Purebred (12 page)

She headed through the kitchen and went straight for the desk nestled below the bay window. The keys were in the top drawer. Not wanting to be alone, wishing for Aidan’s company, she turned to him, hand extended, keys dangling from her forefinger.

“Here. Before you leave, can I offer you a drink?”

“’Tis not a drink I need.”

He reached for the keys and their hands touched and they both froze. The increased pulse in her throat startled her.

“Tea?” she choked out.

“Not thirsty.”

He moved a bit closer. His voice cut through her and his heat teased her and she could think of only one thing.

“What, then?” she asked softly. “What is it you need?”

“This.”

His arms wound around her back and he pulled her closer. Her breath caught in her throat as she waited for his lips to touch hers. It took forever, as if he were giving her a chance to push him away.

As if he thought she might not want this.

Sliding her hands up his chest, she lightly grasped his shoulders, feeling like she needed to hold on to him to stay upright. And maybe she did. Her pulse thrummed and sped up when his mouth covered hers.

The kiss was soft and sweet and filled with longing.

Or maybe that was her.

She longed for a man who would partner her. A man she could count on. One who would spice up her life with the wild and exciting and unexpected. Someone who could heal her wounded heart.

A flash of the dogs digging up George suddenly sent ice water through her veins.

As if he read her shift in mood, Aidan whispered, “I apologize” against her lips.

“No. I wanted you to kiss me. I want…more.”

She needed more, to chase away the horrid images in her mind. To chase away the fear. To feel safe in his arms.

This time, she kissed him and slid her hands to his belt and unbuckled it.

Aidan groaned when she touched him. He came alive in her hand. Dropping to her knees, she explored him with her mouth until he fell back against the desk. He wound shaking hands through her hair and pushed against her mouth as she tasted him. Then he pulled her back up to her feet and kissed her again while undressing her. She let him do what he would, losing herself in every touch…touching and stripping him in return.

Finally, when they were both naked, Aidan bent her backward and followed over her, dropping them both gently down to the floor. As he entered her, Cat wrapped her legs around his hips and rolled, landing on top. Riding him, she lost herself in every touch, every movement.

For now, at least, their tangled bodies were enough to chase away the nightmare her life had become.

* * *

S
HE
WAS
IN
THE
BARN
IN
the dark again, checking on the broodmares.

Wind soughed between the timbers and she stopped to listen. Dread filled her but she continued working, hurrying to finish, all the while knowing she wasn’t alone.

She raced to leave the barn, but the shadowy figure caught up to her.

A sharp pain in her back stopped her. Paralyzed her. Though she tried, she couldn’t move.

Couldn’t avoid what was coming…

Aidan awoke with a gasp and quickly oriented himself. He was in bed with Cat. She was there next to him.

Asleep.

Safe.

For how long?

What did the dream mean? That she would be attacked and drugged? But why?

Should he warn her?

No, of course not. He’d learned not to trust his dreams. Learned that he had to sort truth from fantasy.

That was the trouble with his ability. Dreams held only half-truths, hid the rest.

So what was the nugget of truth in this one?

He would be on alert for any further sign of trouble. But on thinking about it, Aidan considered he might have mixed his growing feelings for Cat with the horrific scene they’d encountered in the woods.

Strong emotions could distort dreams into nightmares.

Next to him, Cat turned in her sleep and made a sound of discontent.

Aidan immediately settled back in and wrapped himself protectively around her.

Chapter Thirteen

Both Diamond Dame and Sweetpea Sue were in season. Finally! Though Cat was certain of it, she wanted Helen to check them out before proceeding. Having slept in fits and starts once she’d landed in her bed with Aidan, she didn’t trust her own judgment. The trouble was, the vet hadn’t shown up to check out Fairy Tail as she’d said she would.

Cat placed a call but got Helen’s voice mail, so she left a message. Then she called both Martin Bradley and Dean Hill to tell them their mares were in season. More voice mails. More messages.

After waiting to hear from someone for nearly an hour, her nerves were on edge. She called the vet again and had to leave yet another message.

“Hi, Helen. Cat. Just trying to scare you up. I’m waiting for you to check on the mares who are finally in season. And on Fairy Tail. Call even if you can’t make it, okay?”

Hanging up, she shoved the cell phone back in her pocket.

What now?

Raul came up from behind her, asking, “Do you want to get started?”

She didn’t want to, not really. She wanted a day off. Maybe a week off. How long did it take to get over deep grief? But she was running a business and she had two broodmares who were going to help pay her bills, and she couldn’t ignore that. It didn’t mean she’d loved George any less or that she would forget him. That was part of the problem. She couldn’t erase the picture of the dogs digging him up from her mind.

Or what she and Aidan had been doing just before the dogs found him.

“The mares?” Raul reminded her.

“Since we have two ready for cover, I guess we really can’t wait any longer.” The owners would expect her to breed their mares, vet or no vet. “I don’t understand why Helen isn’t getting back to me. She was supposed to be here this morning and didn’t even call to tell me that she was going to be late.”

Raul didn’t comment on the vet’s disappearing act. Instead, he asked, “Which mare do we cover first?”

Martin Bradley chose that moment to walk in on them.

“My mare first,” he demanded. “Hill’s not here, so his mare can wait. Two of his are already pregnant anyway.”

Not that it mattered, Cat thought. Getting to both of them in the same day would be no problem. Neither was going to go out of season in one day. Still tense after all that had happened the day before, she didn’t need any added pressure.

Thankfully, Dean Hill hadn’t gotten back to her, so she nodded and said, “Have Bernie bring out Sweetpea Sue, and you handle On the List.”

“If she’s ready, she doesn’t need a teaser stallion.” Martin pushed a tense hand through his dyed hair. “Just bring out Desert Son and let him mount her and get it over with. I want it done.”

What in the world was wrong with him? Cat wondered. She’d been working with Martin for several years now, and normally he let her do her job with little involvement. Something was going on with him, though, and she didn’t want to make things worse.

“Okay, Raul. Desert Son it is.”

Undoubtedly Martin was competing with Dean Hill, the only reason she could think of for him to sound so…so desperate. He’d always been demanding, but he’d also been professional and had let her do her job without interference. While two of Dean’s mares were already pregnant this early in the breeding season, Martin had already expressed his displeasure that his own mares hadn’t yet taken.

Cat could only hope Sweetpea Sue would break the unlucky streak.

Thankfully, both Raul and Bernie had a good hand with the horses, and under Cat’s guidance, getting the horses ready for breeding went smoothly. Desert Son required no assistance, and the cover was quick.

But before the horses were even settled enough to take back to their stalls, Dean Hill stormed into the back of the barn where they were working.

“What is this? Where is Diamond Dame?”

Starting at the anger in his voice, Cat said, “She’s in her stall.”

“So you’ve already finished with her?”

“No, Dean,” Cat said, “we haven’t started her cover yet.”

“What are you waiting for?”

“In case you’re blind,” Martin Bradley said, “my Sweetpea, who is also in season, was just covered by my stallion.”

“So Bradley has precedence?” Dean demanded to know.

Before Cat could answer, Martin did it for her. “Why should you have precedence, Hill? You weren’t even here. My mares haven’t been as fruitful as yours. Besides, I should have priority. I’ve been Cat’s client since she took over the business! And I was her father’s client before that. You’re new to this barn.”

“This barn is lucky to have me!”

Openmouthed at the argument, worried the men would come to physical blows, Cat signaled her workers to take the mare and stallion back to their stalls. “You’ll both be taken care of properly, just as I take care of all my clients. I don’t understand the problem, Dean.”

“The problem? What’s the problem? No sooner have I committed my broodmares to your care than I’m questioned by Wade Pierce concerning the murder of one of your employees! And now this.”

George’s death came crashing back on Cat. She’d feared the owners might be upset by being involved in the investigation, but there was no helping it.

“Did you do it, Hill?”

Martin’s accusatory tone made Cat’s heart skip a beat.

Dean yelled, “Are you crazy?”

“Let’s all calm down, please,” Cat said.

“Right. It’s not
Cat’s
fault that George was murdered.” Martin narrowed his gaze on her. “It’s not, is it?”

“What!” Cat felt the need to hold on to a nearby post to keep herself upright. Maybe she should have taken that day off.

“Cat wasn’t even in the country when George disappeared, you numbskull!” Dean took a big breath. “All right. I’m calm. And I apologize for being out of line. I couldn’t get here when you called, Cat, because Pierce caught me before I could leave my place. He just got under my skin, is all. I shouldn’t take it out on you.” He looked to Martin. “Didn’t Pierce question you?”

“Yesterday evening. He has to question everyone, Hill. I didn’t like it any better than you did. I’ve just had more time to process it.”

“Detective Pierce can only get to you if you let him,” Cat said, hoping to calm the men so they could get back to business. “He’s been questioning everyone who worked with or knew George. Even the kids who muck out the stalls.”

Even Aidan, who hadn’t yet left his home in Ireland when George had disappeared.

Cat wished Aidan was here now. She would guess he was good at dealing with irate horse owners. He’d been good at keeping her on an even keel the day before. His strength would be welcome. He would be welcome. She was having more and more trouble keeping Aidan from her thoughts.

“I know Pierce wasn’t targeting us,” Dean said, sounding a bit more calm.

“But it sure felt like he was,” Martin admitted.

“All right.” Dean held out his hand to the other man. “I apologize if I was an ass.”

Martin took his hand and shook on it before leaving.

Crisis averted, Cat got back to work. Satisfied that Sweetpea Sue might be on her way to conceiving, she instructed Raul and Bernie to get Diamond Dame and False Promise ready for cover.

On the surface, she remained calm, breeding Dean’s mare as professionally as she always did. The owner—his charming self once more—apologized to her again and thanked her for doing such a great job for him. Cat smiled through it all, but underneath, worry—and guilt—ate at her.

If the adults had been so traumatized by the police investigation, what about the poor kids who had actually worked for George five days a week?

So when Laura and Vincent arrived after school, Cat was relieved that they seemed…well, like normal teenagers.

“Where do you want to start?” Vincent asked his companion as they entered the barn together.

“How about I muck and you haul?”

“Hey, I thought this was an equal-opportunity job.”

Laura sighed. “It’s just that the wheelbarrows are so big and you’re so
strong,
Vincent. But, okay. Maybe I just won’t completely fill it. Then it won’t be so heavy,” the girl said dramatically.

“All right, all right. I’ll haul your old wheelbarrow.”

Cat smothered a grin and realized this felt like the first natural moment she’d experienced since she and Aidan had followed the dogs into the ravine. Thankful that the kids seemed unaffected by the police investigation, she moved toward them and pretended she’d just realized they’d arrived.

“Oh, there you two are.”

“We’re on time,” Laura said anxiously.

“And ready to work hard,” Vincent added.

“Well, good. But before you start, I wonder if you’ve seen something around here somewhere.”

“What?” they asked in unison.

“A suitcase. You know one of those small cases with wheels…silvery-gray…the kind you take on a plane with you.”

“You brought it in the barn?”

“Not me. George did,” Cat said, noting the immediate shift in tension. Laura’s expression fell, and Vincent stepped closer to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders as he’d done before. “Well he may have brought it in here,” Cat explained. “Whatever, it’s missing and if we found it, maybe there could be some kind of clue that would help the authorities figure out what happened…” She let her words trail off. “So, you haven’t seen it?”

“Not me,” Vincent said.

Avoiding Cat’s eyes, Laura simply shook her head.

It had been a long shot, but one worth taking. “Well, thanks. Just keep an eye open for it.”

“Sure.” Vincent looked at Laura, his features pulled in concern. “You okay?”

“Fine.” Laura pulled away from him as if to prove it. “Let’s get started.”

Maybe the girl wasn’t so fine, after all, Cat thought, but she was putting up a good front. Both kids were so responsible. Just like she had been at that age.

Cat realized she hadn’t had anything but coffee and a piece of toast that morning. She headed for the house. The dogs shot out of nowhere to join her.

Now if only Aidan were here, she thought wistfully.

How had he become so important to her in so short a time?

* * *

A
IDAN
WAS
RIDING
ON
AIR
. Mac had shaved a half second off his ten-furlong time this morning. The vet he’d chosen to take care of the colt at the track had looked Mac over and declared him to be in top shape. His team on the backstretch was set but for the jockey. Placido had come by again, but Aidan was wary of hiring him.

Personally, his relationship with Cat made him feel emotional stirrings that he’d thought had been buried. Perhaps he could have another chance at happiness, after all.

And then, before Aidan could say goodbye to Mac and leave for the farm, Cashel called.

“I did some digging on Browne.”

A shudder of anticipation shot down Aidan’s spine. “And what might you have learned?”

“Your hotwalker is not a hotwalker.”

Mac poked his nose at his owner for attention. Aidan patted him absently and left the stall, saying, “I don’t understand.”

“Tim Browne is a jockey.”

Aidan started. The man was the right size. He was still working around horses and obviously very good with them. So why wasn’t he riding them? “He must be a poor jockey if we weren’t able to place the name.”

“Just the opposite, though he wasn’t riding in Ireland.”

Aidan moved down the shedrow. “He said he’d been out of country. Where, then? Not in America, was he? He’s only been here a few weeks. No, wait. He said he’s only been at McHenry a few weeks.”

“Not America,” Cashel said. “Australia. He was part of the Irish team asked over there for the Ireland vs. Australia Jockey competition.”

Aidan knew the six-event challenge concluded with Irish Day, the second largest race meeting in South Australia every year. Being part of the team was prestigious.

“Then why didn’t we know his name?” Aidan stopped at the end of the shedrow before going on to his loaner truck.

“Because that was seven years ago. He liked the change of scenery and decided to settle there for a while.”

“Seven years. He must have loved it. Or someone,” Aidan added, thinking how he’d miss Cat if he had to return to Ireland.

“I don’t know about his love life,” Cashel said. “What I do know is that more than a year ago, a horse broke down under him in a big race. Browne had several broken bones himself. He spent months going through surgery and rehabilitation. He returned to Ireland a few months ago and never even raced while he was here.”

“And then decided to change countries again?” Aidan shook his head. That didn’t make sense. Not unless Browne had made the move for some other purpose. Making certain no one was around to hear, he said, “I still think it an odd coincidence that we both landed here in Woodstock, Illinois, in the middle of the United States at nearly the same time.”