Page 80 of One in a Million
Sam stared at Nick, his pulse pounding like a sledgehammer. “So you’re saying that somebody else murdered Frank?”
“That’s right,” Nick said. “We’re back to square one.”
Wednesday at the Culhane Ranch
Lila sat by the pool, sipping a mojito and enjoying the peace and quiet. Madeleine was gone. Sam was gone. Even Jasmine was gone. The silence, broken only by the sounds from the stable and the call of a passing crow, was blissful. But Lila knew better than to believe it would last.
The ownership of the ranch was still in dispute. Madeleine might be gone, but Darrin, spurred by Simone, was still around. He would be working on the legal angles, preparing to take her to court. And she would be working with her own legal team to prove the validity of Frank’s will. Lila was not looking forward to the fight, only to having it over.
Then there was Roper. Their argument over the stallion, with him threatening to quit and her threatening to fire him, had driven a wedge between them. And now Roper’s victory on One in a Million had drawn the attention of some wealthy horse breeders. They would be clamoring to hire him, offering him big money and the chance to compete on his choice of blooded champion horses.
He had won his place in the Run for a Million as a trainer and rider. He had no obligation to compete on a Culhane horse. He could be gone tomorrow, with a ticket to the big time. Why should he stay with her?
Roper didn’t need her anymore. The trouble was, she needed him. She couldn’t run her stable or compete for prize money on her own. But how could she keep him? There was just one possibility that came to mind.
Offer him something he couldn’t get from any of the big breeders—a partnership.
“Mrs. Culhane.” Mariah had appeared in the doorway. “You have a call on the house phone.”
“Who is it, Mariah?” Lila put down her drink with a sigh.
“A woman. She didn’t give her name, but she said you’d want to talk with her.”
“All right. Thanks, Mariah. I’ll take it in the office.” Lila stood and walked into the house. The way was dark after the glare of the afternoon sun.
The ranch office was just down the hall. Lila walked in and picked up the phone. “This is Mrs. Culhane. What is it you want?”
“My name is Crystal.” She sounded young. “Crystal Carter. You don’t know me. But you’ve probably seen my picture. A man you must have hired snapped a photo of me with your husband. I saw the flash and knew we’d been caught.”
Lila felt vaguely sick. This was the last thing she needed. “You have no business calling here,” she said. “Frank is dead, and I want nothing to do with you. Never call me again.”
“Please don’t hang up.” The young woman sounded as if she were crying. “I’ve nowhere else to turn.”
“What could you possibly need from me?” Lila demanded.
“I need help.” The girlish voice quivered. “I’m pregnant, Mrs. Culhane. The baby is Frank’s.”
Dear Reader,
Here’s hoping you enjoyed this book. Our story will continue in Book 2 of the Rivalries series. Watch for LIE FOR A MILLION in late 2024!
Travel to Kentucky with Janet Dailey, in
LONE OAKS CROSSING!
The New Americana Series
In the lush rolling hills of Lone Oaks, KY the good life is measured in sips of aged bourbon and the thrill of the world’s most famous horse race: the Kentucky Derby . . .
When news of her grandfather’s stroke sends Jo Beth Ellis back to the family farm, she finds it in danger of foreclosure. Lone Oaks Crossing is in rough shape, but Jo has big plans—she’ll use her expertise as a Derby-winning horse trainer to reinvent the property as a healing retreat. But renovating the property while trying to keep her independent grandfather in check is a huge job for one woman—and even more challenging when she receives her first client, the unruly fourteen-year-old Cheyenne, who is determined to do anything but cooperate. Jo is at the end of her rope when neighbor Brooks Moore offers her a deal she can’t possibly refuse . . .
Jo may have sworn to leave the gambling and vicious competition of horse racing behind her, but training Brooks’s gorgeous thoroughbred is a challenge she can’t resist, especially when sulky Cheyenne takes a shine to him—and when Brooks is sinking an outrageous amount of money into rehabbing the farm and even rolling up his sleeves to help. With a troubled teen’s spirit and her grandfather’s faith in her on the line, Jo steps into a tentative partnership with the undeniably attractive Brooks. Against all odds, she dreams of winning a trifecta—a champion horse, a happy family and a forever love.
CHAPTERONE
Jo Beth Ellis had never been a quitter and she wouldn’t start today.
“This morning’s events were unfortunate. I’m sorry this happened to you.”