“Seems to me, what’s good for the gander is good for the goose. Why is it different for Ellie?”
“Dammit, I don’t know.” He glanced across the ring at his fellow teammates, who worked their horses over the jumps. “I guess I just thought Ellie was...Ellie was...”
“Special?”
“I guess so.”
“She is.”
Clay’s head came up.
“She’s a great girl, Clay. She’s a hell of a rider, and everyone on the team likes her. On top of that, she’s a terrific lover. Probably even better than Gabby Marchbanks.”
Clay stiffened. “If you must know, I sent Gabby back to her hotel. After your little display, I felt more like decking someone that getting laid.”
“Can I help it if Ellie’s got good taste?”
“So I suppose you two are an item.”
“Not at all. Ellie and I are just good friends. Last night was a little diversion. I don’t think she meant for it to happen, but...” Flex slapped Clay on the back. “What do you care, anyway? You’ve got a little black book that resembles the Pac Bell yellow pages.”
Clay just grunted.
“You never minded sharing before.”
“Mind?” Clay smiled tightly. “I hope you taught her a few new tricks.”
“She makes love just like she dances, if you know what I mean.” Flex winked and grinned.
Clay clamped his jaw. “She isn’t sleeping with Jake, too, is she?”
Flex shook his head. “Nah. Jake thinks of her more like a daughter. He’s a little over-protective, that’s all.”
“Right,” Clay said peevishly. “Besides, it appears he’d have to stand in line.”
“Just because the lady had enough sense to choose a handsome, debonair guy like me over a heartbreaker like you...” Flex grinned again and nudged Clay in the ribs. “Check you later. I want to work Sparky on the lunge line.”
Sparky was Flex’s nickname for Sebastian. Flex headed off toward the chestnut gelding’s stall, and Clay continued toward the ring to work Max. He noticed Ellie wasn’t around.I hope she’s hugging the commode,he thought. It would serve her right.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Ellie slept till noon. When she finally awoke, Prissy was gone, and she was alone. Feeling a little like a slug, her stomach still uncertain, she showered, dressed, and headed out to the show grounds. It was time she faced the music.
At least that’s what she told herself all the way there. Once she arrived, she stayed close to her stalls, polishing her equipment or grooming Rose and Jubilee. She’d done every chore she could think of and still hadn’t found the courage to go out to the show ring.
“How are you feeling?” Prissy Knowles walked into the tack room.
“Like an absolute fool. I’m so embarrassed I could die.”
“Hey, don’t worry about it. You were among friends.”
“Have you ever done anything that stupid?”
“Only a thousand times. I’m engaged to a great guy, so I’m a little more settled down now. But there was a time when I’d have been up on that table with you.”
Ellie grinned, liking Prissy more all the time.
“It’s none of my business,” Prissy said, “but that little display didn’t, by any chance, have anything to do with Clay, did it? He was watching you like a hawk all night. I couldn’t believe my eyes when he carried you out of there over his shoulder. He looked like a stallion protecting his mare.”
