Conflicted (Everlasting Love)(21)

But all that could wait. First M.C. She entered the barn slowly, savoring the joy that came every time she entered this particular stable. She loved all of her horses, loved all aspects of running the Triple H. But there was something special about this stable, about the anticipation, the becoming that touched her deeply. Like the training circles, this part of the ranch was all about possibilities, about what might be, what could be, if hard work, talent and a little luck struck the right combination.

Her eyes narrowed as she looked around—the stable was empty of ranch workers, though she’d given specific orders that M.C. not be left alone. No one deserved to go through labor alone—horse or human—and that went double for the Triple H’s best hope for the future.

Striding purposefully over to M.C.’s stall, she reached for the walkie-talkie she kept clipped to her belt at all times and prepared to blast Don, her stable manager, out of the water.

But as her finger went to depress the button, she stopped abruptly. A deep and gentle crooning came from the stall, a sound she knew well, as it was one she’d heard her husband make innumerable times.

M.C. wasn’t alone. Jesse was with her.

Jesse was here.

She swallowed, concentrated on breathing through the chaos of too many emotions. She wasn’t ready yet, didn’t know what to say, what to do. She’d known she’d have to face him, but she’d figured it would be later—when her makeup and hair were flawless, when she was dressed for the wedding and her armor was firmly in place.

She’d never imagined that it would be here, that it would be now. Should she walk away or stay and ride things out?

Her shoulders squared suddenly and anger burned in the pit of her stomach. She was a lot of things, but she wasn’t a coward. And she had no reason to fear this confrontation. He was the one who’d been low enough to ask for a divorce on their daughter’s wedding day. He was the one who’d lived with her for days and weeks, maybe even months, while he plotted to divorce her without bringing the subject up even once.

No, she wouldn’t run and she wouldn’t cry. She’d shed enough tears today, more than she’d thought she was capable of crying. She refused to give him the satisfaction of knowing how completely he’d leveled her.

“How is she?” Her voice wasn’t as strong as she might have liked, but it was steady.

He didn’t look up. “Ready to go into labor. I’m pretty sure it’ll be tomorrow if it isn’t later today.”

“You’ve arranged for someone to be with her, right? When you and I are at the wedding?”

His head jerked up. For a moment she saw pain and hostility move in the depths of his eyes before the increasingly familiar shutters came down, hiding everything inside him.

“Yes, Desiree.” His voice was ice-cold. “I know what you have riding on this colt. And even if you hadn’t pinned your hopes on it, I’m still trainer enough to know not to leave a laboring mare alone.”

She flushed, embarrassed despite herself. “I didn’t mean—”

He snorted as he rose to his feet, stepping lithely around the bulky mare. “I know exactly what you meant, darlin’.”

Her spine stiffened at the sarcastic endearment. “Look, I don’t know what your problem is—”

“As of two hours ago, I don’t have any problems.” He shrugged. “Things are definitely looking up.”

For a moment shock held her mind and body immobile. Desiree stared at him, slack-jawed, as his words echoed through her. She tried to speak, but his contempt froze every part of her, including her tongue.

“Excuse me. I’ve got work to do.” Jesse headed for the door.

It was his movement that unfroze her, his ability to ignore her that had her going after him before she could think better of it. “You bastard! You no-good, unbelievable bastard!”

“Don’t start, Desiree,” he said as he continued walking.

“What do you expect me to do, Jesse? Just stand here with my mouth shut like a good little girl? Just sign the papers without any discussion, any explanation?”

He stopped, pinned her with those obsidian eyes. “I thought things were pretty clear.”

“Clear? You throw an envelope at me, tell me to sign what’s inside and head for the door? What’s clear about that, Jesse? What’s honest or decent or right about it?”

“You’re going to talk to me about decency? I’ve spent thirty-three years of my life on this ranch, taking your shit, cleaning up your messes. I’m done with it, Desiree. Finished.”

“Thirty-three years? The first five I was too young to do anything but follow you around like a puppy dog! And for the last twenty-seven I’ve been your wife.”

“You’ve been my boss. From the moment your father died, something changed in you. Something fundamental. And it’s continued to change, continued to warp until I hardly recognize you. Until I hardly recognize us!”

She actually saw red, his words causing a fine red mist to float in front of her eyes. “Your boss? Are we back to that again? My God, Jesse. We’re partners. We’ve always been partners.”

His laugh was harsh and painful to hear. “You don’t know what partnership is, darlin’. You never have. It’s all or nothing with you and it always has been. And I’m tired of being nothing in your eyes.”