Page 27

“I spoke to your doctor and he said he can’t find anything wrong with you, so you’ll probably be transported back.”

“Oh, no, you’re getting me out of here.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“They found drugs in my trunk, remember? There was enough to get me on dealing and I’m not going through some endless court case. More importantly, you may not be able to get me bail. That’s a chance I’m not prepared to take.”

“You actually think you can break out of here and take off?”

“Hell, yeah,” she said with a wicked smile, then lowering her voice she muttered, “though I have a score to settle before I leave this crappy town.”

“I want nothing to do with any of this.”

“So you’re just going to abandon me?”

“Courtney, please, this is crazy talk.”

“You haven’t heard my plan yet.”

“Okay, go ahead,” he said with a sigh, knowing she’d badger him until he agreed to listen. “But that’s all I’m going to do. Hear you out. Nothing more.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

When Blake finished his lesson two more followed in quick succession. By the time his busy afternoon came to an end the sun was sinking and there was a familiar chill in the air.

Heather had spent time with Apollo along the fence visiting with Henry, then returned to the barn and helped Doug prepare the dinner-time supplement buckets. He was on the quiet side, but was quick with a smile and nothing fazed him.

Now helping him bring the horses in from the paddocks, she watched him as he approached Henry. The horse pricked up his ears and snorted, as if saying,Who are you and what do you want?

“I know, I know, Blake told me all about you,” Doug said calmly, lifting a carrot from his pocket. “You don’t have to worry. We’re all friends here.”

As he slipped on the halter and led him across the pasture, Heather felt a wave of relief. Buying the big horse had been impetuous, but Blake hadn’t objected and he seemed sure she’d soon be riding him. Wondering how he could be so confident, she brought in the last two horses and checked her watch.

“Hey,” Blake said, marching into the barn aisle. “Henry has settled right in. Doug just told me he was absolutely fine to catch, and he’s been calm all day. I might even start workin’ with him tomorrow—and you too in the round pen with that rope around Apollo’s neck.”

“That would be great,” she replied excitedly.

“I need a sit down and a mug of coffee. Can you join me?”

“Shoot,” she muttered, glancing at her watch. “I’d like nothing better but I have to get home. I need to take a shower and head off to work.”

“How late do you stay?”

“We stop serving at ten o’clock so I generally leave about half-an-hour after that, maybe forty-five minutes. It depends on what the guests order and how long they stick around. Quite honestly I’m a bit tired. I wish I could just kick back tonight.”

As he unexpectedly brought her into his arms, she sank against him and closed her eyes.

“I never want to leave this,” she mumbled with a sigh.

“You mean, the barn?”

“No, I mean leaning against you. I swear I could go to sleep.”

“You know you don’t have to stay and help every day.”

“But I love it,” she protested, pulling back and staring up at him. “I’d much rather be here with you and the horses than puttering around my place. Although tomorrow I should probably drive into town and visit mom and dad,” she added with a frown. “They’re dying to see the trophy. Anyway, I have to leave or I’ll be late.”

“Come on, I’ll walk you to your truck.”