Damon stopped in front of the stall that housed Don Pedro, Tessa’s prizewinning horse that had helped her secure the coveted Triple Crown and put the Barrington sisters in the history books as the first females to accomplish such a feat.
“It’s rough being the man in this situation.” Damon rested his hand on the top of the half door. “You’re used to fixing things, being in control of everything in your life. I know when Rose was pregnant with our girls, I was a nervous wreck until she delivered. But once I held that baby in my arms, I knew for certain I’d never let anyone or anything hurt them if I could prevent it at all. I’d sell my soul to the devil himself to keep my girls happy.”
Be careful what you wish for.
“Lily has had a few dizzy spells and she was told to relax and take it easy to keep her blood pressure down, so right now that’s all I can concentrate on.” Nash reached out, sliding his hand up the stallion’s velvety nose. “So, I’m sure you didn’t bring me down here to talk babies.”
Damon took a step back, crossed his arms over his chest and nodded. “I want to make you an offer.”
Intrigued, Nash continued his slow caress of Don Pedro’s soft hair. This was where that power and control came into play. No matter what Damon said, Nash had to remember that he held the upper hand, not his father. And it was how Nash chose to play his hand that would determine both of their futures and any relationship Nash hoped to have.
“Tessa and Cassie retired, as you know. Cassie has plans to open a school for physically challenged children here and Tessa will help when she’s available. She and Grant have discussed moving.” Damon’s gaze shot straight to Nash’s, held there and demanded full attention. “I’ve been offered an excessive amount of money for several of my horses and I’ve yet to take an offer.”
It took every bit of willpower Nash had not to laugh. He knew all about those offers...and the fact they’d been turned down.
“I know we just discovered each other,” Damon went on. “But I’d like to offer Don Pedro to you. I’ve thought about this since you were here the other night and I know a gift hardly makes up for missing your entire life, but you’re the best groom I’ve ever had and this is the best horse we’ve ever had. I’d like you to have him.”
Nash barely caught himself before his jaw dropped. Control. He had to remain in that mindset. Damon Barrington was handing over such a remarkable horse? A horse that could pull in more money than any other at this point in time?
“I never expected that,” he said honestly.
Here all this time Nash had been dishing out offer after offer only to be rejected and now Damon was hand delivering the horse right to his rival. Had he admitted the paternity months ago, would Damon still have given Nash the horse once the season was over? Or had Damon just come to know Nash well enough to know he would take care of the animal like the royalty Don Pedro was?
The fact that Nash had deceived a man he’d actually come to care about weighed heavily on his heart and his conscience. This would not end well...for anybody.
“What did Tessa say?” Nash asked.
Damon waved a hand, then reached out to stroke the Thoroughbred’s neck. “She was well aware we’d be selling him after the race and she’s on board. I’m selling a couple, actually, if Cassie can part with them. We all get attached, but that girl is so emotionally invested it rips her heart out to let them go after she’s trained them.”
Nash glanced at the horse in question, one of his main motivations for coming here. The end goal was in sight, but that last shred of truth still remained wedged between Nash and all he wanted. His goals had changed somewhat, but he still wanted Don Pedro. He just didn’t know that he was comfortable using deceit to achieve that end anymore.