Heart's Delight Read online

“Time to wash up,” Jim called. “Dinner in ten minutes.”

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  Heart’s Delight

  Chapter Ten

  The ride had given them both a good appetite and they did justice to dinner, which tasted as good as it smelled.

  “Your wife must have been a good cook,” Elaine said while Quinn helped himself to more potatoes.

  “The best. Always winning prizes for her pies and preserves.” Jim pushed a dish of peas and carrots across the table toward her. “Help yourself.”

  “Thanks.” She paused to chase a rolling pea. “Don’t you have any family at all around here?”

  “Just a niece somewhere, but I don’t see much of her.” He looked at Quinn to include him in the chat. “These modern young women, you know. They all have jobs and careers these days. Running around like fleas in a colander, as my mother used to say.”

  Quinn gave a noncommittal nod, his mouth full.

  After dessert, Elaine stood before Jim could begin to clear away. “No arguments, tonight. I’ll do the dishes.”

  To her surprise, Jim gave in gracefully. “I’ve done all the pans,” he said. “Thanks for your help.” He sank into his big chair. “My wife always wanted a dishwasher, but I never saw the use of it, until I had to do it all myself. Now I wish I had made life a bit easier for her.”

  Moved by the sadness on his face, Elaine patted his shoulder then busied herself stacking plates. Quinn helped her clear, but Jim’s presence and his memories cast a pall on the room. They worked in silence, not touching.

  When Elaine let the rinsing water go and hung up the damp dishtowel, she turned to Jim, wiping her hands on a dry cloth. “Would you by any chance have a couple of sleeping bags around?”

  “I think there’s a couple stashed away somewhere. Why?”

  “Quinn and I will keep watch in the stable tonight.” She saw Quinn’s quick glance from the corner of her eye, but he said nothing.

  “Do you think it’s necessary?” Jim hauled himself from his chair. “I don’t think anyone will come back.”

  “I’d rather be sure,” Elaine said firmly. “The horses have been through enough and I want to stay close.”

  “I think I can put my hands on the bags. Wait a moment.”

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  He left the kitchen and Quinn immediately grabbed Elaine in his arms. “I was going to keep watch,” he said. “You don’t need to be there.”

  “And miss doing it in a stable? You’ve got to be kidding.” She kissed his cheek.

  “Fair go for everyone. In a bed for you, in a stable for me.”

  Jim came back into the room, his arms full of two bundles. “Here you go, kids.

  These should do you.”

  Elaine figured they still had about an hour of light as they carried their sleeping bags and a flashlight to the stable. Back when Jim had horses he’d used straw for bedding and Elaine hadn’t brought any wood shavings with her. Quinn broke open a couple more bales and spread the bedding thickly in a clean corner. Fortunately the stable was dry and airy and the straw still seemed in good condition. The air was warm, so he unzipped the bags, laying one on the straw and keeping the other for a cover.

  Then he closed the door, shutting out most of the remaining light. Dust motes danced in the faint beams that penetrated the wooden walls.

  The horses turned their heads, watching them with curiosity. Elaine went to Star and ran her hands over the mare’s swollen belly. “Not long now,” she whispered, and the horse flicked her ears.

  The stable smelled of hay, warm horse and old leather, the best scents in the world.

  That, plus Quinn to sleep by her side. She sighed with satisfaction. When she thought about it, she was amazed at herself. Mere weeks ago she was worried sick about her business and her finances. Now the situation was worse, but her anxiety was less and she faced the future with confidence and optimism.

  Because of Quinn. She couldn’t live without him.

  Turning away from the horse stall, she saw the sun had dipped low in the sky and the mellow light shone through a window behind him, outlining his head and shoulders, throwing his face and body into shadow. The shape of his hips and legs were no more than suggestions of length and muscle, as in an impressionist painting. Colors faded with the day. Despite the waning light she caught the glitter of his eyes as he leaned against the wall, and knew he was watching her. Her heartbeat notched up as usual.

  “I love the way you move,” he said. “I could watch you all day, except I have other plans for you.”

  The rhythmic pulse started below her waist and her breathing grew shallow. She saw the glint from his teeth as he smiled.

  “You’re the expert on sex in a stable,” she said in a low voice that caught in her throat. “What would you like?”

  “I’d like to watch you take your clothes off for me.”

  “You can barely see me.”

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  “Oh, yes, I can. I’ve had lots of practice hunting in the dark. My night vision is excellent.”

  Keeping her eyes on him as her own vision adjusted to the dim light, she pulled her T-shirt from her jeans. She, who had never even been comfortable in the changing rooms of local swimming pools, remembered the scenes from The Sopranos series where the dancers in the mob’s club had moved and gyrated, their breasts swinging, their arms and hands stretched out in invitation.

  Totally out of character for her to be inspired by such images, yet she felt her hips begin to move in a primeval cadence as she tugged her shirt over her head, then swung it around and threw it at Quinn. It slithered down his face and he caught it in both hands, holding it to his nose and inhaling deeply.

  Emboldened, she sashayed around in the confined space and began to hum a tune with a persistent beat. She turned and gave him a glimpse of her gyrating behind in the tight jeans as she unhooked her bra.

  Facing him again, she let the straps fall from her shoulders and the lace slide from her breasts. The bra followed the shirt. She eased her shoes from her feet.

  Topless, she swayed for a few moments to the rhythm she sang under her breath, then unhooked the button at the waist of her jeans. Slowly, so slowly, she inched the fabric down until her lace panties came into view. The jeans slid smoothly downward and she stepped out of them.

  She drew closer to Quinn and saw the flush of color on his cheekbones, the hot luster of his eyes, the tightness of his jaw. He reached for her and she stepped away, shaking her head.

  God, she was loving this. Teasing, promising, approaching, retreating. She hoped he was aroused as she. The panties were soaked and the throb in her abdomen had crept to the lips of her swollen vulva.

  With two fingers she eased the panties down past her hips. Hadn’t there been a thong in the stuff Maggie had given her? Through a pink mist and the sound of her pounding heart, she resolved to find another and wear it.

  At last she could prolong the striptease no longer. She flung the panties from her with an impatient flick of her foot and stood naked before him.

  “Am I allowed to touch now?” His voice was thick.

  She held back, just beyond his reach, and pretended to consider. “I think not,” she said. “It’s my turn to watch.”

  She sank down on the straw bed and linked her hands behind her head, crooking one leg, knowing her breasts would rise and point at him with temptation. She saw his eyes flicker as he followed the movement.

  “My God, woman, you deserve a sound spanking, tease that you are.”

  She raised an eyebrow, waiting.

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  He did not imitate her slow peeling, but ripped off his clothes, slinging them haphazardly onto the floor as they came free.

  When he was naked, he came to stand over her. His erection jutted hard and strong from the nest of dark curls at the top of his thighs. As she watched, it quivered and grew. A tiny bead of liquid appeared at t
he tip. She had never known that she could have such an effect on a man. She ran her hand up his leg and saw the shiver of the muscles under his skin at her feather touch. Reaching up, she lightly brushed his balls with the back of her fingers. He gave a muffled groan and knelt down beside her, slipping his arms under her. As he lifted her, she held his face between her palms and kissed him long and deep. He lifted her more and she suddenly felt a slap on her buttocks.

  “Ouch!” Not truly painful, the sting zigzagged along her nerves, jolting down through her belly down to her wet opening.

  He gathered her closer and covered her eyes, her cheeks, her hair with kisses. “I couldn’t hurt you,” he murmured.

  No, beatings for him were too real. He wouldn’t inflict any such thing on another.

  She kissed him back, wanting to merge completely with him—become one breathing, pleasure-racked entity.

  With one mind, they slid down onto the straw and she opened her legs. His stiff cock edged into her until it was seated deep, deep inside. She could not tell where his body began and hers ended. “I love you,” she whispered.

  She slept in Quinn’s arms, warmly snuggled into the straw and the blankets until she felt him pull away and roll off her. She murmured sleepily and reached for him, but encountered empty space. She rubbed her eyes and sat up. Quinn’s shape was a blacker mass in the darkness.

  “What is it?”

  He came closer, fastening his shirt. “I think it’s Star,” he whispered. In the silence she could hear stamping from the horse stalls and a scrambling sound.

  “She’s restless. I’m going to check.” He moved away, melting into the shadows.

  Immediately she flung the covers from her and reached for the flashlight. With the light from the solitary beam, she scrambled for her clothes.

  Within seconds she was dressed and making her way to the light switch by the door. Two low-watt bulbs came to life and revealed Quinn in the mare’s stall. The horse had defecated several times and stood tense, her upper lip curled. Elaine hurried to Quinn’s side, narrowly avoiding Star’s swishing tail. Her watch said four-thirty.

  “Let’s put her next door.” Quinn’s voice was calm but firm.

  The neighboring stall was clean and Elaine quickly spread fresh straw. Quinn turned the mare to lead her into the new area, speaking gently to her in a low, soothing voice. As Star moved out of the first stall, her waters broke in a gush of fluid.

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  By the time she was in her new quarters, tiny hooves were visible at the opening of the birth canal.

  Quinn patted her neck and came to stand next to Elaine. He slipped his arm around her shoulders. “Not much we can do,” he said, “except wait.”

  With a loud expulsion of breath through her nostrils, Star lay down on the straw and more of the foal appeared. One small leg emerged straight and a second followed, bent. Then a head was visible between the legs, looking for all the world like a miniature diver. Gradually over the next ten minutes, the foal slid from its mother’s body, still encased in the amniotic sac, its lower legs still hidden.

  Elaine held her breath on a sob. These few minutes were necessary to complete the transfer of blood from the placenta so the new baby could be totally independent. At last the tiny foal began to move and tore the restraining sac as it lifted its head. It struggled to raise itself on its shaky front legs and eventually succeeded, pulling its rear quarters from its mother.

  Star raised her head and turned to watch as her newborn tried to stand. Within a few minutes, the foal stood, legs splayed and Star got to her feet. She nuzzled the baby and began to lick it clean.

  Elaine wiped tears from her cheeks and turned to hold Quinn. “It’s a miracle,” she said.

  “Every time.” He kissed her cheek. “I’ll make some warm mash. She’ll want water too.”

  By the time the sun rose, the foal had taken its first drink, Star had eaten and the stalls were clean and shipshape.

  As soon as Jim appeared, Elaine hurried to tell him the news.

  “I’m so grateful that we were here,” she said. “You can’t know what it means to me to know that Star and her colt are somewhere safe and dry. But I’m going into town this morning to arrange for my house cleanup and to start the rebuilding.”

  “I understand completely,” Jim answered. “I’d do the same myself. What are you going to call the new fellow?”

  “Diamond Stud,” Elaine said quickly.

  The trip to town went well. The insurance company made no problems about sending a cleanup crew and gave her the name of the company they would deal with for rebuilding the barn. She ran into Jane as she left the insurance office.

  “How’s it going?” Jane asked.

  Elaine told her about the cleanup and the new colt.

  “Sounds as if things are under control.”

  “So far. But I’m still going to have to work at building up the business. The insurance company can’t manufacture customers for me.”

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  “Right. But you have some help.” Jane pushed back her hair. “You’ve got that new guy. He going to be around for a while?”

  “Quinn? Yes, he’ll be around.” The words were like a warm blanket settling around her heart. She felt a sudden stab of remorse at being so wrapped up in herself. “What about you, Janey? How are things?”

  Jane’s lip twisted in a bitter smile. “No such luck. Still on my own.”

  Elaine searched for words. “That’s too bad,” she said weakly. Years ago, before they were married, she and Jordan had come to town for a visit one summer and had double dated a couple of times with Jane and a fellow named Clint, but Clint had soon disappeared. Jane had gone out with a couple of other guys over the years, but nothing had grown serious. Jordan had said Jane was too intense and scared off any potential boyfriend. “She doesn’t give a guy any breathing space,” he’d said.

  It was always difficult to see your friends through a man’s eyes. She’d felt a twinge of guilt about her own happiness with Jordan and now Jane was still alone and she had Quinn. It didn’t seem fair.

  She touched Jane’s arm. “There’ll be someone,” she said. “Look at me, I never thought—”

  Jane shrugged off her hand. “Don’t worry about it. Enjoy your new catch. My break is over.” Abruptly she turned and strode back toward the bank.

  Elaine watched her disappear through the glass doors and sighed. She felt sorry for Jane, so obviously needy, but her own happiness bubbled up as if from a bottomless spring. She couldn’t feel down for long with a new foal, a healthy mare and a lusty lover waiting for her.

  She mailed Mary’s letter, made a few purchases and began to walk back to the parking lot where she’d left the pickup. As she was about to cross the street a horn beeped and she turned to see Maggie waving from her red convertible.

  “Just the one I want to see,” Maggie said. “Here.” She pulled a box from the passenger seat and thrust it at Elaine. “Enjoy.”

  “What—?”

  “The toys you wanted. I picked up a few different things you might like.”

  “Thank you. I didn’t expect—”

  “Hey, you have to seize the moment. You wanted some toys, you got some toys.”

  “Right. Thanks, Maggie. How much do I owe you?”

  “Don’t worry about it.” Maggie started her engine. “Ask me to dinner to meet this hunk.”

  “I will.”

  She stowed the package behind the driver’s seat. All the way home, she couldn’t help wondering if there was a remote control clit stimulator, the toy she’d promised Quinn.

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  After Elaine had left in the pickup, Quinn turned the mare and foal out into the paddock. He had to make a decision.

  Squaring his shoulders, he strode back to the house to find Jim.

  “What can I do for you?” Jim was sweeping leaves from the lawn area and
stopped to lean on his broom.

  “I thought I’d take the gelding for a ride. Star and the foal are in the paddock.”

  “Makes no difference to me.” Jim picked up the broom and began sweeping again.

  Quinn hesitated. There was information he needed and to get it he had to leave Star alone.

  Jim glanced up. “So get going if you’re going. I take it you will be back?”

  “Of course.” Quinn swung away. There was a current of hostility in Jim’s demeanor that he had sensed from the beginning. The smiles for Elaine and the helpful advice faded when the old man turned his eyes on Quinn.

  Was it just the jealousy of an old man for a young one? Was he offended by them sleeping together without being married? Or was there something else?

  He turned back to face Jim. “I plan to marry her, you know.”

  Jim shrugged. “It’s her life.”

  “I love her. You should understand that.”

  Jim looked up, a puzzled expression on his face.

  “You loved your wife. You miss her,” Quinn added.

  “Yes, that’s right.” Jim forced a smile. “But my wife didn’t have a record.”

  “Record? What does that mean?”

  “Why don’t you ask your lady friend? Have a good ride.”

  Jim resumed his sweeping, his back solidly turned. There would be no more information from him. After a moment’s hesitation Quinn turned away again and went to saddle the horse.

  He rode the same trail as the day before and soon arrived at Mary Richardson’s house. The old lady was outside, potting some plants with red flowers. She looked up and put down her trowel.

  “Welcome,” she called. “This is a nice surprise. Where’s Elaine?”

  Quinn slid down from the horse. “She went into town to make arrangements for the repairs and cleaning.”

  Mary nodded. “Come on in and have a cup of coffee. It’s about time I took a break.

  This one-handed stuff is tiring.”

  “Can I do something for you?”

  “That’s kind of you, but the best thing is to come inside and put the coffee on.”

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