“You about ready?” Jake asked.
“I’m ready.”
Jake didn’t press the issue. “Clay and Ellie both seem up for this.”
Flex smiled, a bit wanly it seemed. “Clay oughta be happy. He’s marrying Ellie. That makes him one lucky S.O.B.”
Jake smiled back. “Clay wins again. But the changes I’ve seen in him...I think Ellie’s a winner, too.”
Flex nodded and began rubbing his temples with his forefingers.
“You alright?” Jake asked.
“I’ve got a headache. No big deal. I took a couple of aspirins. I’ll be fine.”
Feeling a rush of guilt, Jake said a quick “good luck” and headed toward the pay phone at the end of the barn. In a grassy area on his left, Gerry Winslow worked Jubilee on a lunge line. It would be easy to slip into Ellie’s tack room and weaken her saddle. Her equipment had been checked and rechecked. Odds were, she wouldn’t go over her gear again.
But it was equally possible either she or Gerry would discover the damage before she entered the arena. It would be better to make the cut after the saddle was in place.
Jake’s hands balled into fists as an image arose of Ellie lying injured and broken beside one of the jumps. Flex, too, could come to harm.
Jake struggled with his conscience and continued toward the phone.
“Well, if it isn’t the happy couple.” Avery approached Ellie and Clay where they stood at the arena fence. A gust of air tugged at her red hunt jacket and Ellie shivered, uncertain if she were reacting to the chilly air or Avery’s chilling presence.
“’Morning, Dad,” Clay said, but his voice sounded harder than it had just moments ago. He straightened, standing a few inches taller than his father.
“Good morning, Avery,” Ellie added dutifully.
Since Clay had announced their marriage plans, Avery had been cold and sarcastic. His disapproval had been obvious, yet for the most part, Clay seemed not to notice. Since he hadn’t mentioned the problem, Ellie hadn’t either. But the more Clay ignored the situation, the more nervous Ellie became.
Avery’s approval meant everything to Clay. Ellie was certain he would want his father to support his choice of bride. By withholding his support, Avery might be able to change Clay’s mind. Another shiver slipped down Ellie’s spine.
“Are you cold?” Clay asked.
“No...no, I’m fine.”
He looked skeptical.
“Really,” she added.
“Ready for the competition, son?” Avery asked.
“More ready than I’ve ever been in my life, thanks to Ellie.”
“Yes.... You know, son, you’ve been so busy all week, we haven’t had much chance to talk.”
“Then why don’t the three of us go out for dinner tonight?” Clay suggested. “Celebrate a little. It’ll give you and Ellie a chance to get better acquainted.”
Avery cast a hard look in her direction but spoke to Clay. “There are things you and I need to discuss in private.”
A muscle bunched in Clay’s jaw. “If the things we need to discuss include why I shouldn’t get married, you needn’t bother.”
“If you two will excuse me,” Ellie cut in, pulling away from Clay. “I think I’ll go check on Jube.”
Clay slid an arm around her waist and drew her back against him. “I don’t want you to go. I want you to hear what I have to say.”
“But if you and your father need to talk—“
