Seth Remington had a fortune at his fingertips, but something was missing in his life.  Purpose.

 

Knowing he has one last chance to redeem his son, terminally ill Sterling Remington rewrites his will. To earn his inheritance, his son Seth must labor as a groom for a horse trainer.

Katie Murphy's orderly existence is turned upside down by Sterling Remington's will.  Raised on hard work and dedicated to her harness racing stable, Katie agrees to take Seth on as a groom. How can she ever fulfill the challenge of instilling a work ethic in Seth and still keep her faltering stable running?

Kept at arm's length by the strict terms of Sterling's will, Seth and Katie are forced to struggle with their growing attraction until a devastating racing accident forces them to take a hard look at their relationship. How much is he willing to risk for her love?

 

 

"This book is straight from my heart.  Until my husband and I jumped into owning racehorses, I had no idea that world even existed.  I fell in love with the animals and the wonderful, generous people who work with them every day, and I wanted to share that experience with readers.  I offer this story to all my friends in harness racing in hopes they'll know how much I love being a part of their world."  ~Sandy~

 

Romance Writers of America's 2007 Heart of the Rockies Finalist, 2007 Golden Gateway Finalist, and 2007 Golden Rose Finalist

Katie picked up a discarded program, her eyes scanning a page as her finger traced the entries. She suddenly gave the program a hard tap. "This one is easy. Brian's going to take it."

"Show me how to read that thing," Seth begged, looking at the pages of jumbled names and numbers. After a few minutes of instruction, Seth caught on. "Boss, can you float me...? What's the minimum bet around here?"

"Two dollars," Katie replied as she wiggled to reach for her wallet. "But that's all I'm staking you. You lose it, you're out of luck."

"I won't lose it," he promised, taking the bills in hand and sprinting toward the betting windows before the race went to post.

"That's what they all say," she commented loudly, eliciting laughter from several close spectators.

Seth returned with his red and white ticket, but he refused to divulge his wager to Katie. The race was close, but as Katie predicted, Brian's long-shot horse managed to win the mile.

Seth checked his ticket several times to be sure he was seeing it correctly, waiting with baited breath to see the results of the race posted.

"Official" illuminated on the infield tote board, and Seth watched as the payoffs were displayed. Just to be contrary, he made a somber face and shook his head.

Katie must have noticed his expression when she offered a conciliatory comment. "Most people lose. Don't feel bad."

"Oh, I don't feel bad at all. Hell, I just wish I'd bet more."

She appeared confused, which made Seth extremely happy. For once, she was off balance.

"I don't understand," Katie said, knitting her brows.

Seth tossed her a smug grin. "If I'd had four bucks on them, I'd be in four figures."

"Them?" He savored her puzzled expression, the small tilt of her head, the sudden dawning of understanding. "Let me see that ticket!" She grabbed for the betting slip.

Seth began a teasing game of "keep away" as she leaned over her seat to try to snatch it from his hand. The more she struggled, the harder he tried to keep it out of her grasp.

Katie jumped up, obviously frustrated and way too stubborn to ever admit defeat, and faced Seth as she leaned against him, bracing herself on his chest with her left hand. Her right reached for the betting slip he continued to keep as far behind his head as he could manage even as he realized his actions were nothing more than an adolescent ploy to draw her closer.

Standing on tiptoe, Katie finally caught the paper. She opened her mouth, probably preparing for a victorious comment, and then suddenly snapped it shut. Her face flushed a deep shade of red. Not only was Katie practically in his lap, but her chest pressed into Seth's face. "I'm sorry," she mumbled as she tried to get her balance.

"Oh, you're quite forgiven," he replied with a chuckle. Settling his hands around her waist to steady her, he hoped to keep her near for a moment longer. The whole episode had been the best thing that happened to him in a very long time—winning the bet included. As she moved away, awkward and apologetic, he could still make out the lingering sweet flowery scent of her. A subtle smell that eclipsed even the finest of perfumes. For the first time, Seth seriously wondered if any sort of loophole existed in the ridiculous "all business" clause of his father's will. Perhaps he wasn't entirely barred from pursuing her.

What the hell are you thinking, Remington? The instructions had been clear enough, and his inheritance was obviously more important than any fleeting attraction. Even if it was an extraordinarily strong one.

Taking a good look at the betting slip she now held in her hand, Katie's eyes went wide. "You bet a trifecta?"

"Sure did. First, second, third in correct order. All long shots too. That two dollars you floated me just turned into five-hundred and eighty," he arrogantly replied, plucking the ticket from her fingers.

"Beginner's luck," she reasoned as she crossed her arms over her breasts.

Seth laughed as he patted her shoulder. "Hell, with the way things have been going lately, I'll take any luck I can get. You want your two bucks back?"

"I'll take it out of your pay." Katie checked her wristwatch. "It's after ten, and we've got an early morning. I'm exhausted, so I'm heading for home. Think you can find your way back to the dorm, Rookie?"

"Oh, I think I can manage." He waved the ticket in her face. "With this I might just call a limo." The stunned look on Katie's face told him she thought he was serious. "Don't worry, Boss. Old habits die hard. But let me walk you to your truck. You never know what kind of shady characters are hanging around a racetrack." He winked at her.

Rating:

Reviewer: Val

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