Kentucky Groom by Jan Scarbrough Read Free Book Online

Carrie, it’s not something we need to talk about now. I’m a little overwhelmed myself. Let’s just be open to the possibility, okay?”
    “I’d think I’d like that,” she murmured.
    Jay couldn’t believe she’d said that. He had told her the truth about his feelings, and she had admitted she cared something for him too. He was blown away—dazed because of the suddenness of the overwhelming love he felt for her.
    Was this how it had been for Carter? This instant attraction to so many women? Was this how his father had justified going from wife to wife? Jay didn’t want it to be like that between him and Carrie. He wanted more. He wanted long term.
    Jay stood up and put distance between them. He strolled toward the fireplace. Tate’s serious photograph caught his eye. He stuffed his hands in his pockets, trying to quell his emotions.
    “You said you have your husband’s business to sell,” he commented, turning around to face her. “What kind of business was he in?”
    Carrie seemed less edgy. He’d done the right thing to give her space. Jay felt strange warmth as he watched her.
    “Tate sold computers,” she said.
    * * * *
    Computers? The irony was like a stomach punch. Driving back to the barn, Jay thought about Tate Mercer’s retail business—selling and servicing hardware, setting up systems for small businesses and private individuals. It wasn’t something he knew much about. Preston Computers concentrated on producing software for large clients, establishing multi-user networks and large systems—all costing the customer huge bucks. Carter Preston had always been a big player.
    After climbing out of his car at the farm, Jay stood a minute to let the night air sift gently around him. Fireflies twinkled here and there, their silent pinpricks of light seeming to mesh with the pinpricks of far-away stars. Only the high whine of insects and the occasional roar of a car on the nearby highway disturbed the quiet.
    Jay sighed. He didn’t feel like going up to the efficiency apartment above the barn that Mary was letting him use. He didn’t know what he felt like doing. He was too keyed up, the events of his date with Carrie still revolving in his mind. He walked to the wooden fence that separated the driveway from the pasture and placed his hands on the top rail. In the distance three horses grazed, their silhouettes stark against the night.
    Damn! He wanted to help Carrie and hated seeing her so worried about money and about keeping Jesse’s horse. His heart complained, thinking about how disappointed the little girl would be if she lost her horse. He had seen disappointment so many times in Gloria’s eyes and hated it when his sister was hurt. More often than not, her disillusionment happened when Carter didn’t come for an important event. Changing his father’s selfish ways was beyond his control.
    Jay’s fingers clutched the rough wood. He wanted to do something for Carrie and Jesse. What could he do? Staring hard at the still horses, he couldn’t remember feeling so powerless, except when dealing with his father.
    Always when he worked with computers, Jay had been in charge. His programming skills had made computers do what he told them to do. There was power to that kind of control—a heady rush to his ego. But he wasn’t a programmer now. Just a lowly groom. A groom who couldn’t even pay his dinner bill.
    Damn! Jay slammed the wooden railing with his hand. For the first time, he regretted not having money. What he needed to do was buy Tate Mercer’s business.
    The thought brought him up short. It made his palms grow slick on the knotty rail. What if?
    Jay’s blood ran with ice as he let the open-ended question dangle in his mind. He did have money—a lot of money. It was tied up in California. He had set it up so he couldn’t get to it easily, but that could always be changed. Jay raked a hand through his hair. He needed to do something before the end of the month if he was to