Thoroughbreds and Trailer Trash (8 page)

She flipped through the stack again, searching for Murphy. ‘A – L.’ Okay, so he was pulling them in batches. Made sense but she was rather disappointed she couldn’t doctor her file today. This wasn’t even interesting, nothing about salaries. Only resumes and job responsibilities, stuff she already knew.

A knock sounded and she glanced up.

“What are you doing in here?” Wally asked, his brow rising in that familiar gesture.

“Working on some employee files.”

He shook his head in grudging admiration. “Have to hand it to you, Jenna. You can get things done. Does Derek know you didn’t finish high school? Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me.” He stepped further into the office. “We’ll make sure no one loses their job.”

“I already said you paid me a hundred bucks per horse,” she said stiffly. “Not sure what else I can do. I don’t want to lie to him.”

She glanced uneasily at the yellow notepad on the desk. Burke’s masculine scrawl was clearly visible, and she knew he wouldn’t like Wally poking around his office. His face always tightened when she mentioned Wally’s name, almost imperceptible, but his disapproval was evident.

Too late. Wally crossed to the desk and picked up the pad. “Cobblestones? Plant more flowers?” He flipped the pad back on the desk. “Sure, like that will improve our clientele. Listen, Jenna. I want you to get close. According to reports, Burke Industries is ruthless. Six months after a takeover, thirty percent of the staff is gone. Imagine what that would do to this town.”

Jenna glanced nervously at the door. “He hasn’t fired anyone. Seems very straightforward.”

“He’s a calculator.” Wally’s voice rose. “He doesn’t think like us. It’s the bottom line, nothing else. If he knew the truth about your education, you’d be out on your ass.”

Her fingers turned clumsy and sheets of paper fell to the floor.

“Hey, don’t worry.” Wally’s voice softened. “I’ve got your back. Just keep an eye on him. Keep me posted, okay?”

She stared into his concerned face and slowly nodded, ignoring the traitorous ache deep in her chest.

Chapter Eight

Jenna flinched in dismay as another handful of Peanut’s hair stuck to her fingers. “Shit, fellow. What’s happening?”

She stopped her massage and stepped back, a lump thickening her throat. At this rate, the pony would be bald in two weeks. She didn’t know what kind of weird skin condition he had, but it certainly wasn’t improving—even with the best supplements Three Brooks could buy. She couldn’t just stand around and watch her pony die though, not when she worked at a wellness center.

She led him across the road for his evening grass, pulled out her phone and called Wally. “Any chance you could leave the door to the Center open tonight?”

“No chance. Burke changed all the locks.” Wally gave a disgusted snort. “The only way is through my apartment door. What’s wrong? Is Durling’s donkey sick again?”

“Actually it’s Peanut. His hair’s falling out.” Her voice caught. “I don’t know what to do.”

“Hey, no problem.” Wally’s voice softened. “He can fit through the apartment entrance. Then you can take him down the hall to the therapy rooms. How long do you need?”

“Only twenty minutes in the solarium. I’ll wait until Burke drives by and then lead Peanut down the path.”

“All right. I’m going to the Hunt Club tonight but will leave a key by the statue. Did Emily get a part-time job yet?”

“She can’t, Wally. She’s busy with biology. The course is tough. Takes every minute of her time.”

“Figures. Should be you up there studying. You’re the smart one. Good luck with Peanut.”

The line went dead. She lowered her hand and frowned at the phone. She wasn’t the smart one; reading was always boring. Even the massage books—a subject she loved—turned monotonous after a few chapters. Sometimes Wally said such stupid things.

Peanut’s head lifted and he stared toward the crest of the hill.
Damn
. She didn’t want to be caught standing by the side of the road. Burke might think she was waiting for him, wanting his company again. She dropped to the ground, flattening in the tall grass, praying he hadn’t spotted her.

The big car braked. “You all right, Jenna?”

“Oh, yes, sure.” Breathless, she scrambled to her knees and snatched at some flowers. “Just picking some flowers.”

“Dandelions?”

“Of course, ah…for dandelion wine.” He’d lowered the window and the distinctive smell of pizza drifted in the breeze. “You don’t look like someone who eats pizza,” she added, drawing in an appreciative sniff.

He stepped from the car. Dropped a square box on his hood, opened the lid and extracted a generous slice. Looked like cheese and pepperoni, maybe some green peppers and tomatoes. The mozzarella stretched in generous threads. “I love pizza,” he said. “Come out of the grass and join me.” He propped his hip against the fender and chewed contentedly.

She’d planned to heat the leftovers from last night, but pizza was always tempting. Besides, she and Peanut had a hike scheduled for tonight and that would burn plenty of calories. “You sure know your way to a woman’s heart, Burke.” She tossed aside the handful of yellow dandelions, brushed her hands on her jeans and stepped out from the grass.

“We might as well sit on your porch,” he said, picking up the pizza box and holding it out of her reach.

She groaned but he gave such a teasing wink, she forgave him and gestured at the trailer. “I already said I’m not signing any papers, but you and your pizza are welcome.”

She stepped into the kitchen, grabbed two beers and settled beside him on the swing. They munched companionably and if he had any questions, at least he had the decency to let her eat first.

“Okay.” She wiped her mouth with a napkin and leaned back in the swing. “What do you need now?”

His expression turned serious and he took a thoughtful swig of his beer. “I’m thinking of bringing in a horse, a big horse. Can our current staff do a competent job?”

“A big horse?” She leaned forward. “What do you mean, like a stakes horse?”

“Like a Derby winner.”

“Oh my gosh! Of course we can. I’m going to massage a Derby winner!” She shot her fist in the air. “How did you swing it? Family connections? You own him? What?”

“Hey.” He reached over and patted her knee. “We have to keep it low key. A lot of nice mares are booked to this fellow. The owners don’t want anyone to know he has issues.”

“Issues?” She leaned forward. “Is he shooting blanks? Or just limp?”

Burke winced and she couldn’t resist a grin. Men were so sensitive about that sort of thing although it was doubtful he’d ever experienced any trouble in that department. He exuded sexuality. Just sitting with him on the swing was exhilarating.

“He’s not interested in the mares,” Burke said. “Won’t mount. Vets can’t see anything wrong with his hind end and extensive testing revealed nothing.”

“So we’re a last resort?”

“Yes. Lights and the oxygen chamber will probably be a big help. Maybe the pulsing magnetics. What’s your opinion of Darlene, the oxygen tech?”

“Her name’s Debbie,” Jenna said. “And she’s discreet, a good operator. All the staff are fine. They’re starting to relax, knowing there won’t be layoffs. They’ll follow your directions, especially since nearly everyone is getting a raise.” She stiffened. “So that’s why you have me going through the files in such a rush?”

“Yes,” he said, not sounding a bit contrite.

“So tomorrow I’ll do files M to Z?”

“Thanks for the beer.” He rose. “I’ve got to finish some paperwork. No time for cards. Maybe tomorrow.”

He strode down the walkway before she could say that she didn’t have time either. She would have refused a card game and certainly didn’t exist for his entertainment, even though last night had been fun, and his visits did soothe the sting of yawningly long evenings.

She sighed and took a half-hearted sip of beer. Maybe Emily would answer her text messages and at least ask about Peanut. Besides, there was nothing wrong with solitude.

And she did have plans for tonight. Obviously Burke wasn’t lurking around the Center so a visit would be safe. She’d have to be careful though. As Wally warned, Burke was a smooth operator. He hadn’t even revealed the name of the Derby horse.

She stepped back inside, wrapped up the remaining pizza—Burke was certainly stocking her fridge—tied her hair back in a ponytail and added a sweatshirt. It was humid and there might be a lot of mosquitoes. A girl had to be prepared.

***

Jenna paused by the door to Wally’s apartment while Peanut waited patiently at her side. If he were curious about their late night hike, he didn’t show it. She gave him a reassuring pat, wincing as another tuft of brown hair drifted in the breeze.

Best to be careful when she touched him. Otherwise their path would be marked with a trail of pony hair. Burke was no fool. He also would be less than pleased. She gulped but shoved away her fear. Peanut needed this treatment. Needed it badly.

The eyes of the jockey statue gleamed and she fumbled around the iron base, checking for the key. There it was. Good old Wally. She inserted the key in the lock and pushed the door open. Peanut fit through with inches to spare. His tiny hooves rattled on the concrete, silencing when they reached the thick rubber that lined the aisle.

Two swinging doors and they were in the Center. The rest of the way she knew by memory. It was a little creepy, picking their way through the dark, but Peanut’s stoic presence was reassuring.

A horse nickered and Peanut’s ears pricked. Poor guy. He was a friendly fellow but his contact with other animals was minimal. She straightened his head and led him into the solar chamber. Pressed a switch. The lights lowered, the sound grating in the dark. A clear light covered both her and the pony.

She eyed the clock, monitoring the time. Larry, the night watchman, checked the building every hour but his routine never varied. Top of the hour, every hour. She should be in and out of the Center with time to spare.

“Hope this works, fellow,” she whispered, resisting her impulse to stroke his neck. The floor had been washed at the end of the day, and she didn’t want to leave any evidence of their visit or cause any extra work for the technician.

Ping
! Both she and Peanut jumped as the timer sounded. Sometimes twenty minutes felt like an hour, and it seemed as though they had both been dozing. She raised the lights, turned off the switch, and Peanut trustingly followed her back down the aisle.

They squeezed through Wally’s apartment door and onto the walkway. She replaced the key with a sense of relief. Done.

A truck roared up the drive and her hand tightened around the lead line. Definitely a diesel. Hopefully Wally. But just in case, she tugged Peanut into the shadows, straining to see.

Aw shit, not Wally. Her heart pounded as Larry stopped his truck and stepped out. Not good. He wasn’t the smartest guy around but he was methodical. He’d definitely check all the doors, including Wally’s apartment. Damn Burke must have changed the times.
Shit, shit, shit
!

But maybe Burke wouldn’t freak out. He seemed so tolerant around her, even amused. However, the rational part of her brain knew he couldn’t overlook this. She’d have to be fired. He’d expressly forbidden Peanut to set foot in the Center. Had even given what he thought were valid reasons. And maybe they were to him but she loved her little pony.

She choked back a panicky breath, her mind scrambling. Tied Peanut to the doorknob, praying he wouldn’t nicker, then tugged off her sweatshirt and tied it around her waist. Sucked in several gulps of air and jogged out, forcing her breath to come in rapid-fire huffs as though she were in the middle of a strenuous run.

Not difficult. Her heart already raced, and a line of sweat trickled between her breasts.

“Hi there, Larry,” she called, meeting him between Wally’s door and the truck. “I’ve been jogging every night but haven’t seen you around.”

“Mr. Burke instructed me to change patrol times. Not much crime around here but it’s good to shake things up.”

“Yeah. Good idea,” she said brightly.
Damn Burke
.

Larry continued toward Wally’s apartment but she rushed forward, pausing under the white driveway light and blocked his path. “I jogged by Wally’s door and it’s secure. You don’t have to do this end.”

“Thanks, Jenna, but I still have to check,” he said. “It’s my job to keep everyone safe.”

She smiled and widened her eyes. “Yes, and I personally feel much safer, knowing you’re around, changing up the schedule. You’re so smart. You probably walk another route too…checking different doors first.”

“Yes. That’s right.” He shuffled his feet and glanced toward the far end of the building. “Sometimes I do check the receiving doors first.”

She nodded encouragingly. “They’re probably the easiest doors to jimmy open.” She smiled over her shoulder and edged along the walkway, relieved when he followed her away from Wally’s door.

“Maybe I’ll see you up here tomorrow night,” he called as he veered off the path and followed the walkway along the back of the building.

“Maybe,” she said. “What time are you coming?”

“Ten ten, and then again at ten fifty. I can bring you a cold drink, if you want?”

“Oh, I can’t drink when I’m running, but it’s nice to know you’re around. You hurry now and check those side doors. You never know what’s out there.” She faked a nervous shiver. “You do have a gun, don’t you?”

He nodded, patting his bulky holster. “Right here on my hip. And I completed my firearms course and a second update. Mr. Burke was happy to hear that.”

“I bet he was,” she said dryly. She backed out of the light before pretending to jog away, peeking over her shoulder until the beam of his powerful light disappeared around the building.

She wheeled, retraced her steps through the mantle of darkness and untied Peanut. “You are one smart fellow,” she whispered. She couldn’t resist giving him a big pat then hustled the obliging pony into the woods, up the path and back to his safe kennel.