had given him a colt, and to his surprise, she was delighted. Dating a Thoroughbred owner gave her bragging rights, because she believed only the prominent and wealthy possessed racehorses.
When he mentioned he would be returning to Miami soon to check on the horse, she asked to come along. He agreed, thinking that on the long drive he could discuss his unhappiness and perhaps improve their relationship. Also, it might be fun going to the track, watching some races, and having someone share his enthusiasm. Within days, he regretted his decision. Kate flatly said she had no interest in horses, only in their owners. She was looking forward to shopping, dining in fine restaurants, and taking in the South Beach nightlife.
At the Sarasota Sailing Squadron, he reminded her that this was a business trip. Its purpose was to see the colt, watch him work, and talk to his trainer. Only if there was time would they follow her agenda.
She blew him off, complaining they hadn’t taken a vacation together in over a month, that he owed her. “And it should take you only a few minutes to look at a horse,” she huffed.
He foresaw the coming conflict and grief. She expected him to chauffeur her around, wine and dine her, and party until dawn. He decided in that instant he would not be bullied.
“Look, Kate,” he said. “The horse is the priority on this trip. If you have a problem with that, maybe you shouldn’t come.”
Her green eyes took on an open-mouthed gaze, and she withdrew a step. “You’re an asshole, Chris!” She flung her long, brown hair, gave him the finger, and stormed off to her car.
Christian watched the powder-puff blue Porsche race down the road. “This is getting old,” he mumbled. He realized he was first attracted to Kate because she was beautiful and polished with a teasing, witty charm. And then there was her voracious sex drive, so erotic that he had initially felt like a virgin on their first night. She was exciting and, unlike past girlfriends, she was a challenge. But now he was seeing the real Kate, the demanding, selfish Kate. For him, the hot romance was cooling faster than an overnight cold front.
The next day Kate phoned. “Hi, baby.” She always called him “baby” when she wanted something. “I’m sorry I got mad. I realize this little horse your daddy gave you is important. I always sleep late, so you’ll have all morning with it. We can work things out. You know I get lonely and still miss my family. You’re all I have, Chris. Please let me come.”
Kate had inherited her money at seventeen when her parents were killed in a car accident. He massaged the back of his neck, feeling the sympathy for a young woman on her own winning him over. And maybe with an honest talk, he could fix things, turn their troubled relationship around. “All right, Kate.”
“That’s great. Lately you’ve been so testy. This trip will be good for us. You know I love you, baby,” she said and hung up.
Christian called his father and said he was heading back to Miami for the weekend to check on Hunter. He would call again when he got back with an update. He also mentioned the dead filly that Price had trained.
“Accidents happen,” Hank said, “even to the fittest horses and the best trainers, but I’m sorry you had to see that. You’ve always been thin-skinned when it comes to animals. I remember when your old collie died and you cried for a week. Never saw a little kid take it so hard.”
Christian reflected on his childhood pet. Growing up on the farm and miles from other kids, he had relied on Lady for companionship.“Yeah, I loved that collie, still miss her. But getting back to Price, besides the dead filly, there’s something about him I don’t like. I can’t put my finger on it. It’s just a gut feeling.”
“Well, he’s listed as one of the top trainers in Miami and his horses win. Go down and inspect your colt. If you find a problem, we’ll switch trainers, but that delays
When he mentioned he would be returning to Miami soon to check on the horse, she asked to come along. He agreed, thinking that on the long drive he could discuss his unhappiness and perhaps improve their relationship. Also, it might be fun going to the track, watching some races, and having someone share his enthusiasm. Within days, he regretted his decision. Kate flatly said she had no interest in horses, only in their owners. She was looking forward to shopping, dining in fine restaurants, and taking in the South Beach nightlife.
At the Sarasota Sailing Squadron, he reminded her that this was a business trip. Its purpose was to see the colt, watch him work, and talk to his trainer. Only if there was time would they follow her agenda.
She blew him off, complaining they hadn’t taken a vacation together in over a month, that he owed her. “And it should take you only a few minutes to look at a horse,” she huffed.
He foresaw the coming conflict and grief. She expected him to chauffeur her around, wine and dine her, and party until dawn. He decided in that instant he would not be bullied.
“Look, Kate,” he said. “The horse is the priority on this trip. If you have a problem with that, maybe you shouldn’t come.”
Her green eyes took on an open-mouthed gaze, and she withdrew a step. “You’re an asshole, Chris!” She flung her long, brown hair, gave him the finger, and stormed off to her car.
Christian watched the powder-puff blue Porsche race down the road. “This is getting old,” he mumbled. He realized he was first attracted to Kate because she was beautiful and polished with a teasing, witty charm. And then there was her voracious sex drive, so erotic that he had initially felt like a virgin on their first night. She was exciting and, unlike past girlfriends, she was a challenge. But now he was seeing the real Kate, the demanding, selfish Kate. For him, the hot romance was cooling faster than an overnight cold front.
The next day Kate phoned. “Hi, baby.” She always called him “baby” when she wanted something. “I’m sorry I got mad. I realize this little horse your daddy gave you is important. I always sleep late, so you’ll have all morning with it. We can work things out. You know I get lonely and still miss my family. You’re all I have, Chris. Please let me come.”
Kate had inherited her money at seventeen when her parents were killed in a car accident. He massaged the back of his neck, feeling the sympathy for a young woman on her own winning him over. And maybe with an honest talk, he could fix things, turn their troubled relationship around. “All right, Kate.”
“That’s great. Lately you’ve been so testy. This trip will be good for us. You know I love you, baby,” she said and hung up.
Christian called his father and said he was heading back to Miami for the weekend to check on Hunter. He would call again when he got back with an update. He also mentioned the dead filly that Price had trained.
“Accidents happen,” Hank said, “even to the fittest horses and the best trainers, but I’m sorry you had to see that. You’ve always been thin-skinned when it comes to animals. I remember when your old collie died and you cried for a week. Never saw a little kid take it so hard.”
Christian reflected on his childhood pet. Growing up on the farm and miles from other kids, he had relied on Lady for companionship.“Yeah, I loved that collie, still miss her. But getting back to Price, besides the dead filly, there’s something about him I don’t like. I can’t put my finger on it. It’s just a gut feeling.”
“Well, he’s listed as one of the top trainers in Miami and his horses win. Go down and inspect your colt. If you find a problem, we’ll switch trainers, but that delays
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