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Chapter 12: Worst Case Scenario

Stuart

The sun dipped low on the horizon as I headed across the yard to check on Bill and the colt I’d just gotten clear when I saw Mariska standing on the fence watching the, I took a quick turn into the barn and walked up the alley to the paddock door

Froht, but I could see and hear the the colt, and she watched, the wind pushing her long broaves off her face, her strapless dress swirling in an arc behind her The sun was in her face, and it glinted off the necklace she wore Mariska alore several necklaces and a few rings I’d , slender hand e Perhaps I needed e therapy

“Spying are we?” Nikki’s voice pulled hts

I clearedon the colt’s progress”

She walked to the paddock door and leaned over it, looking into the yard and then waving at Bill

“So that’s it” She turned those blue eyes on me, and I could see the irritation in the that child”

“Take it easy, Nikki, she’s not a child She’s twenty-six” I didn’t want to be angry with her I didn’t want to fight I wanted her to shut the fuck up and go home

“Stuart” She was quiet a o back to the house when she spoke again This ti “I’ot back”

“You’re right” I nodded “I wasn’t ot back But I’m better now You don’t have to worry”

“I can’t help it” She reached out and touched my arm “I’d hoped we could pick up where we left off I waited for you”

Movingmy hand in my pocket, I took a step back “I didn’t ask you to wait”

Her eyesnear my belt Another blink and her eyes were back on s I found the empty bottle you took from my apartment at Derek’s”

That stopped —”