MILLIONAIRE'S SHOT: Second Chance Romance (27 page)

Cassie leaned further over Digger’s neck, pushing him even faster, driven by fear and her rising guilt.

Digger’s stride was long and even, the steady drumming of his hooves reassuring. They rounded a stand of willow trees. His impulsion changed as his body coiled and his ears pricked. Cassie almost wept with relief.

Grace and Freckles trotted along the path, only thirty feet ahead. Grace was sitting tall in the saddle, her shoulders perfectly square. Despite Cassie’s worry, she couldn’t help but feel a burst of pride for the girl’s improved riding skills.

Digger swept alongside Freckles who cocked a friendly ear but continued his obedient trot. Grace glanced sideways, her eyes widening in surprise. Then she scowled and jerked her head away.

“How was your ride?” Cassie asked, slowing Digger’s trot to match Freckle’s shorter steps. “You made good time.”

Grace didn’t speak. She just stared straight ahead, staring over Freckles’ ears as if Cassie didn’t exist.

“Did you canter in the field?” Cassie asked, talking over the drumming of the horses’ hooves and the nervous pounding of her heart.
Ask questions. Try to get her talking.
“Did he buck at all?”

Grace’s mouth remained clamped in a resentful line.

“Did he spook?” Cassie asked. “I bet he was afraid of the wooden bridge. That’s really scary for horses. Even Digger was afraid. Any horse would be…”

“Freckles didn’t spook,” Grace said. “Not once. He didn’t buck either.”

“Even when you cantered?”

“We didn’t just canter.” Grace spoke grudgingly. “We galloped too. Well, it felt like a gallop.”

“I think you probably did gallop,” Cassie said. “Because Digger is very fast and we barely caught you. And Freckles is all sweaty, even on his flanks.”

Grace twisted, checking the white lather on Freckles’ flanks. She immediately pulled him to a walk. “Oh, no. Is he okay? I didn’t want to hurt him. Did I ride him too hard?”

“He’ll be fine,” Cassie said quickly. “But maybe we should get off now and walk. Let both of the horses cool out a bit.”

Grace halted Freckles and scrambled from the saddle. “I hope he’s okay,” she said. “I hope I didn’t go too fast.”

Cassie kept her expression solemn and dismounted beside Grace. Freckles was hot and sweaty, but not in any distress. However, Grace’s concern for her horse was the easiest way to slow her down. And keep her talking.

“If you hold Digger,” Cassie said, holding out the lead rope, “I’ll check Freckles’ respiration rate for you.”

Grace automatically took the lead rope, and Cassie’s worry eased another notch. The girl was obviously feeling betrayed, but at least she was no longer bolting for home. Cassie kept her gaze on Freckles’ flank and her wrist watch, ostensibly measuring the horse’s respiration.

“He’s fine,” she said after a minute. “But it’s best to cool him out slowly. Maybe we should lead them back to Gramps’ place.”

“No! I’m not going back there.” Grace’s face was already flushed from heat and exertion, but now she whipped her head back and forth, her blotchy cheeks turning an angry red. “Freckles can live here from now on. And I don’t want any more lessons from you.”

Cassie’s chest wrenched and she wished she and Alex had been more discreet. She placed the back of her hand over Freckles’ chest, stalling for time, struggling to find the best words. However, she wasn’t equipped for this. She was a horse trainer, not a psychologist. And no matter how much she cared for Grace, she wasn’t a parent and it wasn’t her place to tell Grace about her dad’s plans.

Besides, if Grace resented Cassie so much, would Alex even want to move? He made no secret that his decisions were based on Grace’s best interest. What if Grace insisted on living on the estate? Or worse, if Grace never wanted to see Cassie again?

“That’s too bad,” Cassie said gently. “Because I like giving you lessons. And I love riding with you. But we should check with your dad before you move Freckles home. It might be a few days before a stall is ready.”

“No, there’s an empty stall at the office end of the barn where Ginger used to be,” Grace said. “I’ll put Freckles there.”

“But don’t you need to check with your mom first? Or Santiago?” Cassie asked. “Just in case they need that stall for polo ponies?”

“Freckles
is
a polo pony,” Grace said. “Besides, I’ll tell Mom when he’s in the stall. It’s better than asking her first.”

It sounded like Grace hadn’t talked to Rachel and Santiago yet. They didn’t even know Grace was close by. So there was no way they’d be watching the horse path. And the knowing glint in Grace’s eyes when she spoke about asking permission after the fact reminded Cassie so much of Alex that she couldn’t hold back a smile.

“That’s a good idea about asking afterwards,” Cassie said. “Once a horse is in a stall, they tend to keep it. Your dad did that with a few of my horses and your grandfather always let them stay.”

Grace tilted her head, as if surprised by Cassie’s agreement. She even gave a cautious nod. “Guess I’m a lot like Dad,” she said.

Then her mutinous expression returned. “I saw you two kissing. But Dad won’t move and leave me alone with Mom. I know he won’t.” But the telltale quaver in her voice showed she wasn’t completely certain.

“Of course he won’t,” Cassie said, resisting the impulse to reach out and give the confused girl a hug. “Your dad loves you more than anything in this world.”

“So he won’t leave me with Mom, right…?” Grace’s beseeching eyes almost broke Cassie’s resolve. She tightened her hands around Digger’s lead line. The last thing Grace wanted were hugs from the woman she viewed as a potential home wrecker.

“I know he won’t ever leave you,” Cassie said. “Why don’t you call and talk to him?”

“I can’t.” Grace kicked at the ground, her gaze fixed on the toe of her boot. “I called Mom and she was mad and yelling, and I dropped my phone in the field. That’s when she said Dad was going to move away and leave me.”

“Just a sec,” Cassie said, trying her grandfather’s number.

Gramps answered on the first ring. “Rachel refused to sign,” he said without preamble. “Apparently she started screaming at her lawyer. Then stormed out in a huff. Did you find Grace?”

“Yes.” Cassie pressed the phone closer to her ear, hoping Grace wouldn’t hear Gramps’ words. The girl was already terrified of her mother’s moods. “We’re on the horse path near the back of the Sutherland stables, on the side with all the paddocks.”

“Okay. I’ll tell Alex. He’s busy with his lawyers now. Apparently Rachel and Santiago are still in town.”

“Good.” Cassie gave a relieved nod. “That makes it easier. But ask Alex to come here as soon as he’s free. Grace needs to speak to him.”

“Is she okay?” Gramps’ voice softened. “The kid had quite a ride. Best to give the horses a break before coming back.”

“We’ll just stay on the path and wait for Alex,” Cassie said. “And then figure it out. I might be riding Digger home alone.”

“What about Freckles?”

“We can talk about that later,” Cassie said. “I have to go.”

“Sounds like there’s a lot to work out,” Gramps said. “It can’t be easy dealing with a psychotic ex-wife.”

Cassie turned her body slightly, conscious of Grace’s rapt attention. She wished her grandfather wouldn’t speak quite so loudly. “Yes,” she said. “See you later.”

“Did you tell him I galloped?” Grace asked as Cassie pocketed her phone. “And that Freckles didn’t spook at anything?”

“You can tell him yourself,” Cassie said, pulling at Digger’s lead line. Both horses were stretching their necks now, taking advantage of the break, and trying to snatch grass from the side of the path. “He’d like to hear that from you in person.”

“Maybe I’ll visit him sometime,” Grace said. She tugged at her lower lip, oblivious to the fact that Freckles was standing on one of his reins. “You’re not mad at me?”

“Just worried,” Cassie said, lifting Freckle’s leg and freeing the rein.
Worried about a lot of things. Like what Alex would do now that she and Grace weren’t quite so cozy.
“I’ll really miss you. Gramps will too.”

“But you’ll see me again. I have to pick up Smokey and the kittens.”

Grace’s statement hit like a splash of cold water, reminding Cassie exactly why the kittens had been stowed at her grandfather’s barn. And it was premature to worry about her relationship with Grace when Rachel was still a threat.

She glanced down the horse path. The open paddock area at the back of the stable was only fifty feet away. It would be safer to take Grace and Freckles back to her grandfather’s, just in case Rachel and Santiago arrived before Alex.

“I’m starving,” Cassie said brightly. “Let’s ride back to Gramps and order a pizza. A really big one. Then after lunch you can eat hit some balls with your dad…and you won’t have to wait to take the kittens home.”

“No,” Grace said. “Freckles is tired. I’m going to put him in a stall so he can relax and eat some hay.”

Cassie rubbed a hand over her forehead. After making a big deal about how tired and sweaty Freckles was, it was hard to argue that he should be ridden back to her grandfather’s. But hopefully she could keep Grace here on the horse path, out of sight of anyone arriving in a car.

“Digger’s tired too,” Cassie said, feeling her horse’s sweaty chest. “So I’ll just walk around the path with you until your dad comes. It’s shaded and there’s a nice breeze. The horses can even eat grass.”

Grace shook her head. “No, it’s okay for Digger because he only has a halter. But Freckles has a bridle and it’s harder to chew with a bit in his mouth. I’m going to lead him back to the barn now.” She tugged at his reins then paused.

“If you’re really hungry,” she said slowly, “we can find a shaded paddock for Digger. He can stay there while you eat lunch with me in the barn. There’s always fruit and sandwiches there.”

Cassie blinked, the backs of her eyes pricking at the girl’s generosity of spirit. Everything would be all right. Obviously Grace had a forgiving heart and was far more concerned about being ripped away from her father than seeing him kiss Cassie.

And there was no way she was turning down Grace’s kind lunch offer. Or abandoning her to wait at the barn alone. If it wasn’t safe to leave kittens around Rachel, it certainly wasn’t safe to leave Freckles. Or Alex’s sweet daughter.

“I’d love to have lunch with you,” Cassie said, her voice so husky she had to clear it with a cough. “That’s really thoughtful, considering everything. And I’m really glad, you know…” But her voice broke and all she could manage was a wobbly smile.

But this time Grace smiled back.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

The Sutherland stable still provided the delicious staff luncheons that Cassie remembered. By the time she and Grace untacked and cooled out their horses, the grooms had all drifted away. But though the lunch room was deserted there was still plenty of food.

“This is better than pizza,” Cassie said. She took a last bite of her vegetable wrap and wiped her mouth with an elegant polo-themed napkin. “Thank you, Grace.”

Grace gave an agreeable nod. “It’s healthier,” she said. “But pizza tastes better. And I like eating on your grandfather’s verandah. Maybe tonight we can order one?” She kept her gaze locked on the fruit bowl, as if selecting an apple was a matter of great importance. “And I was hoping that maybe you could still give me lessons?” she added, keeping her gaze averted.

“Of course,” Cassie said. “I like teaching you. But Santiago is the instructor here.”

“Oh, I know you couldn’t come here,” Grace said quickly. “Anyway, it’s probably best if Freckles goes back to your place. It’s way better for him.”

Way better.
Even though they were sitting in buttery leather chairs in an air-conditioned viewing room stocked with unlimited food and a range of munchies that would delight any kid. Not to mention the beautiful oak stall with brass fixtures and top quality hay where Freckles now resided. It was sad Grace couldn’t enjoy this beautiful estate. Even more tragic that she seemed to understand why. On the other hand, it meant she might not be too resistant to moving away.

“Freckles is always welcome at Gramps,” Cassie said. “Or any place that we live. But you can talk to your dad about that. He’ll help you figure out what’s best.”

“Okay,” Grace said, comfortable again. She rose from the chair, waving a shiny red apple. “Maybe I’ll even ride back with you this afternoon. But I’m going to take this apple to Freckles now. He deserves a treat for being so good. And I want to make sure he has enough hay.”

Cassie nodded and accompanied her down the wide aisle and around the corner to Freckles’ stall. She had no doubt the horse had plenty to eat. Grace had loaded up his stall with alfalfa, looking after his every need before going for her own lunch. If Grace did decide to ride back to Gramps’ barn at least Freckles had enjoyed a few hours of pampering.

They slid open the stall door. Freckles gave a welcoming nicker, then shoved his nose back into his mound of hay. If he was embarrassed by the zebra-striped cooler Grace had covered him with, he didn’t show it. He also didn’t seem perturbed about being in a different barn, his third home in five days. There was nothing nicer than a horse accustomed to the frenetic hustle of movie making.

“I love this horse.” Grace wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him an enthusiastic hug. “He didn’t buck or shy or do anything bad.” She glanced over her shoulder at Cassie, her face solemn. “And I can’t wait to hit polo balls on him with Dad…and you.”

Cassie’s breath caught in a moment of sheer relief. She didn’t like hanging around the Sutherland barn, worrying that Santiago might arrive, demanding to take Grace to Rachel. But Grace was really opening up. The time spent together today had been invaluable.

“I can’t wait either,” Cassie said. And this time she didn’t stop herself. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Grace in an impulsive hug.

Grace didn’t pull away. She kept an arm around Freckles’ neck, but put her other arm around Cassie and began talking about how some day she might even play at the Polo Club. So other kids could see how wonderful Freckles was and maybe realize they didn’t need a fancy pony.