Clay didn’t ask.
He helped her descend the steel stairs to the runway and began a conversation with Flex and Shep. When he spotted Jake, he went over to relay the details of what had happened to Caesar. Even from a distance, Jake’s expression said he was worried. He nodded at something Clay said, and they walked off together.
Exhausted, Ellie made her way through customs with the rest of the team. The dressage and three-day eventing teams were headed for shows in other parts of Europe but wouldn’t depart for a couple of days.
Thanks to Maggie Delaine’s skillful maneuvering, they were staying at the Concorde Hotel for a very nominal rate. The horses were taken on to their stalls at the show grounds while the riders would be arriving at the hotel by bus.
Engrossed in the fascinating sights of the city, she didn’t notice Clay taking the seat beside her until his deep voice startled her out of her thoughts.
“I’m guessing you’ve never been to Paris.”
She smiled. “Actually, I was here for the horseshow last year. I love Paris. I think it’s the most beautiful city in the world. But I’ve never been anyplace I didn’t think was beautiful in one way or another.”
Clay said nothing, just kept watching her as if he tried to figure her out.
“You intrigue me, Ellie Fletcher. You seem to have a boundless love of life, yet you enjoy very little of it.”
Ellie just shook her head. “You don’t have to be a jetsetter to enjoy life, Clay. I find pleasure in the small things, that’s all. You overlook them for the bigger things.”
She glanced out the window to a row of buildings in the old section of the city. The structures were three stories high with graceful arches and tiny dormer windows that peeked through mansard roofs.
“For instance, when you look at those buildings, you see the cracks in the plaster, the peeling paint, and the sagging doorframes. I see them as they once were. I wonder who built them, who lived in the rooms upstairs. I wonder what kind of lives the people led. Did they have children? Were they in love? I can almost see them walking through the doorways, the ladies in their bustled skirts, men in top hats and frock coats. There’s so much more to seeing things than just looking on the surface.”
Clay gazed out at the buildings disappearing in the distance. Now they passed newer, taller buildings. “There are things I could show you, Ellie, things you’ve never seen.” His dark eyes slid down to her lips and for a moment she thought he might kiss her. “Things I could make you feel.”
Her heart was throbbing, her breathing a little ragged. She could feel those hot brown eyes like a warm caress and her nipples tightened beneath her blouse. She prayed Clay wouldn’t notice.
“What did...umm...Jake say about Caesar?”
Clay leaned back in his seat, apparently resigned to her change of subject. “As soon as the horses arrive at the stables, he’ll have the vet take blood and saliva samples. They’ll do a complete physical to be sure Caesar’s all right, but on the surface, he appears to be okay.”
“Thank God.”
“I tried to get Jake to report the incident to the Paris police, but he said he’d rather handle the matter through our own security people.” Clay shook his head. “I don’t know if I agree with him, but—“
“Jake knows what he’s doing,” Ellie defended
Clay’s expression turned dark. “You and Jake aren’t... involved...are you?”
“Involved? Good Lord, no!”
At least not yet,Clay thought.And not if I have anything to say about it. But he wouldn’t press her to go out with him tonight, since she was bound to be exhausted. Besides she’d say no, and he wasn’t ready to face another rejection. He had just as much pride as she did. He’d wait for her to come to him this time.
But he wouldn’t wait too damned long.
CHAPTER TEN
Jake Sullivan dreamed of Maggie Delaine.
Except Jake wasn’t asleep. Jet lag always left him wired-up and edgy. He prayed there was no connection between Popov and what had happened to Caesar on the plane, but his common sense warned him there was.
Just as Clay suspected, Lee Montalvo, the team veterinarian, had found a trace of stimulant in the horse’s grain bucket. The question was who put it there?
Dozens of people had access. There was just no way to tell. He needed to call Daniel and let him know about the incident.
Lying on top of the covers, Jake stretched full length on the bed, crossed his long legs at the ankle, and tried to push his troubles out of his head. It didn’t take long before his mind drifted to Maggie.
Just before their departure, Evelyn Rothwell, the USET Director, had unexpectedly gone in for back surgery, so Maggie would be coming to Paris. Though he couldn’t chance talking to her except on a business level, he found himself anticipating her arrival.
