Did visitors from other countries really understand what
that meant in these parts? Troy chuckled to himself. He sure hoped
so or they’d be in for one heck of a surprise! Allowing the animal
to put some distance and privacy between them, Troy continued but
at a slower pace. While they were at it, he mused, folks better
keep their eyes peeled for snakes too. They were plenty of them
along the riverbanks and creeks, openly sunning themselves on rocks
and logs. Deadly ones, to boot.

As the trail widened, Troy’s thoughts
shifted toward the horses. He wondered what Miss Delaney had in
store for him. Would she let him work with the horses or assign him
cleanup duty? He was willing to do anything, though he’d prefer
one-on-one contact with the animals. It’d be nice to see Vegas and
his momma. Delaney had taken both of them which made Troy feel
good. That mare sure was a beauty and good breeding stock from what
he’d seen. Delaney would be fortunate to have more like
Vegas.

Troy stopped suddenly, struck by a
strange sound. Turning his head, he listened. It sounded like
someone was whistling. A body came into view where the trail
converged into the main one leading out from the hotel. Troy
straightened. It was Cal Foster. What was he doing here at this
hour?

Kicking into step, Troy
approached, the whistle tune becoming clear.
I wish I was in the land of cotton, old times there are not
forgotten—look away
!
Look away
!
Look away, Dixie Land
! Troy grinned.
It was a song he knew by heart. As he waited for Mr. Foster to
notice him, Troy silently chimed in.
In
Dixie Land I’ll take my stand, to live and die in
Dixie
!

Recognition was quick as Mr. Foster
realized he had company. “Troy!”

“
Good morning, Mr.
Foster.”

“
I didn’t expect to find
anyone out this early. Where are you headed?”

“
The stables,” Troy informed
him proudly. “Miss Delaney called me last night to say I had a
job.”

Cal laughed. “Well, you’re an early
one, aren’t you?”

“
Yes, sir.” He gave an eager
nod. “Early bird catches the worm.”

“
Congratulations.”

“
Thank you, sir.” Coming to
within feet of each other, Troy was glad the man was happy to see
him, happy to hear he’d been hired on.

“
It’s a beautiful morning,
isn’t it?”

“
Yes, sir.”

“
Early morning hikes remind
me of why I love living in Tennessee.”

“
Agreed. Kentucky was pretty
but didn’t have near the appeal.”

Cal pressed his lips together in
contemplation. “Same with Arizona. You can take the boy out of the
mountains but you can’t take the mountains out of the boy. They
live inside in you.”

“
Agreed.”

“
I always do my best
thinking at this hour of the day.”

Troy couldn’t agree on that count. The
majority of his thinking was done at night, when he was lying in
bed alone. One of the reasons it especially hurt to be away from
Casey for so many months. When they were living together in
Murfreesboro, his thinking had been easy and free. He could speak
openly about what he thought, listen to her opinion on how she saw
things. Longing pulled at him. Casey was smart. She could see
things he couldn’t, hear things he didn’t know he was saying.
Shaking the emotion, he said, “Saw a black bear back a while
ago.”

“
Did you?”

“
Sure did. A real fine sized
one out for an early morning stroll like you.”

Cal smiled. “Guess I’m not the only one
out poking around at this hour.” He fixed his gaze on Troy,
familiar brown eyes warming. “How are you doing?”

“
Fine, sir. Just
fine.”

“
That’s good to hear.” Troy
sensed Mr. Foster wanted to say more, something important, and
waited in the thick of the quiet. It was unsettling to feel like
you knew a man on the surface, a man who was damn near family yet
didn’t feel like you had the first clue as to what lay beneath the
surface. “Why did you leave, Troy?”

Startled by the abrupt question, he
stepped back. “Sir?”

“
Tennessee. Why did you
leave Tennessee for Kentucky?”

Clearing his throat, he said, “I wanted
to prove myself to Casey.”

“
By leaving her?”

“
I didn’t
leave
her. Why does
everyone keep actin’ like I deserted her? I tried to call her but
she didn’t answer. I called you and told you to watch out for her
until I got back.”

Cal returned a stern gaze. “It wasn’t
my responsibility to convince a young woman that her man hasn’t run
off and left her. I believe I told you as much at the time. She was
pretty torn up.”

Irritation pitched and heaved in his
heart. How could Casey think he would have done such a thing?
Because he didn’t call her every single day? That was the part that
didn’t make sense. Sure, she might have been unhappy with the
separation, same as him, but how could she think he was never
coming back?

“
She has her pride,
Troy.”

Troy dumped his gaze to the trail. “Dad
gum,” he said, frustration boiling over. “It was a
miscommunication. I told her I had to get a job and make something
of myself so everyone around here would understand I wasn’t a
loser!”

Cal’s accusatory gaze softened. “No one
thinks you’re a loser.”

Troy nearly tore the hat from his head
at the lie but instead turned away with a grunt. Casey’s mother was
number one on that list, but he wasn’t about to insult Mr. Foster’s
wife by speaking the same. Shoot, his family was a close second.
“After what happened, it wasn’t like I could’ve gotten a job around
here. I had to start fresh. Kentucky was the only place I had any
contacts.”

Cal nodded, as though he
understood. Troy hoped that he did. He could use some allies right
about now, especially if he were going to convince Casey’s momma he
was worthy of a second chance. Or third.
But who’s counting
?

“
Have you seen Vegas?” Cal
asked, moving to completely different terrain.

“
Not yet,” he replied,
grateful for the shift, “but I was hoping to today.”

“
He’s a strong one. A real
fighter, just like you predicted. Six months old and he’s already
challenging the ranch hands!”

Pride swallowed Troy whole. “He’s
spirited, is all. Just needs a firm hand an encouragin’ word. I bet
he’ll grow into one of your finest stallions.”

Cal winked. “I believe you’re right and
I bet you’re the man to do it.”

Troy’s cheeks warmed at the compliment.
“Thank you, sir. I’d sure like the chance to work with
him.”

Cal glanced up the trail. “Speaking of
work, I’d suggest you get a move on it. Delaney’s an early riser
too and not the woman you want waiting on you.”

“
No, sir.” Troy tipped his
hat. “I’m on my way.”

Cal’s expression quieted, an
understanding simmering in his brown gaze. “Glad to have you on the
team, Troy.”

No more than he was to be a part of
it.

Entering the stables, Troy cruised down
the center corridor, searching for sight of Delaney as he skimmed
horses in passing. The smell of hay and horse surrounded him,
filling him with a pleasure and comfort he’d missed. Hooked by the
shake of a small black-maned head through a metal grill, his heart
bucked. Was that Vegas?

Troy hurried over to check out the
foal. His spirit soared at the distinct white star stamped in the
inky black space between his eyes. Black ears perked and big eyes
honed in on him. Excitement bounded as he took in the animal.
“You’re a big one, ain’t ya? Just like I thought you’d be.” He was
strong, sturdy, not spindly like some foals, fully proportioned,
only smaller than a full-grown animal. The horse angled its head as
Troy reached between the bars for a stroke of the solid-muscled
neck, the super-sleek black coat. One ear went forward, the other
drifting back as the horse raised his snout. Troy grinned. “You
remember me, don’t ya?” he asked, more statement than question.
“You remember I helped bring you into this world.”

The animal gave a soft snort, clearly
enjoying the attention. Troy laughed, warm pleasure spreading
through him. “They treatin’ you all right around here?” He examined
the animal from head to toe, noting the shiny hair, the intelligent
black eyes. Vegas was relaxed but alert. Troy definitely thought he
had a mark of intelligence about him. “You sure do look good.
You’re gonna grow up to be a big one. Real strong,” he said softly.
“Fast too, by the looks of those legs of yours.”

“
I see you’ve met our star
attraction.”

Troy whirled, yanking his hand from
between the bars. “Hey, Miss Delaney.”

She was dressed as usual in ratty
low-waisted jeans and tank top, her boots muddied by her active
lifestyle, her blonde hair long and loose down her back. A few
strands framed her sun-tanned face, her brown eyes gazing at him
with a fondness he remembered well. “Vegas seems to have taken a
liking to you.”

Slightly embarrassed at being caught
loving on the animal, Troy replied, “This here’s the one I was
telling you about. The one I helped deliver over at the Foster
ranch.”

She nodded. “Looks like he remembers
you.”

Gratification swept through him.
“Maybe.” Casting a glance over his shoulder he said, “He’s a smart
one. Gonna make you a real fine stallion one day.”

“
All he needs is the perfect
trainer.”

Hope bounded. “I sure could teach him a
thing or two.”

“
I’ll bet you
can.”

The sentiment was more observation than
encouragement and gave him pause. Troy focused on Delaney’s eyes,
searching for the reassurance he so desperately yearned for yet
finding a reticence instead. “Everything all right?” he asked as
casually as he could. “You seem a little down.”

A faint smile crossed her lips. “You’ve
known me a long time, haven’t you?”

“
Yes, ma’am,” he replied,
grateful to realize this might not be about him but about
her.

“
It’s Felicity.”

Concern jabbed at him. “She
okay?”

“
Yes. She’s going to the
Fosters to meet the family.”

Foreboding erased all question. She
didn’t have to say another word. Troy knew the history. Felicity
didn’t have a relationship with her grandparents on her daddy’s
side. They were kin, lived in the same town, but as remote as
family could get. Growing up, Felicity never talked about them
much. Maybe she said more to Travis than him, but it was understood
by the three of them to be a taboo subject. Jack Foster and his
family weren’t on the list of conversation. Not until Casey’s momma
began dating Cal did they even dare mention the family. When Miss
Delaney began puttin’ Casey and Felicity together, Troy understood
it was only a matter of time before the Fosters could no longer be
ignored. But Felicity was harboring thoughts of getting to know
them better? “What for?”

Delaney’s mouth tipped up at one
corner. She must have been wondering the same thing. “They invited
her.”

Pulling his hat slightly forward, Troy
scratched behind an ear. “That seems odd. Real odd. Anything I can
do to help?”

“
Talk her out of
it?”

“
Seriously?” Delaney’s quick
half-laugh assured him she was kidding. Troy tried to laugh with
her but came up short. “I mean, I would if you wanted me
to...”

“
But it wouldn’t do any
good,” she finished his thought. Delaney stared at Troy, her dark
gaze hot, intense, like she was trying to see clear through him.
He’d always known her as a sharp-edged woman, but he’d never been
on the wrong end of her blade. It was a bit unsettling. Planting
her hands to her hips she said, “Can I ask you a
question?”

“
Sure.”

“
Has Felicity ever mentioned
the Fosters?”

“
Mentioned them
how?”

“
You know, has she ever
indicated that she wanted to see them? That she missed out on being
with them through the years?”