Devlin cleared his throat. “Listen, I know Chester is more your go-to guy for pep talks, but if you need an affirmation for tonight, I think I could scare one up.”
She laughed huskily in a way that made him itch to get his hands on her.
“What would you suggest?” she asked. “Something like ‘Believe in yourself and all things are possible’?”
“I think mine would involve more scotch.”
“I’m not much for liquor. It makes me feel loopy.”
“Then, as your guru for the evening, I’d advise you to stick with the believing in yourself part.”
“Good advice,” she said as she turned to go. “See you at first light?”
Devlin nodded.
And all through my dreams, he thought.
As she was leaving, he raked his hand through his hair and took a steadying breath. He decided it was just as well she was going downstairs. He’d learned his needs got stronger in the nighttime, so they were both better off if she was on a different floor. Hell, on that logic, he should be sleeping in the barn with Sabbath.
Devlin looked around his study, trying to remember what he’d been hunting for. All that came to mind were images of A.J., so he gave up his search. As he turned off the light, he thought it was a pity he’d have to go past her to get to the scotch.
* * *
It was a little after seven o’clock in the morning when the McCloud Stables trailer pulled into the fairgrounds where the competition was being held. The rig wasn’t as big as the one A.J. was used to, but then, she’d seen double-wides smaller than the Sutherland behemoth. Funny thing was, she preferred Devlin’s to the one she used to go around in. It was easier to maneuver and far less ostentatious.
Devlin had been behind the wheel for the hour-long trip through the Virginia countryside while A.J. and Chester sat comfortably in the cab beside him. The three had been up since the crack of dawn, falling into a precontest routine of checks and balances designed to ensure that no piece of equipment was forgotten and no contingency left unanticipated.
As Devlin piloted them to the competitors’ area, which was down a dirt road past lines of cars that had been parked on the grass, A.J. surveyed the scene. Teenagers, looking bored and embarrassed in their orange bibs and matching baseball caps, were directing traffic on either side of the road. Beyond them, the fairground was a vast open area, marked by white fences and a few modest buildings. The field had been used for growing corn and wheat for generations until it became a casualty of big-business farming. Now it was owned by the county, a big draw for rodeos, jumping shows and the odd traveling circus or two.
And that drive-in retrospective on Godzilla hadn’t been bad, A.J. reflected. There was nothing like seeing Mothra up on the big screen.
As Devlin scouted around for an open spot to park in, she found herself bracing to see the Sutherland logo plastered on the side of a trailer or on the back of a T-shirt worn by one of the grooms. A team from Sutherland’s would be at the competition; she was sure of it. Knowing she was going to have to compete against people she used to see every day, but now had no stable affiliation with, made her feel the gravity of her dislocation. As long as she was sequestered at Devlin’s, it was as if the compound didn’t exist. Her days were so full, and her mind so preoccupied with training, she hadn’t had time to think of much else.
Now, amidst the surging energy of an event, she was reminded of everything she’d left, including her father. The only contact with him had been a message she’d left on his business line, informing him where she was in case of emergency. It was a cold way to leave things and she regretted the distance as much as she felt relieved by it. She didn’t want to cut herself off from him permanently but she needed time to get over the hurt, and his decision to put Peter in charge without consulting her still burned.
Devlin pointed out a spot at the far end of the grounds and, when they all agreed on the choice, drove them over to the quiet corner. Shaded by trees and set away from most of the activity, it was perfect for them.
As A.J. stepped from the cab, she stretched and looked around. Beyond their secluded site, there was a practice ring with warm-up jumps, a bank of concession stands and merchant tents overflowing with riding equipment and clothing. Set apart from the retail activity was the show ring. With a set of bleachers and plenty of space around it for the crowd to sit on the grass, the arena was twice the size of the one she’d been training in at Devlin’s.
All over the fairgrounds, people were about, ambling around with cups of steaming coffee and programs tucked under their arms, if they were part of the crowd, or moving quickly, if they were involved with putting on the show or competing in it. There were groomsmen and trainers, judges with their badges, fresh-faced volunteers who would grow up to be the next generation of champions. For a moment, it was easy for A.J. to forget her worries and get lost in the sheer wonder of the human parade. And, in the midst of it all, she felt a thrill go through her. There was no place she’d rather have been.
“I’ll go check the start board and make sure you’re all set,” Devlin said to her. Chester had already gone back to check on Sabbath.
“The first round doesn’t go off until nine, right?” she asked.
“Plenty of time.”
It was a lie. They both knew the two hours would go like brushfire.
The jumping competition was being staged first and would be followed by dressage and novice events in the afternoon. She didn’t think they’d be staying for the full day, not with Sabbath in tow. Getting through the morning was going to be exhausting and the sooner they got him away from the crowds, the better.
A.J. came around the trailer just as Chester was backing the stallion out of it. The horse was antsy as he hit the ground, wrenching his neck back and forth with eyes that were a little wild. It wasn’t a good sign.
“This is a competition,” Chester was scolding him. “Not a time to be worryin’ about the ladies.”
A.J. laughed nervously, going to Sabbath’s head to try to soothe him. “I’m not ready for him to start dating.”
“Neither is he.”
Sabbath was prancing this way and that, his glossy black coat flashing like obsidian in the bright morning sun. Chester, on the other hand, was standing firmly in place, with an iron grip on the lead.
A.J. could feel the looks of the crowd as they walked by, their eyes measuring the horse with undisguised curiosity and then looking her over with a similar expression. She wanted to believe they were arrested by the sight of him and wishing her well, but she knew better and did her best to meet the stares calmly. She might be anxious about what was going to happen in the ring but she was going to do her damnedest not to show it.