Jockeys and Jewels by Bev Pettersen

Author:Bev Pettersen [Bev Pettersen]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780987671714
Google: 0qoVYAAACAAJ
Amazon: 0987671715
Publisher: Westerhall
Published: 2011-07-25T14:00:00+00:00

Julie wiped her warm forehead and raised her goggles as she walked Ace in front of the grandstand. The gelding eyed the sprawling clubhouse, the rows of steps and bright garbage cans, but showed no inclination to spook. He’d galloped well too, staying balanced in the turns and switching leads when asked. Still, she was exhausted.

Already she’d galloped five horses, and riding was demanding work. There was also a slight ache between her legs, but she didn’t want to think about that.

Hooves pounded. Sandra galloped up, brandishing her phone and a curious grin. “We haven’t talked since yesterday,” she said. “You and Kurt took a long time to move the mare. His trailer was gone all day.”

Julie carefully composed her face. “We went on a trail ride.”

Sandra finished her text and shoved the phone in her pocket. “You guys looked tight at the bar too. And now I hear you're Lazer's jockey. Come on. Give me the dirt.”

Julie stroked Ace’s neck, stalling for time. Sandra was like a badger at digging up gossip. And though she could be trusted to keep her mouth shut, Julie didn’t think she could talk about Kurt, not yet, not without revealing her hurt. As a friend of her mom’s, Sandra was already too protective. Luckily, the quickest way to steer her away from a subject was to bore her.

“Oh, we helped Dad a bit.” Julie kept her voice monotone. “Looked at some acreages then rode into Mist Mountain. Weather was okay. Horses were good. Dusty got caught in some deadfall. They built a new cattle guard, and the parking lot is widened. Nothing too interesting.” She topped it off with a long shrug.

“Really? Then what’s that red mark on your neck?” Sandra asked.

Julie whipped her hand up with a guilty start while Sandra howled in delight.

“Gotcha! I used that trick on my little sister. Worked every time.” Sandra clutched her stomach, still giggling. “So Kurt kissed you, and the sky didn’t fall in. See, it’s okay to have men in your life. Get out there and enjoy. Be happy.”

Julie tried to smile but the muscles around her mouth were exhausted, and Sandra's comments only whipped up the pain. She wiped some imaginary dirt off Ace's rippling shoulder and swept away a stubborn fly.

Sandra prattled on. “If you want advice about when to have sex with someone that looks like Kurt, I'd say now. But since that’s not your style, how about the tenth date or fifth horse, whatever comes first.”

Julie’s breath leaked out in a regretful choke.

Sandra turned silent. “Oh, dear,” she said, finally. Gently.

“It just happened so fast.” Julie blew out a miserable sigh. “The first time was a mistake but the second time it was me—”

“Second time!”

“It was just that I got wet in the river, and then we surprised a grizzly. Things blew out of control.”

Sandra doubled up, hooting. “Hell—when you decide something, you sure don’t mess around. Don't bother telling me all the details. Unless you want to, of course,” she added hopefully.

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