Thoroughbreds and Trailer Trash (32 page)

“Barb’s a good manager. Edward highly recommends her. She’ll keep the Center in the black, but her type expects a certain amount of deference.” Papers shuffled in the background. “I’ll pick you up at seven. We have reservations at the Club.”

The thought of enduring another long night at the Hunt Club, nodding brightly while Barb prattled to Burke, was nauseating. Besides, Peanut needed a trip to the Center—before Barb locked the doors—and Jenna wasn’t going to let a man derail anymore of her plans. She knew better.

“Sorry,” she said. “I’m busy tonight. But your warning is appreciated. As a
low-level
employee, I’ll try to be more respectful. Maybe your friend, Theresa, can accompany you.”

She cut the connection and called Emily. She hadn’t given her sister much support over the last few weeks, too enamored with Burke to worry about the really important people in her life. She shook her head in disgust.

“Hi, sis.” Em sounded subdued, devoid of her usual bravado. “Can your green machine handle another trip out here?”

“Of course,” Jenna said. “She’s a little loud but running great. Want me to come visit?” Just the thing to help her forget about Burke. “It’ll have to be a weekend though. We have a new manager and my vacation is used up.”

Em’s breathing sounded ragged. Finally she spoke. “Don’t yell, sis, but I’m moving home. I don’t want to hang out here anymore. I’m failing most of my courses anyway.”

Jenna’s knees buckled and she dropped onto the swing. “Do you get any money back when you fail?” she squeaked.

“No, but it was a good learning experience.” Emily’s voice quickened. “It wasn’t a waste. Not a bit.”

Jenna’s left temple throbbed. Not a waste? She’d sacrificed so much, gone to such lengths. Now she was stuck with a heap of lies, a fake diploma and increasingly shaky employment. Her head pounded so hard, it hurt.

“Come on,” Em said. “You don’t know what it’s like. You’re the one that wants a degree. You pushed this on me.”

“I’d love for someone to push that opportunity on me.”

“Well, you go to college then,” Emily snapped. “But I’m finished here. Let me know when you’re coming.”

A dial tone buzzed. Jenna clung to the phone for another anguished moment, but Emily was gone.

Chapter Twenty-Six

“I don’t think Barb has the right management style for the position here.” Burke turned up the speaker phone and resumed stacking files on the dining room table. “She seems somewhat inflexible.”

“You’re calling someone that?” Edward chuckled. “Besides, we owe her family a favor. And let’s not forget they have important contacts in Virginia. The final decision is up to you, of course, but last week you were eager to move on.”

“You’re right,” Burke muttered, scanning the pile of files. He’d put most of them through the paper shredder. No need to drag them on a plane. “One other thing,” he said. “Have you heard any rumors about the Ridgeman stud and his potency? Specifically how many mares had live foals this year? Staff here think he’s healthy—that there’re no physical reasons why he can’t cover a mare. Frankly, we can’t understand why they sent him.”

“Don’t know anything about that. Maybe he doesn’t have the energy to nail two mares a day?” Edward snickered. “What a life. Wish I were a horse.”

Burke stared through the patio window at the pool shimmering beneath the setting sun, blocking Edward’s rant about the deplorable lack of pussy. He wished Jenna were lounging here now, naked or clothed, but at least here. Without her, dinner at the Club would be yawningly boring. He was tempted to cancel. And what the hell was so important that she didn’t want to spend their last night together?

She’d written him off.

The realization drained him and he dropped the files on the table, knowing he was going to let her. When you love someone, you tried to give them everything they wanted—and she wanted him gone.

A kernel of resentment tightened in his gut. He switched his attention back to Edward, nodding agreement with every single complaint his cousin uttered about women.

***

Jenna jerked around at the quiet knock on her door. Seven o’clock and she half expected Burke to stop on the way to town, to plead for her company tonight.

Plead
? She gave her head a shake. Who was she kidding? Burke wouldn’t plead. And he wouldn’t knock quietly. She walked to the door, straining to identify the dark shape through her meshed screen.

Wally! She pushed open the door, horrified by his unkempt shirt, the sour smell of liquor, his defeated expression.

“Sit on the swing,” she said quickly. “I’ll make some coffee.”

“Rum would be better.” Wally burped. “Ran out of liquor. Only a few beer left.”

“Oh, Wally.” She sat down beside him, scanning the driveway but it was empty of everything but her little Neon. “How did you get here?”

“Walked. Asshole took my company truck. Can’t even get to the liquor store.” He squeezed his eyes shut, his expression pained. “Been sitting in the apartment for a few days now. Fifty years old and I only know horses. What the hell will I do?”

“Why did you quit? I thought your plan was to hold out for severance.”

“Yeah, well,” Wally’s eyes shifted to the left. “Plans change.” He jerked to his feet as Burke’s car rose over the ridge. “Aw, damn. He sees me.”

“It’s all right. You no longer work for Three Books. What can he do?” She gave Wally’s knee a reassuring pat and urged him back down on the swing. Drunks always had odd reactions. “He’s just stopping for a second, probably to see if I changed my mind about dinner.”

She walked down the steps to his car, her mouth going dry at the sight of Burke, unbearably handsome in a crisp white shirt and dark dinner jacket.

“What’s he doing here?” Burke gestured disdainfully at Wally.

She stiffened. “Visiting. He’s my friend. And now that he’s stripped of the company truck, I’m the only house within walking range.”

“He should have thought of that before he misused company assets.” Burke’s scowl deepened. “I won’t tolerate dishonesty.”

She opened her mouth to explain that Wally had only been trying to help the locals but knew it was useless. Burke saw everything in black and white. “I’m sure you’ll outline all your likes and dislikes to Barb tonight.” She crossed her arms and stepped back. “Have a nice night.”

“I might drop back later. If you’re home?”

“No!” She heard her telltale note of panic and calmed her voice. “I’m busy with Wally tonight.”

“I see,” he said. “Then enjoy your evening.” He backed out of the driveway and sped over the ridge, a cloud of dust spiraling after his car.

She forced a nonchalant smile and climbed back up the steps. Wally had straightened on the swing as though Burke’s visit had injected him with a new level of sobriety. “What did
he
want?”

“Just checking if I was coming for dinner.”

“Dinner?” Wally’s eyes narrowed. “You two hang out like that? You’re…close?”

Jenna couldn’t hide her blush.

“Oh, fuck me.” Wally’s face twisted and he laughed with a bitter note she didn’t understand. “Goddammit. Sonofabitch played us both.”

“You’re not making sense.”

“He said if I didn’t quit, he’d replace you with Kathryn. And fire you if I said anything. So I signed his damn paper.”

Jenna’s legs wobbled. She dropped like a rock onto the swing, staring at Wally in disbelief. “Fire me?” Her voice quavered. “He threatened to fire me? And you gave it all up? Oh, Wally–”

“It’s all right, Jenna. Bastard outplayed me. He eats people like us for breakfast.”

Jenna choked back a hysterical sob. Dear Wally, always so loyal. And damn that Burke. Would he have fired her? Maybe. Of course, now she was likely to lose her job anyway, not this week or next, but down the road. Barb would wonder why she wasn’t taking courses. Would check her credentials and discover they were all a pack of lies.

Wally’s sacrifice had been in vain. He’d even signed a stupid document. Just like she’d signed one confirming her education. If only those papers could be destroyed.

“There may be a way to fix this,” she said slowly, “if we can get into his office.”

“Impossible.” Wally shook his head. “The locks were changed a few weeks ago. I’ve already tried.”

“But he gave me a set of keys. They’re still in my pocket.”

Wally jerked around, stared for a moment, then embraced her with a clumsy hug. “You’re as loyal as your mom but as smart as your dad. And I mean that as the sincerest compliment.”

“I don’t want to be like either of them,” Jenna said, swept with unbearable sadness. She’d actually believed Burke, believed he was beginning to care. Her mouth quivered with disgust. The Murphy women were such suckers.

“The security checks are on the hour this week,” she added. “I’ll bring Peanut up as soon as it’s dark, ten minutes after nine. Put him under the lights and afterwards check the files. Meet you up there.”

“How do you know when Larry patrols? Asshole Burke shuffled the times.”

“When I was in Larry’s truck, I checked his schedule.”

“See what I mean. You’re as smart as your dad.”

“Who died in prison,” she said.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Nifty stretched his thick neck over the stall door and sniffed at Peanut, clearly delighted to have company. Jenna glanced over her shoulder at the long and lonely aisle. What kind of sadistic idiot would want a horse kept in isolation?

During the day, the oxygen technologist was around but she wasn’t much company, not for a gregarious horse.

Nifty quickly decided Peanut was no threat to his masculine superiority and nipped the pony on the neck. Undeterred, Peanut nipped back, and the two played an energetic game of tag until Peanut tired and turned to his hay. Yes, the valuable Thoroughbred stud and the two-dollar pony were now best of friends.
Screw you, Burke
.

She picked up her phone and called Wally. “I’m here. Meet you in front of Burke’s office.”

The hall was dark but Jenna knew the route blindfolded. So did Wally, and she jumped when he silently materialized from the shadows.

“We’ll keep the lights out and use my flashlight,” he said, “just in case Larry drives past.” He shone it on the gleaming lock then glanced back at Jenna. “Come on. Hurry up.”

Jenna inserted the key, ignoring the awful knot in her stomach. The key stuck and she glanced over her shoulder at Wally. “Maybe this isn’t the right key after all,” she said.

He reached up and jiggled it.
Click
. The door swung open.

“Bingo.” He rushed past her and into the office, panning his light over the filing cabinet. “Employee stuff used to be in the middle drawer.”

“Guess I better take a sheet from my file too,” she said, following him to the cabinet. “I signed a form, claiming I have more than eleventh grade.”

“What a surprise,” a cold voice spoke behind them.

Jenna’s heart slammed. She swung around. A lamp switched on and she blinked under its stark light.

Burke uncoiled from the corner chair. “Thick as thieves, I see.” Disgust darkened his face. “You both sicken me. Step outside, Wally, where we can discuss this awkward break and enter.”

He removed his dinner jacket and rolled up his sleeves. She gulped, her breath escaping in painful jerks. His forearms had never looked so massive. Or deadly. She edged in front of Wally. “It’s not a break and enter,” she said. “Not if I have a key.”

“Oh. You’re a lawyer now? Perhaps took a course…back in what…grade eleven?” He snorted with such disdain she flinched. “I’ll deal with you after.”

“But this wasn’t W-Wally’s idea.” Her voice squeaked. “It was mine.” She glanced back, appalled to see Wally laying down his flashlight and flexing his knuckles. “You can’t fight. Please don’t.” She couldn’t hide her panic. “Someone will get hurt!”

“That’s the general idea,” Burke snapped.

She swung around. “Please, Wally. Don’t go outside.” She splayed her fingers over his rigid arm. “Remember Dad. Don’t fight. Please, don’t.”

A muscle ticked in Wally’s jaw and she sensed he wavered. “It won’t prove anything,” she added, clutching him with shaking arms. She felt his stiffness, his own need for satisfaction, but a moment later he slumped and she knew she’d won.

“Thank you,” she whispered. Burke wouldn’t fight in the office; he was too controlled. And too lethal.

“We’ll sign and do whatever you want,” she said, keeping her eyes and arms on Wally, not looking over her shoulder. “We’ll just go away—” Her voice broke.

She sensed Burke’s frustration, his raw fury, but didn’t dare look. Couldn’t bear to see the contempt in his cold eyes. A long moment. Then heavy footsteps, the door slammed and the air in the office felt safe again.

“It would have been okay.” Wally squeezed her shoulder, his voice strained. “People don’t usually die in a fistfight. That was bad luck for your father.”

“Bad luck for the other guy too. Dad punched the life out of him.”

“I think Burke just wanted to have a couple swings. Wanted the satisfaction. Can’t blame him really.”

“Men.” Jenna shook her head, her voice breaking. “So what do we do now?” They both turned, momentarily silent as Burke’s car streaked from the lower lot, headlights slashing the window.

“We’ll go upstairs and drink the last of my beer,” Wally said. “On Monday, let’s hope all you receive is a pink slip. Pray he doesn’t press charges. But he’s a hard man.”

They trudged up the steps to Wally’s apartment. Cardboard boxes littered the hardwood floor, and a library of dog-eared equine books was stacked on the table.

Wally shoved a beer in her hand. “Only two left. Drank everything else. The glasses are already packed up, I’m afraid.”

“You were allowed to stay here another four months, Wally,” Jenna said, taking the bottle, shocked to see her hand still trembled. She couldn’t shake the image of Burke’s cold eyes.

“Obviously I’ll have to move out now. But I’ll find another job. No problem.”