“Here we go, a map of the U.S.” Darcy walked back to the table and spread it open. Putting one hand over his eyes, he stretched the other over the map, took a deep breath and stabbed with his finger. “All right,” he said, studying the spot. “Cecil, Kentucky—good a place as any.”
“Cecil? It sounds as if it’s in the middle of nowhere. ”
“No, look, it’s in…I’ll be damned. It’s in Bluegrass country, a little southwest of Lexington.”
“Lexington is the home of horse racing, Darcy. What makes you think people aren’t going to recognize you there? Your family owns a horse farm, for God’s sake.”
“Since I don’t really work the farm, I’m better known in Virginia horse circles—by sight, anyway. No one will connect me with Darcy Kristof of WindRaven Farms, because no one will be expecting to see me as Darcy Kristof. They’re going to see a man, period.”
Nicholas frowned. “This has disaster written all over it.”
“You worry too much.”
“You pay me to worry.”
Darcy grinned. “Then you’re really going to earn your money, aren’t you? Now here’s the deal. I escape and have an adventure for one month, without anyone but you knowing where I am.” He stared into the distance. Maybe this was just what he needed to shake things up. Either that or a new woman. Of the two ideas, the adventure was probably safer. He only hoped it would be as much fun.
“This is the stupidest thing I’ve heard you say in a long time. If you want to change something, why the hell don’t you take over some of your business and family responsibilities? That would be a challenge.”
“And put everyone out of work who’s there to do it for me?”
“Darcy…” Nicholas sighed. “It’s time you got involved with your life.”
“That’s what I’m trying to do.”
“By running away and having an adventure?”
Darcy shrugged. “Why not? Who’s it going to hurt?”
“I still think—”
Darcy leaned forward, interrupting him. “Nick, promise you’ll tell no one where I am. Not even my parents.”
“They won’t ask. They’re in Europe at our uncle’s villa.”
“That’s right. I’m supposed to be there next week, aren’t I?”
“Yes, for Aunt Rosalind’s birthday.”
“You’ll have to make up some story for me, Nick. Come on, be a sport. Do we have a bet?” Darcy extended his arm and stared at his cousin. “I pass as an ordinary guy for one month or I hand over the keys to the Jag. And if I win, your new, very expensive boat is mine to use for the next six months.”
Nicholas was silent for a moment, then grasped Darcy’s hand. “Ah what the hell, you’re going to do it anyway. You’ve got a bet.” He poured them each another tot of bourbon from the crystal decanter. “What in hell are you going to do in Cecil, Kentucky?”
“I’ll get by. Don’t worry.” Darcy downed his drink.
“I still think this one of the most crack-brained—”
“Cool it, Nick. You’re my lawyer, not a mother hen.” Darcy headed for the door, turning to give his cousin an affectionate smile. “Don’t worry. Nothing’s going to happen. I’m just going to have some fun, that’s all.”
“All right, but whatever you do, don’t seduce all the local farm girls. Your family won’t take kindly to that, especially if I have to clean up the mess.”
“I don’t spend my entire time thinking about women.”
“You don’t have to—they think about you.”
“I can’t help that,” Darcy exclaimed. “Besides, when did you have to clean up a mess beyond Christina Petrou? Which wasn’t entirely my fault. It was just fun, till her parents got involved.”
“All I’m saying is be a bit circumspect, all right?”
“I won’t do anything anyone could misunderstand.” Darcy exhaled, getting his quick flare of temper under control. “Unless they ask for it, of course.”
Nicholas gave him a sardonic look. “Oh, now that’ll be a comfort to me while you’re gallivanting around Cecil.”
Darcy laughed. “Trust me, if I see a good-looking babe, I’ll turn the other cheek. Or at least I’ll try.”
“Ah hell, go,” Nicholas said, picking up his drink. “But call if you need me.”
Darcy waved as he left the room. “See you in a month.”
HAVING MADE HIS DECISION to leave, Darcy didn’t waste time in getting on his way. Monday morning, just after dawn, he hefted a large duffel bag into the seat of the old pickup truck he’d borrowed from one of his grooms, and hit the road. He felt an unaccustomed feeling of freedom. When was the last time he’d had an adventure like this? Never, he thought. His adventures had always included exotic locales, first-class accommodations and expensive equipment. At the moment he had five hundred dollars in his wallet, a few changes of clothes and a couple of his favorite books. He was ready to roll.
He ignored the interstates and took back roads, meandering through the familiar rolling valleys of Virginia, then the mountains of West Virginia, passing through small towns that brought a smile, and over rivers and creeks with names that celebrated pioneer discovery. He slipped unnoticed into Kentucky, into the eastern Appalachian hills, and finally into the majesty and promise of the bluegrass region—the grazing land, rolling wooded vistas and wide valleys that surrounded his final destination.
SILVER BRAYBOURNE TOOK a firmer grasp on the lunge lines as her horse walked in a tight circle. “All right, now,” she crooned, “just settle down. You know what this is all about.” Lucky Hand wasn’t a young, inexperienced horse, but one who needed retraining if he was ever to reach his potential. And Silver thought this horse had plenty of potential. The problem lately was convincing her father.
“That’s right, let’s smooth it out.” She jammed her old baseball hat down on her head as she studied the stallion’s gait, paying close attention to the movement of his back legs as she let the line out a bit. She’d had the horse for about two months, but had only been working him hard for one. “We’ve had a lot of winners come out of Braybourne Farm. I expect you to do your share.” The horse glanced her way as if he understood. “You’re a winner. I just know it, and I’m going to prove it, no matter what anyone says.” After all, they’d bred and trained a number of winning racehorses, even if they hadn’t produced a Derby winner. But she could change that if she managed this farm. She lightly cracked her whip, smiling as the horse responded. Daddy was just getting cold feet, not up to taking a risk. She’d convince him otherwise or she didn’t deserve to be a Braybourne.
Silver blinked sweat from her eyes and wiped her forehead on the sleeve of her old cotton shirt. Damn, it was hot. She couldn’t remember when it had last been so hot in Cecil. June in Kentucky
