Page 30 of One in a Million
“We don’t give a damn about the Culhanes and their fancy lifestyle,” Kirby said. “The big house, the cars, those million-dollar test tube-bred horses. They look down their snooty noses at our family, but we’ve got something they’ll never have.”
“Look at Frank’s kids,” Rachel said. “A washed-up actress and a small-time lawyer who’ll probably spend his life working for the family. Our children were raised with goals. They’re champions. More important, they’re decent, respectable people.”
Sam made more small talk while he’d finished the decadent cake. Something told him he wasn’t going to get any more out of the McKennas. Either he’d hit a stone wall, or they were simply telling him the truth.
He put away his notes, stood, and thanked them for their hospitality. “Best chocolate cake I ever had. My compliments,” he said. “Before I go, do either of you have a final word to say about Frank’s murder? Do you have any idea who might have killed him?”
Kirby took a sip from his stained coffee mug. “All I can say is, aside from being Roper’s boss, Frank was nothing to us. Just a rich neighbor who barely gave us the time of day. I don’t give a rat’s ass that he’s dead. It doesn’t change anything for our family.”
“You asked who might have killed him,” Rachel said. “My money’s on the widow. That ex-showgirl may have been hot stuff once, but she’s no spring chicken anymore. Frank was probably getting tired of her, looking around for a sexy young thing to replace her. She had to do something before he put her out to pasture. At least that’s my two cents’ worth.”
“I’ll take that under consideration.” Sam left them and went out to the Jeep. As he drove away, he glimpsed two of the young McKennas in his side mirror. They were still practicing their rodeo skills.
* * *
Lila stood in the late-day shadows at the edge of the arena, watching Roper give the mare her extra practice session. Million Dollar Baby was their best hope—maybe their only hope—of winning the upcoming shootout and qualifying Roper for Frank’s place in the Run for a Million. The ranch was depending on her. Her reining performance would have to be flawless, as well as fast. Roper would be allowed to bring two backup horses to the competition. The horses were experienced performers. But they lacked the flash and dazzle that made Baby a star in the arena.
She was a beautiful mare. A daughter of One in a Million, she had her sire’s glistening roan body with an all-white face—a marking known as bald—from her mother’s line of champions. She was pure aristocrat, and smart like her famous father—maybe smarter, with the extra lick of common sense given to females.
Watching Baby perform her graceful turns, dashes, and heart-stopping slides was a pleasure. But Lila’s gaze was drawn to the man—his erect posture in the saddle, the set of his head, the breadth of his shoulders, the hand, leg, and heel movements that were barely visible as he directed the mare with subtle cues.
Roper’s focus was total. If he was aware of Lila watching him, he gave no sign of it. She remained quiet. A young groom waited at the stable entrance to take the mare after the workout. Million Dollar Baby would be the final horse out at the end of a long day. Once she was rubbed down and put away, the last hired worker would leave. The stable would fall into stillness until dawn.
At the end of the routine, Roper walked the mare to cool her down, checked her limbs and hooves for soundness, and turned her over to the groom, who would lead her back to her stall and put her away. Roper remained in the arena, standing in a slanting light ray as if waiting. He’d probably been aware of her presence all along, Lila reasoned as she stepped into sight and walked toward him.
He met her partway. His face was beaded with perspiration, his gray cotton shirt plastered to his torso after a day of working in the heat. The scent of horses and masculine sweat clung to his body, teasing her senses.
“Hello, Boss.” His voice was weary, with an undertone of what could almost be taken as tenderness. But Lila knew better. Theirs was a business relationship, advantageous to them both as long as they maintained strict boundaries.
“Baby’s looking good,” she said.
“Baby will have to be perfect, and lucky, to have any chance of winning the shootout. Every top rider who hasn’t qualified for the Million Run will be competing for Frank’s spot. On any given night there’s bound to be somebody who’s better than we are. I’ve been drilling the backup horses, Topper and Sly, too.” He used the short nicknames for the two geldings. “But this will be Baby’s prize to win.”
Lila glanced back to make sure the groom had taken the mare and gone. “Walk with me,” she said.
He followed her across the arena, his fingertips just brushing the small of her back. They rarely touched, but Lila felt the light contact shimmer through her. She stopped at the rail on the arena’s open west side. A fiery sunset lit the sky with slashes of crimson, gold, and violet.
“Our FBI man cornered me on the patio today,” she said. “This time it was gloves off. He went after every detail of my relationship with Frank and where I was when he was killed.”
“What did you tell him?”
“As little as possible. But I know he believes I murdered my husband to get control of the ranch.”
“You should be safe. There’s been no evidence to place you at the scene.”
“You believe it, too, don’t you?” She swung to face him. “You believe I murdered Frank, but as long as you deny it, you can go ahead and work toward your dream. I’m not a fool, Roper. As long as it serves you, you’ll turn a blind eye to anything.”
“Damn it, Lila—” Frustration darkened his handsome features. “What is it you want from me?”
“A little faith and trust would be nice. But I’m not feeling that from you.”
He exhaled wearily. “All right. Tell me you didn’t kill Frank. I’ll defend you to my last breath, and I’ll never question it again.”
“You don’t understand.” She backed away a step. “That’s not enough. It’s not what I’m asking.”
“Lila, what—” His hand closed on her arm, pulling her back toward him. His eyes burned into hers.
“Mr. McKenna.” The voice of the groom came from the far side of the arena. “Million Dollar Baby’s in her stall with food and water. I’m leaving now.”