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“You sonofabitch.”

“Hey, call me whatever you want, I don’t give a shit, but believe me I don’t make empty threats. And one more thing, if you do harm either of them I’ll find a way to get you alone and whip your ass. Got it?”

Without waiting for her response he threw her crop on the ground at her feet and marched from the thicket, but as he strode across the grass he broke into a grin. He was sure no-one had ever spoken to her the way he had, and certainly never landed a crop on her butt. But he wasn’t about to underestimate her. He’d have to keep a close eye on Apollo and Heather.

* * *

Trembling and fighting back tears of fury, Courtney stayed where she was and took a few minutes to gather her wits. But it wasn’t easy. No-one ever got the better of her, and she wasn’tabout to let a cowboy be the first. But he had her cornered. There was no way she could get into his phone or email account and delete her incriminating confession.

“But I can find a way to get even,” she muttered under her breath. “I know where your barn is. You haven’t seen the last of me, asshole.”

The thought gave her a modicum of comfort. Taking a deep breath, she started walking, but as she reached the edge of the thicket and looked across at the barn, she saw the onsite vet’s truck parked at the entrance. Quickening her pace she was soon walking down the aisle, only to see the barn manager, along with Blake and Heather staring into King Henry’s stall.

CHAPTER FIVE

“All I know is she injected him with something.”

As Courtney neared and heard Blake’s statement she paused her step.

“I need to know what that something is,” a man’s voice replied.

“She said it was a tranquilizer, but I have no idea which one.”

“Ace is pretty easy to get. That would be my guess, but I need to know for sure.”

Just as Courtney was trying to decide what to do, as if sensing her presence, Heather turned her head.

“Courtney!” Heather exclaimed. “Thank God. Was it Ace?”

“Was what Ace?” Courtney stammered, pretending not to know what Heather was talking about.

“Stop playin’ games,” Blake growled, marching up to her. “Henry’s in trouble because of you. What did you give him and how much?”

“Okay, okay, yeah, it was Ace. I think the vial said 5 mg, but I only gave him about half,” she replied, stepping up to stare through the stall door. “He was being wild. I had to.”

“You’re the owner?” the vet asked, glancing up at her.

“Yes, I just got him a couple of weeks ago. He’s being crazy so—”

“I’m Doctor Clayton,” he said sharply, cutting her off. “Any more than that and we might have had some real issues, but this will counter the effects,” he continued gravely as he administered an injection. “Take out this dry hay, put it in a net and soak it for about thirty minutes. He should start looking better in a couple of hours. I’ll be here for the rest of the afternoon so I’ll keep checking on him. And for goodness sake,”he added sternly, rising to his feet and scowling at her, “don’t give an excited horse Ace. Not ever! And do not administer any drugs unless it’s under the supervision of a vet.”

“Uh, okay.”

“I’ll be reporting this to the show office and the local Animal Welfare Department.”

“What? Why? It was a simple mistake.”

“Drugging your horse is not a mistake,” he barked. “People like you shouldn’t be allowed to own these animals.”

“How dare you speak to me like that. He was being wild. People Ace their horses all the time.”

“That doesn’t make it legal and it doesn’t make it right,” he retorted. “Heather, thanks for realizing something was wrong and finding me,” he said, softening his voice and turning his eyes to her.

“I’m just glad you were nearby.”

“I am too! Now if you’ll excuse me I’m off to the show office to report this,” he declared, glowering at Courtney again, then turned and marched down the barn aisle.

“Proud of yourself?” Blake asked, staring at her. “You almost killed him.”