Ive heard a lot about the Lucky C Ranch lately, Marshall Kennedys voice boomed in his ear.
Daniel held the phone in a tight grip. This call might mean the difference between a good program and an excellent breeding program that could gain international attention. Thank you, sir, Daniel said. Ive selected from only the best lineage.
I assume thats why youre looking at purchasing semen from Strikers Royal Advantage.
Yes, sir. Ive done my research, and I believe a foal from Striker and Big Js Lucky Coin will be the most sought-after registered quarter horse in the country.
Im impressed with Big Js Lucky line, but I dont sell to just any farm that comes along with enough money to pay for stud service.
I understand, Mr. Kennedy.
I want to know my horses are being bred and cared for by a fine, upstanding family. Good family is just as important, if not more so, than money. From what Ive learned about the Coltons, there are a few skeletons in the closets. You being one of them.
Daniel bit down on his tongue to keep from telling Kennedy that people couldnt always choose their lineage like people could choose a horses bloodline. Im as much a part of the Colton family as any of my siblings, and Im just as proud of my Cherokee blood. Realizing he was coming across too strong, Daniel drew in a calming breath and continued. If my heritage will be a sticking point in this deal, perhaps this conversation is over.
Whoa, young man. I didnt say your bloodline was at fault.
Then what is it you need from me to convince you the horses produced from your lines will be well cared for?
I want you to convince me the Coltons are the right family to invest in. Im speaking at the annual Symposium on Equine Reproduction a week from now in Reno, Nevada. I want you to attend that symposium. Ill be there with members of my family. If at that time I feel that the Coltons are worth the risk, we can discuss the details of the sale. Are you still interested?
Yes, sir, Daniel said, not really understanding how meeting Kennedy at a symposium would change the mans mind if hed already made his decision. Ill be there.
Good. Marshall Kennedy ended the call, leaving Daniel no closer to knowing whether hed get the semen he wanted to take his breeding program to the next level. With one of his mares down and no guarantee shed pull through, and his assistant likely quitting, he wondered if it was too soon to take this step. Hed be gambling a great deal of Colton money on a dream. Not all of the Colton brothers were in agreement on taking this project forward. Big J liked a family consensus before funding was released.
The bright spot in the mess of the past few days was that Kennedy hadnt said no. He hadnt said yes. But there still was hope.
He stepped out of the office and returned to the stall, where Megan sat in the dying light beside Halo, stroking the animals neck. The horse didnt look any better, and Daniel wasnt sure shed live to see the sunrise.
Too many strange things had happened on the ranch in the past few months. The main house had been robbed and his fathers wife, Abra, had been attacked and left in a coma. Now someone had tried to kill one of his prize mares.
Daniel wasnt ready to give up on Halo, yet. And he still had to come up with a solution to Megans problem or hed lose her, too.
Megan smiled over her shoulder at him. I kept Sleek from eating your sandwich.
The barn cat sat beside Megan, licking its paws. The stray had been an asset to the ranch and kept the mouse population down.
The sun had dipped below the horizon while Daniel talked on the phone with Kennedy. With his world tilted on its axis, Daniel wasnt sure what the next day would bring or how to keep everything hed worked for from falling apart.
You can go home. Ill stay with Halo, he said to Megan.
She shook her head. If its all the same to you, Id rather stay. I know it doesnt make sense, but I feel like its my fault Halos in the shape shes in.
Unless you purposely poisoned her, I dont see how it could be your fault.
I should have realized something was terribly wrong with her and dealt with her immediately. She scratched behind the horses ear. Then you wouldnt be as sick as you are now, would you, baby? Her tone was soothing, and Halos ears twitched.
We wouldnt have known anything sooner, Daniel said. The lab had to make that determination. It wasnt until this morning that she went downhill.
Still, I was the last one to ride her.
Stop. Daniel held up a hand. Well both stay with her.
She gave him a crooked smile. Thanks. Id like that.
He left her in the stall and went about the task of feeding the other animals. When he returned to the stall, he carried several clean horse blankets and a section of hay. He spread out the hay on the ground.
Megan took one of the blankets from him, laid it over the hay and sat on one side of it, patting the spot next to her. Sit and eat your supper.
Daniel sat and took the sandwich from Megan. When their hands touched, a spark of electricity shot up his arm, reminding him of that kiss and the subsequent dreams that had plagued his sleep the night before. At least if he stayed awake all night with Halo, he wouldnt be dreaming of lying naked with Megan.
Was that Marshall Kennedy on the phone? Megan gave him a half smile. Sorry, I overheard a little.
Daniel chewed on a bite of deli meat, mentally going over his conversation with Kennedy. Megan had been with him when hed researched the studs and breeders. She knew as well as he did what they needed at the Lucky C to make it a world-class operation, and she deserved to know the outcome of that conversation, even if she did quit in two days time. Yes.
Well? She leaned forward on her knees, her green eyes bright in the soft glow from the overhead lighting. Is he going to deal with us or not?
Daniel shook his head. Jurys still out.
Then why bother calling you? She sat back, her excitement replaced by a frown. Either hes going to sell to you or hes not.
Its like I told Brett and Jack. The man has a thing about family. He looks at the lineage of the horses, but hes concerned about the family raising those horses.
Then it should be a slam dunk. The Coltons are well respected as ranchers not only in Oklahoma but also across the United States.
Ranching cattle. But were new at horse breeding and not as well proven. Thats not what hes concerned about, though. He wants to know his horses are going to a good family.
Again, the Coltons are well respected. What could he be concerned about?
Hes specifically worried about me. He called me a skeleton in the Colton closet. From what Ive learned, the Kennedys are socially elite and proud of their status.
Sounds like my parents. They would hate to have me mess up their standing by marrying beneath me. Megan shivered. Ive met too many of their social picks. She snorted. No thanks. Do you think thats whats holding the Kennedys back?
Daniel nodded. Im the stick in the mans craw. The bastard son of a Colton, and a Cherokee to boot.
Megans face reddened and her eyes flashed. Is he refusing to sell to you because youre half-Cherokee?