Dark Horse
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About this ebook
Private Investigator Vanna Marbury comes to Lexington, the heart of thoroughbred horse racing, to locate a rare stolen black colt destined for greatness. But the dark horse she finds is a different breed with a chip on his shoulder. Braxton Hicks, so named by his mother because of the pain he caused even before his birth, lives up to his reputation. Vanna and her daughter, Jessie, stir a long-buried desire in Brax. Even his arrogant attitude isn't enough to squelch the attraction Vanna feels. She has to find one missing dark horse. But she'll have the tame the other one.
Linda Rettstatt
Linda Rettstatt is a best-selling and award-winning author of Women’s Fiction and Mainstream Contemporary Romance. In March of 2012 her novel, LOVE, SAM, won the prestigious EPIC eBook Award for Mainstream Fiction. And in April, 2016, LADIES IN WAITING won the EPIC eBook Award for Contemporary Fiction. Rettstatt grew up in the small town of Brownsville in Southwestern Pennsylvania. After 20 years living and working in Mississippi, she has returned to the hills of PA to write and work as an editor.
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Book preview
Dark Horse - Linda Rettstatt
DARK HORSE
~ *~
Linda Rettstatt
Dark Horse
(A Second Chance Romance Novella)
© 2018 Linda Rettstatt
3rd Act Books
Smashwords Edition
ISBN:
Cover Design: SelfPubBookCovers.com/mad-moth
All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work, in whole or part, by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, is illegal and forbidden.
This is a work of fiction. Characters, settings, names, and occurrences are a product of the author’s imagination and bear no resemblance to any actual person, living or dead, places or settings, and/or occurrences. Any incidences of resemblance are purely coincidental.
Chapter One
What the hell is going on in here?
Brax strode into the barn, toward the shrill whinnying and snorting. He stopped in front of a stall where a large, jet-black thoroughbred colt reared up on his hind legs, kicking at the air.
This horse is just plain crazy.
His brother, Pete, edged out of the stall. He’s gonna kill one of us—probably me.
Brax stood with his hands at his waist staring at the colt. Ever think it’s you that makes him crazy? I think he’s magnificent.
He cautiously opened the gate and slipped into the stall. The young horse stomped and took a few steps back, snorting. His wild eyes rolled as he seemed to study Brax. Easy, now. Settle down.
You’re nuts,
Pete muttered. As crazy as that horse. And maybe you’d like to let me in on what he cost us and what you plan to do with him.
I didn’t buy him, and he’s not costing us anything. The owner prefers to remain anonymous, and he’s paying us good money to take care of his horse while he’s out of the country. He has a vet and trainer in place, and he’s paying to repair the old quarter-mile track.
I fail to see the need for all the mystery, unless there’s something illegal going on. Why not just board this colt at one of the local thoroughbred stables and train him there?
Brax shrugged. I guess the owner wants to keep him under wraps until he’s ready to race again. Supposedly, he had an injury and is now recovered and able to resume training.
He scowled at his brother. I don’t ask a lot of questions. We board horses and the owners pay us for it. This owner is paying us quite well, and all I have to do is muck out the stall and give him his special feed.
As if wanting to end the discussion, the colt reared and rolled his eyes.
He’s completely wild. Look at him. He’s got the devil in him.
I told you I’d handle him. Shhh. Easy, boy. Can’t have you getting injured on my watch.
Brax soothed the frantic animal, his voice low and calm. You can leave, Pete. I got this.
Pete stared at him for moment. You know, Brax, I’m not your ten-year-old baby brother any more. I’d appreciate it if you stopped treating me like one.
Pete strode out of the barn.
Brax knew Pete was right, but he’d been the big brother forever. And he’d become the head of the household all too soon. Hell, someone had to pick up the pieces and keep things running. Brax rubbed a palm over the colt’s velvety muzzle. Thatta boy. Easy now. You’re really something. It may take time, but you and I are going to get along just fine.
Hello? Is anyone here?
The colt startled at the high-pitched female voice and whinnied, dancing sideways in his stall.
Brax reached back with one hand and fumbled to open the gate. He stumbled out of the stall and his heel caught, sending him backward onto the hay-covered cement floor. Instinctively, he jammed a foot against the gate to prevent the colt’s escape. He found himself flat on his back, looking up at the blue-eyed blond who now stood over him.
The woman gasped. Oh, are you okay?
He examined his left hand, which had inconveniently landed in manure residue. I’m fine, no thanks to you.
He scrambled to his feet and secured the gate. He then reached into a bucket for a rag to wipe his palms. Why the hell would you come in here and screech like that?
She gasped again. I did not screech. I went up to the house first, and then I walked around outside, but I couldn’t find anyone.
She looked at the agitated colt. He’s beautiful. What’s wrong with him?
There’s nothing wrong with him. You startled him.
He shifted his gaze from the horse to the woman. His quick and not-so covert evaluation told him she was probably about mid-thirties, just shy of his six-foot height, and with the bluest eyes he had ever seen. In horse terminology, she was a fine-looking filly. What can I do for you?
I’m Vanna Marbury. I spoke to someone earlier about boarding a horse.
Vanna? Like the letter turner on TV?
Vanna as in Savannah. You know, a city in Georgia.
He extended his hand, then dropped it when she shifted her gaze from his palm to the rag and then to the spot on the floor. Braxton Hicks.
The corners of her mouth—a very tempting mouth— twitched with the usual reaction. Did you say Braxton Hicks? You’re kidding, right?
Am I smiling? Most people call me Brax. Besides, you’re named for a city.
Yes, and you’re named for labor pains.
The colt snorted and stretched his neck, nuzzling her hair. Hey, big guy.
She spoke softly and lifted a hand to stroke his muzzle.
Careful, he’s still a little wild,
Brax cautioned, stepping in front of her.
But she turned her full attention on the horse. He’s magnificent. What’s his name?
Uh…Black Beauty.
The horse had arrived two days ago, and it just occurred to Brax that no one had told him the colt’s name. Come to think of it, no one had told him much of anything. Look, I have work to do. Let me show you around, and you can decide if you like what you see. How many horses?
Just one.
She turned those ice blue eyes on him. A strand of honey blond hair fell loose from her ponytail.
His fingers twitched