Fox Ridge, Lovers or Liars, Book 2: Fox Ridge, #2

By Bonnie Marlewski-Probert

In Lovers and Liars we come to know Katherine, Brandon and Jimmy better. Katherine is offered a prestigious head trainer position in Canada and she must make up her mind soon. Now that she and Brandon are getting close, she is hesitant to leave but she knows that any relationship built on a secret is doomed to failure. Should she risk letting this hot veterinarian into her life or continue to run away from love?

Jimmy has discovered a love interest and readers get to be there as things develop for this sweet Texas cowboy. Katherine and Brandon become even closer after a terrible injury is sustained at Fox Ridge Equestrian Center while Brandon is treating one of the horses.

If Brandon learns Katherine's secret will her worst nightmare come true and will he leave her?

If she tells him, she risks everything she has worked to build since coming to North Carolina six years ago.

Will Katherine continue to run from love and from her past by taking the job in Canada or will she stay and decide to take a stand for love and for her happiness?

Read Lovers or Liars to find out more!

Pick up all five books in the Fox Ridge Series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Whitehall Publishing
• Release date: Jul 24, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386961543

Bonnie Marlewski-Probert

Bonnie Marlewski-Probert is an international bestselling author. Her background includes 20+ years as a professional teacher, trainer, speaker and author for the horse industry. She is the author of more than 26 books and has published more than 1000 magazine articles around the world in a wide variety of markets both in and outside the horse world. She started writing as a professional while still working fulltime in the horse industry, both as a syndicated columnist and freelance magazine writer before she signed her first book publishing deal. She founded Whitehall Publishing in the early 90s and has published the works of hundreds of authors from around the globe in both fiction and non-fiction, including everything from biographies, children’s books, religious works, WWII fiction, how-to books, fund raising works for non-profit organizations, medical works and more. Her firm has published award winning books and has produced dozens of bestselling authors in the process. Bonnie splits her time now between running Whitehall Publishing, working with animal-related non-profits (Therapeutic Riding Centers, Dog/Cat Shelters) and on her free time, writing contemporary romance. If you are a writer looking for a way to publish your work while maintaining creative and financial control, visit whitehallpublishing.com.

Book preview

Chapter One: Triage

Brandon carefully settled Katherine on the leather couch in her office. Only then did he realize she also had a cut on her right hand, probably from the nails on the horse’s shoe.

Jimmy, can you get me some ice and clean, wet towels? Brandon asked with clear, calm focus, kneeling next to Katherine. Inside, he was terrified and couldn’t wrap his head around the fact that ten minutes earlier, he was thinking about how many different ways he wanted to make love to this woman and now, in the blink of an eye, he could lose her forever.

Soon, the ice and towels materialized. Kate, can you hear me? He asked quietly, not wanting to startle her but getting no response. He worried that she was both unresponsive and losing a lot of blood from the head wound. Brandon soon dropped the first blood stained towel on the grey concrete floor next to him and wrapped ice in one of the remaining towels, placing it over the wound to keep the swelling down. Jimmy, would you get my bag and more clean towels?

I’ll get them.

Kate… Kate, can you hear me? Brandon whispered, still getting no response.

Outside Katherine’s office, Jennifer completed her call to 911 and realized that Mrs. Klassen had just arrived to pick up her son Tommy.

Jennifer, what’s all the commotion?

Tommy caused a serious accident, Jennifer said angrily.

What? My Tommy? Where is he? She demanded.

In the tack room, or at least he’d better be because that’s where I told him to stay, she stated with an air of clear, unapologetic threat in her voice.

Mrs. Klassen rushed down the aisle and found Tommy standing in the tack room crying what appeared to be Oscar worthy crocodile tears. Tommy! Shugga’, what happened?

Jennifer yelled at me. I didn’t do anything. They’re mean to me here mommy. Just then, Carl entered the tack room. He’d parked at the back of the barn to avoid getting wet.

Jennifer what’s up? Noticing Jennifer was involved in what appeared to be a heated discussion with Mrs. Klassen.

Katherine got hurt holding a horse for Dr. Stafford when Tommy spooked the horse.

Don’t blame my Tommy for your negligence. I have a good mind to sue you people for endangering my son.

Where is she? Carl insisted, completely ignoring their stormy conversation.

Dr. Stafford carried her into her office and the paramedics are on the way.

He carried her into her office? Holy Christ!

Don’t you take the Lord’s name in vain in front of my child. Mrs. Klassen snapped at Carl who was already on his way out the tack room door, ignoring her entirely. Oh, you poor darlin’, Mrs. Klassen said hugging her son tightly. Mamma’s gonna take you home now. As the pair left the tack room, Jennifer followed, appalled by Mrs. Klassen’s cavalier attitude.

Mrs. Klassen, did you go over the barn rules with Tommy as I asked you to last week?

What barn rules?

The ones I gave you the last time you were here!

It’s your job to teach, not mine. If you want me to do your job for you, I expect a discount. Tommy’s clearly upset by the rude way you spoke to him today. We’re leaving. Come on Tommy, let’s stop and get you some ice cream on the way home. That’ll perk you right up shugga’.

Jennifer was dumfounded by Mrs. Klassen’s high-and-mighty attitude and she couldn’t help but notice the smile on Tommy’s face as he walked by her. Prayer - Jennifer decided was the only answer, so she silently prayed her version of the serenity prayer. God, grant me the serenity to accept the fact that Mrs. Klassen and her spoiled brat are beyond redemption. Grant me the courage to resist my desire to murder both of them and the wisdom to hide my tracks effectively, should I end up doing it anyway ... In the name of Jesus, Amen. Even as Jennifer was thinking of what she wanted to do to Tommy and his mother, she knew God was not likely to answer that particular prayer, no matter how heartfelt it was.

Carl arrived at the office seconds later, Jimmy how’s Katherine? Is she OK?

She hasn’t come to yet. I’m worried. Overhearing the conversation, Mrs. Klassen shuffled Tommy out the door quickly.

Jimmy, will you get me more towels and my bag?

I’m coming, Moments later, Jimmy approached with the medical bag and fresh towels. A wave of nausea overcame him when he spotted the bloodied towel already on the floor next to the couch and the blood on Katherine's shirt.

Thanks. Brandon turned to take his bag. noticing the color drain from Jimmy’s face, If you think you’re going to faint, sit down, Brandon suggested calmly, turning his attention back to Katherine.

I’ll be fine, Jimmy swallowed hard. The sight of any blood, let alone that much blood left Jimmy torn between concern for Katherine and an overwhelming urge to throw up.

I need you to hold this against Katherine’s head while I check her vitals. Can you do that Jimmy?

Yes…sir, Jimmy approached the couch slowly.

Jimmy, do you want me to do that? Carl asked, standing at the office door. Everyone who knew Jimmy knew he was squeamish around blood and there certainly was a lot of it.

…No, I’ll do it. I won’t let Katherine down again. He took the gauze pads from Brandon and pressed them against her head wound.

It’s Ok Jimmy. If you’re going to be sick, let’s get Carl in here, Brandon offered in a very matter of fact tone without judgement. He simply needed a job done and was only interested in finding someone who could help him, help Katherine. Carl didn’t wait for a personal invitation he hurried into the office and took over before Jimmy could say a word.

Gently. Hold it gently Carl, Brandon warned while Jimmy bolted out of the office, through the crowd and out the front exit. He managed to make it under the front awning of the barn just as Mrs. Klassen was backing out of the driveway.

OK, I’ve got this...Jesus Christ, that’s a lot of blood. I just got here. How long has Katherine been out? Carl asked.

Brandon answered without looking at Carl, About ten minutes.

Why is she so white?

She’s lost a lot of blood from that head wound. Kate, can you hear me? Brandon knew her lack of color was a bad sign. Her vitals would tell the story. Although he was afraid of what they might reveal, he needed to know so he placed his stethoscope against her chest. After checking her heart rate he pulled out a small flashlight and checked her pupils.

Denise was upset standing next to Jennifer at the office door, This is all my fault.

I promise you Denise, this wasn’t your fault and besides, I've known Katherine long enough to know that no matter which horse it was, she wouldn't have let go until she knew everyone else was safe, Jennifer reassured her with a hug.

Jennifer, can you go outside and watch for the ambulance and get them in here as fast as you can? Brandon called out to her without taking his eyes off Katherine. By now, the rain was pounding on the metal roof of the barn.

Ok, I can do that, she was quickly out the door. Jennifer stood under the same overhang they’d used to enjoy their recent catered lunch which provided shelter from the rain. Today it was being used by Jimmy as he continued to throw up at one end while Jennifer watched for the ambulance at the other.

Thanks Carl. Her vitals look strong and that’s a really good sign. I’ll take over now, Carl gratefully left the couch area and moved to the desk, stepping over the towels, realizing his hands were now marked with her blood. He headed to the sink in her office to wash up.

Brandon sat next to Katherine on the edge of the couch and found himself really looking at her for the first time. Not as a fellow professional or as the scrappy woman who’d horse whipped Hadley Vinton the week before. He didn’t see her right now as the woman he wanted sexually, but for the first time, he saw her as a vulnerable, tiny, beautiful woman. She was so uncharacteristically still. The fear of losing her made his blood run cold.

Kate, please wake up for me? He whispered, stroking her cheek. Getting no response, he gently tapped the side of her face three times with the back of his hand. For the first time, Katherine moved her head slightly and exhaled a soft moan.

She moved! Carl exclaimed with relief.

Katherine started to come around slowly Mmmm, She mumbled, staring up at Brandon with no recognition of who he was. He gently tapped her cheek again with his hand, trying to bring her out of unconsciousness.

She attempted to raise her hand to stop him but was as weak as a newborn pup. Brandon said in a calm reassuring voice, You’re Ok. It’s me, Brandon. You were knocked out for a little while but you’re safe and everything’s going to be Ok. He gently stroked her face, a wave of relief overwhelming him.

Welcome back, Katherine slowly looked in Carl’s direction but had no idea who he was either.

How do you feel? Brandon asked holding her hand.

After some hesitation, she swallowed hard and replied through her fog as she exhaled deeply, …cold.

We can fix that, removing his jacket to cover her with it. Carl, I need some horse blankets in here right away. Do you have any blankets for humans in the barn? If you do, get me one, if you don’t, bring me another horse blanket and I’ll use that and hurry, she’s going into shock. Katherine was now visibly trembling.

I’ll get some, Carl hurried to gather the blankets. Katherine drifted in and out of consciousness. A short time later, Carl returned with two full-sized winter horse blankets and a new blanket for humans in a plastic bag. Will these work?

That’s perfect. Would you fold up the two horse blankets and put them under her lower legs at the end of the couch? I need Kate’s legs raised higher than her heart. As Carl got to work at one end of the couch, Brandon pulled the new blanket from its plastic bag. Removing his jacket from her upper body, he carefully replaced it by folding the blanket in half, draping it across Katherine’s upper body up to her neck and then tucked it in on both sides to keep her core as warm as possible.

Kate, don’t go to sleep, Brandon commanded gently each time her eyes closed.

Hmmm, she desperately wanted to drift off into that sea of quiet, peaceful darkness.

Within a few moments, Carl elevated her legs. As he did, Katherine gasped loudly, her face grimacing from the intense pain, her back arching. Both men were startled, Shit, Katherine, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you.

Carl it’s OK, Brandon said, trying to hide the worry in his voice. He felt utter helplessness. He could see Katherine was in a lot of pain but there wasn’t much he could do for her until the paramedics arrived. In the meantime, all he could do was keep her warm, control the bleeding and do what he could to stop her from going into shock.

Kate…talk to me. How do you feel? He asked softly, trying to sound calm.

Until that moment, she’d been struggling to stay conscious, Dammmmn, she whispered, the pain apparent by the look on her face and the fact that she had noticeably tensed her muscles. Her breathing was fast and ragged now. Torn between letting her slip into shock or risk exacerbating a possible back injury, Brandon focused on keeping her alive.

Welcome back. Breathe deeply. That should help ease the pain, She wasn’t out of the woods by a long shot but this was a good sign and for the first time, Brandon exhaled.

Carl chimed in saying, That’s the Katherine I know and love. The first word out of her mouth was a four-letter one!

We were worried about you. Their eyes met as Brandon leaned over her and checked under the gauze on her head wound to see if the bleeding had stopped yet.

In the distance Brandon heard sirens getting louder as they approached. There had only been one other occasion in his life in which he prayed to hear those sirens. He hoped this time the outcome would be different. Very soon there was a lot of activity coming down the barn aisle. The sounds of the paramedics’ radio and the heavy metal gurney clattering as it approached were getting louder by the second. He could hear Jennifer's voice as she led the paramedics to the office.

Katherine whispered softly, suddenly with fear in her eyes, I have …to go, she tried to sit up on the couch but was too weak to do so.

Kate, you mustn’t try to get up, Brandon insisted, but before she could answer, two paramedics entered the office loudly, startling her. Both men were wet from the heavy downpour outside.

Where is… Dave? I have… to go, she implored in a soft but terrified voice as she struggled to get free of the blanket. Brandon wondered what could possibly have frightened her so much.

Don’t try to get up. Brandon gently held her down by her shoulders. Let the paramedics check you out. If Dave is here, I’ll find him. Don’t worry.

As the paramedics unpacked their gear, Brandon introduced himself and then turned to Carl, Kate wants to know where Dave is?

There’s no Dave working here. Are you sure she asked for Dave?

Never mind, Brandon looked confused but let it go as he was interrupted by one of the paramedics.

Is this our only patient?

Yes.

We found a young man outside throwing up. I thought he was our patient.

No, he got a little queasy over the blood.

Poor kid, we see a lot of that... Is that Katherine McMahon? Terry, the lead paramedic asked with surprise.

Yes, do you know her?

Bruce, it’s Katherine!

Crap. What happened?

Do you know Katherine too?

Sure, she organized the fund raiser this year that got us that ambulance outside. What happened? Bruce asked.

Brandon relayed the events to the paramedics, never taking his eyes from Katherine.

Terry noticed the towels on the floor near the couch, Bruce, we’re going to need a C-collar and a back board, Terry removed the blanket, revealing her blood stained shirt. He hesitated for a moment, Bruce. We need to get moving, stat.

Bruce could tell from Terry’s tone of voice that this was serious, I'm on it.

Terry sat on the edge of the couch to begin a series of tests. Katherine, I’m here to help you, he leaned over her. Slowly, her eyes opened once again. He was concerned by how pale she was.

"Katherine, it’s me, Terry from the fire house. You're going to be fine now. I’m going to put this collar on you to protect your spinal cord and then I’m gonna run some