Bareback(23)
Skyler helped Jessica navigate the bleachers to reach a good vantage point about midway up. There were a lot of Olympic wannabes on the roster but probably only one serious contender for the trials. That was Rachel Sorensen and her German bred Trakehner. Skyler didn’t miss the fact that Rachel’s husband and trainer, Joe, was sitting with several of Virginia’s horse community bluebloods just a few rows from them. He watched with interest when she and her companions took their seats. That’s right, Skyler thought, check out the women who are going to steal that Olympic team slot right out from under you, buddy.
Kate nudged her. “See that chestnut stallion over by the barn?”
Skyler followed the direction of Kate’s nod. Her eyes traveled over the lean neck, tapered shoulder, and long legs. “Nice. Isn’t that the stud over at Rolling Meadows?”
“That’s him. I was thinking of breeding Summer to him next season.”
“I thought you were going to retire her.”
“I’d like to try her one more time. She’s still young enough and never had any problems.”
Skyler shrugged. “For my money, I’d wait and think about breeding her to Rampage if you are looking for just one more shot.”
“What? And end up with a bad-tempered baby? Why, I’m shocked that you would suggest that.”
Skyler knew she was being teased. “Yeah, well, he does have some redeemable qualities. He’s a great jumper, very solid, and a good pedigree. You could do worse.”
Kate shot Jessica a “you-go-girl” look.
“Besides,” Skyler continued. “I figure Summer is so good natured, maybe she could prevail and produce an offspring with at least a decent temperament, even with that demon horse.”
Jessica swatted Skyler on the arm. “That’s my boy you are bad-mouthing, and he’s a sweetheart. A little misunderstood by most people, but a real sweetheart.”
“Yeah, so is Skyler,” Kate joked. “Misunderstood…by too many women.”
It was routine for Kate to tease Skyler about her womanizing reputation, and Skyler’s usual response was cocky and boastful. But she didn’t play that game today. The teasing made her uncomfortable, perhaps because she sensed Jessica’s disapproval. She covertly studied the smaller woman. She wanted this partnership to work. The tug-of-war between them had ended and training was progressing better than Skyler had anticipated. Training an Olympian could sort of fill out her resume, she told herself, but there was more at stake for her than improving her credentials. She had come to admire Jessica and wanted her to succeed. She liked the way she communicated with her horse. She liked the fact that she never mentioned her injury, even when it was obviously causing her a lot of pain. And she never quit until a training session was done, no matter how much she hurt. Skyler didn’t want Kate’s flippant banter to affect the way Jessica saw her; she’d already made more apologies to this one woman than she had to all the others in her life.
The thought of spending the afternoon with Kate and Jessica looking over the competition had sounded like a good idea to her. She thought it would motivate Jessica to see what she was up against. Also, Skyler hadn’t been off the farm in a while. She shrugged off the question nagging at the back of her mind: Why had she stuck so close to the farm lately?
“Damn,” Jessica complained. “I forgot to find the restroom before climbing all the way up here.”
Skyler pulled the cane from where it rested between her feet. “Take this. You should use it to get back up these bleachers and save the wear and tear on your knee.” As Jessica began to protest, Skyler softly patted the muscled thigh next to hers, gentling her the way she would a skittish colt. Her eyes radiated her understanding. She knew the proud rider hated to show her weakness, temporary as it was. “There’s a method to my madness,” she said softly. “You see the guy sitting two rows back?”
Jessica’s eyes flicked discreetly over Skyler’s shoulder. “In the blue shirt?”
“Yes. That’s Joe Sorensen, Rachel’s husband. We are going to see him again at the trials. He’s already checked us out. Obviously he knows who you are. I’d rather they saw you limping. Let them think you’re not a threat.”