IRISH FIRE (20 page)

He dimmed his headlights as another car approached on the divided road. It isnt difficult to guess. Youre wonderin if I expect a replay of the other night and how youre goin to refuse without insultin me.

No. That isnt it.

Brian glanced briefly at her profile. It told him nothing. He turned his attention back to the road. No?

She shook her head. If I were going to refuse I wouldnt have agreed to come.

It took a full minute for her words to register. When they did, the imperceptible shaking of his hands on the wheel nearly forced the car into the opposite lane. Swerving quickly to the left, he righted the car and drove for several minutes in silence.

He was at a loss for words. Normally such a condition signalled him to slow down, evaluate, plan a course of action. Instinct told him that this time, with this woman, his normal pattern wouldnt work. For some inexplicable reason, Caitlin was behaving unlike herself and if he took the time to settle his mind, organize his thoughts, it would be too late. He would never again be on the other end of such an offer.

Again his thoughts had distracted him. The blare of a horn and the bright beam of headlights sliced through his concentration. Abruptly, he pulled off to the shoulder of the road and turned off the motor. Im likely to kill us before this night is over, he muttered.

Why is that, Brian?

Shifting so that his back rested against the door, he studied her. Across the space that separated them it was too dark to see more than her eyes, black pools in the pale oval of her face. Christ, she was cool. Once again the terrifying sensation that he was dealing with something bigger than he could handle washed over him. Youre drivin me insane, he said softly.

She moved slightly. The beam of an oncoming headlight lit the interior of the car and for a few timeless seconds her face was caught in golden light.

Brians throat closed and his hands clenched. His chest felt tight and hot. God help him. He knew what that look meant. A man would give up years of his life to inspire such a look on a womans face. Could a woman like Caitlin, a woman who had the power to change her life at the snap of her fingers, really call up that kind of wanting for a man like him?

Me too, she whispered. Im insane, too.

He said something. He was sure of it. The words came from a place deep down in his throat. But somewhere, after he reached for her and their lips met, after the frantic search for buttons and the delicious shock of cold fingers against wool-heated skin, after the warm, weighty melting of her breasts against his chest, and the slide of his palms down all the curves hed fantasized about for months, he forgot what it was he meant to say.

Later, when their exertions had fogged the windows beyond visibility, when his breathing had gone raspy and labored, when his hands and mouth had touched and tasted every inch of bare skin he could uncover within the space of his narrow compact, he remembered it again. Lifting his head he stared down at her kiss-bruised mouth, at the swell of ivory flesh above her lace-trimmed bra, at the dreamlike expression in her eyes.

His arms tightened around her. Lowering his head, he set his mouth on the spot where she was most sensitive, a fraction above her right nipple, and sucked gently, then not so gently. As the intensity of his onslaught increased, she gasped, arched against him, and buried her face against his neck.

Take me home with you, Brian, she whispered.

He lifted his head. A faint strawberry marked the spot where his mouth had been. Tell me you wont change your mind.

Her brow wrinkled.

He forced her chin up so that her eyes met his. Im no good at this kind of thing. No matter what happens, I have to know that you mean this, that you want me, that youll want it with me tomorrow and the day after that. I dont need a fling.

Her voice was sultry, soul searing. What do you need, Brian?

You, he muttered against her mouth fiercely. I need you, the girl who ran away to Kentucky, Annie and Bens mother, the woman who lives and breathes horses, the woman who is Brigid Keneallys daughter and Sam Claibornes wife. God help me, Caitlin, but I need all of you and it terrifies me to think that this might be a game to you, a midpoint between leavin your husband and winnin your freedom.

She sat up, moved out of his arms and spent more than enough time adjusting her clothing. Finally she spoke. Im flattered, she said quietly, more than youll probably believe.

Go on.

I want us to be honest with each other.

He nodded.

She looked directly at him. My marriage wasnt honest. I dont know if what I feel for you is permanent. Its possible that it could be, but I dont know yet. Its too soon.

Surely he had seen women far lovelier than this slender girl with her stern beauty and night-dark eyes, but he couldnt recall them. Brian was very much afraid that he never would again.

Please say its enough, Brian. Her voice cracked on his name and his heart broke. I need it to be enough for you.

C
aitlin leaned against the fence and watched the jockeys file out, small men, perfectly proportioned, narrow as strips of leather, their silks hot flashes of color in the winter grayness. The horses came next, stud chains taut against their tongues, warming blankets covering the sleek coats, legs wrapped, hooves shining, eyes wild. The black filly caught her attention. She was calm, expectant, every nerve under control, a winner. Caitlin marked her race card.

Mum? Ben tugged at her sleeve. I like the red one. Will you bet on him?

Her, Caitlin corrected him. These are fillies, Ben, and this is their maiden race.

Will you bet on the red one? he repeated, undeterred.

Brigid ruffled her grandsons hair. Give your mother a chance t think, lad. Shes the one whose money will be lost or won.

The chestnut was magnificent: large, showy, nerves on edge. Caitlin bent down and kissed the top of her sons head. Look at her, Ben. I dont think shes got what it takes to win. Look at the way shes resisting the bit. Do you see it?

Ben nodded.

Caitlin looked around. Wheres Annie?

She went to the barns.

Caitlin sighed. The Punchestown race was too large for a child to be wandering about alone. Sam would find out and he would have yet another complaint against her.

Deciding quickly, she marked her second and third choices: the bay to place and the gray to show. Long ago, John OShea had warned her away from caution on a maiden race. Still, John had been reaping the benefits of a comfortable monthly draft from the Curragh Stud. She wasnt so fortunate. Handing her race card to her mother along with a fifty pound note and the admonition, Be sure to get there before the window closes. She held out her hand to her son and smiled. Come along, Ben. We need to find your sister.

Plowing through the wet turf, more sodden than usual because of a thick mist that had settled over the track the night before, Caitlin surveyed her boots and grimaced. They were black with mud. She led Ben into the barn. Under the casual swipe of her hand she felt her hair, unruly as usual, the strands escaping from her clip to curl riotously around her face, and sighed. Shed tried for a more dignified look but the weather wouldnt cooperate.

The barns were warm with horse breath and smelled sweetly of hay, alfalfa, and oats. Ben extricated his hand from hers and pointed to several shadowy shapes standing near an open door. Annies there, Mum, he said, and shes found Brian.

Caitlins heart sank. After her embarrassing seduction attempt, the last person in the world she wanted to see was Brian Hennessey. The Punchestown race was an important one which he would surely attend but as far as she knew, he didnt have a horse running.

Reluctantly, she followed Ben to stand beside her daughter. You didnt tell me where you were going, Annie, she said reprovingly. I was worried.

Graybeards Lady
is running in the third race, the child announced excitedly. I wanted to wish her luck.

Caitlin gave the horse a quick, appraising glance. I havent seen her before. Is she new?

Brian nodded. She was an impulse buy. I bought her at Ballinasloe. Her sire is
Satans Madboy.
He glanced sideways at Caitlin. I took a chance on her.

You certainly did. Shed heard of
Satans Madboy
. He was legendary for his temper and his inability to conform.

This one runs like a dream, with speed and nerves of steel. I think shell make it.

Reaching out, Caitlin stroked the shining neck. The horse suffered her touch without so much as a twitch. Shes lovely. I hope you wont be out much if she doesnt come through.

Grinning, Brian shook his head. I bought her for a song.

Envy rose in Caitlins chest. It wasnt fair. She so desperately needed a winning horse.
Irish Gold
had the finest pedigree a colt could hope for yet he wasnt fit to race while Brian, on a hunch and at a price he could well afford, had found a winner at the Ballinasloe sale.

Battling her uncharitable thoughts, she forced a smile. Congratulations, she said lightly, and good luck.

Caitlin? He hesitated.

Yes.

Placing one hand on Annies head, he reached into his pocket with the other and pulled out two coins. Will you do me a favor, Annie love, and buy your brother and yourself a plate of chips while I finish up with your mother?

Annie lifted her chin. I suppose you have something to tell her that you dont want us to hear.

Annie. Caitlins cheeks were pink with embarrassment. What will Brian think of your manners?

Its nothin like that, lass, Brian reassured her. Your welcome to stay if you like. I didnt want to bore you, thats all.

Annie sniffed. Come on, Ben. The race is about to start. Lets see if we can find Daddy.

Im terribly sorry, Caitlin said, after the children were out of hearing. Annie isnt usually rude.

Brian nodded. Ive been around her enough to know thats so.

I cant seem to get through to her, Caitlin admitted.

Sometimes it happens with mothers and daughters.

You sound experienced.

Ive two sisters, he said simply. Sometimes the tension in our house was so thick, the only safe place to be was the barn.

Caitlin relaxed. He wasnt going to bring up their last disastrous meeting after all. It was that way in our house as well, she said, stroking the filly once again.

Two men walked into the barn, opened up the door of the stall on the far right, and stepped inside. Brian looked up, dismissed them, and turned back to the horse, his profile toward Caitlin.

I should be getting back to the children, she said when theyd stood there several minutes and he hadnt resumed his thread of conversation. Good luck with the filly.

Caitlin. He reached out, his hand circling her arm.

At his touch, she froze. He dropped his hand quickly.

Ive a business proposition for you.

Oh?

It may be a long time before
Irish Gold
is fit to race. How would you feel about buyin
Graybeards Lady?

Her mind raced with the possibility and quickly rejected it. I couldnt possibly afford her.

Id sell her to you for what I paid.

How much?

Fifteen hundred quid.

She was stunned. Youre joking.

His eyes were impossibly blue and steady on her face. No.

Why would you do such a thing? she burst out, and then her face flamed. She had as much as asked for another declaration. Never mind, she stammered. Im sorry. Its out of the question.

Caitlin couldnt read the expression in his eyes. His words were formal, impeccably correct. While I cant blame myself for the condition of your colt, I am responsible for not allowin
Kentucky Gold
to breed this season. Id like to offer
Graybeards Lady
as a replacement.

Youre handing her over at a pittance of what shes worth.

Her worth hasnt been established. If you buy her now, before she wins, the sale will be perfectly legitimate.

What if she wins?

Her price will be ten times what I paid for her. Id give her to you, Caitlin. God knows I dont need the money. But if I do, there will be questions asked and I dont think you need that right now.

Caitlin chewed her lip and considered the dwindling balance of her bank account. Under normal circumstances, or if she were alone, she would be a fool to refuse such an offer. But the custody hearing was coming up and she had to consider appearances. The purchase of a race horse would be looked upon as an act of irresponsible negligence.

Regretfully, she shook her head. I appreciate the offer, Brian. I mean that sincerely, but I cant.

If its a matter of money, I could loan it to you.

That would only give Sam more ammunition against me. I cant risk it, not with the children involved.

Are you sure thats the reason? he asked casually.

She wouldnt insult him by pretending ignorance. Yes.

He searched her face until she was sure hed committed every feature to memory, and then he smiled. I understand. Will you let me give you a tip?

Relieved, she laughed. Of course.

Bet on number five in the first race.

The black was number five. I already did.

He nodded. Good girl. Tell Annie and Ben Ill expect them with me when the jockeys mount.

It was a tremendous honor, one they hadnt experienced since Kentucky. Thank you, Brian, she said warmly. Theyll like that.

Theyre grand children, Caitlin. Youre doin a fine job with them.

His consideration shamed her. She didnt deserve it, not after so firmly dismissing his feelings. Drawing a deep breath, she plunged into dangerous waters. About the other night

He waited, neither helping nor impeding.

She continued. If I seemed abrupt, Im sorry.

Still he waited, eyes impersonal, lips turned up in a polite smile. If only he would say something. Her temper flared. Perhaps Im being presumptuous and you never gave it another thought.

Amusement, or something close to it, glinted in his eyes and then disappeared. Youre being absurd, he said simply.

Chastened, Caitlin found herself halfway to the stands before she realized that she hadnt so much as noticed if her children were anywhere to be found. Squinting against the glare, she shaded her eyes and surveyed the stands, her gaze moving across the crowd, stopping briefly to linger on each small dark head before moving on.

Someone called her name. She turned toward the sound and saw Brigid waving at her. Changing direction, Caitlin met her mother at the fence.

Where are the children? Brigid asked.

I was hoping youd seen them. Brian sent them to buy chips.

Brigid looked around, randomly at first and then her eyes focused. She nudged Caitlin. Isnt that Sam with Annie and Ben?

Caitlin stiffened. Where?

Near the startin gate, with the man in the gray coat and the other one wearin the odd hat.

Caitlin recognized the man called Fahey. He appeared to be deep in conversation with her husband. She watched Ben struggle against the stranglehold Annie had on his arm. Brushing aside Brigids restraining hand she started across the green, anger lending her speed.

Her mother ran along beside her. Dont make a scene, Caitlin. Hes their father.

She fought back tears of rage. A father whos so oblivious he doesnt even know theyre alive. Look at him, Mum. He hasnt seen them in months.

Whose fault is that?

Are you on my side or not? Caitlin demanded angrily without losing her stride.

Yours. Brigid increased her speed and stepped in front of Caitlin, forcing her to stop. They wont thank you for it, love. Its best t let this one go.

Pressing her fingers tightly against her eyelids, Caitlin took a restoring breath. He wont get them, Mum, not unless its over my dead body, and not even then. She gripped her mothers arm. Promise that if something happens to me, you wont let him have them.

Nothins goin t happen t you.

Promise me.

Brigid rubbed her arm. Youve given me a bruise.

Promise me, Mum.

There isnt anythin I wouldnt do for you and the children. You should know that.

Some of the tension left Caitlins body. She stepped around her mother. You dont have to come with me.

Brigid fell into step beside her. Ive come this far.

Im not going to make a scene, Mum, Caitlin said, exasperated. Ill simply remind them that unless we hurry well miss the first race.

You promised me lunch, Brigid reminded her.

Ben noticed them first. Mum, he shouted, breaking free of Annies hand and hurling himself into Caitlins arms. Im hungry but Annie says we need to stay.

Does she? said his mother, keeping her voice light. Annie, Ive a place on the grass and a lunch basket. Daddy can come for you when hes finished.

Sam broke off his conversation and lashed out at her. For Gods sake, Caitlin. Its about time. Im in the middle of something here. Cant you control them?