“I love you,” he whispered. “No matter what happens, I’ll never lie to you again.”
Tears threatened. “I love you so much.”
They lay together for a time, spiraling slowly back to earth, Maggie curled on her side, Jake behind her spoon fashion. His warm breath tickled her shoulder while his arm wrapped protectively around her. Maggie knew a feeling of contentment she had only experienced with Jake.
Then she remembered his words.No matter what happens....
Fresh fear slipped through her, which Jake must have sensed. She rolled onto her back to look at him.
“I can’t tell you what’s going on, Maggie,” he said. “I can’t tell you it will all work out and things will be the way they were.”
“I’ll send Sarah home with Flora. Don’t ask me to go with them.”
Jake kissed her hair. “We can’t be together—not for an hour or even a minute. Not until this is over—one way or another. You’ve got to promise me that.”
She managed to nod. “I’ll do whatever you say.” Now that Jake was there, she could handle whatever lay ahead.
Jake kissed her, slow and deep, and desire rose hot and greedy inside her. Grateful to be back in his arms, Maggie stoked the flames.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Rotterdam was an Official International Competition involving a Nations’ Cup. In the two-round event, out of the eight countries represented, the Americans came away with a third-place win. Not bad, considering Clay racked up fourteen faults in the first round, eighteen in the second. One of the poorest rides he’d made all year.
Ellie won the Grand Prix on Sunday. Flex should have.
In the jump-off, Sebastian took the final fence too fast, landed wrong, and Flex came out of the saddle, his chest and shoulders thrown hard against the bottom two rails. Sparky stood over him, the gelding rolling his eyes and trembling, as if ashamed of what he’d done.
Flex spoke to him softly, forgiving him, it seemed. The horse nuzzled his master’s head while the medics gave him the once-over. No broken bones, they pronounced. Flex limped off the field with a half–hearted smile.
Clay rode so poorly, taking out half the fences and stacking twenty faults, that Ellie felt little satisfaction in beating him. She collected her silver cup and made a victory lap around the ring. Jube, who had no trouble accepting the accolades, pranced and tossed his head, nickering to Sparky as they left the arena.
“That was fine riding,” Jake said when she jumped down from the saddle. He stroked Jube’s sleek sorrel neck. “You’ve come a long way since New York. I couldn’t be more pleased.”
Jake’s words of praise meant more than the trophy she’d won. “Thank you. I just hope I can keep winning.”
“You will. The worst part, the nerves and uncertainty, are behind you. Now you know you can win so there’s nothing to be afraid of.”
They walked to the barn in silence. Jake seemed more relaxed than he had been in the last few weeks, though in some ways he seemed even more guarded. Ellie had noticed him glancing behind him on more than one occasion or jumping at the slightest noise. She was sure it had something to do with the incidents that had plagued the team, though nothing more had happened.
Jake had tremendous responsibility, and he was the kind of man who took that seriously. If anything happened to the team, Jake would blame himself.
At the stables, Maggie Delaine stopped by. “Congratulations. I knew you could do it.”
“Thanks, Maggie. Did you get Sarah off all right?”
Maggie flicked a soft glance toward where Jake stood talking to Shep Singleton. Ellie caught the subtle movement and wondered if Maggie had in some way been responsible for the change in Jake.
“She didn’t want to leave, but she had fun while she was here.”
Ellie smiled inwardly. Maggie’s eyes moved over Jake like a caress, a far different look than she’d given him a few days ago. Something must have happened between them. Usually adept at hiding his emotions, when Jake looked at Maggie, he was easy to read.
Ellie hoped the two could work out their differences.
“I miss Sarah already,” Maggie said, drawing Ellie’s attention back to the conversation. “But it was just too hard to get my work done and watch out for my daughter, too.”
“Did she get to ride much while she was here?”
“Flex took her out a couple of times. So did Prissy.”
