Free She Can Run by Melinda Leigh Page B

reappear.

CHAPTER SEVEN
     
    The saddle creaked as Beth trotted Lucy down the forest trail. A thick layer of pine needles blanketed the path, cushioning the horse’s footfalls. Settling into a steady two-beat rhythm, a sense of peace washed over her. A half hour on horseback was the best possible therapy. Guilt nagged at her for slipping out alone, but she pushed it away. The kids were content baking cookies with Mrs. Harris. Besides, she needed to recharge. And she really needed to think.
    There was no question that she had to get her shit together after this morning’s back-to-back debacles with Jack. The next time she woke up before dawn, she’d stay the hell in bed and stare at the ceiling.
    He’d scared the shit out of her and—worse—he’d known it. Then she’d gone and spilled the beans about Brian. Strike two. Then there’d been Katie’s freak-out in the kitchen. Strike three. Beth’s chest still hurt when she thought of how Jack had calmed her terrified daughter. For a bachelor, he was surprisingly good with children. He hadn’t pressed Beth for answers, but he’d wanted to. She’d seen the questions in his eyes, cop eyes that saw so much more than she wanted him to know. For instance, he probably noticed she hadn’t exactly recoiled at his touch. No, she’d barely resisted the urge to wrap her body around his. From now on she’d keep her distance. She couldn’t afford to have any personal attachment beyond her children.
    Jack wasn’t the type of man to let something go. On a positive note, she was fairly sure he wasn’t the kind of man to take orders from a dirty politician either. She also couldn’t picture Jack raising his hand to a woman—although she no longer trusted her own character assessments. After all, she’d picked Richard. No, Jack would have to be kept at arms’ length. If he was developing any personal interest in her, she needed to put a damper on that immediately. Although she doubted flying under his radar was possible at this point, she could at least keep their relationship professional and appropriately formal.
    She was sure of only one thing right now. One more screw-up and they’d have to leave. She couldn’t afford to have Jack discover her true identity. Richard had too many connections in the police and FBI. If anyone started asking questions, even with the best of intentions, Richard would be sure to get wind of it. He couldn’t afford to let her live, not now that she knew his secret.
    Breaking Katie’s heart—again—would be better than getting them all killed.
    A tug on the reins and the sound of rushing water brought Beth back the moment. Anticipating a good splash, Lucy snorted and picked up the pace as they approached a shallow stream. As the mare pranced, Beth’s body flowed with the movement. She stretched her legs farther down Lucy’s sides, heels down, seat snug in the small English saddle.
    At the water’s edge, Beth loosened the reins so the mare could paw the water and gave her elegant neck a pat. She allowed the horse a few minutes to play before turning back. Quiet time was almost up. A hay delivery was scheduled for this morning.
    Beth let out some rein, and Lucy lengthened her stride. When they broke free of the woods into the meadow that sat below the barn, she let Lucy have her head. The horse responded with a surge of speed, galloping up the hill. Beth savored the feel of the muscles smoothly shifting beneath her, the mare’s long strides eating up the ground. The wind pushed against her face, and her eyes teared. When Lucy headed for the fallen tree, Beth let her go. Together they sailed through the air and landed lightly on the ground on the other side.
    Halfway up the slope, the barnyard came into view, and Beth pulled Lucy back down to a trot. A large white truck labeled “Martin’s Feed” was backed up to the double doors. She eased Lucy into a walk to cool her down. The mare stretched out her neck as they climbed the slight