Thoroughbreds and Trailer Trash (35 page)

Jenna struggled to breathe, too stunned to speak.

Wally cocked his head, frowning at her reaction. “This is a good thing. Now you can bring Peanut up any time, permission guaranteed. Locals are welcome too, as long as they’re stabled in this building. Fridays are free. Jesus, Jenna, we thought you’d be happy.”

“We? You mean you and Burke?” Her voice sounded rusty. “But when did he build Peanut’s stall? Was it before or after the break-in?”

“He’d been working on it for weeks.” Wally shrugged. “But what does it matter?”

“Then it wasn’t guilt.” Jenna’s heart leaped. “Not if it was before the break-in.” Although that meant he’d built the stalls before he caught her in his office. Before he’d looked at her with such contempt.

Shit, her head hurt and she didn’t know what to think. She sank down on a hay bale. “This is great, it really is. But why did he do it?”

Wally rolled his eyes. “Yeah, like I’m going to ask him those kinds of questions. I assume he changed his mind about helping local horses. Maybe hanging out with you helped.”

“But why did he hire you back as manager?”

Wally scuffed his toe over the rubber lining the aisle, then slowly lifted his head. “Because he wanted to make sure you were okay. And he knows I care.”

A blazing joy burst in her chest, lifting her to her feet. “Then he doesn’t hate me for going into his office. And it’s not guilt either. Does he call you regularly?”

“No. In fact, he doesn’t want to hear anything from me. He’s washed his hands of Three Brooks.”

Jenna circled Wally, unable to remain still. “I just need an excuse to call him. Some question, some problem, something.”

“Goddammit, Jenna.” Wally’s face blanched. “Don’t pretend I can’t manage this place. He said heads would roll if he comes back. And I believe him. He’s not the type to waffle. I think he made up his mind to go, and, well, he’s gone.”

“But look what he did.” She waved at the stalls. “For the community, for Peanut, for me. I have to thank him. It’s the least I can do. Oh, Wally, thank you!” She gave him a heartfelt hug, turned and hurried out the door.

Ten minutes later, Jenna paced the porch, palming her phone and frowning at a hovering Emily. “It would be nice if you gave me a little privacy.”

“Are you kidding?” Em snorted. “My big sister actually chasing a man. I want to hear this. Before you always tried to get rid of them—once you had your fill of their studly bodies, of course.”

“It wasn’t quite like that,” Jenna said primly.

Emily hooted. “It was exactly like that. And what do you want from this Burke guy? You called him once to say thanks. Now you’re thanking him again? He’s going to think you’re a nitwit.”

Jenna fingered her phone.
What do I want
? She wanted him sitting on the swing, teasing her, kissing her, arguing with her. She did not want him far away in sunny California.

Emily’s voice lowered. “What do you want from him, Jenna? If it’s just sex, Colin or that new accountant—any number of men—would be happy to provide it.”

Jenna sank down on the swing, gripping her phone. “I’m not really sure.” She gulped. “I think I love him. But I don’t want to.”

Emily squeezed Jenna’s shoulder. “It’s not such a big deal. Your world isn’t going to collapse if you love him. He won’t beat you. Doesn’t seem to want to control you. Just wants to make you happy. I’d kill for a man like that. What’s the problem?”

“He thinks I’m a liar and a thief.” Jenna’s voice broke. “He caught Wally and me sneaking into his office. He was so disgusted. Couldn’t even look at me in the hospital. I’m afraid—”

“So, maybe he doesn’t want you anymore.” Em shrugged. “But maybe he does. Find out so you can kick this funk. I’m going to visit with Peanut. Just call and get it done. And good luck.”

Jenna watched as Emily walked across the driveway. Peanut sidled away, as though anticipating a game. Em paused and Peanut circled back, then pressed his tiny head against her stomach. If only Burke were half as easy.

She stared down at her hand where the phone sat like a twenty-pound weight. Sucked in a breath and pressed his autodial before she could wimp out.

“The number you dialed is disconnected,” a recording said.

The phone clattered on the planked floor. She rose and stumbled into the trailer. Stood in the middle of the kitchen, staring at the wall, hands pressed to her hot cheeks.
Jerk, prick, asshole
. Well, that certainly clarified things. Wally was right. Burke didn’t want contact, had written her off as emphatically as one of his non-performing companies.

Her fake diplomas stared mockingly from the wall. No doubt he despised her for that too. Grade eleven. The look of horror on his face had been priceless. He probably didn’t want to associate with someone who wasn’t an Alpha Delta Pi—someone who wasn’t even a high school grad.

She yanked the certificates off the wall and dumped them into the garbage. Felt a tiny bit better. Besides, in four years she’d have a real degree to hang on the wall, to hang anywhere she wanted.

And he was making that happen. Helping her earn something she’d always secretly wanted. But how had he known? She sighed and plugged in the tea kettle.

Ten minutes later, her sister strolled back into the trailer. “Well? What did he say?”

“Phone number’s changed,” Jenna said flatly. “It’s over. Nothing more I can do.” A clock ticked in the kitchen, emphasizing the abrupt quiet.

Emily groaned. “My God. I can’t believe this is you talking. Is this the same girl who stormed into the principal’s office when I was suspended? The one who studied six subjects so she could tutor me in my college entrance exams? The only person in the county who dared stand up to Dad?

“Well, that’s the sister I love—not this sniveling coward who sits in the kitchen, waiting for her man to wander home.” Emily’s lip curled. “You’re just like Mom.”

Jenna jerked to her feet. “You don’t know what you’re saying. I’m nothing like Mom—and Burke is nothing like our father.”

“Exactly. So he’s not going to come crawling back, is he?”

“No.” Jenna’s voice broke. “But he’s in California. And I can’t call him anymore.”

“Well, we can always find a phone number.” Emily swept outside, returning with Jenna’s phone clutched in her hand. “What’s the name of his company?”

“Burke Industries.”

“And what do they do?” Emily asked, her thumb scrolling over the screen. “Buy, manage companies?”

“I guess.” Jenna leaned forward, staring at the phone with a flicker of hope. “I think he was going to LA.”

“Damn.” Emily’s eyes narrowed. “Look at this. These people are grossly rich. Is this him?” She turned the phone toward Jenna, her voice rising in disbelief. “Are you a complete and utter moron?”

Jenna stared at Burke’s handsome face, unable to pull her gaze off his picture. “I’ll call that number tomorrow,” she muttered.

“Stop thinking like an idiot,” Emily said. “We’re calling now. You don’t let guys like this wander around loose. Believe me, he won’t stay loose for long.”

Emily pressed a number. “Derek Burke, please,” she said in such a crisp, confident voice, even Jenna straightened. “This is Jenna Murphy calling. Yes, I’ll hold.” She winked and shoved the phone against Jenna’s ear.

Jenna grabbed the phone, trying to steady her breathing.
I was wrong. Please come back. I miss you
. That should do for now. And once he was back, she’d let him know how she really felt.

“I’m sorry.” The secretary’s voice sounded slightly apologetic. “Mr. Burke isn’t available. Would you like to be transferred to Employee Relations?”

“No, thank you,” Jenna managed, and cut the connection

“Remind me not to leave you alone ever again.” Emily dropped her head in her hands, groaning. “My one shot at a rich brother-in-law, and you totally screw up.”

“He’s an asshole.” Jenna rose and circled the kitchen table. “I can’t believe he wouldn’t talk to me.”

Emily peered up from behind her splayed fingers. “How much do you figure he’s worth?”

“I don’t know. But he’s really normal. Likes playing cards and fishing and building stuff. He never worried about money although he’s very generous.”

“
Generous
!” Emily dropped her head and wailed, a theatrical sound that almost made Jenna smile. Almost.

“Well,” Emily jerked upright. “There’s only one thing left to do.”

“Text him?”

“God, no! Fly out there. Wrap your arms around him and don’t let go. You need to latch onto this guy. If not for you, then do it for me.”

“Sure. Fly to California? That would cost a fortune. And we still have your college bills.”

Emily had the grace to look ashamed but not enough to be sidetracked. “You have to go out there. The only thing that matters is you love him, and he doesn’t know it.”

Jenna wrung her hands. “But I’m not sure how
he
feels. He never said he loved me. He had other girlfriends, he didn’t care enough to come back and visit, and now he’s changed his phone number. What does that mean?”

“It means he’s looking for another woman to take your place, and we have to hurry.” Em leaped up and grabbed her phone. “But you can’t go looking so awful. The weight loss is good. It gives you a mysterious look and you have such gorgeous cheekbones. But my God, your hair. You need a sexier cut. I can do your highlights and nails, but we need someone who’s a wizard with hair.”

Jenna’s mouth dropped. She’d never seen her sister so focused on anyone but her current boyfriend and the latest trends. Yet Em was already on the phone, making a hair appointment at the most expensive salon in town—for her.

The haircut, of course, was as far as it would go. She’d never had a fancy cut before, and the prospect was rather appealing. But to fly, uninvited, to California. She wouldn’t have a paycheck for another two weeks, and she certainly wasn’t going to blow it on a flight across the country to talk to a man who’d walked away. Not only walked away but was incommunicado.

Em hung up the phone. “Perfect. They don’t usually work on Monday but when I said your name, the owner promised to open. She wants you to know her grandfather’s donkey is doing great. You’re booked Monday at nine so we’ll check for noon flights. Now show me your hands.”

Jenna obediently held out her hands.

“God, they’re awful.” Emily’s scowl was almost as dark as Burke’s. “The skin is rough from the burn, your hand is still swollen and your nails are a mess.”

“I need them short for massage.” Jenna smiled, quite enjoying this unusual attention from her sister. It was fun not to have their usual arguments. Just girl talk. Who’d ever thought she’d be worrying about something as insignificant as nails? She’d skipped that stage of life, leaping from frightened child to protective sister to pseudo mom.

Emily seemed to have grown up a lot while she was away. Maybe the money hadn’t been such a waste.

“It’s okay.” Em still frowned at Jenna’s flawed fingers. “One of my roommates had nails like this, and I know how to make them utterly gorgeous. The polish lasts for ages.” Her laugh was slightly wicked. “The color lasts in eyebrows too. Did I ever tell you about Trevor? You should have seen what Karen and I did to that sneaky jerk the night he passed out.”

Chapter Thirty

The screen door slammed. Jenna turned sleepy eyes toward the bedroom clock. Six am. Where the hell was Emily going so early?

A car started with a familiar backfire, and Jenna smothered her irritation. Em should have asked to borrow the Neon first. Oh, well. They’d had a wonderful time last night. Laughed, cried and giggled without a single argument. Her sister’s selfishness seemed to have been left at college or at least tucked away in a bottom drawer. Last night, Em had displayed the wit and intelligence of their father along with the loyalty and charm of their Mom.

After all, their parents had some good qualities. Maybe she and Emily had inherited the best, instead of the worst. Be nice to believe.

She lifted her right hand, admiring her elegant fingers. Emily was a genius with nails too. It was great having her home.

Now the only person missing was Burke. She rolled over, scanning the empty side of her bed. Maybe she could pretend he’d slept there but had left early for a meeting. If she could convince herself he was still around, the aching hollow in her chest might disappear. She punched the pillow and made a head dent. There. Looked real.

But she slumped back, pinching her eyes tight, no longer able to contain her despair. He was gone, really gone. He’d tried so hard, been so kind and she’d been a coward. No wonder he didn’t want contact.

Not with a forger, a thief, a liar—someone who sneaked around with their pony, misrepresented her education and broke into his office to steal files. That last rash move had surely snuffed out any love he might have had.

No doubt, he was out jewelry shopping for Theresa or some other lady smart enough to understand how wonderful he was. A tear wobbled down her cheek but she didn’t wipe it away. That was the best thing about being alone. One could indulge in a cleansing cry.

Besides, life was great. Everything was exactly as she’d always dreamed. Emily was home, her massage job was secure and in the fall she’d be taking college courses. She hadn’t wanted a man before and certainly didn’t need one now. Life would be safe, controlled…loveless.

Her breath escaped in a shuddering sigh, and the bed shook from the force of her sobs.

***

“Good afternoon, Jenna. Wow.” Wally paused on the porch step, his eyes widening in appreciation. “You look different.”

“Emily gave me some makeup tips last night. I tried to copy her technique.” And hide her red eyes. Her crying bout had been long, intense and she hoped, cathartic.

“Well,” he cleared his throat, still staring, “you look really nice. Where’s your car?”

“Not sure.” She hid her irritation. “Em left early this morning. Don’t know where she went.”

“Typical.” Wally snorted. “You’ve sacrificed everything for your sister, but it’s time to cut her loose. Let her make her own way. She’s no longer a helpless kid.”