AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Any day now.”
“I’m sure you’ll find that you have a healthy Thoroughbred on your hands.”
“I’d better, Tiffany,” Hal said softly. “I’m not a rich man, I can’t afford a loss like this. I’m sure the insurance company wouldn’t cover the cost of my stud fee—”
“Mr. Reece, if you do happen to lose the colt and we discover that the problem stemmed from breeding your mare to Moon Shadow, I’ll refund the stud fee.”
“And then what? My mare’s lost nearly a year of prime breeding time.”
Tiffany’s face became rigid. “I won’t be able to do anything about that, Mr. Reece. It’s the chance we take as breeders.” She heard herself repeating Zane’s advice of the night before. “When your mare does foal, I’d appreciate a call from you.”
“You can count on it. Good day,” he replied frostily, and Tiffany replaced the receiver. As soon as she set it down the phone rang again.
“Don’t answer it,” Zane advised, seeing the way she had paled during her lengthy conversation.
“I have to.”
“The calls can wait.”
“I don’t think so. I have ten or twelve owners who are probably in a state of panic.”
The phone rang again.
“It could be the press,” Zane argued.
“Then I’ll have to deal with them as well. I can’t just hide my head in the sand. This was bound to happen sooner or later.” She reached for the phone and answered it. A male voice demanded to speak to Tiffany Rhodes.
“This is she,” Tiffany replied. The man identified himself as a reporter for a San Francisco paper. The telephone call was a short interview, and by the time it was over, Tiffany felt drained.
Zane sat on the edge of the desk, his worried gaze studying her as she turned around, clicked on a small computer in the bookcase and started typing onto the keyboard when luminous green letters appeared on the screen.
“What’re you doing?”
“Getting a printout of all the owners who still have broodmares pregnant with Moon Shadow’s foals. I think it would be best if I called them, rather than having them read a story like the one in theSanta Rosa Clarion.”
“This can wait until morning.”
Tiffany shook her head and refused to be deterred. “I’d just as soon get it over with. The sooner the better.” The printer began rattling out the list of owners as Tiffany checked the phone messages Louise had stacked on her desk. “Great,” she mumbled. She held up one of the messages and handed it to him. “A reporter for a television station in San Francisco wants an interview.” She smiled grimly. “What do you bet that it’s not to talk about Journey’s End’s career?”
Zane frowned. “No wager from me, lady. I learned a long time ago not to bet money unless it was a sure thing—and then only when the man you’re betting against is honest.” His voice was low, and edged in anger. From the look on Zane’s face, she knew that he was somehow referring to Ellery.
The printer stopped spewing out information, and the silence in the small room seemed deafening.
At that moment, Louise appeared, balancing a tray in her plump hands. “I thought you two could use a cup of coffee,” she explained. Noticing the tension in the room and the silent challenge in Tiffany’s eyes, Louise pursed her lips together thoughtfully and amended her offer. “Or I could get you something stronger—”
“Coffee’s fine,” Zane replied, turning to watch her and sending a charming grin in her direction.
“Yes, thank you,” Tiffany said, once Zane’s gaze had released her.
“Dinner will be in about an hour.”
Tiffany managed a frail smile. “Louise, you’re a lifesaver.”
The large woman chuckled. “I’m afraid you’ll need more than a hot meal before the evening’s done.”
“Don’t be so optimistic,” Tiffany remarked cynically.
“Just my nature,” Louise replied before leaving the room.
