Thoroughbreds and Trailer Trash (22 page)

“This afternoon. If you can’t drive me, I’ll ask Wally.”

“No, I’ll drive you,” he said quickly, his gaze flickering over her arm. “Thanks for coming in today and showing David around. Sorry you had to do the bulk of the work but he was obviously pleased.” He paused. “You heard him mention dinner?”

“Yes.” Her hand tightened around the hot cup.

“Then you’ll come?”

“I’d rather not.” The thought of sitting in the pretentious Hunt Club, making small talk with David while Burke pretended to listen to Lorna was unappealing. And Leo Winfield and his cronies would be there, and Leo was always hostile, no doubt influenced by Kathryn.

“But I need you.” Burke’s voice lowered and though he didn’t move, his shoulders seemed to shift closer. “We both agree David is more comfortable with you, right?”

She nodded.

“And the Center will benefit from his horse, correct?”

She nodded again.

“And you realize the most strategic moves are usually made outside the office?” His voice turned husky.

“Yes.” She nodded, feeling like a puppet.

“Then you realize you have to come. You have to help this horse. If they don’t sign the contract, Nifty is the loser.”

She nodded again, almost helplessly, then realized what he was doing and jerked her head up. “But I don’t belong in places like that. You saw how it was at the races. And this time Colin won’t be there to help.”

A muscle ticked in Burke’s jaw. “Sweetheart, there’s not going to be a repeat of that. I’ll have your back. Surely you know that?”

She wrapped both hands around her cup, absorbing its warmth, wishing she could be beamed up and dropped somewhere else. Maybe at college with Em. She shouldn’t care about snubs from people like Leo and Kathryn. Had worked hard to develop a thick skin, but it still hurt. Maybe if she had a degree, she wouldn’t have such a fragile sense of self-worth.

Burke must have sensed her weakening. “Pass me your phone.”

She slowly pushed it over, watching as he programmed in a number.

“If you want to leave the club,” he said, concentrating on the phone, “you walk in the bathroom and call me. Anytime. I promise we’ll leave immediately.”

“Even if you have to push Lorna off your lap?” she asked. “And risk losing the Ridgeman horse?”

“Even if,” he said.

***

Jenna paused outside the waiting room and carefully inspected her bare arm. It was ugly and mottled and blistered, but the doctor had recommended no more bandaging. Let the air touch it. She opened and closed her fist. The skin stretched but there was no searing pain. Burke had been right. Playing cards and using the phone had been great exercise.

The doctor’s visit had been reassuring—protect from the sun, apply lots of cream and there’d be no need for skin grafts. However, she would have preferred to keep her wrist wrapped. Looking at the pink skin made her slightly nauseated. She left the doctor’s office and stepped onto the sidewalk.

Burke’s car was still parked by the curb, powerful, sleek and patient. At her approach, he unfolded from the driver’s seat, his gaze flickering over her wrist. She pressed it against her side, trying to hide the ugly skin, and slid into the passenger seat.

He lowered himself back behind the wheel. “Do you need to go anywhere else? Drugstore maybe?”

“No, everything’s good. No more bandaging. And the doctor doesn’t think there’ll be any scarring.”

Burke’s hands relaxed over the wheel. He didn’t seem at all repulsed by her flawed skin. “Did he suggest anything else? Physio maybe?”

“No.” Her gaze drifted over the leather steering wheel, the sleek dashboard. God, she loved this car. “But he did say driving would help,” she added solemnly. “Not a standard, of course, but an automatic. An automatic just like this.”

Burke’s lip twitched. “I suppose the car should be black?”

“Black cars are the most therapeutic of all.”

Two hours later, she was still driving. Burke had relaxed enough to stop giving directions but not enough to pull out his phone, although perhaps he was too busy having fun. She smiled at him, no longer conscious of her ugly burn. Especially since he didn’t seem to notice.

“And that ridge is where we all went parking,” she gestured, continuing the impromptu tour, “before the summer cottages were built. One memorable night, my mom sent Wally to drag me home. I was mortified, especially since Kathryn Winfield was in the next car.”

“You’ve known Wally a long time?”

“Oh sure, he’s like an uncle. He helped a lot, especially when Mom was sick. Do you want to open the sunroof and go on the highway for one last spin?” Burke looked distracted, so she reached over and touched his arm. “Or maybe you need to go back to the office?”

He turned to her then, giving his rare, deep smile. “I choose sunroof and highway. I certainly don’t want to go back yet. But put on the four-way flashers and stay under forty.”

She laughed with delight and gunned it.

Chapter Nineteen

Jenna twisted, studying her reflection in the mirror. The black skirt was nice, but the blouse was much too dowdy. It was, however, the only one with long sleeves. She didn’t want to shock David and Lorna with the sight of her damaged skin. Be nice if she had something a little sexier though, something cut low in the front, maybe even lower in the back.

The type of clothes Em wore.

She hurried into her sister’s room and scanned the closet, crammed full of clothes even though Em had taken six bulging suitcases to college. So many clothes, some still with price tags. Oh, gosh. Jenna’s hand lingered over a hanger. This top was the perfect little number, if only it fit. Emily was a little bigger in the hips, smaller in the boobs, but maybe…

She tugged it on and stared in delight. Not bad, not bad at all. If she kept the palm of her hand down, no one would even notice the burn. She lingered for a moment, studying her reflection, then added a simple silver necklace and matching earrings. Checked the clock. Burke would be here soon. He wouldn’t make the Ridgemans wait. She swapped her leather purse for a sleek clutch and tossed in her phone.

A black car crunched into the driveway, familiar and confident, as though it knew the way. Not surprising since she’d been spending most of her days with Burke. She brushed aside a needle of worry. He’d be going soon and she was merely having some fun. It wouldn’t bother her in the least when he left.

She slipped on her heels and walked out to join him. “Remember your promise.” She dipped her hand in her purse and waved the phone.

He remained by the car, silent, wearing his designer suit as if it was made for him, which of course, it probably was. And he was looking at her oddly. Suddenly her cute little clothes felt gauche. Maybe she wasn’t dressed appropriately after all.

“You look beautiful,” he finally said. He swung open the passenger door with a flourish. “May I catch a pony, shingle a roof, slay a dragon? Anything, my lady.”

His compliment sounded genuine and did so much toward restoring her confidence, she impulsively rose on her toes and kissed him. He’d turned still so she lingered, sliding her lips over his mouth, absorbing his lips, the angle of his jaw, the spicy smell of his aftershave. Slid her mouth over his top lip then the bottom, exploring, enjoying, thanking.

Stepped back with a grateful smile.

He’d flattened his palms against the car, eyes half shut then slowly widened them. “You make me dizzy, Jen.” His voice was gruff. “Please kiss me like that at the end of the night.”

She slipped past him into the car, slightly embarrassed.

He didn’t say much while they drove, just held her hand, dragging his thumb over her palm and releasing it only when they pulled in front of the hotel.

“Fill me in on your research before I go in. Anything important I should know about these two?”

She groaned. Of course. He’d asked her to do that when he gave her the phone. “I forgot,” she admitted. “I’m so sorry.”

He gave her a long look and released her hand. “Don’t worry. David will probably stare at you and Lorna will natter at me. We’ll eat fast and escape, okay? Be right back.”

He left the car slanted in front of the hotel, two feet from the curb, completely disregarding the ‘no parking’ sign. However, no one seemed to bother the nice vehicles. Or maybe the car had simply absorbed some of his natural assurance.

The hotel door closed behind him. Five minutes later, he strode from the lobby with Lorna Ridgeman clinging to his arm and David sauntering behind them.

“I’m starving,” Lorna said, as she slid into the car. “Wasn’t sure if we’d walk or drive. Oh, hello, Janet,” she said, sounding less than pleased that there was another woman in the front seat.

“Jenna. Her name is Jenna,” Burke said, closing Lorna’s door and slipping back behind the wheel. He glanced at Jenna. “Did you bring a jacket, honey?”

Honey
? Jenna’s eyes widened in confusion, and she shook her head. He’d been totally professional this afternoon, always contained in the office. Now though, he stretched his ridged arm across the back of the seat, his fingers stroking her shoulder.

Lorna turned remarkably silent.

“The Hunt Club’s not far.” Burke glanced at Lorna in the rearview mirror. “Four minutes. We could walk, Lorna, if you prefer.”

Still exceedingly polite, Jenna thought. Lorna could find no fault with Burke’s manners although he’d certainly made it clear he wasn’t available.

“I walked enough this afternoon,” Lorna said. “So you’re employed at the Center, Jenna? Is that your job, giving little tours?”

“I massage the horses too.” She turned politely in her seat but Lorna’s frown seemed locked on the back of Burke’s arm and the way it rested on Jenna’s shoulder.

“Massage,” Lorna said, with a pointed laugh. “How…interesting. Do you do people too, or just horses? I’ve had a sore neck for ages.”

“Here we are,” Burke said, pulling into a prime parking spot by the door. He stepped back and opened Lorna’s door.

“Looks wonderful.” She tucked her arm around Burke’s as she admired the grandiose entrance. “I was rather afraid there wouldn’t be any suitable place to eat. You should have seen what the hotel served for lunch.”

“Really,” Burke said. “I stayed there my first night in town and had an excellent meal.” He turned and looped his right arm around Jenna’s waist. “Watch the step, ladies.” He disengaged Lorna’s hand to open the door, nodding for the Ridgemans to precede him, but kept Jenna at his side, his hand splayed around her waist.

If she were supposed to be an employee, he was really overdoing it. She hoped no one from work was here. Burke certainly didn’t act like this in the office, and Lorna didn’t seem at all pleased.

Clearly the Ridgeman contract was signed or he wouldn’t have risked losing Nifty. Still, it was reassuring to have his protection.

“Good evening, Mr. Burke,” the hostess chirped brightly. “We have your window table ready. Follow me, please.”

Jenna slipped into her chair, smiling at the wiry teenager who rushed to fill her water glass. “Thank you, Brian.”

She glanced at Burke. “This is Brian, Charlie’s older brother. Brian owned Molly before he gave the horse to his brother.”

“I remember Molly,” Burke said, with a hint of a smile.

“I’d prefer my water room temperature with no ice.” Lorna leaned forward, eager to join the conversation. “And two twists of lime.”

“Certainly, ma’am.” But Brian lingered, bending down between Burke and Jenna. “I’d like to thank you both,” he said. “Sure appreciate how you helped Molly. Three Brooks really made a difference. Charlie is still grinning.”

Jenna peeked at Burke, hoping he wouldn’t belittle the race or announce that local horses were no longer welcome at the Center. Brian was so proud of his little brother, so proud of Molly. The mare might be homely but she had a huge heart, and regular massage kept her comfortable. It was too bad Burke didn’t understand.

“It was an entertaining race,” Burke said. “And when Molly needs another massage, I’m sure we can work something out.”

Lorna gave an impatient sigh and Brian immediately straightened. “I’ll get your special water right away, ma’am.” But he gave Burke a grateful smile before striding away.

“Derek, what race is that waiter talking about?” Lorna asked.

“A local turf race, hotly contested,” Burke said. “A most enjoyable day.” He seemed to understand Lorna craved the limelight and smoothly added, “I saw the Derby this year. Two of the entries were sired by your stud. You own a remarkable horse. Who was the genius who crossed Barkeeper with Nifty’s Lass?”

David puffed out his chest. “That was me. Unusual cross but I liked Lass for her speed, and of course, Barkeeper was bred for the classics. Everyone thought it was my father’s idea, but I knew those two would produce a winner. Nifty is now the leading sire of two-year-olds. We have mares booked for the next three years.”

Both Lorna and David were delighted to spew endlessly about Ridgeman’s success and whenever their boasting slowed, Burke drew them out with another question.

Jenna cut another piece of her tender steak, rather surprised the meal had been so enjoyable and that the time had passed so quickly. She only had to smile and occasionally widen her eyes to show her interest. Burke was a master at this game, and it was almost amusing to relax and listen while he controlled the conversation.

“And after Dad died in the fire,” Lorna was saying, “David took over the entire operation. But I’m sure you’ve heard enough about our tragedy?”

Burke glanced at Jenna with such disapproval she fumbled with her fork. She’d witnessed his annoyance turned on others, but it was rather disconcerting to have it directed at her.

“I remember hearing something about a fire,” Burke said, looking back at Lorna.

“Five years ago. Horrible time,” David said. “We lost our father and seven horses. Ironically, Ridgeman Racing experienced its greatest success over the last few years. With me at the helm.”

Lorna picked at her plate and said nothing.