the horse trailer, glad for the touch of the cold metal.
“California is pretty too. Mountains on one side, ocean on the other, and green hills in between.” Gil pulled an envelope from his inside coat pocket. “I received this in the mail this morning. The team’s hosting a retirement party for me in a couple weeks — a big shindig. I’d like you to be my date.”
Mattie swallowed to soothe the dryness in her throat. “In California?”
“Yes, come with me and meet my friends.” His grin beseeched her. “I’ll show you the property I want to buy — the place where you’d work. Together we could build you a breeding facility with all the latest technology for artificial insemination.”
“Aren’t you afraid of getting in over your head?” Mattie reminded herself of Clara’s warning to take things slow.
This was not slow.
“I’ve been thinking about this for some time. What do you say? Will you go to the retirement party?”
Mattie swallowed the dryness in her throat. She’d taken off work from the clinic today. Now he wanted her to take off for a weekend. “I don’t know, Gil — I need time to think.”
Gil reached out and pulled her into his arms. “Okay, but don’t take too long. You know how impatient I am when I want something.”
A SHORT WHILE LATER, MATTIE SAT ACROSS FROM GIL AT THE Chappell dining table, Yvonne at one end, Wayne at the other, and the Miss Kansas Rodeo contestant next to Gil. Natalie Adams had perfect olive skin, much prettier than Mattie’s own ruddy complexion. Yvonne passed a platter of barbecued ribs, and Mattie pierced a juicy strip and placed it on her plate.
“Wayne showed me a Six colt in one of your pastures this morning but said you’re not interested in selling him. What would it take to make you interested?” Gil asked Yvonne.
The older woman’s eyes narrowed. “Sometimes no means no.”
Gil straightened, and the wooden chair creaked beneath him. “Surely every horse on this property has a price? Aren’t you interested in selling horses?
“Wayne tells me you plan to run your operation in California.” Yvonne handed Mattie a bowl of fried potatoes. “There’s a lot to know about standing a stud. If you lived closer, we could help you — steer potential customers your way.”
Mattie smiled as she passed the dish to Wayne. She liked the way this woman thought and hoped Gil would listen.
“You don’t know who I am, do you?” Gil shifted his head from one Chappell to the other.
“Gil recently retired from the San Francisco 49ers as their quarterback. He’s used to people recognizing him.” Mattie half-teased, but Gil’s expression crumpled into a frown as though insulted.
Yvonne’s face didn’t crack, but Mr. Chappell smiled. “I wondered why you asked about football earlier.”
“I thought I recognized you,” Natalie added. “My dad’s a real fan of yours.”
“Is that so?” Gil clasped her outstretched hand, his wounded pride easily assuaged.
“Sorry we didn’t recognize you, but the wife and I aren’t up on sports,” Mr. Chappell said. “We appreciate that you like our horses, though.”
“They’re some of the finest I’ve seen. While I value your offer to help, I don’t think finding customers will be a problem. That is, if you’re willing to sell.” Gil released Miss Adams’ hand and smiled, but his taut cheekbones hinted at agitation.
“I’m not prepared to market that particular colt.” Yvonne got up to retrieve a pitcher of tea and placed it on the table. “His mama had problems delivering last year, and we won’t be having any more colts out of her. I’d like to see how he’s going to turn out before I decide whether to sell.”
The woman wouldn’t budge and judging by the clouds gathering on Gil’s face, Mattie wondered if they were in for a storm.
“I CAN’T BELIEVE SHE WOULDN’T SELL THAT COLT TO ME.” GIL clenched the truck’s steering wheel as they headed for Diamond Falls later that evening. He shook his head in frustration, having been prepared to pay top dollar for three of the Chappell mares if she’d sell the colt.
“You ought to be thankful she sold you anything, considering your behavior.” Mattie stared at her lap and picked at a piece of mud on her jeans.
“What do you mean, my behavior?” Gil’s annoyance grew.
“Let’s just say when you want something, you don’t let anything — or anyone — stand in the way.”
Gil clamped his jaw. Had he really behaved poorly? He tried to remember his discussions with the Chappells, specifically those that