“I am. Much better. I thought I’d celebrate by helping you fancy up our boy here for his big night. When Frank used to show him, I would braid his mane and groom his tail. Didn’t I, big guy?” She stroked the stallion’s withers. He blew and nodded his head as if in agreement.
“I’ll get started now, while his hair is still damp. See, I even packed my own kit.” She took down the canvas pouch she’d slung over her shoulder and opened it. “First, we spray on some detangler. Then the fun begins.”
“Can I help?” Roper asked.
“You can keep him still. But he should be accustomed to having me do this—at least he was.”
One in a Million hadn’t forgotten the routine. He stood patiently while Lila sprayed his damp mane and tail with a detangler. After combing the coarse dark hair to silky smoothness, she trimmed the tail and then started on the mane.
Roper stood back, steadying the stallion’s head and admiring the skill of Lila’s slender hands as they divided thestrands into sections and braided them in intricate patterns. His eyes drank her in—the shape of her profile, the subtle pulse at her throat, the curve of her breasts beneath the thin cotton of her blouse. He memorized every detail, knowing that it might be all he’d ever have of her.
While she worked, they made small talk, as if today were no different than any other. “What do you think of your chances?” she asked. “Have you sized up the competition?”
“No need for that. The media’s been all over them. Two previous winners are in the running, as well as a woman who’s the European champion. One rider has his own TV show, and several others have racked up more than a million dollars in winnings. Then there are a few hopeful stragglers like me who are hoping for a miracle. Does that answer your question?”
“I suppose so.” She tied off one braid and started another. “But you’ve got the best horse. He was born for this. You’ve got to believe in him—just like I believe in you.”
He gave a slight shake of his head. “Damn it, I love you.”
“But?”
He took a breath, dreading what had to be said. “But I need you to promise me something, Lila.”
Her busy hands paused. She raised an eyebrow. “What?”
“Promise, and I’ll tell you.”
“That’s not how this works. Tell me, and I’ll think about it.” She went back to braiding, her chin stubbornly set.
“Just this—and it isn’t easy to say. If I’m to be arrested for Frank’s murder, I don’t want you involved in any way. If you’re called as a witness, you can tell the truth. Otherwise, I don’t want you implicated. You’re not to visit me; you’re not to talk to my lawyers. As far as you’re concerned, I was just someone who worked for you. Do you understand?”
With a sharp intake of breath, she spun toward him.Her eyes were blazing. “Who do you think you are, Roper McKenna, that you can tell me what to do? I’m the boss here. And if the worst happens, I intend to fight for you, to my last breath!”
“You’re not listening. It’s for your own good, Lila—for your reputation and for the risk that you could be charged as an accessory. Darrin and Simone always claimed that we were having an affair before Frank died.”
“We both know that isn’t true.”
“Yes, but Mariah was spying for them. She saw us together after Frank’s death. And we both know she isn’t your friend or mine. She could do you some serious damage.”
“I can deal with Mariah.”
“Blast it, Lila, don’t do this to me. I love you, and I need to know that, whatever happens, you’ll be all right. I’ve got enough worries as it is.”
“Then listen to my idea,” she said. “This is Las Vegas. We could get married while we’re here.”
“What the—” Roper flinched as if she’d punched him. Sensing his reaction, the stallion snorted and jerked his head. “If this is a proposal, it’s the craziest one I’ve ever heard of.”
She took up her braiding again, fingers flying. “Just listen,” she said. “If the worst happens and you’re arrested, you’ll need someone on the outside to fight for you. Who’s that going to be? Your mother? From what I’ve heard of her, she might not be taken seriously. Your brothers and sister don’t have the experience to deal with judges and lawyers. I handled Frank’s business and legal affairs for years. And I have connections. As your wife, I’d have access to you and your defense—access I wouldn’t have if we weren’t married.”
“And you couldn’t be called to testify against me,” Roper added. “Not that you’d have anything useful to say.”
“That, too, yes. But—”
“Good Lord, Lila, don’t you realize how that would look? If things were different, I’d marry you in a heartbeat. But this way? No. Absolutely not.”
“Have you got a better idea? I want to help you, Roper. I can’t just sit back and watch you suffer for something you didn’t do.”
She looked up at him from her braiding. The tears welling in her eyes tore at Roper’s heart. She was so desperate to help him. And there was nothing she could do.