Page 99 of Reckless Skye

TJ counted, One.

‘What did you think of your boy?’ she asked.

‘He did good.’ TJ nodded at the girls, greeted them with, ‘Ladies.’ But his eyes gravitated back towards Skye almost instantly. ‘You both did good.’

‘We better get going,’ one friend said to the other. She turned to Skye, explained, ‘We’re buddied for the fourth drag. We just got off to pee quick.’

They waved. The taller one said, ‘See you around.’

Skye waited for them to walk off before turning back to TJ. ‘Jesus, Kai turns like a spin top. Perfectly smooth, almost mechanically consistent.’

TJ cocked one hip, unconsciously trying to ease his aching back and tingling right leg. ‘He knows his job. You can push him harder on the straight though. He’s having fun, but he’s not giving it his all.’

Skye tilted her head. ‘He was as close to perfect as a horse gets, TJ. Wasn’t it you who once told me that there’s no such thing as a perfect run?’

TJ remembered, decided, ‘Fair enough.’ He reached for Kai’s reins. ‘Let me go untack him and brush him down.’

Skye only gripped them tighter. ‘No. My ride, my responsibility.’

TJ wanted to argue, but only because he had a suspicious feeling that she was managing the amount of work he did. He’d noticed it earlier too, when she’d insisted he do the braiding instead of putting Kai’s boots on.

Before he could think of a reasonable objection, she said, ‘Come on – you can still keep me company,’ and started walking back to the trailer.

Although he didn’t show it, TJ was appeased. It was enough to be where she was.

They picked their way through the contestant’s parking lot, filled with trucks and trailers. Horses were tied, some eating and relaxing for the night, others being prepped for their events. People gathered, some in small groups around portable heaters, others in camping chairs propped up near their animals.

The night air was cold and crisp. The Colorado sky was dark and star-studded. A faint breeze lifted, dragging Skye’s scent towards him. Despite the pain, just then, TJ was at peace.

But then Skye whispered, ‘TJ.’

His name fell like a stone in a glassy lake.

Her arm shot out, stopping him.

He lifted his eyes, took a few seconds in the dark to see what she did. Then the peaceful moment shattered. The tyres – two on the trailer and two on the truck – had been slashed, the rubber pooling slightly on the ground.

‘Wait here,’ TJ said.

‘The hell I will. Smokey’s in there.’

Skye stepped forward, but TJ caught her by the wrist and tugged her back. When she opened her mouth to protest, he said, ‘Please.’ And because he could see that she wasn’t happy, he added, ‘On the off-chance he’s still there, I can’t worry about you and Kai.’

She turned to look at Kai, and just like he’d known she would, she put the horse first. ‘Fine. One minute, TJ.’

He approached quietly, making sure to keep his footsteps silent. He slowly rounded the back of the trailer and, seeing nothing, moved to the front of the truck. When he stepped on a stick that snapped beneath his boot, Bandit started barking madly from inside the trailer. But whoever had slashed the tyres was long gone.

TJ completed his circle. He waved Skye forward and then unlocked the live-in to let Bandit out, because he’d rather have the dog near Skye at all times. The dog yipped in excitement and wagged his tail, but TJ didn’t miss the way Bandit hurried over to Skye and glued himself to her legs.

‘Something’s spooked him,’ Skye said. Leaning down, she threaded the dog’s ears gently through her fingers, soothing him.

TJ stepped into the trailer and approached the door to the horse compartment. He opened it slowly, just to be safe.

Smokey stood inside, her neck high, her ears pricked forward.

‘Hi, pretty girl. It’s just me.’ He ran one hand down her sleek coat, but called out, ‘She’s fine!’

Skye lowered the ramp down.