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“Who? Zane?”
“Aye.”
“I think he’s worked with them all his life.” Tiffany poured herself a cup of the strong coffee and took a sip as she leaned against the counter. “Mac, is something bothering you?” Tiffany asked, her brows drawing together in concern. “Is Moon Shadow all right?”
Mac was quick to put her fears to rest. “Oh, I imagine he’ll have a few stiff muscles tomorrow, and it won’t hurt to have Vance take a look at him. But I think he’ll be fine.”
“Great,” Tiffany said with a relieved sigh.
Just then, Zane strode into the kitchen, wearing only a clean pair of jeans and a T-shirt that stretched across his chest and didn’t hide the ripple of his muscles as he moved. He had washed his face and the scratch there was only minor.
“Another cup?” Tiffany asked, handing Zane a mug filled with the steaming brew.
“Thanks.”
Mac rotated his mug between both of his hands and stared into the murky liquid. He pressed his thin lips together and then lifted his head, eyeing both Tiffany and Zane.
“Now, Missy,” he said, “who do ya suppose let Moon Shadow out?”
Tiffany was surprised by the question. She lifted her shoulders slightly. “I don’t know. I think it was probably just an oversight by one of the stable hands.”
“Do ya, now?”
“Why? You think someone let him out on purpose?” Tiffany’s smile faded and a deep weariness stole over her. So much had happened in one day and she was bone tired.
Mac reached for his hat and placed the slightly damp fedora on his head. “I checked the stallion barn myself earlier. Moon Shadow was locked in his stall.”
Tiffany dropped her head into her hand. “I don’t want to think about this,” she whispered quietly, “not now.”
“I think you have to, Missy,” Mac said. “Someone deliberately let the stallion out.”
“Buy why?”
“That one I can’t answer.” His gaze moved to Zane. “You wouldn’t know anything about it, would you?”
Zane’s gray eyes turned to steel. “Of course not.”
“Just askin’,” Mac explained. “You were here when it happened.” He rubbed his hand over his chin. “And the way I understand it, you had a grudge against Ellery Rhodes.”
“That was a long time ago,” Zane replied.
“Aye. And now you’re here. Pokin’ around hopin’ to buy the place.” He shot a warning glance to Tiffany.
“Mac,” she said, horrified that he would consider Zane a suspect. “Zane caught Moon Shadow tonight. If it hadn’t been for him, the horse might be dead.”
Mac rubbed the tired muscles in the back of his neck and frowned. “I know you’re a fine horse breeder,” he said to Zane. “You have the reputation to back you up, but sometimes, when revenge or a woman’s involved, well . . . a man’s head can get all turned around.”
“I would never do anything to jeopardize a horse,” Zane stated calmly. “And I care too much for Tiffany to do anything that might harm her.” His voice was low and deadly. His indignant eyes impaled the old trainer.
Mac managed to crack a smile. “All right, Sheridan. I believe you. Now, can you tell me what you think is going on around here? It seems to me that someone is trying to sabotage the operation. Who would do that? Maybe a man interested in buying a farm and gathering a little revenge to boot?” With his final remark, Mac pushed his chair away from the table. The legs scraped against the wooden floor. After straightening his tired muscles, he turned toward the back porch. He paused at the door, his hand poised on the knob, and glanced over his shoulder at Tiffany. “And just for the record I’ll be sleeping in the stallion barn tonight. Wouldn’t want to have another ‘accident,’ would we?”
“You don’t have to—”
“I’m sleeping in the barn, Missy,” Mac insisted. “That’s all right with you, isn’t it?”
“Of course, but really, there’s no need. . . .”
Mac tugged on the brim of the fedora over his eyes before stepping outside. Tiffany heard his footsteps fade as he walked down the back steps.
