On The Run (18 page)

But, Jesus, what had she gotten herself and Frankie into? Frankie was good with horses, but she was a child. There was no way Grace wanted her anywhere near the Pair. She’d hoped that she would be able to keep Frankie near but on the outskirts of the training.

It wasn’t going to happen. Okay, accept it. It made it more difficult to keep Frankie safe, but they’d find a way.

She saw Frankie waiting at the door of the stable and forced a smile. “Hi, I talked him into it. We’re going to be together. Isn’t that great?”

T
hey heard the outraged neighing and stomping of the Pair as soon as they came into the stable.

“They sound angry,” Frankie said. “And loud. Why didn’t I hear them last night?”

“They were probably in the paddock. They don’t like to be confined and they make their dislike known. The stable boys are afraid of them and only bring them in occasionally. Well, actually they open the gate and stable door and run them in. It’s quite a production. When I was here before, I had to make them take a stone out of one of the Pair’s hooves.”

“Which one?”

That’s right—she had to remember not to refer to them as the Pair. “The one you call Charlie.”

“They’re beautiful,” Frankie whispered. Her eyes were shining as she caught her first sight of the horses in the two stalls. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen horses this beautiful. Have you, Mom?”

“They come pretty high on the list.”

Hello, guys. It’s been a long time. Has it been bad for you here? I hope not. I imagine you gave as good as you got
. She drew closer.
I’m going to try to make it as easy for you as—

“Good God!”

Frankie looked up at her in alarm. “What’s wrong?”

“The mare.” She headed for the house phone on the post. “Look at her.” She picked up the receiver and pushed the main-house button. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked when Marvot picked up the phone. “And how do you expect me to work with her when she’ll be edgy as a machete?”

“I expect you to do what I brought you here to do. And she’s always edgy.”

“She’s not always in foal.”

“No, it’s the first time for her. I’ve been careful to make sure that they were separated when she’s in season. I didn’t want anything to interfere. Unfortunately, I was away from the farm this time and my stable men made a mistake. They’ll never do it again.”

“When is she due?”

“Any day now.”

“And do you have a vet on call to deliver?”

“I understand there’s a decent vet in the village thirty miles from here. If you run into trouble, I’ll call him.”

“If
I
run into trouble?”

“There’s no one I would rather entrust the mare to than you. Surely you’ve had experience with this kind of thing?”

“Yes. We stopped breeding horses at the farm four years ago to concentrate on training, but naturally I was present at a number of births before that. But I’ve always had a vet present.”

“I don’t want any outsiders here. You do it. My only demand is that you make sure the mare lives. I don’t care about the foal.”

“I do.”

“Then you’ll have to work hard to bring them both through safely, won’t you?”

“Look, the mare will be erratic as hell. I might need to wait until she’s given birth before I start working with them.”

“Not acceptable.” He hung up.

Grace replaced the receiver and leaned wearily back against the post. And she had thought the situation was tough enough before.

“The mare’s in foal?” Frankie asked. “I know you think it’s bad right now, but I love the babies.”

“I know you do. Baby horses, kittens, puppies. But this is a little different, Frankie.” She straightened and smiled with an effort. “But we’ll deal with it. I’m glad you called her Hope. We’re going to have to do a lot of hoping she’ll cooperate.” She gestured to the other horse. “And that’s Charlie. Are you sure you don’t want to change his name?”

Frankie shook her head. “No, it’s . . . right. What do we do now?”

“We let them free. That’s why we left the stable door and paddock gate open. Get out of the way.”

Frankie moved back as Grace unfastened the stall door. “Is this far enough?”

“Farther. Charlie’s been known to rush anyone in the vicinity.” She swung open both doors and jumped back just in time to avoid the horses as they rushed out of the stalls. She tensed as Charlie hesitated, glaring at Frankie. But the open stable door was too tempting. He turned and dashed from the stable after Hope.

“He doesn’t like me,” Frankie said. “I thought—”

“He doesn’t like anyone,” Grace said quickly. “And he doesn’t have to like us. If he tolerates us, that will be fine. Come on.” She followed the horses out of the stable. “We have to get to work.” Her gaze wandered over the stable yard. Three guards with rifles were standing at points in front of the stable, and they looked like they knew how to use them. She hadn’t a doubt that there were guards all over the horse farm. “The horses have to get used to us.” She went into the paddock and closed the gate. “Or me. We’ll introduce you after they become accustomed to me invading their territory.” The horses were already aware of that intrusion. Hope and Charlie were staring at her with the wariness and ferocity she remembered. She stiffened, bracing herself.

Come on, get it over with. Show me how strong you are. I don’t care about being boss. I’ll settle for being a friend. You don’t know about that yet. Let me teach you.

“Mom!”

They were streaking toward her.

It’s not going to work. I can’t let you hurt me.

She stood still, waiting.

They weren’t going to part in their charge as they had all those years ago. It was too soon. But she had to show them she wasn’t afraid, and that meant waiting until the last minute.

“Mom, get out!”

A few more seconds.

Now.

She leaped for the top bar of the paddock and swung up to straddle it.

Hope crashed into the fence where Grace had been standing seconds ago. Charlie followed, rearing, breaking the third rail of the fence.

Then they were gone, running across the paddock.

She drew a deep breath, watching them as they raced away.

First encounter
.
It won’t be the last
.
I’ll give you a little time but I’m here to stay.

She glanced at Frankie, who was staring after the horses. “Scared?”

Frankie nodded.

“Good. That will keep you out of the paddock until I’m ready for you.” If she was ever ready to put Frankie in the same paddock as Hope and Charlie. Their ferocity was every bit as extreme as she remembered.

“I want to help,” Frankie said. “What can I do?”

“Watch them. I have to know which one is leading when they attack. And I need to know if anything triggers them besides my presence in their territory.”

“Can’t you tell?”

“I’m a little distracted at that point,” Grace said dryly.

“You worked with them before. Didn’t you find that out then?”

“I wasn’t interested in riding them. All I needed was for them to permit me to lead them into a horse trailer so that we could get them away from here.”

“But you have to ride them now?”

She nodded. “I think so. Unless we can get away from here right away.”

Frankie gazed over her shoulder at the guards and shook her head.

“It’s possible,” Grace said. “But we’ll assume that we need to work with the horses. Now, tell me. When they charged me, which one made the first move?”

“I don’t remember. I was scared.”

“So was I. Try to remember.”

“I think it was Hope.” She nodded. “Yes, it was Hope.”

“Really?” Grace looked back at the horses. “But that shouldn’t surprise me. Ordinarily, I’d have bet on Charlie, but Hope is completely unpredictable now. Her aggressiveness is probably multiplied.”

“Because of the foal?” Frankie thought about it. “Hope looked . . . nervous. Maybe she’s scared too.”

“Maybe.” She smiled at Frankie. “See, you’re already helping. You don’t have to go into the paddock to do that.”

“I don’t want you to go in either,” she whispered. “They want to hurt you.”

“Because they don’t understand we don’t want to hurt them. Hope and Charlie aren’t really any different from other horses I’ve broken.” That wasn’t true. The Pair had a history of years of success that empowered any animal. And Hugh Burton had spent the horses’ youngest years teaching them the ways to resist and conquer. “Together we’ll do it.” She got down from the fence inside the paddock. “Now I’m going for a stroll. I believe the horses have had time to get over the first flush of success. I have to let them know that it didn’t discourage me.”

“Will they charge you again?”

“Yes.” She started walking along the fence line. “Keep an eye on them to see if they do anything unusual. . . .”

Besides trying to trample her to death.

Y
ou expect me to help you, Kilmer?” Sheikh Ben Haroun shook his head. “My tribe lost one of its best horse trainers to Marvot’s men. Karim liked Burton and was trying to protect him from that bastard Marvot.”

“Then I’d think you’d want revenge, Adam.”

“I told Burton that he was on his own if Marvot caught up with him. I told my people the same thing. I wasn’t about to sacrifice any of them so that Burton could keep his wonderful engine safe.” His lips twisted. “It’s all very well to try to advance civilization, but we nomads are a dying species, Kilmer. Our culture is fading more with every step civilization takes into the Sahara. In a few decades we’ll go the way of the dinosaurs.”

“I can’t argue with you. I wish I could. All I can say is that I’ve lived with your people and I know they wouldn’t choose to let Marvot win.”

The Sheikh was silent. “Perhaps you’re right. But we don’t have the weapons that Marvot has. We breed horses, not fighters. That’s why I didn’t go after Marvot when he killed Karim.”

“I can provide the weapons and the men. And I’ll try to keep you out of the actual fighting.”

“But then you’ll take the engine and go away.”

“Yes. But not until I know you’re all safe.” He paused. “And it’s not only the engine. Marvot has my child and her mother. They’ll die if I don’t get them free.”

The Sheikh stared at him and then smiled faintly. “Ah, so it’s not revenge.”

“It’s revenge. I want to castrate the son of a bitch for taking my family.”

“At last we meet on common ground.” He smiled. “I understand about families. I consider all my tribe my family.”

“Then tell me that you’ll—”

“Enough.” The Sheikh held up his hand. “Don’t push me, Kilmer. I’ll think on it and we’ll talk again.”

“We may not have much time.”

“Then do what you have to do. I won’t be hurried.”

Kilmer could see that he wasn’t going to make any more headway. He rose to his feet. “What if I just ask for reconnaissance and a safe haven if I need it?”

“I won’t be hurried.”

Kilmer nodded jerkily. “Sorry.” He left the tent and stood outside, trying to overcome the frustration surging through him. He couldn’t blame the Sheikh for not wanting to take a chance. Keep calm. He hadn’t been given a definite no yet. The Sheikh could still give him the help he needed. Adam Ben Haroun’s mother had been half English and he’d been educated in England, and that undoubtedly had an influence on his thinking. He and his entire tribe were unusual. Most nomadic tribes were Touareg in the Sahara, but Adam belonged to one of the few tribes of Arab descent.

Kilmer stared out at the desolate gold sand dunes that surrounded the encampment. He’d enjoyed his stay with the tribe over a year ago. He’d found them both kind and intelligent after he’d broken through that wall of reserve and distrust. He didn’t want to put them in danger, but, God, he needed that help. Getting Grace and Frankie away from Marvot was only the first step. Even if Grace was able to give Marvot what he wanted, Kilmer was certain Marvot would still kill them.

It was only a question of when.

15
                                                                                                                                       

I
nteresting day,” Marvot said. “But I didn’t see much accomplished.”

“I did.” She didn’t look at him as she closed the paddock gate. “Toward the end of the day the Pair had two chances to rush me. They didn’t do it. Come on, Frankie. Let’s get cleaned up and have something to eat.”

“Day one,” Marvot said. “And I didn’t see much participation on the child’s part.”

Bastard.

“She was helping. It was mostly observation and seeing what would work today.” She nudged Frankie ahead of her. “You can’t expect much.”

“On the contrary, I expect everything. I can’t wait to see her on the back of one of the Pair. Have you chosen which one yet?”

“No.” She led Frankie quickly back toward the stable. She could feel Marvot’s gaze on her every step of the way.

Frankie was silent until they reached the stable. “What was he talking about? Am I supposed to ride one of the horses?”

“That’s what he wants. That doesn’t mean you’ll have to do it.”

“Why does he want it?”

“Because he knows it would worry me. He says it would set a good example for his son, but I don’t think that’s it.”

“Guillaume,” she said thoughtfully. “I wonder what it would be like to have a father like him. I didn’t like Guillaume, but maybe if his father was nicer, he’d be nicer. Do you think so?”

“I think you shouldn’t worry about Guillaume. We have enough on our plates.”

Frankie nodded. “I’ll try to ride one of the horses if you like.”

“I don’t like.” But it had been on her mind all day. The chances of her keeping Frankie at her side depended on her being able to validate the argument that Frankie was helping. She hadn’t been surprised to see Marvot. “But if he saw you do it once, it might take the pressure off. How do you feel about it?”

“Scared.” Frankie made a face. “Heck, I was scared of jumping Darling the first time.”

But Darling was a pussycat compared to the Pair. “You told me three times today that it was Hope who was starting the charges. Would you like to try to ride Charlie instead?”

Frankie shook her head. “I like Hope. I feel sorry for her.”

“Even if she’s more aggressive right now?”

“I like her,” Frankie repeated stubbornly. “I think if you’d take her away from Charlie she might like me. She doesn’t need anyone but Charlie when she’s with him.”

“We tried separating them when I was here before. It didn’t seem to have any effect on them.”

“Could we try?”

Grace nodded. “Tomorrow.”

Frankie smiled. “Good. I won’t be nearly as afraid once we get to know each other.” She paused. “It’s harder for me than for you. I know you always make fun when I try to talk about it. But Charlie told me that horses really do understand you, that some people just have a sort of . . . magic.”

“I’m not a magician. Don’t be silly.”

“But Charlie said that you—”

“I’m good with horses. That doesn’t mean that I—” She stopped. She’d always wanted Frankie to live in the real world, and this talent was undoubtedly a bit weird. Yet they were in this hellish situation together and she should be honest with her. “I’m no horse whisperer or Doctor Dolittle, but from the time I was your age I’ve felt as if horses understood me and I understood them. I’ve never hidden that from you.”

“My age? How did you find out?”

“I was staying on my grandfather’s farm and there was a horse who was sick. The local vet didn’t know what was wrong with her, but I did.”

“She told you?”

“No, I just knew.” She shrugged. “But he called it a guess.”

“And horses do what you tell them, don’t they?”

Go for broke. “Sometimes. And sometimes they don’t pay any attention to me. It just means that it’s easier for me to deal with them than it is for other people.”

“I think they pay attention. Darling never balked with you.”

“He stopped balking with you too. He just needed to know that there wasn’t anything to fear.”

“After you told him.”

“You’re the one who told him, remember?”

“Mom.”

She hesitated and then nodded. “Okay, maybe I reinforced it a little. But if Darling hadn’t trusted you, then he’d never have gone over that barrier.”

Frankie grinned. “Mom, don’t feel bad. It’s okay. I guess I always knew it. I don’t know why you’re not proud of it. It’s kinda neat having a mom who can talk to—”

“I told you, I’m no horse whis—”

“Yeah, but I’ll feel better riding Hope now that I know that she’ll listen to what you say.”

And maybe that was a good thing, Grace thought. Confidence never hurt any situation, and they needed all the weapons they could muster. Screw reality and practicality. “You can be sure I’ll put in a good word for you. But forget Hope and Charlie and what’s going to happen tomorrow. You need to eat and get to bed.”

“You too?”

“Sure.” She entered the stable and gazed at the Pair, who had already been brought in and were being fed by two very nervous stable boys. “If Hope and Charlie will be quiet enough to let us sleep.”

C
harlie and Hope weren’t quiet. It was lucky that Frankie was so tired that she slept right through the noise they made. Grace lay on her cot, listening to the uproar until she was sure Frankie wouldn’t stir. Then she quietly got up and went outside to stand in the doorway of the stable. The guard on duty a few feet away straightened and changed his grip on his rifle.

“I’m not going anywhere. I just want some air.”

The guard stared at her without speaking, but he was smiling insolently.

She ignored him and gazed out at the darkness of the woods surrounding the farm. Was Kilmer out there? She was feeling very lonely and isolated at this moment. She wanted to
see
him. Strange—though sex was such a big part of their relationship, when she’d thought of Kilmer since they’d left the ranch, it wasn’t of him leaning naked over her in the barn. It was a memory of him laughing down at Frankie as they rode together through the fields.

In spite of what she had told Marvot, it had been a discouraging day. If the Pair remembered her at all, it wasn’t obvious. Any progress she’d made with them all those years ago was erased and she was starting fresh. But maybe she was wrong. She’d see in the next few days.

But how many days would Marvot give her? She wouldn’t put it past him to try to nudge her along by taking Frankie from her. That mustn’t happen, dammit.

And there was no use staring at the trees like some medieval maiden waiting for a hero to rescue her. She was the only one she could count on for rescue. She could trust Kilmer to step up if he found an opening, but in the end it would be she who would shoulder the responsibility.

And it was time she got back to work instead of standing out here being depressed and letting that guard ogle her.

She turned and went back into the stable and down the aisle toward the stalls. When they saw her, the ruckus increased.

Okay, you’re not pleased. I invaded your space. Get used to it. It’s going to happen again.

She sat down across the aisle from their stalls and leaned against the wall.

Get used to me. I’m not going to hurt you. I’m as much a prisoner here as you are. I know that you’ve been hurt before, but if you team up with me, you’ll never have to worry about anyone else trying to ride you. And I’ll do it as little as I can to keep you fit and well.

Were they listening? If they were, was it making any impact? She knew that she was able to communicate with some horses, but she never knew on what level or to what extent they understood her. She could only hope that they sensed what she felt.

But the violence of her reception was not encouraging.

You don’t want to hear what I’m saying. I can understand that. But I have to keep saying it because it’s true and because the man who is your enemy is also mine. So I’ll be here every night and every day until we can get together. Tomorrow you’ll be separated for a while, but don’t be afraid. We just want to get to know you better. It won’t be for long. Then you’ll be together again.

If anything, the horses’ reaction was becoming even more violent. It could be that was a good sign. At least she was getting through to them. Maybe.

My daughter, Frankie, is with me. You saw her today. She’s young, only a filly, and she’ll be very kind to you. I promise she’s no threat at all.

She had to keep repeating those words. Frankie was no threat. Frankie would be kind. Over and over until they believed it. She had a chance. As far as she knew, the Pair had never been approached by a child. Marvot’s son was fascinated but afraid of the horses. Horses sensed fear and responded with aggression.

Frankie was afraid too. Well, then Grace would have to try to eliminate that fear or at least lessen it.

She’s chosen names for you. You’re Hope and you’re Charlie. Not very grand, but she liked them and they meant something to her. Did the first man who raised you give you names? I don’t think I would have liked him. He let his bitterness hurt you.

No abatement in the disturbed behavior.

Keep talking. Anything that came into her head. The only thing she had to continue repeating was the bit about Frankie. Over and over and over . . .

W
hat do I do now?” Frankie asked as she stood before Hope. “Do I try to stroke her?”

“Not unless you want to lose a finger.” Grace smiled. “Just sit here and talk to her. I’ll go into the paddock with Charlie and see if I can comfort him for the loss of his buddy.”

Frankie sat down on the floor. “What do I say?”

“Whatever you like.” She started down the aisle. “It’s between the two of you. I’ll be back in a couple hours. Stay out of the stall. If you need me, come to the paddock.”

“Okay.”

Frankie was very uncertain this morning, Grace thought. Who could blame her? She was moving tentatively herself.

She stood at the fence, looking at Charlie, who was glaring back at her.

I told you this was going to happen. She’ll be back in a few hours. I know it sucks to feel helpless, but it’s only going to be for a little while. Frankie needs to get to know her. The man who’s your enemy wants to hurt her, and she can save herself if Hope will help her. I know, you don’t care. But maybe you will someday.

That last was a little dumb. Charlie didn’t care about tomorrow. Today was the only thing of any importance.

She opened the paddock gate. “Now let’s see if you hate me as much as you did yesterday. . . .”

She barely got the words out when he charged her. She ducked, dashed to the side, and leaped for the fence.

She felt the brush of Charlie’s head against her thighs as he thundered past her.

But he didn’t turn and try to savage her. He pranced to the middle of the paddock, every line of his body full of pride, arrogance, and defiance. He glanced at her as he turned, and she could almost see his satisfaction in his triumph.

She drew a deep breath and tried to suppress the hope and exuberance that surged through her as she got down from the fence. Too soon. Much too soon.

Not quite as much venom as yesterday. But you definitely showed me where I stand. Now can we calm down and stay together without all this jumping around? I’m tired. Neither one of us got much sleep last night.

It seemed they couldn’t. Charlie reared and then charged her again.

She jumped for the fence but didn’t quite make it to the top.

He nipped her ass and then tore away from her.

Damn, that hurt. She rubbed her buttock and carefully turned to face the blasted horse.

My God, he was almost smirking.

Playing?

She stiffened and hope soared through her.

Yeah, now you’re happy. That wasn’t nice. I should leave you by yourself. You know I won’t, but there’s something you should know. I might not be such a fun playmate if you do that again. I’m not as strong as you and I can be hurt. I don’t think you want me out of commission.

But maybe he did. Maybe she was wrong.

She slowly got down off the fence, her gaze fixed warily on Charlie.

He charged her again!

S
he’s very stupid,” Guillaume said. “The horse is going to kill her, and it will serve her right.”

“Hush.” Marvot’s gaze was fixed on Grace. He’d been watching her for over an hour. The rush of the horse, the dodging of the woman, was almost like a deadly ballet. Only for the last few minutes he’d become convinced the ballet was not as deadly as it first appeared. “She’s not stupid. And I don’t think he’s going to kill her.”

“Oh.”

Marvot glanced down at his son. “Disappointed? Why?”

“I don’t want the Pair to be tamed. I want them to stay the way they are. This way they’re mine.”

“They were never yours. They’re mine. And they’re of no use to me the way they are. I don’t tolerate objects that have no use to me. Eventually they’d have to be destroyed.”

Guillaume was looking at Grace. “And she has use to you?”

Marvot nodded, watching Grace slowly approach the stallion. He was standing still and she was getting closer to him every time before he rushed her. “Yes, she has use.” He suddenly chuckled as he looked back at Guillaume. “But nothing is forever. I haven’t a doubt that you’ll still get your wish.”

H
ow is it going?” Grace asked Frankie as she entered the coolness of the stable.

“Not so good.” Frankie made a face. “I think she’s ignoring me. I don’t think talking to horses works for anyone but you.”

“At least she’s becoming accustomed to your voice. Are you ready for lunch?”

Frankie nodded and tilted her head as she got to her feet. “You look . . . happy.”

She nodded. “Charlie was a little more responsive than Hope. I felt as if I was slogging my way through a swamp, but I was getting somewhere.” She squeezed Frankie’s shoulder. “And that’s all we can hope for right now. It’s only been two days. It’s early in the game.”