Leaping Hearts(79)

A.J. tried to smile as she opened her door. Chester disembarked with her.

“You know, I can really see you as the Nancy Drew type,” he said. “Determined, fearless. Only no matching hat an’ handbag kinda thing. Can’t see you botherin’ with all that girlie stuff.”

This time she was able to offer a better grin as they crossed over the blacktop and headed toward the business office.

Chester kept up the conversation. “I’d even guess you’d be related to that Drew girl, what with the reddish hair an’ all. I could see the two a’ ya huntin’ around scary old houses, findin’ secret passages, diggin’ up things.”

“Actually, the one with the shovel’s my cousin, C.C.”

“Clamdigger?”

“Archaeologist.”

“Same thing.” Chester opened the door for her. “Say, do they give you girls anythin’ more than initials in your family?”

“Actually, she goes by Carter, now. I just keep forgetting that we’ve all grown up.”

As they approached the counter, Margaret Mead, A.J.’s old friend, came out from the back room. As soon as she saw A.J., she broke into a wide smile.

“Ah, now, there’s a sight for sore eyes!” The Irish lilt was a welcoming sound. “And who’d you be bringin’ with you this day?”

A.J. glanced over at Chester, who’d removed his tattered baseball cap and was the color of a beefsteak tomato. She raised her eyebrows, struck by a thought.

“This is a very dear friend, Chester Raymond,” she replied, nudging the man forward. He hung back, barely touching Margaret’s hand as the woman reached over the counter.

“Pleased to meet you,” Margaret said with a twinkle.

Chester mumbled something that could have been “Hello.” Maybe in some foreign language.

“And what brings the two of you here?” the woman asked.

“Do you have any records on that stallion I bought? His name is—”

“I remember the animal,” Margaret said. “Don’t tell me you’re giving up on him?”

“Not in the slightest.”

“Ah, I knew you’d have the stuff.” She looked over to Chester. “A right talented lass, she is, don’t you think?”

Chester shuffled his feet but managed a “Yes, ma’am.”

“What kind of information are you lookin’ for?”

“Former owners. I know where he was bred and the last stable he was boarded at but it’s a blank slate between the two.”

“Hmmm. I do believe we sold him a couple of times but I’d have to go through the files. Let me see what I can come up with.”

“I’d appreciate it. I’m at the McCloud Stables. You can find me there.”

“Will do.” Margaret settled her eyes on Chester. “And how do you know such a lovely thing as the Miss Sutherland?”

“I groom over at McCloud’s.”

“He’s one of my coaches,” A.J. corrected.

Chester looked up, surprised. “I suddenly get a promotion?”

“Devlin helps me over the fences,” A.J. said to Margaret. “Chester helps me get over myself. He’s full of wisdom, insight—”

Chester cleared his throat.

A.J. fell silent.

Margaret’s eyes positively sparkled.

The two women looked at each other, a common purpose forged like iron.

“Thanks again, Margaret,” A.J. said.

“I’ll be in touch,” the woman replied.

They both looked at Chester, who appeared to be on the verge of another seizure.

“Ma’am,” he said, nodding to Margaret.

“It was very nice to meet you, Mr. Raymond.”

A.J. turned to go and Chester followed but not before he glanced back one last time at the Irish woman.

Outside, as he and A.J. walked to the truck, he said, “I’m not a used car, you know. Ya don’t have to sell me like I’m some jalopy lookin’ for a garage to park in.”

“Was I doing that? I thought I was just being accurate. You are an incredibly important part—”

“That fine woman in there has no need for a man to be pressed on her.”

“So you noticed.”

“Noticed what?”

“What a nice person she is.”

“’Course I did,” he grumbled. “But she could be married, for all I know.”

His question dangled like a hiker off a cliff, ready for rescue.

“Margaret’s a widow,” A.J. said, tossing down a lifeline. She got in the driver’s side and put the key in the ignition.

“Really,” Chester murmured as he slid into the passenger seat. “I mean, that’s a shame. How long’s it been?”

“A couple of years. And she isn’t seeing anyone now.”

The engine came to life.

“Not that it’s any a’ m’ business,” Chester said firmly.

“Of course not,” A.J. agreed, putting them into reverse.

He shot her a look. “Ya settin’ me up, girl?”

“Now, why would I do something like that? You can clearly take care of yourself.”