Page 88 of All We Carry Home

I pulled air deep into my lungs, desperate to bury these memories back where they belonged.

As for Warren, there couldn’t be a future business arrangement with Mira. If he learned the truth of what I was hiding from him . . . I couldn’t bear the thought of how deeply it might hurt him.

That was just the way of the world. I’d honor my commitment to Phantom and bring him to the national championship show. Beyond that, I’d arrange another trainer to take over. That meant I’d need to bring in enough clients to survive without Captain Warren Hayes in my life.

I’d do what I could to protect Warren. Any association with me could be devastating to him and his family name.

I straightened, smoothed my hair, and brushed my hands over the fabric of my dress. I’d practiced this routine my entire life.

I would never allow my parents to claim more victims than they already had.

Warren

Watching Eva float through the crowd, smiling and conversing with everyone who crossed her path, I was torn between admiration and suspicion.

She was polite and practiced, introducing me to dozens of people I’d never remember. I was terrible at recalling names, which Kenneth once admitted would not help in any career beyond the military, where I had the crutch of names printed on patches or dog tags.

Eva’s earlier departure from the table still troubled me. There had been something in her eyes—something she’d been quick to hide. I couldn’t make sense of it. Now it seemed as if nothing was amiss.

She enchanted people the way she captivated me, and she remembered the smallest details of every family, farm, couple, or horse. A gentleman with a thick black mustache and top hat laughed with her as they recalled the time his horse had gotten loose on the grounds and Bill had been the only one able to catch it.

In the amber glow of the ballroom lighting, a few faint marks on her arms caught my eye—scars I hadn’t seen before. But then, she often wore long-sleeve shirts to keep from getting burned under the harsh summer sun. They were small, rectangular marks where the skin was just a bit smoother, a bit lighter, than the area surrounding it.

“Mind if I steal her for a moment?” Keith’s voice cut in and chilled the mood.

My fists clenched instantly, but I knew there were appearances to maintain. I was just her client.

Eva’s smile faded a fraction, but she nodded politely to the man she’d been speaking to and gave me a quick glance. I took her meaning—she would talk to him alone. I’d stay close.

Keith looked dapper, exuded bravado and confidence. Eva brushed past him and walked a few yards away, out of earshot. Keith looked at me with a hard, notched brow. I stared back without wavering.

“Five minutes,” I whispered to him as he turned to follow Eva.

As the small crowd around me discussed the weather, I watched Eva and Keith from the corner of my eye. Eva’s back was rigid, her arms crossed and a deep frown etched in her face. Keith motioned with his hands and was obviously trying to apologize.

Two of his five minutes remained.

Cheryl’s news about Mira changed the outlook for the next few weeks. We’d need to fly to Scottsdale and arrange a paid transport for the horse back to Oregon. Anything else would consume too much time to get Phantom ready for the regional competition.

Keith reached for Eva’s arm, and she pulled back from his touch. I strode over, cut right in front of Keith, and put a hand protectively on Eva’s back.

“Shall we call it a night?” I asked. We’d already endured the dinner, dessert, and droning speeches.

“Yes, please.” She sank into my touch and nestled in close to me as I led her through the dining area and into the lobby of the sparkling building.

Keith’s footsteps echoed behind us, and I smiled at the opportunity as we emerged into a quiet, empty hallway. No one was around now.

“Warren, don’t,” Eva muttered in warning.

But I had already swung around, and I grabbed the man by his collar and tie and slammed him up against the wall. The framed artwork shuddered beside us.

Keith sputtered and cursed.

“Shut up,” I growled. “You’ll leave Eva alone, and you’ll also do well to tell your father that we’re not scared of him.”

“I’m not responsible for my father’s actions.”

“You’re responsible for your own inactions.” I let him go, and he straightened his suit with a jerky motion.