LESS THAN FIFTEEN minutes later, Connall pulled through the large gates of Whispering Willows and drove up to a quintessential red-and-white American barn. A woman in her fifties, dressed neatly, but not extravagantly, stood with a girl in her teens who was dressed to the nines in show attire, ready to showcase a few of the horses Connall had come to “look at.”
Connall slid out of the car and headed toward the welcoming party. “Ladies. I’m Connall Gunnach.”
“Oh, Dr. Gunnach,” the older woman gushed. “Your reputation needs no introduction. I’m Karen Fontaine, and this is Britney. She’s one of our best riders and she’s agreed to help today.”
“I appreciate your time, lass.”
“It’s my pleasure,” Britney said breathlessly in her thick southern accent.
“I have three horses ready for Britney to show you,” Karen said. “Shall we?”
Connall waved his hand. “After you.”
He followed the ladies to the covered arena, passing several stalls as they made their way through the barn. He did a quick scan of the names on the outside of the stalls, finding what he was looking for, third stall in.
Jonesy.
A piece of paper underneath Jonesy’s nameplate seemed to glare at Connall. He leaned forward to get a better look. Predictable. His new name was Magnifico.
“We’ve ordered a new nameplate for him,” Britney said. “Jonesy was just so, I don’t know, trashy.”
Connall tried not to snort in derision. Despite his wealth, he detested spoiled little rich girls almost as much as spoiled big rich girls. “Oh, I don’t know. I quite like Jonesy.”
Jonesy started to crib bite and Connall frowned. “Why are there no guards on the stall?”
Britney rushed to the stall and smacked the horse on its muzzle. “Magnifico. Stop that.” She giggled nervously. “He just started doing that yesterday. I asked the Mex—I mean, our Hispanic worker, to install the metal, but he hasn’t gotten around to it.”
“You realize it could be an indication of a larger issue?” Connall asked.
“I’m sure he’s fine,” Britney said.
Karen nodded. “Britney’s father just purchased the horse a month ago and the girl who sold him took great care with him.”
“Have you had him checked by a vet?” Connall asked.
Britney frowned and shook her head.
He smiled. “Well, I’d be happy to have a look at him before I leave, if you’d like.”
“Oh, yes, please,” Britney said.
Connall dug in his pocket and pulled out a peppermint, holding his palm out for Jonesy. The horse lapped it up and threw his head up and down as he ate it. Connall couldn’t help but smile. Pepper had described her pet perfectly. He ran a hand over Jonesy’s neck and whispered to him, calming him instantly. “Right, ladies. Shall we?”
“This way,” Karen said.
They arrived at the arena to find a small audience. A tall man, with salt-and-pepper hair and wearing something much more conducive to sailing than riding, approached with a much younger woman. Connall instantly felt leery of him and made a mental note to watch him closely.
The woman was aflutter with either nervousness or something akin to a seizure as she reached out to shake Connall’s hand. The amount of jewels adorning her hands, ears, and neck rivaled the queen. She wore a cream jacket with matching cream slacks and shoes that really belonged in a ballroom rather than a barn, and her hair was teased so high, it added another four inches to her height.
“Well, hi there,” she drawled. “My name is Mercedes. I’m Britney’s mama, and this is my husband, Beau.”
Connall smiled politely and shook their hands. “Connall Gunnach.”
“I understand you’re lookin’ for some horses,” Beau said.
“Yes. I’m extending my business to the States and rather than export, I’d rather build my stables in-house, so to speak,” Connall lied.
Mercedes sighed loudly. “Oh, my. That accent. It’s just divine. Isn’t it divine, Beau?”
Her husband ignored her and pointed toward the three horses tacked up outside the arena. “Which one would you like my daughter to show you first?”
“First, I’d like you to put the mare in the middle back in her stall.”
“But she’s a champion. Worth over a hundred grand,” Beau argued.
Connall faced the man. “I take it you own her?”
“Yes.”
“Well, you’ve done a piss-poor job of taking care of her feet, and if I had the time and energy, I’d fix her and beat you with the horseshoe currently hanging halfway off her hoof.”
Mercedes gasped and waved her hand in front of her face. “Oh, my.”
Beau’s eyes shot to the horse and he reddened. “Those damn Mexican idiots! Karen, I want them fired.”
Karen coughed, obviously trying to hide her pleasure at Beau’s discomfort. “Since Rio’s recovering, I’ll have a talk with José. I apologize.”
“What you should do, is fire the lot of them and hire Americans—”
“Miss Fontaine.” Connall interrupted Beau’s tirade. “I’d appreciate some information on the other two, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course.”
Connall followed her to the small pack, but before she could say anything, he approached the mare and slid his hand over her neck. “Hello, lassie. How’s the good girl today, hm? I’m just going to make you a wee bit more comfortable. All right?”
The horse nuzzled his shoulder and Connall lifted her back hoof and pulled off the ill-fitting shoe. He straightened and the horse lowered her foot, letting out a grunt of relief.
“Do you have a farrier onsite?” he asked Karen.
She nodded, her cheeks pinkening. “We do. But Mr. Anders refuses to use him, choosing his ‘economical’ route instead.”
“Will you please have him take care of the mare? Send me the bill.”
“I will. Thank you, Dr. Gunnach.”
He smiled and then went about looking at the other horses. Both looked sound, so he nodded for Britney to show him the chestnut gelding. She led it into the arena and put him through several paces. Connall took the opportunity to find out whose side Karen Fontaine was on. “The horse… ah… Magnifico, is it?”
“Worst name ever! His name is Jonesy,” she snapped, although her voice was quiet. “Sorry.”
“No need.” Connall smiled and pretended to be watching Britney. “What was his previous owner like?”
“Pepper? Oh, she’s an absolute doll!” Karen exclaimed. “She was with Jonesy’s mama when he was born and stayed with him night and day, even though we thought for sure he was a goner.”
“What do you mean?”
“The mare died mid-birth, and we weren’t sure we’d be able to save the foal. The vet was stuck on the entry road—there’d been a nasty accident and he couldn’t get to us—but Pepper was determined. The vet talked her through how to get the foal out and she did it beautifully. She sang and cooed and coaxed that baby up on his feet and the two have been inseparable ever since. The mare was mine. She was a good horse…” Karen wiped her eyes and shook her head. “Anyway, Jonesy formed an attachment to Pepper and I just couldn’t separate them. I let her work to pay for him and she did. Even worked an extra year for free.”
“Why did she sell him?”
“I have no idea. It’s real strange, to be honest. Especially who she sold him to. Britney’s not the sharpest tool in the shed. She’s a good rider and she’s nicer to horses than to people… not that that’s saying much… particularly when it comes to women. But, she’s also spoiled and when a horse doesn’t do what she wants it to do, she makes daddy buy her another one. She’s been coveting Jonesy for years.” Karen chuckled. “I think Beau’s ready to get rid of him, though.”
“Oh? Why?”
“Jonesy’s depressed. He misses Pepper, you know? He won’t do anything. Just mopes. Britney’s convinced she’s good enough to get him to do what Pepper did, but what she doesn’t understand is that she will never have the bond with him Pepper did.”
“Has Pepper come to visit?”
Karen shook her head. “No. She won’t. I think it would be too hard.”
“What’s Pepper like?” he asked.
“She’s a real good girl. Miracle, really.”
“How so?”
“Her mama’s a mess. She drinks and has a new man every week. Pepper’s had a few bruises that she said were from doors and such, but I think they were from her mama’s boyfriends. Things got better for her when she was living with her friend. But then Sam moved and Pepper went back with her mom. Then, about two months ago, Pepper started to change. She got real jumpy and quiet. We started finding notes taped to Jonesy’s stall, and I assumed they were from a secret admirer, but she didn’t seem happy to receive them. Then a month ago, she just up and sold him to Brit. She hasn’t been back since.”
Connall tried not to show his anger. He appreciated the woman’s candor, but it also meant there was even more of an urgency to protect Pepper.
He focused back on Britney and waved her over. “Thanks, lass. I’ll see the other one, please.”
“Sure, Mr. Gunnach,” she said, and dismounted.
“Dr. Gunnach, Britney,” Karen corrected.
“Oh, sorry.”
He gave her a smile and then turned to Karen. “I like this one. I’ll do a more thorough check, but he looks good.”
“He is. This one’s nice too. But he might be better suited to your children’s charity.”
Connall cocked his head. “You’ve done your homework.”
Karen smiled. “I won’t sell to just anyone, Dr. Gunnach.”
He liked her more and more. “I want Jonesy.”
“I figured.” Karen chuckled. “I take it you’ve met Pepper.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because, Dr. Gunnach, I prayed she’d find a champion. That girl needs a win. I’ll help you. We just gotta come up with a strategy, ’cause Beau Anders is no dummy and he’ll see right through anything that won’t benefit him.”
“I’d appreciate any help you’re willing to give.”
Karen grinned. “In that case, I have a couple other horses to show you.”
Connall laughed. “Lead the way.”
As they headed back to the barn, his phone rang and Ali’s number came up on the screen. “Excuse me, Karen. I need to take this.” He answered the call. “Hey.”
“I’ve got a name for you.”
“Okay.”
“Beau Anders.”
“Shite!” Connall snapped. “He’s the one harassing her?”
“Aye.”
He hung up without another word and glared at Karen. “Where’s Beau Anders?”
“I’d imagine he’s getting ready to head out of here. He doesn’t typically stay long,” she said nervously.
Connall handed her his phone. “Call Dalton Moore and tell him we found Pepper’s stalker.” He heard her gasp as he jogged back to the arena.
He saw Beau walking toward the parking lot. “Hey, Beau. Wait up, will you?”
Beau turned and waited.
As soon as Connall caught up to him, he grabbed Beau’s shirt and fisted it in his hands. “You bloody bastard!” Connall hissed.
“What the hell?” The man shoved Connall, but couldn’t break his hold.
“You piece of shite!”
“Screw you. It’s a damn horse.”
“I’m not talking about the horse, ya dobber. You come near her again, and I’ll kill you.”
“Who?”
“Pepper.”
“Pepper? She’s nothin’ more than trailer trash,” Beau spouted as he continued to try to break free.
Connall’s Cauld Ane abilities were far more powerful than Beau’s human strength. He grabbed the older man’s neck and lifted him off the ground. “You ever call her that again, and you’ll find yourself so bloody messed up, your wife won’t recognize you. You’re going to sign Pepper’s horse back over to her and you’re never to call her again. If so much as one of her acquaintances receives a hangnail because of you, I will hunt you down and finish this. Understand?”
Beau struggled to get air as his wife screamed behind them. Connall released him and he fell in a heap to the ground. “Get me a lead,” he snapped at anyone who would obey him.
A young Hispanic boy handed him one from the horse he was leading. Connall flipped Beau onto his stomach and tied his hands behind his back.
“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about!” Beau bellowed. “You’ll pay for this!”
“We’ll see, you bastard.” Connall pulled him back to his feet. “You’re lucky there are witnesses and the authorities are on their way. If we were alone, no one would find you.”
Con? What’s wrong? Pepper asked.
We found him, love.
You found who?
Your stalker.
Her gasp sounded in his mind. Who is it?
I’ll tell you when I get back to the hotel.
Hurry.
Connall waited until Dalton arrived with the local sheriff. Before they hauled Beau away, he made him sign Jonesy back to Pepper.
* * *
Connall entered the hotel and a blur of blonde flew into his arms. He pulled her close and breathed in her sweet peach scent. “Hey. We got him. He’s off to jail. He can’t hurt you anymore.”
“Who is it?”
He stroked her cheek. “Beau Anders.”
“Britney’s dad?”
He nodded.
“I don’t understand. Why?”
“We’ll know more when Dalton’s done with him, but I got the impression that all of this started when you refused to sell Jonesy to Britney. He planned to scare you into selling, but he thought he’d take it a little further.”
She sagged against him. “How did you find out about him?”
“I sent a few of his notes to Alasdair, and we also tracked your phone.”
She frowned. “You tracked my cell phone?”
“Aye. And before you get your knickers in a twist, if we hadn’t done that, we wouldn’t have found the bastard.”
“Are you still tracking my phone?”
He shook his head. “No, love. Now that Beau’s out of the picture, the danger’s gone.”
“How did you find him? Beau?”
“That I can’t tell you.”
“Why not?” she asked in suspicion.
“Because I’d rather show you. Feel like going for a ride?”
“Do I have to see Mr. Anders?”
“Och, no, love.” He frowned. “Never.”
“Okay. Then, yes, I’ll go for a ride.”
He led her out to his rental car and they climbed in and took off toward the stables.
“Are we going to the beach?” she asked.
He shook his head.
As they approached the driveway of Whispering Willows, Pepper grabbed his arm and shook her head. “You didn’t say we were coming here. I can’t, Connall. Please don’t make me. I can’t see him.”
Connall laid his hand over hers. “Trust me, sweetheart.”
Tears leaked down her cheeks and she wiped angrily at them. “I cannot see him! It’s unfair of you to shove him in my face. He’s not mine anymore!”
He pulled the car up to the area between the barn and the arena and set the brake. “Open the glove box.”
“Why?” she asked in suspicion.
“Open it.”
She did as he asked. “And?”
“There’s a yellow piece of paper on top of the manual. Grab that.”
She pulled out the slip of paper. “What’s this?”
“Pepper,” he groaned. “Read it.”
She scanned the page and let out a loud snort. “You didn’t.”
“I didn’t have a choice, sweetheart.”
“But I never banked the check.”
“What’s that got to do with the price of fish?”
She shoved the paper back in the glove box. “I never banked the Anders’ check. It was blood money. I can’t pay you back.”
Connall gently gripped her chin. “Pepper. Listen carefully. Jonesy is your horse. You don’t have to pay me—”
“I always pay my own way, Con,” she interrupted. “And before you start in on another lecture, this time it’s not about control, it’s about what’s right.”
He shook his head and forced a smile. “You don’t have to pay me back, because Anders signed him over without exchange of money.”
“What?”
“Hold that thought.” Climbing out of the car, he made his way to Pepper’s door and opened it, holding his hand out to her. “Come on.”
“But…”
“Pepper. You can bank the check or rip it up… it won’t matter. The horse and the money are yours.”
“Well, I’m not taking his money now that he’s given me my horse back.”
“I don’t give a damn what you do with the money, Pepper. But the horse is yours.”
She took his hand and slid from the car. “I don’t know what to say.”
“How about you say hello to your horse?” He nodded toward the arena. “He’s waiting for you.”
“Really?”
“Aye.”
With a cry of joy, she made a mad dash for the ring and Connall followed. A whinny trumpeted and Connall smiled as he reached the arena. Pepper had jumped the railing and stood with her hand out, waiting as Jonesy made a run for her. She laughed with tears streaming down her face as the horse threw his head up and down and nudged her as if to chastise her for leaving him.
Connall stood at the railing for a few precious minutes, giving her time with her pet and relishing the unhindered joy on her face.