Summer Kisses (99 page)

“But I’m not available.”

Archer cleared his throat with an ominous growl, a sound Kurt had heard too many times before. He wanted to close the phone. Shut out bad news.

“This isn’t a routine drug buy.” Obvious regret thickened Archer’s voice. “Connor O’Neil died working it.”

Kurt jerked back, gut punched. Squeezed his eyes shut, struggling to breathe even as the starting gate clanged open. He’d partnered with Connor on a nine-month job in Halifax where they’d infiltrated a biker gang and stopped millions of dollars of crack from hitting the streets. It had also forged a sincere friendship between the two men.

“I’m sorry,” Archer added.

Kurt forced his questions past the brick of pain clogging his throat. “How? Where—” But grief split his words and he stopped, hating the emotion weakening his voice.

“Connor was posted in southern Alberta,” Archer said. “Kept an eye on drug flow between Calgary and the U.S. border. Yesterday was his day off, but somehow a horse trailer caught his attention. He gave roadside assistance then ran the plate and followed the vehicle. Our last fix was at the Calgary track, where he spoke with a jockey named Julie West. Ten hours later he was found in his vehicle, north of the city. Shot with a twenty-two. Two bullets to the chest, one to the head.

“You’ll report directly to me,” Archer went on. “We’ll give unlimited support. Just poke around a bit. Check out this Julie person. Leave your best horses home though, so you don’t draw attention.”

Kurt stared across the infield, numb to Archer’s relentless voice and the crowd’s cheers. Grief churned with rage as he fought to regain his composure. Any return to the bleak undercover world filled him with distaste, but it was obvious he’d accept this assignment. Some ass-wipe had murdered Connor.

And as Lazer straggled across the finish line, last in an undistinguished field, Kurt’s mouth twisted in a humorless smile. At least he had the perfect horse to ship to Calgary.

Crisp air nipped Julie West’s face as she balanced in the saddle and concentrated on holding her horse to a steady gallop. Hooves pounded behind them. Another rider charged past, spraying dust and dirt. Julie’s horse flattened his ears and shoved at the bit.

“Not yet, Skippy,” she murmured, conscious of the trainer’s instructions. She checked over her shoulder for other runners before dropping the gelding in on the rail. On the backside, in front of the neat row of barns, she finally loosened her grip and crouched further over his neck.

The horse rocketed forward, his powerful burst filling her with adrenaline. The rail knifed past as they hugged the turn and charged down the lane. Thirty feet past the grandstand, she rose in the stirrups, letting her weight fall onto the reins. Skippy slowed to a canter then down to a bouncy trot.

Perfect. She stroked his sweaty neck, grinning her approval. The old horse felt great. He was such a pro too, never wasting energy but not holding anything back. She let him relax by the gap in the rail before turning and walking off the track.

Ed Harrison, Skippy’s trainer, stepped forward, and her hope soared when she spotted the rare smile cutting his craggy face. Maybe today would be a breakthrough. For five weeks she’d exercised his horse. If Harrison let her ride in a race, it would be a major step toward acceptance as a jockey. The veteran trainer was well respected and if she picked up a mount from him, other trainers would surely follow.

Harrison dragged a thoughtful hand over his moustache before attaching a leather line to the bridle, every movement methodical. She sensed he was coming to a decision, but nothing ever hurried the cautious trainer. Skippy galloped better for her than anyone else, but would Harrison think she was good enough to ride in a race?

She scratched the horse on his damp neck, trying to steady her rapid breathing, waiting for the decision that might launch her career.

“Not bad.” Harrison’s slow nod was almost grudging. “At first the old guy seemed to be asleep, but he found another gear when you brought him in on the rail. Guess I’ll name you as his jockey this Friday.”

She clamped her mouth, knew she should look cool, but her emotions pushed through and she vaulted from the saddle, a huge grin on her face. Even Harrison acknowledged the occasion with a rusty smile before leading Skippy away, careful to avoid an approaching rider.

“That’s right! Keep your distance,” the rider bellowed. Sandra’s thick ponytail, the same color as the chestnut filly she led, swung jauntily beneath her dented helmet. “This horse of Chandler’s is a menace.”

Julie adjusted her protective vest as she studied the next horse on her gallop schedule. The young filly was wide-eyed and skittish, and it was reassuring that her friend was ponying. Sandra was one of the most experienced escort riders at the track, and she and her Quarter Horse, Okie, could calm the most unruly animal.

Sandra heaved a martyr’s sigh as she stopped the horses beside Julie. “Ponying for Bill Chandler isn’t worth the measly pay. That man is a pain in the ass.” She snapped the lead just in time to keep the high-strung filly from nipping her thigh. “So is his horse,” she muttered.

Julie tightened her helmet, her euphoric glow untarnished by Sandra’s complaints. It didn’t matter what kind of horses she rode the rest of the morning because it was finally happening. She was going to ride a nice horse in a real race. Nothing could mar this day. She was still smiling, even when the filly shied from the bellowing trainer behind them, and she was forced to scramble away from the horse’s swinging hindquarters.

“My horse is sensitive,” Bill Chandler called. He seemed unaware his strident voice and quick movements had frightened his own horse. “You girls are always yakking. You need to shut up.”

Julie turned her head and shot Sandra a silent plea for patience. Sandra was outspoken, with little tolerance for fools. Yet Bill had promised Julie she’d be the jockey for his young filly, so it was important to humor the eccentric trainer.

“Young fillies are moody,” Bill said as he began another of his monotonous lectures. “I want you girls to carry peppermints. The white ones, not the pink.” He frowned as though considering an ingredient label. “Pink have more sugar, I think.”

He waggled a long finger in front of Julie’s nose. “Jog Princess half a mile. Then gallop around twice. Stay together. I’m paying Sandra to escort, and I want my money’s worth.”

“Sure thing, Bill.” Julie forced an agreeable nod as he boosted her into the saddle and continued preaching about the parallels between horse and dog training.

Sandra rolled her eyes as she led Julie’s horse onto the track. “I can’t believe he has a trainer’s license. This filly, Precious Princess, is so spoiled, she’s dangerous.”

“Guess that’s why pony girls get the big bucks,” Julie said, keeping a solemn face. Sandra was always broke but would never quit her job for a horseless career.

Sandra snorted. “I make more money than you. And speaking of big bucks, did you see what moved into our barn?”

“Big buck, as in big horse?”

“Nope.” Sandra’s grin was slightly lascivious. “As in big shoulders, long legs and narrow hips.”

“Narrow hips?” Julie pretended to frown. “That’s not good. You always said racehorses need hips for power.”

Sandra sighed in exasperation. “All you think about are horses. But this new guy has a gorgeous horse with a huge hind end. Best of all, he’s looking for a rider. I gave him your name. Said you’re a good exercise rider.”

“Thanks. But you’re supposed to say good jockey. Or at least, good apprentice jockey.”

“If he watches you gallop, he’ll know you can handle them in a race.” Sandra paused a beat, then her voice turned serious. “It’s tough to break into the jock ranks. Your mom did but remember the hours. She was so tired...” Sandra broke off, her voice thick with regret.

Julie averted her head, trying to control her rush of guilt. She still didn’t like to think about it.

“I only mean other things are important,” Sandra said, swiveling in the saddle. “It would be better if you were ugly. Better still, if you were a guy. Trainers can’t see your toughness. But I know how much you want to be a jockey, so don’t quit.”

Julie squared her shoulders. She had no intention of quitting. This was her best week yet, and a trainer, a normal trainer, was giving her a horse to ride. She adjusted her reins, eager to share her news about Skippy but giving Sandra another minute to finish her rant.

Sandra was an old family friend but rather opinionated and believed in sharing those opinions. However, she’d watched out for Julie ever since that scary day six weeks earlier when Julie had walked into G barn with only her saddle and her dreams.

Sandra continued her complaint about trainers and their God-like status but seemed to be winding down, and she glanced at Julie as though making sure she was listening. “Just make sure you charge the new guy. Exercising horses for free is piss-poor business.”

“If I show up for morning gallops there’s a better chance the trainer will let me ride in a race.” It was impossible to remain silent any longer, and Julie’s words came in a rush. “Harrison is putting me up on Skipper Jack this Friday.”

“Woohoo!” Sandra jabbed her fist in the air but seconds later turned in the saddle, her forehead creased with concern. “You can’t expect too much from Skippy. He’s long in the tooth. Definitely pushing retirement.”

“He felt pretty good today,” Julie said. “And he’s a smart horse. He knows how to save energy.”

“Maybe.” But doubt filled Sandra’s face. “Anyway you’ll have this young filly of Bill’s. And if you gallop his horse, he’ll use you as a jockey. That makes assholes easier to take.”

Julie’s gaze held Sandra’s for a poignant moment. Difficult trainers were the ones most willing to take a chance with a green jockey, and Bill Chandler was a prince compared to Otto Laing. Otto was downright creepy. However, five years of part-time university had limited Julie’s riding to the tiny bush circuit, and few successful trainers even knew her name. She had to ride, had to be seen, and if it meant biting her tongue, she’d do it.

Unfortunately time was running out and soon her age would work against her. She forced away the sobering thought and focused on her good news. Friday’s race.

Sandra loosened the lead. The filly bucked as they increased their speed, but Julie barely noticed. She was too busy analyzing Skippy’s competition.

The speedy sprinter from Seattle was entered and of course, any horse Gary Bixton rode would be the favorite. Rightly so. Bixton was the best jockey around. Still, the race would be great exposure for her as long as Skippy ran well.

It wouldn’t earn her any mounts if they finished last.

She shook her head. Negative thoughts wouldn’t help. It was always best to think positive. So she imagined Skippy powering down the stretch with the crowd cheering as they crossed the wire, alone and in front.

By the time they reached the backstretch she’d ridden Friday’s race twice in her mind, winning both times, and had to force herself back to reality. The filly was moving surprisingly well, perhaps inspired by Julie’s daydreams, and didn’t resist when pulled down to a trot.

Sandra frowned at Princess, making no effort to hide her disappointment. “That filly was no fun today. I like watching them try to buck you off. Ah shit, look.” Her face darkened as she gestured at Okie’s front bandage. The fluorescent purple wrap was torn, split by the filly’s errant hooves, and one end dragged on the ground, ripped and caked with mud.

Sandra pulled off her lead line and freed Princess.

“Wait.” Julie stiffened. “Bill told us to stay together.”

“Yeah, but I’m not wrecking Okie’s wraps, not for Bill and his measly ten bucks.” Sandra dismounted once they passed through the gap in the rail. “What can happen anyway? Bill’s over there by the rail.”

“All right,” Julie said, aware Sandra was paid per horse and had more important trainers waiting. Sandra probably wouldn’t even pony for Chandler if Julie hadn’t been the rider.

She lifted a rein and turned toward Bill, but the filly balked, flattening her ears, reluctant to leave the company of Sandra’s horse.

Julie clucked and pushed the filly forward, her thoughts drifting back to Friday’s race. She hoped Skippy would draw a good post position. It would be disastrous to be stuck with an outside post, but the rail was bad too. The three or four hole would probably be best considering the forecast. A little rain...

“I told you not to ride Princess alone!” Bill scuttled toward them, yelling and waving his spidery arms. The filly’s fragile courage caved. She lunged to the left, smashing Julie’s knee into the rail.

Pain seared. The impact jerked Julie’s leg from the stirrup, followed by a numbing burn that left her unable to feel the saddle. She yanked on the left rein but the horse was now shying from Bill’s wife, who’d popped out from a knot of onlookers. The woman’s high-pitched shriek filled the air, and her bulky purse smacked against her hip with each awkward step.

The filly stared, immobilized with fear. Thump, thump. Julie could feel the panicked beat of the horse’s heart, the trembles of her sleek body. Heard Bill’s nylon jacket crackle as he lunged for the reins, his hand a mere inch away…

Behind them, a shrill whistle sliced the air as a horse thundered an imperious challenge.

It was too much commotion for the pampered filly. In an acrobatic fishtail, she tossed Julie sideways and bolted for the safety of the barns. Julie gritted her teeth but managed to grab a chunk of mane. Images blurred like a broken movie: Bill’s horrified eyes, the unyielding ground, horsehair slick with sweat. And when the filly leaped over the tip of the sprawling manure pile, Julie tumbled off, amid a tangle of arms, legs and horse dung.

She heard Bill curse, his wife’s grating squeal, then pounding feet. Julie lay unmoving, consumed with shame. The manure was fresh, and a warm wetness seeped through her clothes.

“You okay?” The deep voice above her sounded choked, as though the man struggled to hold back laughter.

She propped herself up with an elbow and peered through his long legs, watching as Princess galloped along the row of barns, stirrups flapping, tail streaming like a victory banner. Bill lurched after his filly, trailed by his caterwauling wife. Sandra followed more sedately, waving her purple wrap and yelling something that sounded suspiciously like ‘Tally Ho!’