She’d responded cheerfully, attracted by his handsome, blunt-featured face framed by dark-brown hair with a touch of curl, and the lusty gleam in his blue eyes. They’d enjoyed a pleasant hour or two until she fell asleep. After that he flirted with the air hostesses.
But for the moment he was alone, with only his thoughts of the coming visit to occupy him. A couple of weeks on the Four-Ten, Barton Hanworth’s ranch near Stephenville, Texas, enjoying wide-open spaces, the outdoor life, riding, attending the nearby rodeo, was his idea of heaven.
At last the great jet was descending to Atlanta. Soon he’d be able to stretch his legs, even if only for a couple of hours before squeezing his protesting frame onto the connecting flight to Dallas.
Ben pared the bill to the bone because he was fond of Selena, and he knew her next few dollars would go on Elliot’s welfare. Any cents left over would buy food for herself, and if there were none, she’d go without. He helped her hitch the horse trailer onto the back of the van, kissed her cheek for luck and watched as she eased her way carefully out of his yard. As she vanished he sent up a prayer to whichever deity watched over crazy young women who had nothing in the world but a horse, a clapped-out van, the heart of a lion and a bellyful of stubbornness.
By the time Leo boarded the connecting flight at Atlanta jet lag was catching up with him and he managed to doze until they touched down. As he unfolded his long body he vowed never to get on another aeroplane as long as he lived. He did that after every flight.
As he came out of Customs he heard a booming voice.
Leo’s face lit up at the sight of his friend advancing on him with open arms.
‘Barton, you
The next moment the two men were pummelling each other joyfully.
Barton Hanworth was in his fifties, a large amiable man with grizzled hair and the start of a paunch that his height still disguised. His voice and his laugh were enormous. So were his car, his ranch and his heart.
Leo made sure to study the car. In the six weeks since this trip was planned he’d spoken to Barton several times on the telephone, and never once had his friend missed the chance to talk about his ‘new baby’. It was the latest, the loveliest, the fastest. He didn’t mention price, but Leo had checked it online, and it was the costliest.
So now he knew his duty, and lavished praise on the big, silver beauty, and was rewarded by Barton’s beaming smile.
Since Leo travelled light it took barely a moment to load his few bags, and they were away on the two-hour journey to the ranch near Stephenville.
‘How come you flew from Rome?’ Barton said, his eyes on the road. ‘I thought Pisa was closer for you.’
‘I was in Rome for my cousin Marco’s engagement party,’ Leo said. ‘Do you know him? I forget.’
Barton grunted. ‘He was at your farm when I came to Italy two years back, and bought those horses of yours. What’s she like?’
‘Harriet?’ A big grin broke over Leo’s handsome face. ‘I tell you, Barton, if she weren’t my cousin’s fiancee-well, she is, more’s the pity.’
‘So Marco drew the prize and he’s hog-tied at last?’
‘Yes, I think he is,’ Leo said thoughtfully. ‘But I’m not sure if he knows it yet. If you believe him, he’s making a “suitable” marriage to the granddaughter of his mother’s old friend, but there was something very odd about that party. I don’t know what happened exactly, but afterward Marco spent the night outside, sleeping on the ground. I went out for a breather at dawn, and saw him. He didn’t see me, so I vanished.’
‘No explanations?’
‘He never said a word. You know, Marco’s last engagement got broken off in a way nobody ever talks about.’
‘And you think this one’ll be the same?’
‘Could be. It depends on how soon he realises he’s crazy about Harriet.’
‘What about your brother? Isn’t he going the same way?’
‘Oh, Guido’s got enough sense to know when he’s crazy. He’s all right. Dulcie’s perfect for him.’
‘So that just leaves you on the loose?’ Barton said with a fat chuckle.
‘On the loose and happy to stay that way. They won’t catch me.’
‘That’s what they all say, but look around. Good men are going down like ninepins.’
‘Barton, have you any idea how many women there are in the world?’ Leo demanded. ‘And how few of them I’ve managed to meet so far? A man should be broad-minded, expand his horizons.’
‘You’ll find “the one”, in the end,’ Barton said.
‘But I do, time and again. Then the next day I find another one who is also “the one”. That’s how I get short- changed.’
‘You? Short-changed?’ Barton guffawed.
‘True, I swear it. Look at me, all alone. No loving wife, no kids.’ He sighed sorrowfully. ‘You don’t know what a tragedy it is for a man to realise that nature has made him fickle.’
‘Yeah, sure!’
This time they both laughed. Leo had a delightful laugh, full of sun and wine, lusty with life. He was a man of the earth, who instinctively sought the open air and the pleasures of the senses. It was all there in his eyes, and in his big, relaxed body. But above all it was there in his laugh.
On the last lap to Stephenville Barton began to yawn.
‘It’s enough to make a man cross-eyed to be staring at a horse’s ass for so long,’ he said.
Just ahead of them was an ancient, shabby horse trailer, displaying a large equine rump. It had been there for some time.
‘Plus I had to get up at some ungodly hour to be at the airport on time,’ Barton added.
‘Hey, I’m sorry. You should have told me.’
‘Well, it wasn’t just that. We were up late last night, celebrating your visit.’
‘But I wasn’t there.’
‘Don’t fret. We’ll celebrate again tonight,’ Barton said, adding, by way of explanation, ‘this is Texas.’
‘So I see,’ Leo said, grinning. ‘I’m already beginning to wonder if I can take the pace. I’d offer to drive, but after that flight I’m in a worse state than you.’
‘Well, it’s not much further,’ Barton grunted. ‘Which is lucky because whoever’s driving that horse trailer can’t be doing more than fifty. Let’s step on it.’
‘Better not,’ Leo advised quickly. ‘If you’re tired-’
‘The sooner we’re there the better. Here we go.’
He pulled out behind the horse trailer and speeded up to pass it. Glancing out of his window Leo saw the trailer slide back past them, then the van in front. He had a glimpse of the driver, a young woman with short, bristly red hair. She glanced up briefly and saw him looking at her.
What happened next became a bone of contention between them. She always said he winked at her. He swore she’d winked at him first. She said no way! It was a trick of the light and he had windmills in his head. They never did settle it.
Then Barton put his foot down, and they left her behind.
‘Did you see that?’ Leo asked. ‘She winked at me. Barton?
‘OK, OK, I was just resting my eyes for a moment. But maybe you’d better talk to me-you know, just-sort of-’
‘Just sort of keep you awake. Well, I’m not sure that overtaking has left us any better off.’ Leo said, observing the pick-up truck that was now just ahead of them, and which was being driven erratically, swerving from lane to lane. Barton swung right, meaning to overtake again, but the truck swung at the same moment, blocking him so that he had to fall back. He tried once more and the truck swung out a second time, and then slowed abruptly.
‘Barton!’ Leo said urgently, for his friend hadn’t reacted.
At last Barton’s reflexes seemed to kick in. It was too late to slow down. Only a halt would avoid a collision now and he slammed on the brakes, stopping just in time.
The van behind them wasn’t so lucky. From out of sight came a squeal of brakes, then a thump, a shudder that went right through the car, and finally a howl of rage and anguish.
The truck that had caused the trouble sped on its way, the driver oblivious. The two men leapt out and ran
