STUDS AND STILETTOS (Romantic Mystery) (41 page)

Emily shook her head. “It didn’t hit anything. It went off when Barney grabbed the gun.”

“The horse grabbed it? The Reckless lookalike?” He gave a tight smile. “How fitting.”

“His name is Barney,” she said. Suddenly it was important that Dan say his name. After all, the horse was a hero. “It’s not fair to be nice and then dump him when the movie’s over,” she went on, her words tripping over each other. “Barney’s a good horse and he’s dependable. And someone needs to look after his leg.”

Dan looked at her oddly then reached for two horse blankets, draping one over her and one over Judith. “We should watch you two for shock. Get checked out by the paramedic. Here are some cars now.”

Headlights slashed the dark beyond the entrance. Car doors slammed. Moments later two security guards swept in, their eyes wide, hands close to their holsters.

Dan met them in the aisle. They spoke for a moment in low voices.

One guard walked up to Mrs. Hamilton. She opened her mouth to protest but cast a wary look at Dan and remained silent. The other man accompanied Judith, following Mrs. Hamilton and her escort out the door.

And then Dan’s arms wrapped around Emily, and he was holding her so tightly she could barely breathe. “It’s over,” he said, adjusting the blanket. “But we need to stay here until the police take your statement. Are you cold?”

“Not anymore. But I need to check on Judith.” She tried to twist away, her voice choking with compassion. “Now I understand much better. Why she acted that way. Tracey was her sister.”

“She’s safe,” Dan said, keeping her anchored in his arms. “You can see her soon. But they want to keep you all apart until the police come.”

His hand caressed her, long strokes from her neck to her lower back, filling her with a sense of safety. It was a good thing he held her though. Her legs wobbled and her head was so light she feared it might float away.

“Barney remembered the grab trick,” she said, her throat still painfully dry. “But I was so scared. Still am.”

“Me too,” Dan said, his voice gruff.

“But why are you even here?”

“Shania’s research showed Mrs. Hamilton owned the adjoining estate along with the caretaker’s cottage. So Billy was her employee. That raised some flags. And she was always too constrained, even when Hamilton openly ogled the girls.”

Emily shivered. She’d never imagined such evil lurked beneath the woman’s gracious veneer. Of course Dan was skilled at reading horses, and people. He wasn’t blinded by superficial beauty but attracted by other qualities—like dependability and courage.

Qualities she didn’t possess. And never would. She’d probably always be a little rash, and she still shook with fear. She squeezed her eyes shut, swept with hopelessness but needing to explain anyway. “Sorry I left yesterday without leaving a message. My phone was dead. But thanks for coming tonight. Even though you were disappointed that I rushed off for Peanut.”

“I would have been disappointed if you hadn’t.”

“The thing is, I’d probably do it again. I love Peanut and Jenna…” She paused, her eyes widening. “What did you say?”

He held her wrist and studied his watch—it was obvious he was checking her pulse. “We need to get you to the hospital,” he said. “They’ll treat you for shock.”

“Wait.” She gripped his arm. “You’d have been disappointed if I hadn’t left? Is that what you said? You’re not mad?”

“You walked away from an acting job to help Peanut and your family. Admirable in my book.” His voice hardened. “But yes, I was annoyed you didn’t tell me. Still am. I might have been able to help.”

“Oh,” she said. So she had some apologizing to do. But clearly he wasn’t prone to sulks and maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t going to dump her. At least not until the end of the movie. She’d have a few more weeks to work hard and try to make him care.

Heat blossomed in her chest, an odd mixture of fear and hope. “I have a new phone charger,” she said. “It’ll be easier to call if I have to leave again.”

He scowled.

“But that’s not going to happen,” she added quickly. “I’m a little impulsive, but I’m getting better. And I can be politer with Lizzie and try not to get annoyed, and I won’t name your horses or anything—”

“Shush.” He pressed a finger against her lips. “Don’t change too much. Or you won’t be the woman I fell in love with.”

Her mouth opened but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t get enough air. She wanted to pinch herself but all she could do was stare, her breath coming in short gasps.

“That’s it. You can’t even breathe.” He turned her toward the door. “We’re not waiting any longer. The police will have to take your statement at the hospital.”

“I’m f-fine.” She pulled at his arm, trying to see his face.

“You’re shivering and your pulse is sky high.” He scooped her up and turned toward the door.

It was quite apparent he was the one in shock, not her, but since there was no other place she’d rather be, she wrapped her arms around his neck. “Can you repeat what you just said?”

“We’re going to the hospital. I’ll call the police from my car. And I love you.”

“Oh,” she managed, feeling like she was in a movie because surely this moment of such complete and utter happiness couldn’t be real. Of course not.

But her eyes watered and they felt like real tears and when she blinked, Dan still looked at her, as if he’d meant every word. And even better, that he’d have no problem saying them again.

“You don’t even know my last name,” she said. But her words were wrapped in a face-splitting smile, and she twined her arms around his neck, feeling weightless with joy.

“Just because I don’t use last names,” he said, “doesn’t mean I don’t know them.”

“It’s okay.” She spoke quickly, in a rush to reassure him. To prove she wasn’t a needy actress. “Lizzie said not knowing names was related to a permanence thing. It doesn’t bother me at all. And I understand you want to be cautious.”

He stopped and cupped her face. “I love you, Emily Ann Murphy. And that Reckless lookalike, Barney, registered name Barkeeper’s Choice, I’ll be buying him from the stock contractor tomorrow. He’ll be waiting for you on the ranch, whenever you want a break from the movies, or from wrangling, or pony sitting, or whatever the hell you want to do.”

For a moment she stopped breathing. “But you don’t want an actress,” she managed.

“I just want you.” He trailed a finger over her cheek. “And you’d be happier with a variety of jobs. No reason not to try them all.” His smile turned rueful. “The challenge might even keep you out of trouble for a while.”

Then his mouth lowered, covering hers in a kiss that started out gentle but turned so passionate she almost forgot about the security guards waiting outside. And when he finally raised his head, her breathing raced and it seemed medical attention might be required after all.

But this was simply difficult to grasp. Horses, acting, wrangling. All with this wonderful man by her side. And a ranch where they could escape. The scope of her happiness seemed too big for a single person.

She tugged in a shaky breath, her gaze swinging from Dan’s brilliant blue eyes to the bay horse staring at her over the stall door. Barney’s expression was calm and accepting, as if unaware his future had taken a dramatic turn, one full of unconditional love. But she knew.

And when her misty eyes turned back to Dan, he gave her such a heart-stopping smile, it was obvious he knew too.

Emily stepped onto the sweeping ranch verandah, smiling as Dan immediately laid down his iPad and poured her a fresh coffee. Hawaii had been nice but Montana was even nicer.

“Let’s ride out and check Barney this morning,” she said. “He and Splash are probably still grazing by the creek.”

Dan tugged her onto his lap. “Sure. And we should round up a few. Find some horses for that saloon fire for the railroad series.”

“Okay. But it’s my turn to hold the flaming hoop.” She snuggled into his hard chest, already feeling an anticipatory thrill, merely from his closeness. He looked like a gunslinger with his dark cowboy hat and stubbled jaw. Of course, some of his family had been gunslingers. The story about his trail-blazing ancestor who had rescued and married a beautiful squatter still made her shiver with delight.

She pressed a kiss against his tanned throat. “Don’t shave this morning,” she said. “I need to practice love scenes for a cowboy show.”

“You’re not in a cowboy show.”

“I’d still like to practice.”

His eyes flashed with a wicked glint. “I’ll have the horses saddled in ten seconds flat.” But he skimmed a hand over her body, his thumb brushing her breast, and it was obvious he intended to forget the horses and linger on the verandah.

“Our house guests are in the kitchen,” Emily reminded him. “Burke is eager for a poker rematch.”

“And he’ll get one,” Dan said. “But not this morning. Will they ride with us today?”

Emily shook her head. “They’re sore from yesterday. Jenna did say a ranch vacation was even more fun than the steeplechase. Not sure about Burke’s thoughts. He’s still trying to persuade Jenna to give him a massage.”

“Okay. We’ll let Jenna entertain her husband for a bit. Let’s go for that ride.” His hands lowered over her hips and he effortlessly raised her to her feet.

Emily’s gaze flickered to the headlines on his iPad.
Socialite Arraigned in Decades’-old Murder.
She picked it up, scanning the article.

Louise Hamilton, a bastion of Kentucky society, was arraigned yesterday for the murder of Tracey Walker, the groom of famous racehorse, Reckless. Walker vanished mysteriously decades ago while in the employ of Hamilton Stud. The twenty-year-old murder was unearthed during the shooting of the movie
Reckless
, on location in Kentucky. Police have confirmed the body found beneath a concrete wash stall was that of Tracey Walker.

Animal behaviorists speculate that Reckless’s unruly behavior that forced him to scratch from the 1993 Kentucky Derby was related to the presence of his beloved groom’s body beneath the floor of his barn. Charges are also expected to be laid in the suspicious death of a caretaker on April 22 although police remain tightlipped. A spokesperson confirmed Billy Tanner died six months ago on the Hamilton estate in a house fire now considered suspicious. Neither Louise Hamilton’s lawyer nor her estranged husband, Thomas Hamilton, were available for comment.

Famed actress, Shania Stevens, who portrays Tracey Walker in the movie is relieved justice will finally be obtained and has established a family support fund that now exceeds three million dollars. “I love all animals but to imagine this remarkable horse screaming for help and being totally misunderstood is mind boggling. The Walker family suffered terribly and my heart goes out to Tracey’s surviving sister, Judith, the only relative who has lived to see justice. I am very glad I was able to play a small role in the solving of this crime.”

Movie buffs anticipate that
Reckless
, scheduled to open December 26, will be a box office hit. Oscar-winning director Anthony Jenkins says no horses were harmed in the making of the movie.

Emily sighed and closed the iPad. “This is going to be in the news forever. And now that Judith discovered the truth, she’s completely rudderless. She’s been back to Three Brooks several times since the steeplechase. Actually she’s there now, helping Wally brush up the Center’s online presence. She sent me a cute picture of Peanut and Wally. Clearly, she’s bored.”

Dan’s mouth twitched. “I don’t think Peanut is the only draw,” he said.

Emily tilted her head. Wally had sat with them during the steeplechase, not even leaving to visit the sponsors’ tent. “Judith and Wally,” she said thoughtfully. “Do you suppose…?” She groaned. Dan was much better than her at figuring out people. “How long has that been going on? It’s hard to believe I didn’t notice.”

“You’ve been busy,” Dan said. “Not many wranglers can act, solve a murder, and still keep their man happy.”

“Are you happy?” She linked her hands through his.

He stared down, his gaze suddenly intent. “Deliriously.”

“So reports that you and Shania were secretly married are off base?”

“Way off.”

A familiar glow warmed her chest, the joy rising and edging out the corners of her mouth. She’d never imagined such happiness was possible. She loved every aspect of the movies: the challenges, the travel, even the stress. But most of all, she loved Dan. Sometimes sheer joy made it hard to speak, and all she could manage was a goofy grin. Best of all, he seemed to feel the same way.

“You’re not saying much,” she whispered.

“Can’t help it,” he said. And he grinned.

***

Thanks to the many readers who asked for a sequel to
Thoroughbreds and Trailer Trash
. Your feedback is motivating and cherished! If you liked
Studs and Stilettos
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Sincere thanks! - Bev

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DEDICATION

To Hans and Brenna, thanks for all those hours waiting on movie sets and for patiently answering all my questions.