“Your father may be somewhat skeptical.”
“Dad’s a fair man. Once he knows I love you and you love me, he’ll be happy for us. Besides, he knows enough about you to understand getting married is no small step. You wouldn’t take it lightly.”
Clay grinned. “That, my love, is probably the understatement of the year. I’m just glad you were crazy enough to say yes.” Clay kissed her and nothing had ever felt so right.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Jake’s phone conversation with Daniel went about the way he figured. Daniel was emphatic. “In no way will you do anything that might harm Ellen Fletcher.”
“Odds are, she’ll just take a fall,” Jake argued. “It’s happened dozens of times. She’s used to it.” It was the truth, but any fall was dangerous, and Jake knew it. He forced himself to go on. “If I don’t do what they want, you know what will happen.”
“It’s a risk we’ll have to take.”
“It’s too damned big a risk. There’s no way you can protect my family.”Or Maggie and Sarah. “I know these people better than you do. They mean what they say.”
“Jake,” Daniel said softly. “You can’t take the chance of getting the Fletcher girl hurt, maybe killed. They’re obviously using you as some sort of diversion. You’re the least of their worries.”
“I might agree with you if it weren’t for Popov. For him this is personal. He’ll use any excuse to get to me. I think he’s hoping I won’t do what they say.”
“I doubt it. Somebody has gone to great lengths to put this scheme in motion.”
Jake’s fingers tightened on the phone. “I’d better be getting back.”
“I repeat,” Daniel warned. “You will not comply with the final Soviet demand. Have you got that, Jake?”
“I’ve got it, Dan.” Jake managed to sound convincing.
“Keep in touch and keep your eyes open.”
“I will.” He hung up knowing Daniel had done what he had to do. Now Jake would do the same.
By the time Jake had finished his phone call, the riders were walking the course. Ellie and Clay were in the ring with Flex. Shep was riding Lovely Lass over to the gate.
“I must have missed you this morning,” Shep said as he dismounted, handing the reins to his groom.
“Sorry,” Jake said. “How’s Lass?”
“She feels good. A little stiff, but I think if she takes a couple more fences, she’ll lengthen and soften a little.” He glanced at the course. “I’ll be the first of us to go.”
“Just take it easy. Don’t worry about time faults; just get her over the fences. They look pretty imposing. Why don’t we go ahead and walk the course?”
The two of them made the rounds, noting the height of the fences and deciding the number of strides Lass should take, then Shep took the horse over a couple more practice fences before the competition began.
“What did your friend Daniel have to say?” Maggie asked, spotting Jake and walking up beside him as Shep led Lass away.
“Not much. He just told me to keep my eyes open and believe me, I intend to. I want you to do the same. At the first sign of trouble, I want you back at the barn. I’ll look for you there.”
“Can’t I stay with you?”
It wasn’t a bad idea. He could keep an eye on her, be there to protect her if trouble started. “All right. But first I need a few words with the team.” He smiled and touched her cheek. “I still have a job to do.”
He urged her toward a spot near the arena fence. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” With a last glance at Maggie, he headed to where Ellie stood next to Jubilee.
On the way, he unsheathed the heavy folding knife he’d picked up in the equipment room after his conversation with Daniel. The knife was small enough to conceal in the palm of his hand, but sturdy enough for the job he needed to do. The trick would be to get Ellie’s attention diverted until he could accomplish his task.
“What number did the team draw?” he asked her as he approached.
“Number five. Shep is first, then me, Clay, then Flex.”
