Fox Ridge, Friend or Foe, Book 3: Fox Ridge, #3

By Bonnie Marlewski-Probert

Love heats up at Fox Ridge Equestrian Center in Friend or Foe, book 3 in the bestselling series. The morning after Katherine and Brandon finally spend a mind-blowing sensual night together, Katherine discovers her secret has gotten out. Brandon is the only person in the entire state who knew the secret. She is best friends with the local Sheriff and even he didn't know about her past. Could Dr. Brandon Stafford sleep with a woman, profess his love to her and then stab her in the back? Katherine has to wonder because this wouldn't be the first time a man in her life has done exactly that. Find out who betrayed Katherine in Friend or Foe, book 3 in the bestselling series.

Now that her secret is out, will she still have a business or will she be run out of town on a rail?

Will Katherine take the job in Canada and leave Fox Ridge and the life she has created for herself or will she finally fight for the life and the people she loves?

Find out when you read Friend or Foe, Book 3 in the bestselling Fox Ridge series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bonnie Marlewski-Probert
• Release date: Aug 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386917021

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: Mrs. Klassen

M rs. Klassen?

Yes, this is Mrs. Klassen,

This is Katherine McMahon from Fox Ridge Equestrian Center. I need to ask you how you found out about my husband’s death.

Oh, it’s you. You should be ashamed of yourself, coming into this quiet, God-fearing community and bringing such filth and shame.

Katherine was dumfounded by her statement, Mrs. Klassen, I’m sorry you feel that way but I must know, who told you about my husband’s death?

It’s none of your business missy who told me. It’s enough that I know and that all the other parents now know your dirty little secret. Besides, he would be upset if I gave out his name. Unlike you, he has a bright future in our community to protect.

Fine, if that’s how you feel, I understand. Mrs. Klassen, I love my students and the horses and I would never jeopardize any of them. Katherine replied, the tears starting to well up in her eyes. Six years of fear starting to wash over her.

Thankfully, I never have to worry about that again. You nearly got my son killed the other day. Fortunately, he was smart enough to duck into the tack room to save himself.

Up until that moment Katherine was feeling terrified and overwhelmed, What?

You heard me. You’re unsafe to be around my child and I’m glad you won’t have another chance to hurt him. Good bye and good riddance.

With that, Mrs. Klassen slammed down the phone, Hello? Mrs. Klassen? Hello?... Bloody hell! Katherine yelled as she slammed down the phone. She couldn’t decide if she was furious or devastated but either way, she needed to talk with her staff and she needed to do it now before she could even think about leaving for Canada.

Jennifer, can you bring the staff in here now? Katherine shouted.

OK, Jennifer hollered back to her and a few seconds later, she heard a knock at the door.

Come in, Katherine shouted impatiently.

The door opened. Jennifer led the way with Carl close behind, followed by Jimmy and Sarah picking up the rear. Each had a worried look on their face as they entered.

I have two things I need to tell you and I want you to hear them both from me first before anyone else gets to you.

What is it? Carl asked with genuine concern.

First, I've been offered a job in Canada as head trainer at a big barn up there.

Wow, Jennifer said.

That’s great! Jimmy exclaimed.

Wait. I got the offer a couple of weeks ago and never told any of you about it because I wasn’t planning on taking it until two minutes ago.

What do you mean? Carl asked, everyone looking puzzled.

I just got off the phone with Mrs. Klassen, Tommy’s mother.

Tommy’s mother talked you into taking a job in Canada? Jennifer asked quizzically.

No, seems someone told her about my husband’s death and she took it upon herself to tell all of my students’ parents and my training customers which is why no one showed up here this morning.

What the hell did she tell them? Jimmy asked.

That's the other thing I need to tell you about. You all know that I am a widow. What you don’t know is that my husband died when I shot him with a 38' in our bedroom. It was self-defense.

Oh my God, Carl said with a devilish grin, You are a bad ass.

Look, I’m not proud of it but he had a drinking problem and came home one night drunk. He tried to kill me and our baby and I fought back… Katherine went on to tell all the gory details of that night.

When Katherine finished, Jimmy was unable to hold back his tears. Katherine, I’m sorry you had to go through that and I’m sorry you lost your baby. You would have been a great mom.

Thanks Jimmy. If I wasn't so mad right now, I'd be crying with you.

Is that why you volunteer at the women’s shelter? Sarah asked.

Yes. I don’t want any other woman to go through what I went through.

Does the lady at the shelter know about your story? Jennifer asked.

No one knew about my story until last week. I made the mistake of trusting someone and telling them and now, a week later, this happened.

Who’s the bitch that spilled the beans? Carl demanded.

It doesn't matter now, she replied nodding her head in resignation.

Mrs. Klassen's a bitch, but I can’t believe if she knew the full story that she would’ve done something like this to you or to anyone else. Jennifer said.

"I don’t know how much of the story she got or didn’t get. All I know is that it looks like she’s on a mission to wipe out my entire business and that may end up destroying your jobs. I’m going to have to seriously consider taking that job in Canada now to protect all of you.

You shouldn’t run away from your past. I think you should stay and I’ll stand with you. Screw the haters. Everybody has secrets. Maybe it's better that it finally came out. Carl said defiantly. Katherine gave him a knowing look. After all, Carl was keeping his own big secret and he, of all people should understand the devastation of being ‘outed’.

I’ll back you too, Jimmy said and Jennifer agreed.

Katherine, I’ll have your back whatever you decide to do. Sarah said.

Thank you all. That means a lot to me. I have to make up my mind before tomorrow night. The Canadians are expecting an answer by Monday morning so I have some soul searching to do tonight but before I do anything, I wanted to be the one who told you the whole truth about my past. I love and respect all of you and whatever happens, know that.

We love you too, Carl said.

Katherine, if you go to Canada, you’re not going alone. I’m going with you. Jimmy proclaimed, wiping a tear from his face.

Thanks, that means the world to me but if I go, I have to go alone, but I’ll never forget you… She said, now barely able to hold back her own tears. Look, I have to make a phone call and then I’m going to figure out what I need to do next. I’m sorry you got dragged into this mess and I’ll do my best to protect your jobs. That’s all.

Thanks Katherine, if you need anything, I’m here, Jennifer promised.

I am too, Sarah said as the staff filed out of her office and closed the door behind them.

Katherine picked up the phone. She had to know the truth. Brandon couldn’t be the one. I made love to the guy last night and he took care of me when I got hurt. If he’s the one who told my secret, he'd have to be some kind of monster. Shit, I couldn’t be that wrong about someone again… could I? You idiot. You thought Dave was the man of your dreams too, until he turned out to be a monster. Katherine had to admit. Please God, don’t let it be Brandon. She prayed as she dialed his number. If it wasn’t Brandon, who else could have done it? She wondered as the phone started to ring.

Brandon’s phone rang once... Katherine was afraid to speak with him for fear it was him who divulged her secret to Mrs. Klassen... It rang a second time. Could he have set her up? But why would he?... It rang a third time. Katherine couldn’t wrap her head around the real possibility that she’d allowed another man as dangerous as Dave into her life. While terrifying thoughts raced in her head…his phone rolled to voicemail.

This either meant he was guilty and was now dodging her calls or he was completely innocent and already at his first appointment for the day and unable to pick up. Quickly hanging up the phone, she decided not to leave any message. If it was Brandon who exposed her secret, she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of knowing he’d played her for a fool. If it wasn’t him, what was she going to say anyway, other than I had a great time and good bye.

Taking a deep breath, Jimmy can you come in here? she called out from her office.

Yea Katherine, can I do something for you? Jimmy’s heart was breaking for the woman who had believed in him when no one else would. She was like family to him.

I’m going to take Benzz out to the pond field for a gallop to clear my head and start making plans. I’m not taking any calls.

If Dr. Stafford calls should I come and get you?

No. I'm especially not taking any calls from him. She snapped.

What? I thought you liked him?

Would you please just do what I ask? she hissed, getting up from her desk.

OK, Jimmy agreed, taken aback by her attitude. He watched her as she walked past him, heading down the barn aisle to Benzz’s stall.

Chapter Two: Counting Your Losses

The pond field was one of the reasons Katherine purchased Fox Ridge in the first place. Of all the facilities she looked at, it was this field with its pond that tugged at her heart. The field itself was 20 + acres in size, a beautiful meadow with rolling hills. The pond, located in the middle of the field was easily an acre in size, hidden from the barn and from the rest of the world with a view that took her breath away. Whenever her life became overwhelming, this is where she went to find solace.

Because she knew she was probably going to lose everything anyway, Katherine did exactly what she wanted to do for once. She pulled Benzz out of his stall, ran a quick brush over his back, asked Jimmy to give her a leg-up before galloping bareback across the drive, up the big hill, across the meadow all the way to the pond. If there were customers on the property, she would never ride bareback without a helmet because it went against all of her safety rules but what difference does it make now, she wondered. There are no customers anyway and as long as I’m running this barn, there probably won’t be any.

She spent an hour alone with her thoughts, trying to understand how, in a matter of days, her entire life had imploded. She wept for the family she’d lost in New York six years ago. And she mourned for the family she’d created at Fox Ridge that she was about to lose. She cried over Brandon, realizing that she’d either given her heart to another monster or she’d finally found the man of her dreams and would be losing him anyway. After spending several minutes wallowing in how unfair the situation had been, she pulled herself together and focused on what she could control. Katherine ran through the long list of practical things she’d need to handle before leaving Fox Ridge for the last time. And finally, she vowed that when she got to Canada she’d begin again, only this time, she’d keep to herself.

Before heading back to the barn, she took a mental photograph of her beloved pond and her life at Fox Ridge Equestrian Center, knowing this would be the only memento she could take with. Katherine knew if she took the job in Canada, she’d be starting over with a clean slate. That meant she’d need to leave everything and everyone at Fox Ridge behind. No photographs, no emails, no contact.

The barn phone rang all day with people calling to cancel their lessons and horse training business with Katherine. By early afternoon, she realized her ship was sinking fast and there wasn’t a thing she could do to stop it. The one thing she feared the most every day for the past six years had finally happened and while she desperately didn’t want to believe it, she was sure it was Brandon behind it all. It had to be, no one else knew about her past.

Throughout the morning, Dr. Stafford called the barn. The first few times Jimmy lied and said Katherine was busy, but by the fourth call, Brandon was getting worried. Jimmy, is everything alright? Is Katherine OK?

Dr. Stafford, can I ask you a question?

Sure.

Do you know how I can get in touch with Dr. Baker?

I have his cell but he and Mary have already left in their RV for a weekend outing to test out the rig. Jimmy, what’s wrong? Is something wrong with one of the horses?

No... Jimmy said sheepishly.

I’m getting worried. What the hell's going on? Brandon demanded.

Katherine didn’t say I couldn’t tell anyone and you'll find out soon enough anyway.

Find out what? His voice bordered on panic.

Someone told Mrs. Klassen the details of the death of Katherine’s husband and she called all of Katherine’s customers and posted it on the internet. All of Katherine’s lessons cancelled and her training customers are pulling their horses. She's in a lot of trouble Dr. Stafford and she really needs Dr. Baker. Do you know how I can reach him?

Oh shit. How's Katherine?

She's really sad and I can tell she’s scared. She wouldn't admit it but I’ve never seen her scared before. Even when Wild Chuck ran off with her, she wasn't scared. Nothing scares her but after she called Mrs. Klassen this morning, her hands were shaking and she looked like she'd seen a ghost.

I promise you, I wasn’t the one who told Mrs. Klassen.

Katherine never said you were. She just said she'd made a mistake in telling someone and now a week later, the word got out. Can you give me Dr. Baker’s cell phone number or would you call him for me? She really needs her friends.

Chapter Three: The Voice of Reason

Katherine returned from the pond field and skyped Sharon, her lifelong friend from New York around lunchtime.

Hey girl, what a nice surprise. Roger took the baby to his parents' so I'm free for the whole day. Your timing's brilliant. How did I rate a call on a Saturday? Sharon asked with a smile.

I’m in trouble.

What's up? her tone changed from delight to concern.

All of my lessons cancelled today because one of the mothers found out how Dave died and took it upon herself to tell all my customers. She posted it online so I’m sure all my competitors and vendors already know. This is probably going to cost me my entire business.

Oh shit Kate. How did she find out?

It had to be Brandon. In six years, he’s the only person I told and I told him last weekend, she said with resignation in her voice cradling her head in her hands. God, I’m such an idiot!

It couldn’t be Brandon. From everything you’ve told me, he loves you and there’s no way he'd hurt you. Besides, what are the odds of him ever connecting with that woman?

Who else could it be? I'm friends with the sheriff for God’s sake and he didn't know. I don't think anyone could have found out unless I told them, she insisted, trying to make her point, her voice filled with frustration.

"Have you called Mac to ask