“Do you need any help getting ready?”
There was a lot of work involved. Supplies and equipment to assemble and pack. “If you’re offering, I accept. But I have a four o’clock lesson and won’t be ready to start until after that. Maybe you and your daughter can stay for dinner.”
Gavin could use the help, it was true. But after Sage’s odd behavior today, he’d grown skeptical and really wanted a chance to observe her in action. He had too much riding on capturing the mustang to take chances with a loose cannon.
“I don’t want to impose,” she said.
“My dad always fixes enough for an army.”
Sage glanced at the girls again, her brow creasing with indecision. “I … guess so. Let me make a phone call.”
“My lesson doesn’t start for another twenty minutes.” He refolded the map and put it back in his file. “How ’bout I meet you in the stables after you make your call.”
“Fine.” Sage also collected her materials.
As they stood, a pickup truck rolled through the open area in front of the stables at a speed slightly faster than Gavin would have preferred. Rather than pull behind the stables and park in the area reserved for visitors, the driver came to a dust-billowing stop in front of the hitching rail.
If it were anyone else, Gavin would have a stern word with them. In this case, he simply ground his teeth.
Dan Rivera didn’t think rules—any rules, not just those at Powell Ranch—applied to him. It came from having a very elevated opinion of himself and his abilities. On the other hand, he was a good horse trainer and brought several new customers to the ranch. He was also an astute businessman and had helped Gavin immensely.
So, though it annoyed him, he let the speeding and parking violations slide.
Sage had taken out her cell phone and was punching in numbers. When she caught sight of Dan emerging from his truck, she stopped cold and swore under her breath.
“Do you know him?” Gavin asked.
“Unfortunately, yes.” Her hands shaking, she pocketed her cell without completing the call.
Dan headed in the direction of the parents at the fence, several of whom were his clients.
Sage’s eyes widened with fright as she tracked his every step. “I need to get my daughter.” She started out at a brisk walk.
“What’s wrong?” Gavin lengthened his strides to catch up.
“I’m sorry,” she stuttered. “We can’t stay for dinner after all.”
With that, she broke into a fast run.
SAGE’S HEART BEAT WITH such force she thought it might shatter. Her ex was on a collision course with Isa, and unless Sage sprouted wings, she wasn’t going to get there ahead of him.
Dammit! She didn’t want her daughter meeting her father for the first time in four years with no preparation.
Her fault. All her fault. She’d known Gavin had dealings with Dan. She should have at least anticipated the possibility of running into him at the ranch.
“Sage!” Gavin appeared alongside her just as Dan was approaching Isa.
Suddenly, as if a button had been pushed, everything slowed to a crawl and each detail crystalized into sharp focus. Sage watched, horrified and helpless, as Isa trotted along the corral fence within a few feet of Dan. He stared ahead at the parents watching Ethan’s class. Then all at once, Sage’s worst fears were realized. Dan turned his head and looked directly at Isa.
Oh, God! Please don’t let him say something hurtful.
Sage stumbled to a stop. She tried to breathe but her fire-filled lungs wouldn’t expand.
The moment—which seemed to last an eternity—abruptly passed.
Dan continued walking without so much as breaking a single step.
He hadn’t recognized his own daughter!
“You bastard!” Sage’s previously stalled breath came in ragged bursts.
“What the hell’s going on?”
She’d forgotten about Gavin. “Nothing.”
“That wasn’t nothing.”
Sit. She needed to sit before her knees gave out. “It’s personal.”
“If you have issues with Dan Rivera, I want to know.”
Sage had to get out of sight. Immediately. Dan may not have recognized Isa, but if he saw her, he’d put two and two together.
She spun on her heels and hurried to the stables, praying Dan wouldn’t decide to go in there.
Gavin was right behind her. The moment they were inside, he reached for her arm.
“Sage.”
“Can you go ask Cassie to bring Isa here?”
“Not until you tell me—”
“It’s none of your business.”
His intense blue eyes drilled into her. Held her in place. “If this involves Dan, it most certainly is my business.”
“Why?” she snapped. “Because he’s the local horse trainer?”
“Because he’s my partner in the stud and breeding business. The one I’m starting with the mustang. And he’s also my financial backing.”
Shaken to her core, she retreated a step. “No, no, no. We’re not working together.” She shook her head vehemently. “The deal’s off.”
“The hell it is.” His voice rose. “You agreed.”
Her reply was cut short by Cassie leading the old horse into the stables, Isa still sitting astride him. Both the girls’ faces registered alarm.
“Dad? What’s going on?”
Chapter Four
Sage was still shaking. She only half heard the exchange between Gavin and his daughter, too caught up in her own whirling emotions.
“Everything’s fine,” he answered Cassie’s question with admirable calm.
“It didn’t look fine.” She faced him, her puppy tucked beneath one arm, the old horse’s reins wrapped in the fingers of her free hand. “It looked like you were arguing.”
“We were just talking.”
“Yeah.” Cassie’s narrowed gaze pinged between Sage and her father.
Fortunately, Isa was oblivious to everyone and everything around her save the horse.
“Chico, you’re such a good boy.” She leaned forward over the saddle horn and gave the horse’s neck an affectionate squeeze. He lived up to his reputation by bearing the attention with gentlemanly grace. “Did you see me riding, Mama?”
“I did, mija.” Sage went over and placed a hand on Isa’s knee. “You were awesome.”
The minute Dan paid the back child support—and he would, she’d see to it—she was going to buy Isa that pony. She should have purchased one sooner, but the cost of keeping and feeding a second horse was more than she could comfortably afford on her income.
Damn Dan again for denying Isa the money that was rightfully hers. And damn him for putting both her and Sage through the ordeal of a paternity test—though she suspected it was just another postponement ploy.
Last evening, her cousin and Roberto had tried convincing her that a positive paternity test would only strengthen her case against Dan. They