Closing The Gap (Dangerous Pasts, #1) (2 page)

“Yes, I do.  You’re completely different from our mother.  I have no doubt that Josh Adams is completely different from Chuck. I’m sure he’s divorced because he couldn’t keep it in his pants.  Just because you’re physically attracted to him, doesn’t make him a good person.  You’re naturally more loving and kind than I am but I still don’t think we should give him the benefit of the doubt.  His actions speak for themselves.  Lake, you usually lose attraction for men once they speak to you.  Josh is probably going to do the same, even if Chuck Adams could win a father of the year award.  Let’s save you the trouble of an uncomfortable night out that might push you backward instead of move you forward.  Do you know what to do if he tries to get in the house?  No matter what he says, Lake, he doesn’t just want to hold your hand and cuddle.” 

Relieved that Lily had settled enough to stand still for Craig, Lake stepped backwards and out of his frame of reference.  Craig would photo shop the thin lead rope out later once they’d had a chance to select the best proof.  Lake had noticed Craig eyeing them, a smirk on his face as he became more interested in their suggestive banter, intrigued by the subject matter.  Lake felt fortunate that she could count him as a good friend who would keep this scandalous conversation under wraps with their colleagues in the Arabian horse community. 

“Who
is
this guy?  If you girls rant like this behind his back, I shudder to think what you say about me!”

“That would never happen, Craig.  You know how much we adore you.”  Summer gave him her most charming smile.  “If it doesn’t work out with Susan, you know where to find me.”

Lake rolled her eyes as she leaned in to fix Lily’s mane and forelock so it looked smooth and then turned back towards Craig.  “I’m glad you asked.  I’m sure you were wondering if we’d both lost our fool minds.  Josh Adams is my good friend’s son.  Chuck sits with me on the Hope for Hounds board and he’s one of my favorite people in this world.  He’d do anything for the shelter, even the most menial tasks.  Josh retired from the Chicago Blackhawks a few years ago.  He was a super talented hockey player and he got inducted into the hall of fame as one of the youngest defensemen ever.  Chuck told me a few weeks ago that Josh had agreed to fly in and walk in the auction.  Since it’s our biggest fundraiser of the year, it helps to have well known bachelors take part.  His participation is quite a coup for a small time fundraiser.”

Lake didn’t divulge how her idea had taken shape.  Later that night while she was alone in her bed, a fantasy of Josh had penetrated her defenses.  No matter how hard she tried to whisk it away, the allure to buy the date with Josh came back.  As if hypnotized, she mentally walked towards the dancing flames even though they had the ability to burn her.

“Wow, a possible brush with fame.  I’m not a hockey fan or I’d want to meet him too.  He sounds like he’d be a fascinating person to talk to.  He must have a large network of ... friends.” 

“Craig, are you kidding?  It’s more like a harem.  You’re being way to kind to this lothario.  My sister needs to get over this screwball idea.”

Craig lowered the camera to rest at his waist as he chuckled at Summer and her histrionics.  “We’re done for today.  Lily finally gave me what I needed.  I’m confident I can have these ready for the Nationals issue and you’ll be very pleased with them.  Lake, how is Flame coming along with his training?  Will he be ready for the futurity?  I’ve heard through the grapevine that he’s super talented.”

“Thanks for asking.  Chad is doing a phenomenal job with the horses here on the farm and Samson Training is knocking it out of the park with Flame.  It was the right decision to send him to Georgia.  In my biased opinion, he might have a chance at winning the whole thing, in spite of the raging politics in our industry.”

Lake’s English breeding program had become one of the premier small breeding operations in the country for Saddle Seat Arabian show horses.  Resident trainer Chad Greene’s talent had helped it to flourish.  Inquiries and visitors to the farm streamed in daily.  Horses bred on site usually sold well before they entered training as young prospects, sometimes for six figures. 

Lake walked Lily back towards her paddock to allow her a few hours of fresh air before returning her to her stall.  She glanced at Summer out of the corner of her eye.  It appeared she might be done with the grating third degree.  Lake sent up a silent prayer of thanks to the heavens for the respite.  Funny, her sister lived in a glass house but still insisted on tossing rocks in her direction.  If Summer were given the chance, she’d delight in making Josh a notch in her own bedpost.  Summer’s overprotection might give her pause but wouldn’t stop her.  Lake prided herself as a woman who knew her own mind and she wanted a simple evening out with Josh Adams.  Alone.

Lake slid open the metal gate and allowed Lily to pass through then slipped her halter over her ears and let her trot free.  Snorting and blowing, she gave a beautiful natural pose as though she knew Craig had started to pack up and she just wanted to be contrary. 

Craig noticed it as well.  “Lake, take a look at Lily.  That mare is such a major pain.  I’ve never known a horse to be so arbitrary.  I know she can’t think logically but every time I see her, I’d swear on the bible that she can.”

“No doubt.  Sometimes I wonder why I adore her so much.”  She gave a wink to Craig. “Could it be that she’s Flame’s mother?”

“Most likely.”  Craig walked forward to hug both Lake and Summer before he turned towards his SUV with his camera bag slung over one broad shoulder.  “It’s been great working with you both, as usual.  I wish you luck with the auction and Josh Adams.  Poor guy, if he had any idea the nature of the conversation here today, he’d probably stay in Chicago.  The proofs will be back early next week.  I’ll e-mail them to you in a digital file and you can call me when you make a decision.  I can’t wait to hear how it goes on Friday.  Have a great day, you two.”  

Lake stared straight at Summer’s face and silently begged her not to speak as she realized she’d still move this plan forward, accompanied by shaky confidence.  Could Josh Adams inspire her to experience any sexual desire long buried?  It had been years since Lake had known any deep emotion sparked by an attractive man.  She wondered if her lady parts were still operational.  Without being involved in a meaningful relationship, her activities seemed common and shallow as though she were a tumbleweed that skittered across the surface of her life. 

“Thanks so much for helping with Lily today, Summer.  I appreciate it.  I know you probably have better things to do.”

“I wanted to help.  I know how important this Gazette issue is to your advertising for Flame’s futurity campaign.  I do have coffee planned with a client to discuss an upcoming e-mail blast for their farm so I should run.  We’ll talk later.”

Summer gave Lake a quick hug and strode towards her Mustang.  Lake stood in place, enjoying the silence for a few glorious moments before turning towards the barn.  As much as she wanted to continue standing in the warm Scottsdale sunshine, playing mental fantasies starring Josh Adams, she had work to do in the barn.  Summer had burst her bubble and allowed her old doubts to come out.  It was going to be a long day.

B
uck Hoeff ruminated, tucked inside the meager space.  The door had been locked securely.  He’d checked it ten times.  It had to be ten, exactly.

The bathroom.  His favorite location to placate the voices.  They echoed through his head so often they’d become his habitual partners.  In the tight confines, he became impregnable.  Safe to express, safe to prepare, safe to plot.  The haters, like gnats swarming his head, safely sealed on the other side of the flimsy wooden barricade.

An imbecilic doctor had labeled him manic depressive.  He felt great.  He didn’t need his medication.  After the nurse dispensed it, he hid it under his tongue and spit it out later.  His future wouldn’t involve dealing with anymore doctors.  Didn’t everyone recognize his superior intelligence? 
I outsmart everyone I meet
.

Handsome and charming if you barely knew him, he’d mastered superficial relationships and most still held him in high esteem. 

Some didn’t.  Some knew the truth.  He was a sociopath.

Buck’s inviting exterior camouflaged an elemental breed of deranged as though he danced in a sanity masquerade with his mask affixed to his eyes hoping no one would recognize his affliction.  If the haters could hear him, they would fetch a tranquilizer, or perhaps, flee the scene.  His stream of consciousness garbling terrified those without long tenure caring for the mentally unstable. 

“Stupid bitch, she won’t even realize what hit her.  Mere words cannot express how much I hate those nasty, stinking, four-legged bastards!  I’ve hated them since the God damn day I was born.  I don’t care if it’s the Lipizzaners, the World’s Toughest Rodeo or the fucking Canadian Mounted Police!  Dead, cold and six feet under is where they all belong.  Just try and stop me, no one will ever stop me!  No one ...
no one
!”

He continued chanting over and over as he rocked back and forth on the fuzzy, toilet seat cover, hugging himself in a tight grip.

One woman knew first hand.

The man was certifiably, bat shit crazy.

T
he turbulence jolted through his body like a jackhammer.  Josh laid his head back against the leather airplane seat and sucked a deep breath as he drummed his fingertips on the armrest.  Short on sleep at the end of a road trip, he wanted to catch a few precious minutes of rest before the jet hit the tarmac in Phoenix.  Anxious to spend this time with his dad, he reflected back on their last conversation.  Josh rejoiced that Chuck Adams had found happiness in his Scottsdale retirement complex after the death of his wife, Kathy, back in 1996 from breast cancer.  The best wife and mom ever in his humble opinion, her family and friends still missed her more than words could say.  Chuck and Kathy had worked so hard throughout his happy childhood to provide for Josh and his brother, Jason, back in Glen Ellyn.

Jason had married Lisa ten years ago, and the whole family enjoyed their two vibrant and active little boys, Tyler and Turner.  Each time he thought of their family unit, that same old longing settled deep in his bones.  That life wasn’t meant to be his no matter how he might wish it was different.  The accident had made sure of that.  The accident, and
her
.

“Folks, from the flight deck, we’re beginning our decent into Phoenix where the local weather is 68 degrees with winds out of the SE at about 10 MPH.  We appreciate your business and hope you enjoyed flying with us today.  We should have you on the ground shortly.  Flight attendants, please prepare the cabin for arrival.”

Josh pried open his heavy eyelids and brought his seat back forward.  His 6’3”, 220 pound frame still cramped in spite of the first class seat.  So much for meeting his dad not looking like death warmed over.  More than anything, he didn’t want his dad worried about him.  Chuck tried to be both mother and father and knocked himself out in the process.  Josh was grateful for the sacrifices his dad had made for himself and Jason to the detriment of his own happiness.  To say that Josh admired his father was an understatement.  By the time he had gathered his newspaper and iPad, the landing gear deployed and the pilot gently laid the jet on the runway.

As the plane taxied to the gate and the jet way swung towards the cabin door, Josh waited for the ding of the seat belt sign and brushed his hand through his hair, unable to contain a smirk.  He had airplane head and hoped he wouldn’t be recognized or photographed.  Major hair erections littered his scalp and stuck straight up not adhering to his normal hairstyle.  He was lucky he still had a full head of hair, but as time wore on, his black strands had become more and more peppered with silver.  He had a baseball cap in his carry on so as soon as he stood, he grabbed it, stuck it on his head and deplaned.  He made sure to smile at the captain and flight attendants as he stepped over the threshold.

Grabbing his iPhone from his jeans pocket, he hit the button for Siri, not having enough hands to scroll his recents. 

“Call Jason.”

Siri’s soothing voice came on over the phone’s speaker.  “Calling Jason, mobile.”

“Hey, bro.  Have you landed?  Are you with dad?”

“The plane just landed and I’m in the airport.  I’m headed for a pit stop at the men’s room before I call him.  I just wanted you to remind me again why I’m doing this?  Horny old women addicted to plastic surgery are not my cup of tea.  I made a major mistake last year and I don’t want history to repeat itself.  I wouldn’t mind making an honest error in judgment if the Chicago society pages didn’t ride my ass without mercy every damn time it happened.  Don’t they have some other idiot to harass?”

“Don’t worry.  You’ll be fine.  Dad wouldn’t make you do this if it wasn’t for the homeless dogs he loves so much and that Lake chick he keeps mentioning.  The way he goes on about her, she must be the Raquel Welch of the fifty plus neighborhood.  I’m picturing them together holding hands at the auction.  It might be a Kodak moment.  Make sure you get me a photo of her.  I hope he’s getting some, even at his age.”

“I know.  She must have a heart of gold.  I think they developed such a strong bond because she’s a transplant with a Midwestern upbringing, just like dad.  I hope she doesn’t resemble a troll.  Dad deserves so much and asks for so little.  Thanks for reminding me of that important fact.  I’d do anything for him.  The fact that this fundraiser supports dogs waiting for their forever homes just puts another nail in my coffin of guilt.  I guess there’s no backing out now.”

“I’m happy to give you a pep talk any time.  I know how much you love dogs yourself and how upsetting it was when we lost Emma back in high school.  Maybe you’ll get to adopt your own dog once you move out of that damn condo after you retire.  Have I told you lately how much I hate that place?  It reminds me of a not so happy time.  Everywhere I look, I see Shelly’s face.”