Leaping Hearts(61)

If she’d been just any other rider, he probably would have let her go after suggesting she see a doctor. That devastating argument would never have occurred. Instead, they’d had a blowout, she’d run away and now they were estranged. It was exactly the kind of situation he’d warned her about.

During her incessant introspections, A.J. often wondered if he was hurting as badly as she was. The need to know what he was feeling was why she’d finally looked up at him today. Across the distance that separated them, she’d seen the regret in his face and a yearning that went a long way toward making her feel better.

As she’d returned to the mansion, she’d decided it was time for them to talk. After almost a week of being away from him, she was ready. Tomorrow, she would go up to the farmhouse after she visited with Sabbath. She would tell him how much he’d hurt her and hear what he had to say.

And she prayed that whatever it was went far enough.

The idea of seeing him up close made her heart pound with a heady combination of emotions that was hard to separate. So much of her was just desperate to be with him and put the argument behind them but the rest was a jumble of unhappy contradictions.

A.J. sighed, refocusing on the full-length mirror. The woman staring back at her looked beautiful and confident.

What a lie, she thought. But let’s hear it for some damn good window dressing.

Turning away from the image, she left the bathroom and walked into her bedroom. It was an elegant space she knew well but she didn’t feel like it was hers anymore. Her childhood furniture, which she’d liked, had been thrown out when Regina arrived and redecorated everything. The baroque antiques and heavy satins that had been installed weren’t to A.J.’s taste but she’d learned to live with them. They’d been a concession so she could keep her trophies and ribbons displayed on the walls.

The only thing she still liked about the room was its bank of French doors that let in an abundance of light. Both sets opened up to a patio for her private use. Sitting there, she could look out over the magnificent sculptured gardens of the estate, four square acres of flower beds set off by blooming apple, cherry and pear trees as well as majestic maples, oaks and willows. In the distance, rising above the wooded tree line at the far end of the gardens, there was a mountain range that framed the lush flora beautifully.

Surveying her bedroom, A.J. found herself questioning its luxury for the first time. With her equestrian trophies sitting on antique mahogany and her show ribbons hanging off silk walls, it dawned on her how much she had taken for granted.

A knock interrupted her thoughts and she padded to the door in her stocking feet. When she opened it, Garrett was standing in the hall. He was looking dapper in his tuxedo and happy as he took in her appearance.

“You’ll be the most beautiful one there.”

“You never know,” A.J. said, accepting his kiss on the cheek. “I haven’t put on my shoes yet and barn boots are still a possibility. Far more functional than the pinpointed high-risers I got to go with the dress.”

“I’m so glad you’re back home.”

“Papa, I told you not to get used to this. I’m only staying here until I can find a place of my own.”

“I know, but I keep hoping…” At her warning glance, Garrett cleared his throat. “I’ll let you finish dressing but I wanted to give you a little something.”

He pressed a leather-bound box into his daughter’s hands and interrupted her string of protests.

“It’s my birthday. You can’t turn me down.”

“You shouldn’t have.”

“I know. Now, when this is all through, you and I will get together at the end of the night, won’t we? Just like we always do.”

Holding his gift in her hand, A.J.’s eyes misted over with tears as she recalled their yearly ritual. “Yes. Yes, we will.”

Garrett reached out and stroked her cheek. “Your mother would have been so proud of you. Of your strength and your independence. All that fire inside of you comes from her.”

She grasped his hand. “I love you.”

“Thank you for saying that. I really need to hear it, some nights even more than others,” he said softly. Then he disappeared down the hall, the familiar smell of that spiced cologne drifting after him.

A.J. closed the door and went over to her bed, the dress draping in a cascade around her as she sat down. Unlatching a golden clasp, she opened the box and gasped. A pair of ruby and diamond earrings were nestled in a bed of satin. Even to her jaundiced eye, they were glorious. She plucked one out and held it up to the light, watching the sparkle and flash of the stones. She put them on to please Garrett and to shore up her confidence a little more.

After she stepped into her shoes, she smoothed the dress over her waist, did a recheck on the backs of the earrings and straightened her spine. Leaving the safe haven of her room, she took the winding staircase cautiously in her heels, telling herself not to feel nervous. She’d been through similar evenings countless times and, though they were unpleasant, nothing was going to happen that she hadn’t seen before.

Reality turned out to be quite the opposite.

When she walked into the formal living room, which was filled to capacity with a glittering crowd, she wasn’t prepared for the reaction. Tolerant smiles turned to surprise and astonishment as people saw her and stopped talking.