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He sniffed her hair and said, “I see why Rudy burrows against your neck.”
A sensuous shudder chased down her spine. Leaving her a little breathless as she said, “You’re not seriously going to call him that.”
“It’s starting to grow on me.”
“Clearly Old Yeller’s out of
the question.”
“Clearly.” He wiped his hands, then added, “I have work to do in the stables. Your tire will be delivered this afternoon, so make yourself at home.”
“I have e-mails and such to catch up on. I brought my laptop, so I’ll be fine. I assume you have WiFi?”
“Indeed I do.”
“Well then. I’m all set.”
He gazed at her a few seconds more. Eventually he said, “I didn’t have any involvement in the disappearance of my mother’s art collection, Scarlet. In fact, I was angry that it happened, because it really broke her heart. That gift from Mitcham meant a lot to her. I don’t give a damn that Michael and I have trouble relating to him. Somehow, Mitcham clicks with my mother. If you saw them together, you’d be shocked, I’m sure. But you’d also get what I’m talking about.”
She sighed in resignation. “I can see how the FBI ran out of suspects.”
He swept his warm fingertips over her cheek. “You believe me?”
“Hard not to. You have a solid alibi. Misty and Pembroke corroborated Michael’s story and I’m sure there were plenty of witnesses to see the four of you enter and leave the guesthouse at the times you and Michael both stated.”
“I don’t have any reason to lie about it.”
“No, I suppose not.” She was contemplative a moment, then added, “I also rely on character. I’m a great judge of it, and I have no reason to doubt either of you. Michael’s a bit pissy with me when it comes to my questioning, but I can recognize now what that’s all about. He was born with a phenomenal foundation, but he had to build the walls on his own. He doesn’t appreciate someone taking a hammer to what he’s constructed. I’m an intruder and that sets him on edge.”
“Very astute.” Sam’s head bent to hers and he gave her another of the feathery kisses that teased her senseless. As much as she wanted him to just haul her up against his hard chest and kiss the hell out of her, the way Michael would do, she found Sam’s emotional and physical tug-of-war titillating. Perhaps because she knew that when the dam broke they’d both be overpowered by lust and longing.
And that was a sexy thought, rife with anticipation and danger.
He grinned at her, as though reading her mind and liking the fantasies she wove. Then he spun on his boot heels and headed out.
Scarlet released another long breath. Fanned her flaming face with her hand.
She had the distinct feeling that she and Sam were on a crash course to spontaneous combustion.
And it was going to be explosive.
TEN
Sam took an all-terrain vehicle to the stables, adjacent to the indoor and outdoor arenas. There were several trucks in the drive. Some belonging to his employees, who maintained the grounds and facilities. A couple belonging to his students or their parents.
Sam had learned from Phil Bert how to train horses and riders. Sam had been into roping at first, upon his first exposure to horses. Then he’d taken an interest in jumping. Had studied the mechanics of it, spent time at competitions to catalog everything associated with the approach, takeoff, and execution. Had competed himself. Sam had a natural talent for riding, and his horses had always been sturdy and steady beneath him.
He’d also spent ample time observing as Phil Bert had instructed champion riders of various ages and stages of expertise.
Bonding with a horse was probably one of the greatest joys in life, Sam surmised. They were intelligent, fascinating creatures. They emitted and absorbed emotion. And, quite frankly, when you were mostly an inner-city kid who’d never visited so much as a petting zoo suddenly being surrounded by these magnificent animals—and watching them soar through the air, clearing fence after fence—was not only thrilling but also therapeutic.
Maybe that was why Sam preferred viewing and studying “free jumping.” The absence of a rider gave the horse freedom from that additional weight burden, and Sam could evaluate the animal’s skills and trajectory. Its temperament and fluidity. Just admire it for its grace and beauty.
Sam headed into the enclosed arena and spent a couple of hours with two junior female jumpers. Then he stopped into the stables, where more of his employees tended to the horses. The stalls were large and each one had an attached outdoor corral. Sam tried to create as much room as he could for the horses to safely roam. And he was fortunate to have a number of skilled trainers and caretakers on hand. Even the vet stopped by once a day. Inclement weather be damned.
Sam made the rounds with the horses, because he enjoyed their company and always wanted to ensure they were in tip-top shape. Then he went to the utility sink to wash up, cranking on the faucet.
“Son of a bitch!” He swore a blue streak as water shot out, drenching his T-shirt and face.
