Ride a Dark Horse Read online

  As Brad’s sullenness and increasing coldness became more pronounced, Cassie’d repeatedly tried to talk to him, to get him to explain why he was so unhappy. But it had been like talking to a brick wall. He insisted he still loved her, still wished to marry her, but the words sounded empty and mechanical. Illumination had come one miserable afternoon in February revealing to Cassie the real target of Brad’s hostility. When later it was all too bluntly confirmed, the disillusionment tore at her heart.

  Cassie had been unable to confide in anyone what transpired between her and Brad. When she informed Alex and Thompson that the engagement was off, Cassie’s expression alone was enough for them to gauge the depth of her hurt. They let her be, allowing Cassie to choose when, if ever, to reveal the details. After all the sorrow they had suffered, Alex and Thompson knew that some pain had to be dealt with privately.

  Looking at Hank and Melissa now, Cassie again chose to keep Brad’s cruel words to herself. Not for anything would she permit them to sully her two children by speaking them aloud. Instead, she opted for the same clichéd version she recited whenever the need arose, eager to rid herself of thoughts of Brad.

  “Some things in our relationship made me realize that Brad wasn’t ready yet for both marriage and children. It was too big an adjustment. Once that became clear, and I saw it wouldn’t have been fair to any of us to go through with the marriage plans, I broke off the engagement.”

  Cassie missed the look Melissa and Hank exchanged as well as the muttered “son of a bitch” that tumbled from Hank’s lips. The Sawyers had reached their own conclusion about Cassie’s ex-fiancé, independent of her carefully worded explanation.

  “In a way I’m really grateful things didn’t work out. Our breakup made me rethink my priorities. I filed for Jamie and Sophie’s adoption on my own. Then, after I graduated, Sam Waters hired me as an assistant trainer at his stable in Long Island. As you know from my résumé, Hank, I’ve been with him for almost two years. My dream of competing on the national team hasn’t completely evaporated. Who knows, maybe I’ll be able to ride full time on the circuit now that the kids are older.” Cassie shrugged her shoulders. “It’s hard to anticipate, I guess. But I’d really like a chance at this job if you think I’m right for it.”

  “I spoke with him on the phone yesterday, and he had nothing but praises for you. That’s saying a lot, coming from a man like Waters.” And now Hank understood better why Sam Waters had been so closemouthed about Cassie’s personal background. “Well, I think we’ve covered everything we need to for now. Why don’t we take a tour of the barns. We’ve got a stallion here I think you’re going to be really interested in. After you’ve seen Orion, we can talk some more.”

  Melissa stood up and placed a light kiss on Hank’s mouth as she hugged him, her heart filled with pride. Hank was clearly taken with Cassie. She turned, keeping one arm looped around Hank’s waist and laid her other hand on Cassie’s forearm. “Why don’t I go see whether those two cookie monsters of yours have left any crumbs for the rest of us. I’ll give them a private tour of the barns while you and Hank go see our baby.”

  3

  T his was some baby. Cassie looked at the dark bay stallion grazing in the far pasture and whistled softly.

  “Wow! That’s a fine looking horse you’ve got there.”

  “Isn’t he? That’s Orion. He was born here, and is the principal reason why I’d like to hire you. He’s the product of the considerable talent of Caleb Wells, my partner.”

  “Your partner?”

  “Yeah, I’m lucky to have him. Caleb’s a vet. He specialized in equine medicine in school. Always loved working with horses, ever since he was a kid. Even before he finished veterinary school and started his own practice in town, I asked him if he’d consider working with me on Five Oaks’s breeding program. He spent months researching bloodlines for Orion’s dam and sire. Everything we’ve been aiming for in the crossbreed is all there in Orion. Caleb’s really attached to him.”

  Cassie’s eyes pored over the stallion grazing in the distance. Excitement was buzzing through her. “Mmm, I can understand why ” she offered, unwilling to take her eyes off the horse. “You said he was a vet?”

  “Yeah, and a good one at that,” Hank replied, the pride in his voice clear. “It was rough going for a while after he graduated, working full-time as a vet and spending all his extra time here. But in just a few years, he built up his reputation enough so that he had a solid clientele, large enough so he could invite some other vets into the practice. Now he works half-time there and half-time here.” Hank gave a small chuckle. “’Course, that means he works about fourteen-hour days. Orion was the first of our babies. He’s real special to us. I’ll introduce you to Caleb later.”

  Hank didn’t bother to add that he thought Cassie was going to be a bit of a shock for Caleb, an unpleasant one at that. Cassie would find that out all too soon. Ever since his marriage ended in divorce, Caleb had been pure hell on the female sex. Hank was getting a bit fed up watching Caleb go through women like they were disposable razors. Use ’em and toss ’em.

  Well, Cassie and Caleb were simply going to have to learn to deal with each other because Hank knew in his gut that Cassie was the rider for Orion.

  “He’s big,” she murmured. Hardly a word Hank had spoken had registered; Cassie was too busy examining the horse before her. A gorgeous dark bay with four white stockings and a white blaze down his face. “What is he, about 16.3 hands?”

  “Actually, he’s 17.1 hands. He’s bigger up close. He’s half Thoroughbred, half Selle Français. Seven years old. Caleb and I want to build a stock of jumpers that have a more solid frame than pure Thoroughbreds. We’re going for strength and speed. Our aim is to produce right here at Five Oaks the type of horse that up to now has been found primarily in Europe.”

  “And you’ve started showing him.” Cassie’s eyes were still glued to the magnificent piece of horseflesh.

  “Yeah. That’s the problem. Conformation’s excellent, his bloodlines are top notch. But Caleb and I want people to see him in action. To see how versatile he is. We started showing him last year, but we’ve never gotten a rider who clicked with him, really tapped his potential.” And Caleb’s ex-wife, Pamela, has done everything in her power to keep it that way, Hank added silently. For the moment, the less Cassie knew about that particular mess, the better.

  “Here, let’s bring him in so you can take a closer look. He’s an unbelievable horse, Cassie. Caleb and I are pinning our hopes on him. We think he’s got the potential to be Grand Prix material. He’s strong, powerful, moves like a dream, jumps just about everything we’ve shown him so far, and he’s smart as hell. Maybe too smart.”

  Cassie turned her head to look at Hank. “What do you mean?”

  “He plays games with his riders. He doesn’t suffer fools, and unfortunately most of the riders we’ve gotten have been just that. None of them with brains enough to figure out how to stay on him. So Orion teases them. Lulls them into thinking they’ve got him figured out. Then, whammo! He shifts his weight in mid-air or takes a fence way too early, and the next thing they know they’re lying face down in the mud. And I swear to God, Orion’s laughing his head off.” He paused to scratch the back of his neck. “I tell you, it’s really hard to place in those jumper classes when his riders can’t stay on his back.”

  She laughed. “Yeah, I’ve noticed. But he’s not unwilling or mean?”

  “No, it’s not that. I’ve seen plenty of mean-tempered stallions. Absolute devils. No, I think Orion is just waiting for the right challenge, the right rider. Maybe he’s bored.”

  “Then I guess it’ll be my job to entertain him!” Cassie replied with a grin. “I can’t wait to try him out. Would you mind if I popped back to my car for a minute? I’ve got my breeches and boots in the back.”

  “Sure. Change in the office if you like. I’ll grab Orion and meet you in that barn over there.” Hank pointed to the smaller barn located in th
e distance.

  “Great. See you in a few minutes.”

  Cassie ran off to the Jeep, opened the back and grabbed her gearbag, as Hank went off to get a lead rope to bring in Orion. On her way back to his office, excitement bubbled up inside her. I’ve got to be dreaming! This is too good to be true! Please, God, let me be able to ride Orion like nobody’s business.

  Caleb detested beepers, but he figured they were an unavoidable fact of a vet’s life. He’d arrived at Five Oaks barely five minutes ago, and already he was turning around to go back to his car phone and call in. He punched in the number.

  “Joyce? Yeah, this is Caleb. What’s up? Okay, tell them I’ll be there in fifteen minutes and tell Matt I’ll need him for the anesthesia. See you in a bit.” With an oath, Caleb replaced the phone and ran toward the barn.

  Cassie dropped her bag on the floor of Hank’s office and unzipped her dress. She’d worn it to look neat and professional, but mainly because Sophie had badgered her incessantly, saying she looked so pretty. No one like a determined five-year-old to wear you down, Cassie thought ruefully. Unfortunately her young daughter’s taste in clothes didn’t exactly mesh with Cassie’s, at least when it came to work clothes. When she was around horses, she hated dressing in anything but jeans or breeches. She was eager to change. She could feel the adrenaline at the prospect of riding Orion thrumming through her as she lifted the hem of the dress up and over her head, pulling her cotton shirt up along with it in an effort to hurry. She’d almost gotten them off when the metal hook on her dress snagged a clump of her curls.

  Caleb pushed open the office door and strode in, in a hurry to tell Hank that he’d try to see him later after he’d performed the emergency surgery. He was already speaking as he entered the room, the door swinging shut behind him.

  “Hank, I’ve got to head back right away. The Holmes’s cat got attacked by a dog. Ripped it open. A royal mess, but perhaps I—” He stopped abruptly, staring transfixed at the sight before him.

  God, he loved that shade of pink in a woman’s panties. Made him think of strawberries and cream. Her legs must be a mile long. Caleb let his gaze wander taking in the gently flaring hips, the flat belly with skin as silky looking as the scrap of pink she wore, then moving up, to the rounded breasts raised and straining against matching fabric.

  It was then that Caleb belatedly grasped the woman’s unfortunate situation. His lips twitched as he watched her wriggle and squirm to free herself, her arms twisting and flexing, her head lost in a rumple of cotton print. It was clear from her muffled mutterings that she hadn’t heard him enter. That cotton shirt must be like a huge Ace bandage wrapped around her head. What a terrible predicament, Caleb thought cheerfully. He took a long, last, and thoroughly appreciative inventory before clearing his throat.

  “Uh, excuse me, could I be of any help?”

  Cassie stilled immediately. Actually, she felt literally glued to the spot. Utter mortification swamped her. Just great. Her first major professional break, and she had to unveil herself in front of some groom. Summoning as much poise as she could under the circumstances, Cassie decided to play it cool.

  “Uh, no thanks . . . I think I’ve got it.” She’d raised her voice to be heard through all those layers of fabric, but it came out sounding strangled all the same—with embarrassment. She had no idea whether her blasted hair was untangled or not, but she’d sooner give herself a Mohawk than stand here for a second longer with this man watching, amusement lacing his smooth southern accent.

  She tried again. “If you’re looking for Hank, I believe he’s in the stallion barn.”

  “Thanks. But, you know I really hate to leave you here like this. You sure I can’t help? Maybe hold the dress up for you?”

  Cassie gritted her teeth. Hysteria was imminent, guaranteed, if this jerk didn’t get out right now. “No, no, I’m fine. Will you please just leave!”

  “Well,” Caleb drawled, the word easing slowly through his lips. “If that’s what you want.” He grinned at the blush that was stealing over her collarbone. Her face must be the color of a fire hydrant by now he thought with unholy amusement. He couldn’t resist torturing her just a bit more. “I hope we’ll be seeing more of each other in the near future.”

  He turned, heading for the door, pausing one last time with his hand on the knob. “By the way you’re a real knockout. See you around, Slim.”

  The door shut behind him with a soft click. Caleb left the barn, chuckling to himself. Holy Mother of God, what a body. Too bad he hadn’t gotten a chance to see her face. No way could it be as great as the rest of her. . . . A shame, but what the hell, he decided philosophically, he’d just keep his eyes focused on her neck on down and he’d be in heaven.

  Shit, he’d forgotten to ask her name. Caleb was certain, however that he’d recognize her again anywhere. Then he’d make sure they were properly introduced.

  Caleb glanced at his wristwatch. Entertaining and pleasurable as the encounter with his little stripper had been, Caleb had used up the five minutes he’d had to spare ogling instead of talking to Hank. He’d have to catch up with him later and find out how the search for their new rider was progressing. Caleb yanked his truck door open, climbed in, gunned the motor, and was gone.

  Within three minutes, Cassie was fully dressed in her breeches and field boots. She stared balefully at the tangled clump of hair attached to her dress. The spot on her head still stung like the dickens. What a way to go prematurely bald. She shoved her clothes into her bag, muttering a few choice words about creeps who barged into rooms without knocking. As silently as possible, she opened the door of the office, cautiously peeping her head out. She wouldn’t put it past that jerk to be hanging around, waiting to humiliate her further. To her relief, she saw the corridor was empty and hurried on outside. Now she just had to hope he wasn’t in the rear barn talking to Hank.

  On the way to the stallion’s barn, Cassie dropped her gear bag into the Jeep and exchanged it for her saddle. Propping it against her hip, she continued on, eager to meet her new mount.

  “If it’s okay with you, Hank, I’d like to school Orion on the longe line, first. It’ll give me a chance to see how he moves. Then I’ll hop on him for a bit, find out how we feel about each other.”

  “Sure, that’d be fine. Let him work off some steam, too.”

  “Another goal I had in mind.”

  She and Hank had already groomed Orion. Whenever time permitted, Cassie preferred to work with her mounts herself rather than having one of the stablehands take over. It helped forge bonds between rider and mount, and she learned far more about the horses she rode when she worked with them on the ground as well as in the saddle.

  Already Cassie was impressed by how well-mannered Orion seemed to be, standing quietly at the cross ties, waiting to be saddled. Plenty of stallions were just too unmanageable to work around without extra grooms helping. She had to give credit to Hank and this Caleb person. They must have begun handling him as a young foal to have him this well behaved as a mature stallion. “Let’s get his tack on, Cassie, and then we’ll take him out.” Hank threw her a boyish grin and disappeared into the tack room to fetch Orion’s bridle and a longe line. Taking the opportunity to give Orion a final going over with a soft brush, she watched the stallion’s muscles ripple beneath his glossy coat.

  As she brushed, she spoke quietly to the horse, giving him a chance to hear her voice’s tone and timber. “What a beauty you are, Orion. I think you and I are going to do just fine together.”

  She reached for her saddle, propped against the stall wall, and laid the fleece saddle pad over the gentle slope of the withers. Next came the saddle, but Cassie realized that her girth would never get around a horse of this size.

  “Hank,” she called, “could you grab his girth, too? Mine’s way too short.”

  She didn’t have to wait long. Hank returned, his hands full of leather and cotton webbing. “Here you go, grab the bridle, I’ll tighten the girth.”


  Cassie relieved Hank of Orion’s bridle and unsnapped the cross ties from his leather halter. With the ease of practiced movements, she slipped the bridle’s reins over his neck and unbuckled the halter. Stretching sideways, she hung it on a nearby hook and then lifted the bridle to his head, the bit resting against the flat of her palm as she pressed it to Orion’s muzzle. Orion took the bit without hesitating and Cassie praised him in her low gentle voice. She stroked his nose and brought the reins back over his neck as Hank joined her side.

  As Cassie and Hank led the stallion toward the exercise ring, she noticed Melissa and Mrs. Harris standing with Sophie and Jamie at the far end of the ring. Oh great, a peanut gallery. I hope I don’t land on my head in the mid dle of the ring.

  While Cassie wasn’t thrilled by an audience, she knew she needn’t be concerned that the twins would distract her or make any noises that might cause Orion to spook. They’d been around horses so much now that they already conducted themselves like miniprofessionals. Cassie had drilled into them the importance of proper behavior around horses. Moreover the twins knew that if they didn’t behave, they wouldn’t have the pleasure of riding their ponies, Pip and Topper, for a long time.

  After they’d entered the ring, Hank turned to make sure the gate was securely closed behind them. Standing next to each other, Cassie eased the longe tape so that Orion could walk in increasingly wider circles around them.