Bareback(5)
The pleading look was one Kate had never been able to resist, not when she saw it on Jessica’s face, or, as she had many times, on the face of Laura, Jessica’s mother. “I’ll do everything I can, honey, but I won’t help you hurt yourself if your body just isn’t physically ready.”
Jessica glanced around the riding center complex. It hadn’t changed much since she was here last. Still felt like home. She gave Kate another hug, this time closing her eyes and pressing her cheek into the strong shoulder. Kate felt like home, too. “I’m so glad to be here,” she said with a sigh. “Don’t worry. I’ve made arrangements for a physical therapist to visit me out here twice a week to help strengthen this leg.”
“That’s fine.” Kate laid her cheek against the top of Jessica’s head. “Oh, honey, I’ve missed you so much.” She was about to ask about Laura when a hideous scream erupted from the Explorer. “Lord! What in the world do you have in your truck?”
“Oh, that’s Peach. He comes with Rampage. How about grabbing the pet carrier and bring it in the barn. I’ll get Rampage settled.”
“Second stall on the left,” Kate said. She slid the carrier from the back of the vehicle and hefted it with some effort. “Are you sure you only have one animal in this box?”
“Yeah, just one. He’s a really big cat.”
Jessica turned the stallion toward the barn where a lean figure stood slouched against the door frame. The image of muscular thighs, slim hips, and broad shoulders burned instantly into Jessica’s mind. Who the hell was that? Kate had mentioned a trainer she thought would be ideal. She hadn’t included the word “hot” in her description.
As she led Rampage past the woman, he wheeled and snapped large teeth in the tall stranger’s direction. One second of hesitation and the instinctive sidestep would not have saved her skin from the sharp incisors. But the woman was quick. Rampage threw his front foot out at her and squealed his anger. Jessica yanked his lead line hard to the side, spinning him around and through the open stall door. Hooves rained against the oak boards of the stall.
“Quick, bring Peach,” she called to Kate.
Kate pulled a huge orange, battle-scarred tom with one tattered ear from the pet carrier. She slid the stall door aside just enough to shove the cat in with the agitated horse.
“He’s going to kill that cat.”
The low, sultry voice sounded very close to Jessica’s ear. Goose bumps raced along her arms and she turned to find herself staring into velvet brown eyes. “No, he won’t.”
Skyler had to force herself not to hold that stare. Kate hadn’t exaggerated. Jessica Black was certainly a head-turner. Skyler couldn’t help but notice the way the gray riding breeches and short-sleeved polo hugged Jessica’s firm, but feminine frame. Raven-black hair was held back in a loose French braid. Jessica’s eyes seemed even bluer by contrast with her coloring, and something in her stare made Skyler feel a little off balance. It irritated her that the young woman’s gentle, but commanding presence had the cranky stallion, and Kate, instantly eating out her hand. Worse still, Skyler wanted to like her, too, for the same reason. And she hadn’t missed the quick, assessing glance as Jessica approached.
Skyler frowned. She wanted to gaze into the unusually pale blue eyes once more. That also bothered her. She moved her attention to the stall as the cat yowled like his tail was being trampled. The stallion stopped in mid-tantrum to sniff the demanding feline. The cat rubbed against the horse’s legs and Rampage shifted carefully so he could rub his nose against the cat’s fur.
“Well, I’ll be!” Kate exclaimed. “I’ve never seen a horse quiet down so quick. Peach? That cat looks more like he should be named Killer.”
She and Jessica grinned at each other.
“I don’t want that horse in my barn,” Skyler said, ignoring Jessica’s challenging stare. I don’t want you here either. I don’t need complications in my life. “He’s dangerous. Besides, it’s a waste of time. You can’t take the cat in the ring with you.”
“Your barn?” Those disturbing blue eyes swept her up and down. “Geez. All this time I thought the center was owned by the Parker family.”