Page 30

After sending Maggie into Ballsbridge on an errand, Jake headed for the stables, going straight to the appointed meeting place, a vacant tack room at the end of the farthest barn.

Around him, riders hurried past and curious spectators came and went, everyone engrossed in the excitement around them.

With an eerie creak, the door swung wide, and he stepped into the darkness.

The flare of a match, the acrid smell of sulfur, and the room brightened to a dull glow, lit by a single white candle on a dusty table, the only furniture in the otherwise empty room.

“Good morning, Tovarich. ”

Jake stiffened at the sound of Popov’s grating voice.

“So the keeper of the hounds arrives in person to direct the hunt,”

Jake said.

Popov chuckled, the sound brittle.

“Surely you didn’t believe I would miss it?”

“I wasn’t sure you’d take the risk.”

“What risk? Surely you can see that it is you who takes the risk.”

Unconsciously, Jake’s hands fisted.

“You’re right.

Still, you’re a long way from home.”

“As are you, my friend.”

When Jake didn’t answer, Popov sighed.

“Tired of jousting so soon?”

He shook his balding head, the thin strands across the top unmoving, a fine coat of hair oil keeping them in place.

“A shame.

I have always enjoyed this part of the game.”

“You would.”

“ Da.

Well, now it is time for our final request.”

Jake tensed, trying to prepare himself.

Outside the tack room, a horse nickered and blew.

There was laughter, then voices that faded along with the clatter of hooves as the horse walked away.

Jake’s eyes met Popov’s.

A knot tied in his stomach as he awaited the words that would decide his fate.

Instead of speaking, the Russian struck a second match and lit a cigarette.

As Popov blew the heavy Russian tobacco smoke into the tiny room, Jake forced himself to stay silent.

“I see your patience has improved, Comrade Straka.

It seems one is never too old to learn.”

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“But of course, Tovarich. ”

He shrugged his shoulders, his ill-fitting, Russian-made coat rustling with the movement.

“It is always a pleasure to bring an opponent to his knees.

I assume you have completed the tasks we assigned.”

“Yes.”

“Good.

One more should not be a problem.”

He blew a stream of smoke, the pungent smell stirring memories of a people and a time long past.

“I presume your Ms.

Fletcher will be riding?”

Ellie was riding.

He would put Prissy back in for Clay if he was too sick to ride. “Yes.”

“Then it is her tack you’ll alter.

You will make an incision in the girth.

You must be certain the saddle will hold together long enough for her to enter the ring, but not long enough for the ride to be completed.”

Anger mixed with fear trickled through him.

Sabotaging Ellie’s equipment could result in serious injury.

And yet he’d expected them to ask far more.

“That’s it?”

“Did you think there would be something else?”

“What are you after, Popov? We both know there is more to this than causing the team to lose the competition.”

“There is the added benefit of making you look bad.”

“That’s not enough.”

“The rest is none of your concern.”

Popov’s expression remained inscrutable, the lines across his forehead carefully schooled to reveal nothing.

“If I do as you ask, my mother and sister will come to no harm?”

Popov inhaled deeply, blew out a stream of smoke.

“Or your Mrs.

Delaine and her daughter.”

“There’ll be no more demands, nothing else you’ll ask me to do?”

“That is correct.

However, I will require a word with you after the show.”

“What for?”

“A final good-bye, perhaps?”

“Where?”

“Here, should suffice.”

Jake nodded, more uncertain than ever. “Fine.”

He surveyed Popov’s features, looking for some clue as to the Russian’s plans.

Not the flicker of an eyelid.

The Russian was good at his job. The best.

The more things change, the more they stay the same .

Jake turned and pulled open the rough wooden door.

The air had turned chill, the day blustery and overcast.

Flat-bottomed clouds grew thicker by the moment, blocking the sun.

“Have a good day, Tovarich. ”

Jake didn’t answer, just rolled up his collar against the wind and walked out the door.

All the way back to the barn, he grew more and more uneasy.

The demands the Soviets had made would destroy any possible U.S.

win of the Irish Nations’ Cup, but Ireland was just one country among dozens that held the event each year.

The United States hosted two.

What was the significance of this particular event? Why had they gone to such lengths?

By the time Jake reached the area where the horses were being groomed, he was more worried than ever.

What were they after? What in God’s name were they using him to accomplish?

“There you are.”

Maggie walked toward him.

He didn’t miss the accusation in her tone.

“I’ve been looking all over.”

“I’m sure you have,”

he said brusquely, then felt guilty when she touched his cheek.

“I know you’re still upset with me, but—“

Jake pulled her around the corner of the barn out of sight.

For a moment he just looked at her.

He hadn’t held her since their last night in the country.

He wished this whole thing was over.

“I spoke to Popov this morning,”

he said.

“Whatever they’re planning, they aren’t going to tell me.

That means anything could happen.

Now, or even in Seoul.”

“Oh, dear Lord, what do they expect you to do?”

“I’m still not sure where I fit in.”

“Remember what I said, Jake.

You’re a free man now.

Do what they say, and you’ll never be free again.”

Jake didn’t answer.

“Daniel’s here.

I’m going to contact him, tell him the rest of what’s happened.

In the meantime, you’ve got to be careful, Maggie. I wish you’d go back to the States.”

She only shook her head.

“Not without you.”

Jake released an exasperated breath.

“I love you, dammit.

But sometimes, lady, you’re a genuine pain in the ass.”

She smiled up at him.

“You be careful, too, Jake.”

“I will.

And if you notice anything suspicious, anything that doesn’t look right, let me know.”

She nodded and walked away.

Jake watched her meld into the crowd of people coming and going, turned and walked back to the grooming area.

His head came up in surprise when he spotted Clay, obviously feeling fine, smiling and talking to Ellie.

Why hadn’t he taken the medication?

“You two are looking chipper this morning,”

Jake said with forced lightness, shaking off a feeling of doom.

You’ve done your part, he told himself firmly.

What happens now rests in the hands of fate.

Clay winked at Ellie.

“It’s probably getting such a good night’s sleep.”

Ellie blushed.

“Ulcer not bothering you?”

Jake asked.

“Funny thing.

I haven’t had a moment’s discomfort since the night Ellie agreed to marry me.”

Despite the circumstances, Jake laughed.

Amazing, the way Fate had a will of its own.

“Another advantage to finding a good woman.”

“Exactly,”

Clay agreed.

Shaking his head, Jake wondered how this would affect the Soviets’ plan.

He headed over to where Flex stood next to Sparky while the groom brushed the horse’s shiny chestnut coat.

“You about ready?”

Jake asked.

“I’m ready.”

Jake didn’t press the issue.

“Clay and Ellie both seem up for this.”

Flex smiled, a bit wanly it seemed.

“Clay oughta be happy.

He’s marrying Ellie.

That makes him one lucky S.O.B.”

Jake smiled back.

“Clay wins again.

But the changes I’ve seen in him...I think Ellie’s a winner, too.”

Flex nodded and began rubbing his temples with his forefingers.

“You alright?”

Jake asked.

“I’ve got a headache.

No big deal.

I took a couple of aspirins.

I’ll be fine.”

Feeling a rush of guilt, Jake said a quick “good luck”

and headed toward the pay phone at the end of the barn.

In a grassy area on his left, Gerry Winslow worked Jubilee on a lunge line.

It would be easy to slip into Ellie’s tack room and weaken her saddle.

Her equipment had been checked and rechecked. Odds were, she wouldn’t go over her gear again.

But it was equally possible either she or Gerry would discover the damage before she entered the arena.

It would be better to make the cut after the saddle was in place.

Jake’s hands balled into fists as an image arose of Ellie lying injured and broken beside one of the jumps.

Flex, too, could come to harm.

Jake struggled with his conscience and continued toward the phone.

“Well, if it isn’t the happy couple.”

Avery approached Ellie and Clay where they stood at the arena fence.

A gust of air tugged at her red hunt jacket and Ellie shivered, uncertain if she were reacting to the chilly air or Avery’s chilling presence.

“’Morning, Dad,”

Clay said, but his voice sounded harder than it had just moments ago.

He straightened, standing a few inches taller than his father.

“Good morning, Avery,”

Ellie added dutifully.

Since Clay had announced their marriage plans, Avery had been cold and sarcastic.

His disapproval had been obvious, yet for the most part, Clay seemed not to notice.

Since he hadn’t mentioned the problem, Ellie hadn’t either.

But the more Clay ignored the situation, the more nervous Ellie became.

Avery’s approval meant everything to Clay.

Ellie was certain he would want his father to support his choice of bride.

By withholding his support, Avery might be able to change Clay’s mind.

Another shiver slipped down Ellie’s spine.

“Are you cold?”

Clay asked.

“No...no, I’m fine.”

He looked skeptical.

“Really,”

she added.

“Ready for the competition, son?”

Avery asked.

“More ready than I’ve ever been in my life, thanks to Ellie.”

“Yes....

You know, son, you’ve been so busy all week, we haven’t had much chance to talk.”

“Then why don’t the three of us go out for dinner tonight?”

Clay suggested.

“Celebrate a little.

It’ll give you and Ellie a chance to get better acquainted.”

Avery cast a hard look in her direction but spoke to Clay.

“There are things you and I need to discuss in private.”

A muscle bunched in Clay’s jaw.

“If the things we need to discuss include why I shouldn’t get married, you needn’t bother.”

“If you two will excuse me,”

Ellie cut in, pulling away from Clay.

“I think I’ll go check on Jube.”

Clay slid an arm around her waist and drew her back against him.

“I don’t want you to go.

I want you to hear what I have to say.”

“But if you and your father need to talk—“

“When it comes to you and me, to our marriage and our life together, my father has nothing to say.”

He looked pointedly at Avery, who looked equally annoyed.

With obvious effort, Clay reined himself in.

Ellie could feel the tension in his body, how desperately he wanted his father to understand.

Clay squared his shoulders, purpose in his stance.

“You and I have been through a lot together,”

he said to Avery.

“You’re my father and I love you.

I always have and I always will.

Nothing can change that. When I was young, I rarely saw you. You had little time for me, but still I loved you. Now there’s someone else I love, and I want you to be happy for me. For us. If you aren’t, that’s your business. It isn’t going to change the way I feel about Ellie or what we intend to do.”

Avery’s face was beginning to redden but Clay didn’t stop.

“You can be happy for us or not.

It’s up to you,”

he finished.

“I didn’t want to say this in front of the girl, but you’re leaving me no choice.

You think you want to get married.

You think you’re in love.

I understand because I felt that way once, when I married your mother. But I can tell you from experience, you’re not only hurting yourself you’re hurting her. You’ll be a good husband, all right. For a few weeks, a month or two at most.”

Ellie went cold.

“Then you’ll be off chasing skirts just like I was.

You’re just like me, Clay.

Just like your old man.”

Ellie’s stomach rolled.

Tears burned behind her eyes.

She felt Clay’s arm tighten around her.

“That’s where you’re wrong, Dad.

For years I’ve worked hard at being like you.

I wanted you to be proud of me.

Wanted it bad enough to bury the person I really am. Oh, I won’t deny I’ve enjoyed myself. I’ve traveled all over the world, been with some of the world’s most beautiful women. But I always felt hollow inside—like something was missing. These last few years, it’s been harder and harder for me to keep up the pretense.”

“That’s all nonsense.

You’re just a little tired, that’s all.”

“It isn’t nonsense.

You don’t really know me.

You never have.

Did you know I write poetry? That I enjoy reading the classics? That I collect fine art? And not because it’s a good investment, the way I told you, but because I love it?”

Avery looked stunned.

“I want a home, Dad.

A wife.

Children to play in the yard.”

He smiled down at Ellie, a wistful, yearning smile that touched her heart.

“A Labrador retriever in front of the fireplace.”

Clay grinned.

Avery started to speak, his mouth moved, but no words came out.

“I love her,”

Clay said.

“She isn’t like any other woman I’ve known.

I’m happy when I’m with her.

Happier than I’ve ever been in my life.”

Avery glanced from Clay to Ellie and back.

He swallowed and cleared his throat.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’ll be happy for us.”

Avery looked down at his feet, kicked at the soft, damp grass with the toe of his Italian leather shoe.

“I really do want what’s best for you, son.

It’s just...well...it’s my nature to be selfish.

It’s too late for me to change. I’ve enjoyed the times we’ve shared.”

“There’ll be other times, just different, that’s all.”

Avery nodded, still looking dazed.

“I suppose you’re right.

If it isn’t too late, good luck, son.”

He extended his hand and Clay shook it, then enveloped him in a hug.

A little unsettled, Avery flicked Ellie a tentative smile, started to walk away, then turned back.

“Welcome to the family, Ellie.”

She smiled.

“Thank you.”

Avery’s eyebrows suddenly lifted, and he grinned, dimpling cheeks very much like Clay’s.

“When this gets out, you two will make headlines around the world.

We’ll throw a huge engagement party, make the formal announcement there.

Maybe in Paris—the Ritz. Or the Plaza in New York.”

Both Ellie and Clay started laughing.

“He’ll never change,”

Clay said to her.

“Definitely New York,”

he said to his father.

“I’m damned well ready to go home.”

“New York, then.

You two can move into Far Hills.

You’ll like it there, Ellie.

I’ll take the apartment in Manhattan.”

“That sounds fine,”

Clay said, and Ellie read his relief.

He’d wanted his father’s blessing and in Avery’s way, he’d given it.

The last of Ellie’s doubts faded.

Clay was his own man now. Ellie loved him more than ever.

As Avery disappeared into the crowd, Clay smiled down at her.

“You know it’s crazy.

I’m about to get married, give up my freedom, my dad would say.”

He tipped her chin up to look at him.

“The truth is this is the first time in my life I’ve ever felt really free.”

“Oh, Clay.”

Ellie threw her arms around his neck and hugged him.

Clay leaned down brushed a kiss over her lips.

“Brave enough to call your parents now?”

Wanting to be sure, Ellie had put off the phone call.

She’d said she wanted to tell them in person.

It wasn’t the truth as Clay must have known.

“We’ll call them right after the show.”

She smiled up at him.

“You’re going to love them, Clay.

And once they get to know you, they’re going to love you, too.”

“Your father may be somewhat skeptical.”

“Dad’s a fair man.

Once he knows I love you and you love me, he’ll be happy for us.

Besides, he knows enough about you to understand getting married is no small step.

You wouldn’t take it lightly.”

Clay grinned.

“That, my love, is probably the understatement of the year.

I’m just glad you were crazy enough to say yes.”

Clay kissed her and nothing had ever felt so right.