Free Zeph Undercover by Jenny Andersen Page A

climbed in. He settled into the rear seat and nodded to the pilot. The chopper shot up into the air and Allie tried to think of something soothing—like being high above the ground in a large, heavy machine—instead of way he bumped up her heart rate no matter how much she wanted to hate him.
    In a few minutes, they settled on the landing pad at the Mentrine ranch. Chaz climbed out of a shiny Mercedes SUV and walked to meet them. Two men got out of a truck parked beside it and started unloading Allie’s equipment.
    “Moving in?” Chaz asked with a laugh.
    “So I’m a boy scout,” Allie said with a smile. “I know you said normal vaccinations, but I like to be prepared. And I’ll tell you again, you really need to find a local vet.”
    “Nope. Not letting anyone else get his hands on these horses. You’re my doc, Allie.” Chaz slung a friendly arm around her while the men set her supplies carefully into the back of the SUV.
    He looked over Allie’s head at Zeph. “Good to see you, Granger. You’re in for quite a treat this morning, I think. You ride?”
    Allie swallowed a snicker at Zeph’s appalled expression. He did a good job of covering it and she didn’t think Chaz had noticed, but it had been clear enough to her.
    “Ah, no. Actually, I don’t,” Zeph said. He shot Allie a panicked glance. “I just—” He coughed, and she picked up her role of accomplice.
    “Zeph does his enjoying from the ground, Chaz,” she said. “He’s new to horses and hasn’t learned to ride yet. Better late than never, I always say.”
    The equipment loaded, she followed Chaz to the SUV. He held the door for her, and she couldn’t help noticing the muscle at the corner of Zeph’s jaw flex. Now what had him upset? He couldn’t be jealous, surely.
    Not of Chaz, the old family friend, and now business associate. But if he was…let him squirm.
    Chaz pulled to a stop next to the stable and backed around to give Allie easy access to her equipment in the back. “Here we are. I want to show you my new acquisition. The one I told you about last night, Allie. Then I’ll let you get to work.” He led them to a heavily fenced paddock and leaned on the rail. “There he is. Don Sobriano Inca’s Pride.”
    The stallion clearly knew he was on display. He trumpeted and shook his mane, then posed for them. “Gorgeous,” Allie breathed. “Just gorgeous. He’s going to do wonderful things for your stud, Chaz.”
    “Yep. I have high hopes for this boy. What do you think, Granger?”
    Allie smothered a giggle at Zeph’s expression. He’d been nipped by that temperamental palomino stallion of Hannah’s and he looked like he expected Sobriano to leap the fence with dripping fangs. “Not going to make friends?” she teased.
    “He’s certainly beautiful,” Zeph allowed. “Looks like a real handful.”
    “Naw. Perfect Paso temperament. I’ll swear these are the sweetest horses in the world. But his groom came along with him. This horse is worth having an extra person on the payroll. By damn, he is.”
    Sobriano began to race around his paddock.
    Allie grabbed Zeph’s arm. “Look, look,” she exclaimed. “He’s doing it. That’s the paso llano. Isn’t he gorgeous?”
    The wide, springy steps brought the horse close to the fence.
    Zeph oozed back.
    Allie tugged to keep him close to the fence.
    “Look at that deep chest, Granger. And have you ever seen a better gait? I’m telling you, this guy is going to make history.”
    “You already know I’m not an expert,” Zeph said. “But based on his appearance, I’d have to agree.” He shrugged deprecatingly. “I know a hell of a lot more about investing—and building—than horses.”
    “Never too late to start.” Chaz clapped him on the back. “Let’s you and me have a little talk while the most gorgeous vet in the state gets to work. Allie, I’ll call Juan to help you.” He turned back to Zeph. “Come on. I’ll show you some of the mares this fellow is