The Black Sheep and the Hidden Beauty Read online

  “No. Not at all. He was just sort of born into the wrong family, though it all worked out in the end.”

  “He became a silver-spoon Robin Hood.”

  Rafe laughed at that. “Exactly.”

  “So who thought up the venture? I mean, it’s not your normal business proposal.”

  “Finn’s not your normal businessman.”

  “Robin Hood, right. True.”

  It was comfortable between them, and as the miles wore on, he got her to open up a little, too, about her childhood, and growing up on various farms and ranches. She glowed when she spoke of her parents, especially her father, and seemed to relax a little. So, despite his desire to push more in the direction of what had happened at Charlotte Oaks, he found himself encouraging her to continue with her childhood stories, even trading some of his own. Rafe wasn’t typically one to talk about himself, or the inner workings of Trinity, much less his childhood, and when he did, he was usually gauging every word. With her, however, it felt natural. Easy. Ridiculously so, in fact.

  She slowed the truck down. “We’re here,” she said, and he watched as the tension tightened her up again.

  The more time he spent with her, the more he wanted of her. Preferably without the haunted look in her eyes. He supposed in order to get what he wanted, he was going to have to slay some demons. Whether she wanted him to or not.

  She rolled the truck to a stop and unbuckled her seat belt. “You can just stay here. It won’t take all that long.”

  He unbuckled his belt. “I’ll come with you. I’ll stay out of the way,” he added, when she began to argue the point. “You’re worried about her. And I’m worried about you.”

  “I really wish you wouldn’t.”

  “Too late for that.” And he got out of the truck.

  Far too late.

  Chapter 14

  She should never have let him in her truck.

  Elena walked around the back of the trailer and spoke to Springer in low, measured tones as she opened the doors and slowly backed her out. Right now, keeping her mare safe was the only thing that mattered. And that meant keeping her away from Dalton Downs. She needed to talk to Kenny privately, and wondered how she’d do that with old eagle-ears shadowing her every move.

  What bothered her even more was the fact that his presence on the ride over had actually been a blessing of sorts. His persistence drove her batty, but it was hard to deny that he had a steadying, calming influence. Getting her to talk about her childhood, and telling her stories about his, had made what would have been a teeth-grinding, white-knuckle drive a hell of a lot easier to bear.

  He was always so in control, so certain of himself and his abilities. It wasn’t arrogance so much as assuredness. And that was powerful stuff for her at the moment. It was hard not to be tempted to lean on him. Just for a tiny moment. He was sturdy, and strong. The stalwart knight to Finn’s Robin Hood.

  She swore silently at her silly, fanciful notions. She’d better get the stars right out of her eyes and keep her two feet planted squarely on the terra firma.

  Complicating that, however, was Rafe, who fell into step beside her, making it impossible to clear her head. Fortunately, he said nothing as she walked Springer by a halter toward the paddock and barns, which were situated about twenty yards away. There were only a few lights on around the ring, and the large, square farmhouse sitting off to the left was dark, but there was a welcoming glow coming from inside the stables.

  Just as she reached the paddock gate, Kenny slipped out from the crack between the paddock doors. Out of nowhere her eyes welled up, and she quickly scrunched her eyebrows and frowned down at her boots in an attempt to ward off the sudden spate of unwanted tears. She was more stressed-out than she’d even realized. But he was a welcome sight and she was having a hard time keeping it together.

  He opened his arms and, after handing the lead rope to Rafe, she stepped right into them and hugged him back every bit as tightly as he was hugging her.

  “So,” he said, his voice as gruff as it always was. “How is the little hotsy-totsy?”

  She laughed and sniffled as she glanced back at Springer. “Better, but I’m still worried.”

  Kenny released her and took a walk around the horse, then introduced himself to her and rubbed his hands along her neck and flanks. Springer stamped her feet a bit, but tolerated the intrusion. “We’ll take a good look. See what’s what.” He looked up at Elena, then past her shoulder. His eyebrows lifted as he straightened. “He still hanging about?” He stepped past her. “Sorry,” he said, sticking his hand out as he walked toward Rafe. “We weren’t properly introduced before. Ken Crawford.”

  “Raphael Santiago.”

  Kenny looked between the two of them, a mixture of curiosity and surprise on his face. Perhaps a little amusement when Elena sighed. “Friend of Elena’s?” he asked, ignoring her expression.

  “Student, actually.” Rafe looked at her. “And friend.”

  Elena’s cheeks warmed, but so did a little spot inside her chest. She’d been resisting letting him in for what felt like forever at this point, but feeling how good it was to have Kenny there, someone she trusted, made it that much harder not to wonder what it would be like to have that same warmth and trust with Rafe. To have him there to turn to, depend on, good times and bad. Dangerous thoughts. She should have kicked him out of the truck right off the bat. Too much time under his influence while she was this stressed-out was only going to weaken her defenses.

  It was already getting harder and harder to remember why she had to be defensive around him in the first place.

  Tired, she was just tired. So incredibly tired.

  She looked back at Kenny. “Yes, student and friend. Actually, he works with my current employer’s significant other.”

  “Ah,” Kenny said, but the way he looked at the two of them said a whole lot more. “Well, why don’t we get this little lady settled in for what’s left of the night. I’ll check her over thoroughly, make sure nothing is imminent this evening. She’s traveled remarkably well, all things considered, so that is a hopeful sign.”

  “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this,” Elena began, only to be met by Kenny’s raised hand.

  “Then don’t. Now,” he went on, “walk with me and fill me in on exactly what you’ve been observing.”

  Elena did as he asked, glancing back over her shoulder to see if Rafe was going to follow, but true to his word, he stayed by the truck, out of the way.

  True to his word. How she wished she could just go with that. She could use a sounding board. Kenny could help with Springer, but even he didn’t know the whole story. No one knew the whole story.

  She took one last look at Rafe, then turned resolutely back to Kenny and walked him to the stables, feeling more conflicted than she had in a very long time. She could stash Springer here, where she’d be safe and in good hands. Leaving her here meant she’d quite probably miss the birth when the time came, given the distance. That alone was going to be one of the hardest things she’d ever done, but there were no other options. She had to keep her job, had to keep up at least the pretense that everything else was normal. The investigator hadn’t mentioned Springer at all during their conversation, so as far as she knew, no one had yet pieced together that vital connection. Having her here with Kenny was Elena’s best chance at keeping things that way.

  “So, anything you want to tell me about?” Kenny asked, casting a look in Rafe’s direction.

  She didn’t bother to play dumb. “I wish I knew the answer to that.”

  “Don’t know much about the goings-on at Dalton Downs.”

  “They’re not horse people, not in the true sense, so it’s not surprising.”

  “Heard good things about the program your boss runs there, but that’s about it. What is Mr. Big, Strong, and Silent’s business?”

  She nudged Kenny with her elbow to keep him from staring back at Rafe, indicating they were talking about him. “He he
lps people.”

  That earned her a wary look. “What kind of help?”

  “Now, now.”

  “Loan sharks help people. I’m just sayin’, how well do you know this character?”

  “Not all that well.” She paused, fought the urge to look back herself, and added, “Yet.”

  “Ah. So that’s how it is.”

  She sighed. “I don’t know.”

  “You’ve got a lot on your plate right now. Sure it’s the right time to bring someone into things?”

  “Not remotely sure. Also not sure I have a choice.”

  “Nosy, is he? Or is he just sniffing around hoping for something else?”

  “Kenny.”

  “Hey, he’s a guy who looks like he knows his way around the fairer sex, and I’m betting they don’t say no too often. You, on the other hand—”

  “Am just this aging, cloistered spinster, to hear you tell it.”

  “I’m just sayin’, you’re not big on the personal-life stuff and I don’t want you taken in by a smooth talker.”

  “I live in a world filled with men who possess way more than their fair share of testosterone. Trust me, I can handle—”

  “That guy? He’s not from your world. He’s not distracted by racing forms and margins and the final stretch.” Kenny paused just outside the stable. “And he looks at you like…well, a man both starved for a really good steak, and a man who’d kill to make sure that steak lands on his plate, and his plate only.”

  “Oh great, I’ve gone from a washed-up spinster to a steak-house special. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt so desirable.”

  “I know you can take care of yourself. Told your daddy that when we caught you out on that big App, kicking the daylights out of him so he’d jump the damn fence. What were you? Six? Still don’t know how the hell you even got up on his back.”

  “Five. And I lured him to the fence with grass, then climbed up and hopped on.”

  “See? Horses you know. Men? Not so sure.”

  She smiled sweetly at him. “I talked you into watching my dangerously pregnant horse. Guess I’m not doing too badly.”

  “I’m pretty sure I was the one doing the talking.” But he sighed a little. “Just…be careful. Let me worry about your horse, not you, okay?”

  She squeezed his arm. “I’ll try. And I’m sorry, again, for bringing you into this. I wish I had some other way—”

  “Your daddy would come back and shoot me dead if he thought you were in need and I didn’t step up.”

  She smiled a bit more sadly this time. “True enough. Thank you, Kenny.”

  “Come on, let’s get this girl looked at, then tucked into bed.”

  “Okay.”

  “Now, tell me more about this fellow. You say he helps people?”

  Elena sighed and followed Kenny inside the barn.

  An hour later, she was hugging him good-bye and taking one last turn stroking Springer’s mane, fighting tears once again. “You better give fair warning on this baby, missy,” she whispered fiercely.

  “I’ll page you the instant she’s in real labor. When are you coming out to see her next?”

  “I’m going to try for Tuesday. I get done early, should be out here by six.”

  “I’ll get Gerta to put some dinner on for you.”

  “No need to go to any trouble.”

  “No trouble. Damn woman cooks like we feed an army here.” He glanced out to her truck. “And I’d feel a lot better if you weren’t making that long drive alone.”

  “Make up your mind. First you tell me to watch out for him, now you want him tagging along with me.”

  “I’m just saying, if Mr. Tall, Dark, and Menacing out there wants to hitch a ride over, we can feed him, too. He looks like he can take care of himself.” He looked at Elena. “Maybe he can take care of you, too.”

  She didn’t bother to argue. She just hugged him, perhaps a little more tightly than absolutely necessary. “Thank you,” she whispered against his shoulder. “For all of it. I don’t know how I can repay you.”

  He leaned her back, faded blue eyes staring directly into hers. “You don’t.” He was silent for a moment, then he said, “You sure it’s just Springer you’re worried about?”

  She worked hard not to stiffen up. The long day had taken a pretty big toll, and she was dead on her feet, so she felt the panic more than she showed it. “I just want her to get through the next couple of months and deliver a healthy baby. Then I’ll be fine.” Which was, for the most part, the truth. At least, she prayed to God it would be.

  “Then that’s what we’ll do.” He didn’t let her go right away, though. “I’m a horse guy, Elena, so I can help you with her. Not so good with the people stuff, never have been. So promise me if you’re needing some assistance, too, that you’ll ask for help like you did with me for Springer. She’s going to need you, so will the baby. You can’t be falling apart.”

  “Just knowing she’s in safe hands helps me.”

  “Elena.”

  “I know.” She sighed, then paused at the door and stared across the paddock at Rafe. “So…if I do need help, what do you think?”

  He looked from her to Rafe, then back to her. “I think you look at him much the same way he looks at you.”

  “That could just be hormones.”

  He choked on a little laugh. “Could be. From what you told me back there while we were checking Springer out, sounds like he’s a man who stands up for the ones he cares about. I understand your concerns about the reasons behind his initial interest in you. But he also sounds like a straight shooter. The only way I see him crossing you is if you come between him and those who have been in his care far longer than you have.”

  “That’s not going to happen.”

  “Well, then I guess you have your answer.”

  She was silent for a moment, admitting to herself that in telling Kenny about Rafe, hearing herself describe him, talk about him out loud, had brought her to the same conclusion. “Yeah. I guess I do.”

  He squeezed her. “It’s late. Let him drive back. I’ll see you in a few days.”

  “Okay. If anything—”

  “I’ll buzz you if she so much as bats her eyelashes the wrong way.”

  “Thanks.” She kissed his cheek. “I’ll find some way to pay you back. I don’t care what you say.”

  “Get yourself back on track, and back in your own world. That’ll be payment enough.”

  She nodded, but as she walked away from him, toward Rafe, she couldn’t help but think she didn’t even know what her world was anymore.

  Rafe pushed away from the truck. “Everything okay?”

  “For now. Kenny will do a more thorough exam tomorrow. She’s just uncomfortable—the baby is moving a lot, Kenny thinks, and it’s making her nervous. She handled the ride okay, but he wants her to settle in further before doing anything more invasive.”

  Rafe nodded. “Are we leaving the trailer here?”

  “No, it comes back with me. It’s mine, but I loan it out to Kate on occasion, when she picks up new stock.”

  He fell into step beside her as they walked to the front of the truck. “Speaking of new stock, how is Bonder doing?”

  She gave him a look of surprise.

  “What?”

  “Just—never mind.” It was silly to be touched that he cared about the day-to-day details of her world. Bonder had put her on her ass, and he’d witnessed it. Of course he remembered. “He’s doing okay. Tracey has taken over some of his training. It’s been good for both of them. I think.”

  He cocked his head.

  “Well, it’s just, she’s getting attached. And I—I’m not sure what Kate’s plans are for him. I’ve been meaning to talk to her about it, had thought I would this morning, then—” She broke off, not wanting to dive back into that subject, or any subject that had to do with why he’d ingratiated himself into her world. It was enough that he was here now, and foolish as it may be, she just wanted th
e comfort of his company a little while longer, without the real world intruding.

  “Maybe tomorrow,” was all he said, and the fact that her throat tightened a little in gratitude was warning enough that she wasn’t thinking clearly.

  She nodded, then went to move around him to open the driver’s door.

  He put his hand on her arm, keeping his body between her and the truck. “Let me drive home. It’s been a long day for you.”

  “I can get myself home.”

  “You could probably slay dragons bareback. I’m not saying you’re weak. I’m saying you’re tired. Emotionally ragged, as would be expected of someone who’s just spent the last—how many hours?—worrying about someone she loves.”

  Really, he had to stop saying all the right things. She was having a hard enough time keeping her head straight about him.

  Well, then, I guess you have your answer.

  Kenny’s comment floated through her mind.

  “Let me take you home, Elena.”

  He’d said it quietly, without a trace of pity or condescension. Just one friend helping another.

  “Exactly,” he said.

  She hadn’t realized she’d said that last part out loud. “I, uh—” She wasn’t used to this. She was usually the one caretaking those around her, the capable one, the steady one, the one with all the answers.

  He gently took her arm and tucked it in his own and walked her around the front of the truck. “You get to be the boss when I’m on horseback, but the rest of the time, just let me be your friend.”

  He reached for the handle and she stopped him.

  He turned to face her, his expression all set to argue. She stopped him with a kiss to his cheek.

  His eyebrows lifted. “What…was that?”

  “Thank you,” she said softly.

  “For?”

  “The offer of friendship.”

  “It’s more than an offer. I’d like it to be fact.”

  “I—I would, too. It’s just…people don’t become friends with a snap of the fingers. Real friends, I mean. You should understand that better than anyone. Someone who’s had friends in his life since childhood.”