“I take complete responsibility, no doubt there.” Why, oh, why do I have to be so damn inquisitive?
“Look,” Bayli said, “I can see where this might create an uncomfortable situation with you and Sam. Maybe even ultimately you, Sam, and Michael. But the bottom line, Scarlet, is that you were hired to find out everything you could about that missing art collection. That includes finding out about the people closest to that collection. It’s all part and parcel.”
“Not morally justifiable when I’m sleeping with the man whose past I had you investigate.”
“How I came by the information is my cross to bear,” Bayli assured her.
“But it still all comes down to me asking you to pry into Sam’s life. Karina’s, too. And now I have to figure out how I’m going to break the news to him.”
“I get the pickle you’re in. If there’s anything I can do—”
“You did exactly as I asked, Bayli, and I appreciate all your hard work and resourcefulness.”
Scarlet drummed her nails on the leather blotter as she considered this new twist. Bayli tried to soothe her nerves, but eventually Scarlet let her friend off the hook for hand-holding and disconnected the call.
Only to place another one.
She needed to make a trip to the Arizona State Prison in Florence. To do that in an expeditious manner, she had to contact a specialist in her grandmother’s network to ensure Scarlet could circumvent the sixty-day application process for an out-of-state facility. Her background check was already on-file with numerous agencies, so she hoped to be on a plane the next day.
“Now that’s some damn fine jumping,” Sam said as Layton Travers slid from hi
s daddy’s saddle, the one Sam had restored.
“Sucking up because you missed my birthday party?”
Sam ruffled the teen’s shaggy brown hair. “Not sucking up. Your form has always been good—DNA, I’m guessing. But it’s pushing exceptional and I want you to keep at it. How you carry yourself on that horse when he’s jumping isn’t just about improving your score in competitions, it’s critical in avoiding injuries, and I’m not just talking about to you.” Sam ran a hand over the bay Morgan’s neck and added, “Raider’s a champion. We want to keep him in tip-top shape.”
“Yes, sir.”
Sam’s expression softened and he said, “I am sorry I missed your party. Some unexpected business came up and I needed to be in New York with my family.”
“I understand. And Mom told me about all the work you put into my gift. It’s the best, Sam.”
“Glad you’re enjoying it. Now, Miss Hadley’s finishing up with Jason, and then I want her to spend some more time with you. All right?”
“Absolutely.” The kid beamed. “She’s real pretty.”
“And just a tiny bit too old for you,” Sam said with a chuckle.
By about twenty years.
“So maybe you should ask her out,” Layton suggested. “She doesn’t know anyone in town.”
Sam hedged, fighting the grin. “Well, see, I sort of have my hands full with someone else.”
Layton’s brow crooked. “Anyone I know?”
“No. And it’s really none of your business. So go join Miss Hadley. And no flirting.”
“Now you’re just plain takin’ the fun out of this.”
“Smart alec.”
Layton climbed back onto the horse and trotted off. Sam headed to the stables to make the rounds.
He’d inadvertently left his cell in Win’s office after making some calls and had then gotten caught up in a conversation with Jeanette Hadley before they’d gone over to the indoor arena together for training. So Sam had forgotten about the phone. He retrieved it from the stable manager and noted a couple of missed calls from Scarlet.
When he got to the house, he gave her a ring, but it went to voice mail. He’d had a number of things on his to-do list when he’d returned from their weekend on the East Coast, not to mention he’d had a hell of a lot of emotions to wade through, but he was itching to speak with her.