Chapter 1

Andrew Kerrigan stood on her front porch and raked a hand through his already tousled hair.  He rapped on the door.  As he waited, he gazed at the front paddock, where Caesar grazed.  A gentle breeze ruffled the black stallion’s mane and tail almost like the calm before a storm.

When the door opened, he met Jari’s startled hazel eyes.  Her hand fluttered to her throat. 

“Andrew – ” her polite hello halted as Mollie Matthews, her longtime housekeeper and friend, stepped around her.

“Andrew, what a sight you are!  Oh, come in, come in!”  Mollie grinned as she grabbed Andrew’s arm, pulling him inside and into her arms.

Andrew smiled broadly and stepped back to give Mollie a once-over.

“Moll, you look great.  It’s good to see you again!” 

Grateful for the interruption, Jari gathered her thoughts and tried again.    

“Hello, Andrew.” 

“Hello, Jari.  It’s good to see you again, too.”  He smiled warily and closed the front door behind him.

“Jari, if you need anything, I’ll be in the kitchen.”  Mollie stepped away from Andrew, touching Jari’s arm as she walked past. 

Taking a deep breath to steady her heartbeat at the sight of him, Jaralyn stepped back as Mollie pulled him inside.  He’d gotten more muscular and tanned.  And his hair was longer, the thick, dark locks wind-tousled.  Handsome in his thigh-hugging Levi’s, the navy polo shirt outlined his broad chest.  She remembered that strong chest and feeling those muscular thighs pressed against hers.  As always, his six-foot-three frame towered over her.

It had been three years and he hadn’t changed – at least physically.  Smoky gray eyes looked at her from beneath thick lashes.  His straight, almost hawkish nose and strong chin gave testimony to his determined nature.  His thick brows furrowed as he watched her turn away, stopping a few feet away from where he casually leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over his wide chest.  It had been three years since he’d been in Jari’s house after they ended their engagement.  Jari would’ve given anything if they’d never parted, but they had and it was painful being so close to him. 

Whirling quickly away, Jari headed toward the study.  She stopped in front of her father’s desk, turning to eye Andrew coldly.  Folding her arms under her breasts, she snapped, “I suppose you think I can’t handle this.” 
 Andrew’s heartbeat slammed into his chest as Jari’s gaze swept over him. She wore faded jeans and a pale pink shirt tied just above the waistband, giving him a glimpse of lightly tanned skin.  Displaying a casualness he didn’t feel, he calmly watched her.

As her fragrance teased his senses, Andrew struggled not to yank her to him.  He hadn’t reckoned on having such a strong reaction to her presence, even after being away so long.  His irritation rose at the realization.  Had she allowed him to explain that night three years ago, she’d have realized that it had been Brenda Folsom wrapped around him in his study – not the other way around.  Jari ended their engagement and he hadn’t had the chance to talk to her before going to London to deal with his other stud facility.  Every time he’d tried to call after settling the London operation, he’d been told Jari was “unavailable.”  He eventually stopped trying, deciding to give them both some time, hoping Jari would realize in her heart they belonged together.

Determined to rein in his temper, Andrew sauntered behind Jari toward the study.  The house hadn’t changed inside, but he hadn’t expected it to.  He’d missed coming here.  She’d redecorated several years ago and the pale yellow walls of the front hallway presented a welcome sight.  Several pictures of the stables lined the walls and Andrew felt the familiar warmth in his heart, like coming home.  Even his spacious six-bedroom home in England couldn’t substitute for the beauty of Jari’s home. 

Stepping into the study, he realized nothing had changed here, either.  The Queen Anne settee, appointed in a tapestry rich in burgundies and royal blues, still sat angled in one corner, flanked by two matching chairs.

 “It seems there’ve been some interesting activities the past few weeks, Jari.  I want to know why you’re involved.  What makes you think you can stop this alone? You want to risk losing your home and livelihood?” 

Andrew received a frantic phone call from his next-oldest brother, Thomas, a couple of weeks ago.  He’d already known about most of the events, but not that Hopeful was now in the spotlight as the next – and probably final – take.  Andrew knew that coming home would mean getting the chance to clear things up with Jari.  However, first he’d have to melt the ice around her heart. 

The temperature in the room dropped a few degrees as she replied.  “Excuse me, but you’re not in charge of my life, Andrew.”  Jaralyn glared at him.  “I wasn’t directly involved until an attempt to take Caesar a few nights ago.  I’m not about to stand around and do nothing.  If I were you, I’d watch my own stables and quit trying to run mine.” 

Jari turned toward her Queen Anne desk sitting sedately next to her father’s enormous oak rolltop desk, trying to ignore the pull of need she felt toward Andrew.  The peace she normally found in this room with its fourteen-foot walls painted in a deep rose was gone with Andrew standing so close.   Even the light oak chair rail complimenting the bottom half around the room seemed to cringe.  Heavy draperies in a satin rose stripe hung at the tall windows behind each desk and were open to allow the bright sunshine into the room.  She glanced out the wide window behind her desk, wanting to end this conversation and get her equilibrium back.  Why had she ever asked Thomas to call Andrew home for help?  Already on edge worrying about the safety of her stables; now she had to worry about the safety of her heart.

“I can take care of my stables.  I shouldn’t have asked Thomas to call you home.  Now if you’ll excuse me -” Jari gasped as Andrew yanked her around to face him, his jaw rigid. 

His eyes flashed gray fire as he leaned down until they were almost nose to nose and snarled, “I’ll be in charge anywhere I damn well please, if it means you’re in danger.  Now, we can either get these thefts stopped together or not.  I’ve got an idea and I expect you to cooperate.  Otherwise, you may lose Caesar.  Is that what you want?”

Pushing against his chest, Jari’s eyes widened in alarm.  When he let her go, she stumbled back a step.  Her own temper rose at his high-handedness.

“I’m not going to lose Caesar!  I’ll listen to your idea.  Just don’t expect to take the lead here.  You’re not the only person involved.”

Sitting down on the settee, she looked up at Andrew.  Oh, how she’d missed him.  She’d come to realize her mistake in believing what she’d seen that night three years ago in his study, but her heart was still timid about getting close to him again.  Jari knew that somehow, the equine thefts related to the event that ended their engagement.  Brenda Folsom, a neighboring stud owner, was a jealous woman and she’d already separated Jari and Andrew once – on the night of their engagement party three years ago.  Since then, area horse farms had reported stolen thoroughbreds, some of which were never recovered.  On top of that, it seemed the thieves were now centering their attention on Hopeful.  She’d gotten threatening phone calls the past couple of days and couldn’t trace the calls.  Detective Joe Banner would correct that tomorrow.

Andrew grimly realized Jari wouldn’t like his idea but, dammit, it was the only way he could keep her safe and still get information.  He’d already planted two jockeys who’d infiltrated the horse thieves’ organization and he’d gotten some leads just in the past three days. Andrew sat next to her.

“The only way to work together is if I move in under the pretense of a renewed engagement with you.  I’ll sleep in the guestroom upstairs.  Based on the information I’ve gotten since I’ve been home, it looks like Hopeful is the next target.  I think Hopeful is what the thieves have been after all this time.  Someone has a grudge against you and is trying to shut you down by taking your best thoroughbreds and spreading rumors about how you do business.  I believe other stables have been hit at least once to make it appear random.  You know that’s not true.  I’m willing to bet you know when this trouble started, don’t you?” 

He paused and looked at Jari, his lips tight in a wry grin.  Her hazel eyes snapped fury.  How dare he assume she’d fall in with his plan?  Granted it was a good one, but it put her heart and emotions at risk and she wasn’t ready for that. 

“You want to waltz in here and start telling people we’re engaged again – you’ve only been home three days!”

Jari’s head started to ache.  What was she supposed to do with him in the same house?  She was having a hard enough time dealing with him in her study.   Had she been counting the days since Andrew got back?  Of course not.  She was just, well, expecting Amari’s arrival, and Andrew was responsible for bringing his mare to Hopeful.  They’d have to discuss that eventually, too.

“And yes, I know who’s responsible for all this – Brenda Folsom.  The thefts have been happening for the past three years, apparently beginning after we separated.”  Jari’s voice lowered as she ended her statement.  She didn’t look up as Andrew stood.  The night of their engagement party three years ago had ended in heartbreak for Jari when she’d received a note requesting she meet Andrew in his study for a few minutes alone.  When she’d seen Brenda Folsom in his arms, her heart cracked in two. 

“Maybe the thefts intended to draw you home, Andrew, so she could have another stab at making us both miserable.” 

Andrew pushed himself off the settee.  “Jari, rumors have already gone out that you and I have been back together for over a year.  I started some of those rumors before I left England.”  Andrew watched her face as he explained.  He grinned when he saw he’d hit a nerve about the rumors. 

“You presumed a lot, didn’t you?  What if I refused to cooperate?  I’m supposed to accept this without argument?  I’m not happy with your idea, Andrew, but if it will stop the thefts, then you’re welcome to stay in the guestroom.  As for the engagement, understand it’s just fiction.  No one outside this house has to know any different.  Just keep your distance when you’re here.”  Jari realized she’d have to tell Mollie and her husband, Ray Matthews, of her temporary guest.

Andrew briefly closed his eyes and pinched his nose with one hand.  At least she’d agreed to let him in the house this time.  That was a good start.

“I’ll pack and come back later tonight.  We can discuss what I know so far.  My plan will keep you safe and give me a reason to be here.  Let Jim and Henry know that Greg Bolton and Scott Turner have infiltrated the thieves’ organization.  I should be hearing from them in a couple of days.  I’ll get a key from Ray on my way out.”

Watching him leave, Jari sighed and went to find Mollie and Ray.  Oh, God, how was she going to survive having Andrew in her house?