Winning Ways (9 page)

"Having a little trouble, Missy?"

Liz whirled to see who taunted her. A short, vaguely-familiar man led a beautiful mare. He threw her a sly look, then continued on his way toward the barns.

She took a deep breath. Sometimes, it just felt like she was in over her head.

She checked her reflection in the travel mirror on the wall, brushing a light film of perspiration from her forehead. Her cheeks were flushed with anticipation, and anxiety rolled through her stomach. Her hair wouldn't stay in the small, neat bun she'd fashioned, and a second later, her small bowtie came loose. Her hands shook as she fixed the renegade accessory.

"Dammit! What is the matter with me?"

Karma had quieted down a little by the time she took him out of the stall to finish preparing him for the class. The first call came over the loudspeaker as she buckled the fine cord show-halter. She drew a deep breath, made a quick check to see that her exhibitor's number was still pinned to her back, then headed toward the arena. Rounding the corner, she stopped in her tracks, her self-confidence vanishing into the cool morning air. A crowd of about thirty horses and handlers milled around the in-gate. There'd be no chance for a win in that crowd.

As soon as he saw the other horses, Karma's obedient attitude disappeared. Once inside the arena, he danced around, spring-loaded, and Liz knew she'd be exhausted by the time it was her turn in front of the judge. Her stomach did somersaults, and the colt responded to her nervousness.

Struggling to relax, she tried to evaluate the competition. Though the Tahoe show was a small event, it attracted exhibitors from the surrounding states, all fighting for the same qualifying points that Liz sought. The horses entered in Karma's class were some of the highest quality animals in the industry. Liz recognized several trainers who'd been stars in the business for years. She grinned with amusement as they postured and posed, attempting to keep their horses' attention. Hollywood had nothing on these guys.

Her turn came, and she walked her horse toward the judge. Karma obeyed her commands without a hitch, stretching his swan-like neck to its fullest, and showing off his beautiful flat back and level croup. He flagged his tail, taking on the look of a sculptor's creation. Liz's chest swelled with pride. The colt was magnificent, every bit as beautiful as any of the others in the ring. Maybe even more.

She glanced surreptitiously at the judge, trying to read his body language. He walked a complete circle around them, scrutinizing the colt from every angle, then nodded and told her to trot the horse away. Karma stepped out briskly, lifting his front legs high and fairly floating over the ground. Liz's pulse quickened. Perfect! Maybe we do have a chance.

The judge nodded and scribbled something on a clipboard, then turned to the next exhibitor. Karma continued to prance as Liz led him back to their position in the line. She stood him up and kept him alert, remembering her father's wisdom. "The class is important from the in-gate to the results." Her eyes misted at the memory. I wish he were here to see me now. She swallowed the lump in her throat. If he were still alive, she'd be in Kentucky, working at her profession, not standing in a show ring out West.

The loudspeaker crackled and the crowd grew quiet.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the judge has made his decisions."

Liz's heartbeat thudded as the announcer started with eighth place and worked his way up the list.

"Your second place winner is FSF Kahiil bin Samaar, owned by Fire Stone Farms and shown by Bill Benton."

Liz sized up the handler accepting the red ribbon. With chagrin, she recognized him as the man who'd commented on Karma's unruly behavior at the wash rack. She'd seen Benton's picture in the breed magazines, where he was touted as the reigning king of the halter classes. Rumor had it that he was a millionaire. Great, now I've made a fool of myself in front of one of the big boys.

"And Ladies and Gentlemen, first place goes to...Legacy Karma, owned and shown by Elizabeth Barnett!"

Liz's mouth fell open, her brain unable to grasp the reality of the announcement. A second later, she leapt into the air, letting out a whoop. The colt danced and pranced, and shook his beautiful head as though to admonish her: "You thought there was any question?"

By the time she returned to the stalls, her knees had stopped wobbling, but her heart still thundered with excitement. She threw her arms around Karma's neck, and hugged him tightly, feeling the dampness of his coat against her cheek.

"You are such a good boy!" she exclaimed, scratching behind his ears. "You are going to be the star of Legacy. I can feel it in my bones!"

Liz found a seat in the grandstand, and settled down to watch some of the remaining stallion classes. She spotted a tall, dark man in the ring and, thinking it was Kurt, she let out a little gasp. She leaned forward, trying to get a better look. He turned around, and she relaxed. While similar in height and build, the man's bearing was far different than Kurt's self-confident demeanor.

Her mind wandered through the qualities she liked about Kurt. His gentleness with Fair Lady. His calm determination to save every horse on the night of the fire. His strong hands holding the injured horse while she ministered to it. The passionate kiss. She closed her eyes, feeling his arms holding her tightly, tasting his urgent lips, and delighting in the touch of his hand on her breast.

A loud cheer jolted her back to reality. The class had ended, and the man who'd triggered her thoughts loped around the arena on a victory lap. She left the grandstand, flustered by her sensual images of Kurt, and perturbed by how easily they intruded.

Legacy Arabians was stabled in a far corner of the show barn, a location that Liz had requested, preferring to be off by herself, rather than in the midst of the chaos. At that mid-morning hour, most of the exhibitors were either in the ring, waiting to enter the arena, or watching classes. She took advantage of the quiet time to contemplate the future.

Her plans were right on target. If Karma continued to win his classes, by the time he turned four, she would start using him as the herd sire. Once he'd proven his potency, his Double B bloodlines would attract outside mares, and the future of Legacy Arabians would be bright.

"Congratulations. Great performance."

The familiar husky voice sent a shock wave through Liz's chest. She turned to look at the face that had filled her earlier daydreams, a flutter moving through her stomach.

"Kurt! What are you doing here? Aren't you getting ready for the Stockton show?"

His mustache curled enticingly at the corners of his full mouth. "Not for a few days yet. Eve changed her mind about showing that weanling, so I decided to run up here and see how you were doing."

"Eve changed her mind? I thought you were the one who was so hot to show that baby."

Kurt's smile faded abruptly. "Not me. I'd never wean a foal so early...I don't believe in it. 'Course, that opinion could cause me problems with Eve down the road." He grinned wickedly. "But, I'll take my cues from you."

Liz flushed at the reference to her dispute over the weaning.

He leaned his shoulder against the stall door and cocked his head. "Why did you think I wanted to show her?"

"Eve told me I needed to pick up Fair Lady because you wanted to take the foal to Stockton. I wondered about that - you don't appear to be so uncaring about the horses' welfare."

Disgust darkened his features and he shook his head.

"Eve's just playin' games with me to see how far she can go. I also told her she shouldn't have sold Fair Lady. That mare was one of the best in the barn. But, no, Eve's gonna do as she damned well pleases. Then, the next thing I know, she's got this ridiculous idea of weaning that baby, then showing her in a class two weeks later." He shook his head in pure wonderment. "I don't know what's the matter with the woman...she's probably just been in the horse business too long."

"I'm glad it wasn't your idea. That whole scene just about broke my heart."

He looked at her thoughtfully, then cleared his throat.

"Liz, I want to - "

Uncomfortable with the prospect of a serious conversation, Liz reached for a halter. "I have to work Ashiiqah. Her class is right after lunch."

Kurt nodded and stepped back. As Liz entered the stall, she felt him watching her, and a now familiar, delicious feeling crept through her. Though thrilled to learn that he'd come to the show specifically to see her, it frightened her to think about opening up another opportunity to be embarrassed. Why do I turn into such a wimp every time he's around? I need to get a grip. Mr. Cowboy will have to redeem himself before I'll fall into another one of his tender traps.

She emerged from the stall, and Kurt took the lunge-line from her other hand.

"Mind if I come along?"

Kurt leaned on the rail and watched Liz work the beautiful mare. Much as he'd tried to convince himself that his only interest was checking on the competition, he knew his desire to see Liz again was the real reason he'd come to Tahoe. She'd been on his mind constantly since she'd picked up Fair Lady. On that day, he'd wanted nothing more than to sweep her into his arms and tell her how badly he felt about his behavior after their kiss, that he hadn't meant a word of what he'd said.

He grinned, thinking about her feisty manner when she'd stood up to Eve to defend her opinion. Her self-confidence is what makes her so successful. I'll bet she's got the ranchers eating out of her hand by now.

As he watched her lunge the horse, his thoughts changed from personal to practical, and a frown creased his forehead. I can't let her influence me like this. I have too much at stake.

Liz felt Kurt's gaze boring into her back, feeling as though he were mentally undressing her. Hmm...Not an altogether unpleasant idea. However, within a few minutes, she pushed the sensual thoughts from her head, and concentrated on exercising Ashiiqah.

On the way back to the barn, Kurt was openly enthusiastic.

"Beautiful mare. What are her bloodlines?"

Liz loved to talk pedigrees with anyone knowledgeable, and she spent the next fifteen minutes chronicling the Polish and Egyptian bloodlines of the herd, delighted by Kurt's obvious appreciation.

He held the stall door open as Liz put the mare away.

"You planning to work that colt again today? I'd like to watch, if you don't mind."

"My pleasure."

She watched him saunter down the aisle, his jeans sculpted around his tight butt and muscular thighs. My pleasure, indeed! Her heart quickened at the prospect of being with him again. Learning that he hadn't been the one who'd insisted on the early weaning had altered her attitude. On two separate occasions now, she'd seen a gentleness peek from beneath his tough, professional exterior. She wanted to see more of that softer side of him, and swore to find a way.

At the edge of the arena, Liz waited nervously for the results of Ashiiqah's class. The mare had performed beautifully, as usual, but Liz never took anything for granted. A magnificent bay mare caught her attention. The horse's body looked as though it had been carved by an artist's hands: extremely fine legs, sharp facial bones, shapely ears with tips that almost touched. Has to be straight Egyptian. Bill Benton held the mare's rapt attention, and Liz shook her head. I guess if I'm going to lose, I'd just as soon lose to a really perfect horse.

Keeping her head lowered, she scanned the grandstand, looking for Kurt. There weren't many spectators, and it was easy to see that he wasn't there. Sharp disappointment surprised her. I guess whatever he had to do earlier was more important than watching my class. Brushing away the petulant thought, she returned her attention to the blaring loudspeaker.

"Second place goes to...FSF Egyptian Lady, owned by Fire Stone Farms and shown by Bill Benton!"

Liz blinked. Good grief! If he's on second, who's on first?

In the next instant, Ashiiqah's name echoed through the arena. Liz's thoughts raced as she trotted the lovely young mare toward the ring steward. We're certainly making a name for ourselves at this show! Now, if I can just win like this at the regional.

As she left the ring, Kurt fell into step beside her.

"Boy, that was something! I was sure Benton's Egyptian horse would take it."

Liz laughed. "I figured Benton would win just because he's Benton."

Kurt didn't respond, but nodded thoughtfully as they walked toward Liz's stalls. While she removed the mare's halter, Kurt grabbed a soft cloth, and began wiping down the damp coat. Liz watched secretly as he went about the work he obviously loved, relaxed and absorbed in his task. Surprisingly, she enjoyed seeing him with her horses - she usually disliked anyone else handling them. What a team we'd make. The two of us could take Legacy Arabians to the top. The bold thought shocked her. Whoa! There's no team here. And I don't need anyone to help me succeed...especially someone who distracts me the way he does. Her pulse jumped. Maybe I just need someone for me.

She sighed and leaned her forehead against the mare's neck, exhausted from the excitement of a strenuous and emotional day. Kurt stepped up beside her and rested his hand on her shoulder, his smile making her heart do its gymnastic thing again.