Racetrack Romance BOX SET (Books 1-3) (103 page)

Sometimes inexpensive animals had bigger hearts than their more regally bred counterparts. Until a horse’s first race, it was always a mystery what was inside, kind of like a woman you were just getting to know. Sometimes, no matter how hard you tried, things didn’t work out.

He sighed, trying to shake his odd melancholy. Still, events seemed to be tilting the wrong way. First there was Hunter’s shocking loss and the despicable sponging, then Echo’s scratch, and soon he’d have to admit to Laura that he still didn’t have the money. Maybe she was right, and he wasn’t good enough to make a living as a trainer.

At least Shane looked happy, the way he always looked when parading around with a new woman. He glanced past Shane in abrupt concern, searching for Becky’s familiar long hair. Was she in the clubhouse? Shane shouldn’t have deserted her. She wasn’t comfortable with Martha’s friends, and Dino wanted her to have fun, not hide behind that aloof pretense.

And if Martha hadn’t invited other guests to the box, Becky would have to sit alone, sipping wine with only a waiter for company. He stared up at the boxes, trying to spot her. Shane was still smiling as he pulled a pink-capped girl into the paddock—a spot reserved for owners and trainers. Dino fought a flare of irritation and jabbed his thumb at the sign, ‘Paddock entry restricted.’ Frowned again at Shane and the girl beside him.

Sucked in his breath, gut slammed. The woman was Becky and without the hair to hide behind, she was stunning. He shouldn’t have let her go off with Shane. Her cheeks were all rosy too, like she’d been drinking.

“Did you two get your hands on some wine?” He crossed his arms, studying her too-bright smile.

“No wine,” she said. “Just beer.”

“Aren’t you going to clean Chippy’s feet, boss?” Red called.

“Of course.” Dino dragged his gaze off Becky’s mouth. “Give me the hoof pick.”

He checked over his shoulder, watching as Shane guided Becky into the owner’s spot. Shane was acting way too familiar with an owner’s rep. As Dino’s assistant, the guy should know better. It was always bad business to fool around with owners.

Dino’s scowl deepened. Becky’s arm was still linked through Shane’s, whose own hand was conveniently in his jean pocket. So technically Dino couldn’t yell at Shane. And he certainly couldn’t yell at Becky. Still, their closeness was disturbing.

“Going to stretch Chippy’s legs, boss?” Red asked.

“Always do,” Dino said, bending back down and stretching the horse’s front legs. At least Becky looked happy. But why was she so comfortable with Shane? He was just a kid, only twenty-four. At that age, guys had a hard time thinking of anything but sex. And Becky was so innocent. Probably far too trusting.

“Shane!” He jabbed his thumb. “Look after Chippy now. And go back with him after the race.”

“Sure, boss,” Shane said, stepping forward,

Dino strode across the grass to Becky. “Everything okay?” he asked cautiously. “You having fun?”

“Sure, I even got a new hat. First present I ever got from a guy.”

“I’m sure you’ll get lots more,” he said, unable to drag his eyes off her mouth. “Come on,” he said gruffly. “Let’s go over by the rail.”

“Aren’t we going to figure out our bets? Shane told me exactas pay the most, but I only have Chippy so I need to pick a second horse.” She wrinkled her nose, looking genuinely perplexed as she studied the trainers. He’d never noticed the smattering of freckles on her nose…its cute little tilt.

“None of those people are really dressed up,” she added. “A sports jacket and jeans are a bit ambivalent, don’t you think? Like you might win but you’re not really certain.”

“What are you talking about?”

“That’s how I pick my horses. By how the trainers are dressed.” She blushed but patted her pocket. “It’s an excellent system. I already picked the winner in the first two races, but Shane said if I could pick the top two, I could bet the exactas and make even more money.”

“Shane’s been doing a lot of talking,” Dino said but he turned back and studied the trainers. He knew most of them, and everyone looked typical except for old Ben Mason, who usually wore a stained straw hat. Today though, Ben’s felt Stetson gleamed whitely in the sun.

Dino pulled the
Racing Form
from his back pocket and checked Ben’s horse, Total Surprise, number one on the program. The gelding had run against Chippy three races back and finished in the money. With this group of horses, they should both be fighting for a piece of the purse. And Ben always liked a nice hat for a win picture.

“You might check out the one horse,” Dino said. “Total Surprise.”

“Definitely not.” Becky shook her head. “That trainer isn’t a bit dressed up.”

“For Ben, he is. And he wouldn’t risk getting his best hat dirty unless he had a shot at the money.”

“See!” Her face brightened. “You
do
know the clothes system. Think Chippy and Total Surprise will come one, two?”

She sounded like a hardcore bettor, and he smiled at her enthusiasm. “All I know is that Chippy is feeling great, and Total Surprise is the same caliber of horse. Plus, Ben is wearing a real nice hat.”

“Okay, but which horse will come first? Shane said I have to put them in the right order or I don’t win a cent.”

“Just box them. It’ll cost you a little extra, but you’ll cover your ass.” His gaze drifted down to her rounded bottom, and he jerked his head up. “Want to watch from Martha’s box?”

“Gosh, no. I love the rail. The people are much nicer down here.”

“Maybe it’s because you’re smiling.”

“It makes a difference, doesn’t it,” she said, her expression suddenly so vulnerable he felt bad.

He reached up and gently stroked her cheek. “Yes, I generally find it does, honey.” Her eyes widened but he let his finger touch the side of her mouth before lowering his hand. He looked over her head as Shane boosted the jockey onto Chippy’s back, and Red led the prancing chestnut toward the track. “Do you want another beer?” he asked. “Maybe another hat?”

“I think one cap is enough. But I would enjoy another beer.”

He bought two beers while she detoured to the betting window. Then they slipped into a prime spot near the finish line. Chippy was warming up well, not fighting the escort pony although he tossed his head, clearly eager to enter the gate.

“Horse has the desire but unfortunately not much ability,” Dino said. “Too bad he can’t run like Echo.”

“I can’t tell those two apart,” she admitted. “I thought it was Echo in the hot walker this morning.”

“Chippy was in the walker?” Dino stiffened. “Today?”

“Slim said he was just stretching Chippy’s legs before the trailer ride.”

Dino turned and studied Chippy. The hot walker was unusual but Chippy looked good, so whatever Slim had done seemed to have worked. Too bad Slim hadn’t done the same thing for Echo.

The starter called the horses. One by one, the runners disappeared into the gate.

“Let’s hope the seven horse comes out blazing,” Dino said. “Chippy needs a fast pace.”

“What about Total Surprise?” Becky asked. “Is he a closer too?”

“Ben’s horse has the same style as Chippy,” Dino said, “but he’s in the one hole. Sometimes when you’re stuck on the rail, you have to throw away caution and go for it.” She met his gaze but quickly looked back at the horses. “And sometimes caution is a good thing,” he drawled.

“Horses are in the gate!” the announcer blared. The crowd stilled, air thickening with anticipation.
Clang!
The gates opened and nine horses burst out.

A good start. Martha’s distinctive yellow silks were visible. Chippy galloped smoothly and had come away fifth. As expected, the speedy seven horse led the way, and Total Surprise was tight on the rail, running second.

Becky jumped, bumping his arm with every bounce. Pink stained her cheeks as she strained to watch the pack of galloping horses. He wrapped his hands around the rail, determined not to touch her again, afraid he might scare her.

He stared at the horses, trying to concentrate on the race and not the woman beside him. The seven horse had opened up a five-length lead while Total Surprise still hugged the rail in second, and Chippy plugged along in his usual steady fashion. Might be okay. The time of the first quarter was a blistering twenty-two seconds, the half in forty-five. Already the seven horse weakened.

The pack relentlessly closed the gap on the faltering leader. As the horses rounded the turn and entered the stretch, Total Surprise grabbed the lead with Chippy running third.

Come on, fellow. Dig deep
. Dino’s grip on the rail tightened as Chippy battled with a gray storming up on the outside.

Chippy’s ears flattened as he fought to fend off the wave of horses. Inch by inch he pulled away, closing ground on the leader. You can do it, boy, Dino willed, watching Chippy inch up to the leader’s shoulder, then to his nose. The two gallant horses crossed the wire as one.

“Wow!” Becky said as the tote board flashed ‘Photo Finish.’ “That was the best race I’ve ever seen. Even better than the stakes races. I couldn’t see the numbers though. Who was the horse beside Chippy?”

“Total Surprise.” Dino grinned. “So if you boxed your bet, you got the exacta. Good job.”

She nodded but her expression turned wistful. “It’s a shame one of them has to lose. They tried so hard. I couldn’t help but cheer for them both. And that old trainer wore his best hat. He’ll be disappointed if he doesn’t win.”

Dino gave her elbow a quick squeeze. “I know how you feel. But I want to win too, so save your cheers for me. Beside, it’d be nice to have a picture with you in it. Now finish your beer because I think Chippy got it on the nod.”

Her eyes widened although he didn’t know why. From their vantage point at the finish line, he was quite confident Chippy had won. Another two feet and he would have been certain. The horse had a big heart, and even though it wasn’t a stakes race and didn’t count toward his training bonus, he’d receive a percentage of Chippy’s winnings.

“Martha isn’t going to like this,” Becky said. “She wanted me to dress up for the winner’s circle. I brought new clothes but forgot to change.”

“Martha doesn’t hang this type of picture,” he said. “Only stakes races go on the wall.”

Her eyes widened with indignation. “But these horses tried every bit as hard, maybe harder.”

“Sure they did. But Chippy isn’t a homebred. He’s by some obscure Canadian stud.”

“I see.” Her expression turned glum. “So no matter what Chippy does, he’ll never be important because he wasn’t bred by Malcolm?”

“Exactly. And only horses born at Conrad’s are retired there. That’s why Lyric can stay.”

“That’s sad. I wonder if Chippy feels second-class, like an orphan.”

“That’s crazy.” He started to laugh but sobered when he saw her expression. She really looked worried. “Horses don’t think like people, Becky. And no one is second-class unless they believe that themselves. Chippy is a very confident, happy horse.”

The crowd roared, and he swung around to check the board. The flashing red numbers showed Chippy on top. Excellent. “Come on. We won.” He grabbed her arm, hustled her past the security guard and into the winner’s circle.

Minutes later, Red led in Chippy, followed by a grinning Shane. They clustered around the bright-eyed horse. Dino scanned the throng for Slim, but the man was nowhere in sight so he turned his attention back to Becky, enjoying her delight as she was presented with a wooden plaque with ornate gold lettering.

“Can I pat Chippy now?” she asked once the photographer lowered his camera.

“Yeah and don’t forget to thank the jock,” Dino said. “Brad gave him a good ride.”

Brad leaped off Chippy’s back, teeth gleaming against his dirt-smeared face. He said something to Shane then grinned as Becky stepped up, patted the horse and extended her hand. Whatever he said made her smile, and she surprised Dino by leaning over and kissing Brad’s muddy cheek.

The jock grabbed his saddle and sauntered to the scales while Becky watched him with a rapt expression.

“Jesus, Becky,” Dino said. “Don’t look at the jock like that. He’s already too cocky.”

“Where’s he going?”

“To weigh out. Then to the jock room to change his silks for the next race.”

“He just looks so…fit.”

“Of course he’s fit. He’s an athlete, one of the top riders at Lone Star.” Dino put his hand on her hip and guided her out of the winner’s circle. She still had a dreamy look, like she wasn’t even seeing him, and he had the urge to dip his head and kiss her. Make her notice
him
.

“I don’t think you should have any more beer,” he said, using the streaming crowd as an excuse to keep his hand around her waist. “We’ll go to the backside after the stakes race. And you’ll have to change your betting system. This is a big race so every trainer will be dressed up.”

“But I have to go.” She shrugged. “Slim wants to leave now.”

“And I want you to stay,” he said.

Chapter Thirteen

Chippy stretched out his neck, eyes closed, grunting blissfully while Red massaged his muscular hindquarters.

“Do you massage him every day?” Becky edged closer, reassured to see the personal attention the horse received. Ever since she’d learned Chippy wasn’t one of Martha’s homebreds, she’d had a special empathy for the gelding. She knew what it was like to have no family.

“I always massage them after a race,” Red said. “But some horses appreciate it more than others. This guy laps up any sort of attention.”

“I have some carrots in the truck. Would it be okay if I gave him a couple after you’re finished?”

“Sure. Boss won’t mind.” Red flexed his fingers and moved further down Chippy’s rump. “But I always feed peppermints. He may never have tried a carrot.”

“I know what you mean. Last night I gave Echo a carrot and she acted like she’d never seen one before.”

Red’s forehead wrinkled in disbelief, but his strong hands continued to work on the horse. “I’m pretty sure Echo’s had her share of carrots, being bred at Conrad’s and all, but if you want to give Chippy a treat, go right ahead. You’re the owner.”