“Ha, ha. Thanks for having my back, even if you doubted my persuasive skills.” He cocked his head as he eyed the brothers. “A gift? It must be for Sydney since I know Tamara wouldn’t trade her Arabian for anything else, but don’t you have a few to pick from?”
“You’re right, she wouldn’t. We did have one, but by the time Caden talked Sydney into trying a new mount, we’d already accepted a good offer on her. Your inventory has more to pick from right now.” Connor looked at the mustang and shook his head, his jaw tightening with a flash of anger swirling in his blue eyes. “Do you know who’s responsible?”
“No, which is why I’m not in jail for assault, or worse,” Kurt replied.
“Sydney talked me into buying a pathetic excuse for horseflesh last year and babied that animal back to health. Gotta admit it was worth the time and effort she put into the animal.” Caden jerked a thumb toward the mustang. “If you’re half as successful with him, you’ll have a good horse.”
“I think so too,” Kurt agreed. “Come on, I have a few mares between eighteen months and two I think would be a good fit for your wife.”
The perfect opportunity to work on getting Leslie to open up fell into Kurt’s lap as he led Caden and Connor to the stables housing the Thoroughbreds for sale. Opening the door, the scent of fresh hay and horses greeted them, as did the soft whinnies from some of the equines sticking their long, sleek necks over the half gates to their stalls. He stopped at the few he thought Sydney would love, the ones with spirit but easy to control.
“Belle here is my favorite.” Kurt stopped at the stall of a dark chestnut mare with a white star blazoned on her forehead. She butted his arm looking for a treat, which Caden provided by opening his hand with a sugar cube.
“She’s a beauty.” Caden stroked a hand down her neck, eying her size with a frown. “Taller than I was looking for though. With Syd being pregnant, she’ll need to be more careful when riding.”
Connor snorted. “Good luck with that.”
“How about if I hold her until after the baby comes and give her to you as a baby gift,” Kurt offered, not surprised by the caution Caden exhibited with Sydney. The redhead was an enticing trouble magnet whose soft spot for animals amused him and drove her husband nuts when she extended it toward the ranch animals.
“That’s too generous. I’ll split the cost with you and we’ll both give Belle to her.”
Connor smirked at his brother. “In the meantime, good luck dissuading her from coming home with the worst the auction house has to offer tomorrow.”
Seeing the frustrated resignation on Caden’s face gave Kurt an idea. “How about if Leslie and I come along? If they’re busy chatting, maybe Sydney won’t pay as much attention to the auction ring.”
“That might help,” Caden returned as he entered the stall to get a closer look at the mare. Running a hand down her withers, he looked over his shoulder with a small grin. “You and Leslie outside of the club?”
Kurt shrugged, ignoring Connor’s amused look. “We’re giving it a try. She thinks it’s just for sex.”
“It’s not?” Connor asked, surprised. “I never pictured her interested in anything beyond a few scenes at the club.”
“I don’t think she is, and I’m still trying to decide if I am.” He looked at Caden. “Anyway, I could use Sydney’s help, if you think she’d be willing.”
Resting his hand on Belle’s flank, Caden tipped his hat back and drawled, “Willing to help encourage a relationship between a friend and a Dom? You’d be hard-pressed to stop her.”
“Excellent. We can seal both deals over lunch. Babs made friend chicken.”
Leslie’s phone beeped with a text message, a welcome distraction from Alan, who insisted on joining her for lunch in the teachers’ lounge. Her pulse jumped at seeing Kurt’s name, not a good reaction for someone who needed to keep an emotional distance. “Excuse me, I should answer this.”
Turning away from Alan’s frown, she read Kurt’s message, her interest piqued despite wondering why he wanted her to go out with him on what sounded like a double date. Once she’d agreed to an affair, she assumed that meant getting together at her place for a night once in a while, a few hours that might or might not include having dinner together. She never imagined he would want to go out as a couple with others, or take her to a ranching auction. With agriculture listed among Montana’s top industries, she’d lived in the state long enough to learn how popular auctions for livestock were, she just never thought of attending one for fun.
Curious about his motives, she texted back a simple Why? His honest, straightforward answer rattled her.
Because going out together is what couples who are having an affair do.
Unable to resist, she typed back, I thought this was about sex.
You thought wrong. I’ll be at your place by 4:00. We’ll go to dinner after the auction.
He clicked off and she looked up to see Alan’s curious stare. “Everything okay?” he asked.
“Yes, sorry about that. A friend wanting to meet up tomorrow after school.”
Reaching for her bottled water, her hand jerked when he wanted to know, “The same friend I saw you with in the parking lot the other day?”
Leslie refused to lie, and maybe telling Alan she was seeing someone would keep him from asking her out again. “Yes. We met about two months ago.” She kept the circumstances of her and Kurt’s initial introduction and the weeks since to herself.
“That’s good.” He smiled but hinted for more. “He looked familiar.”