Page 17 of Tom's Chance
“So far, in the course of the investigation, they uncovered a lot of unsavory business practices, and the FBI has shut them down. Also, Beatrice’s lawyer both personal and professional went to the judge and asked to be recused from her case. Since she’s not talking, they say they can’t help her. Along with the fact that her company is temporarily closed, there’s nothing they can do if she’s not talking. The FBI also froze all their assets, so her lawyer can’t be paid. The judge agreed, so both Beatrice and Peter now have public defenders.”
Lorissa couldn’t help it, it started out as a smirk, and a giggle, but turned into a full-blown belly laugh. She waved her hand in front of her face, and wiped her tears, shaking her head the entire time. “I’m sorry, I know it sucks for them, but I think it’s only fitting that all these years they both looked down their noses at us, and look where they are. It just proves that Karma really does come to those who deserve it.” She shook her head as she gathered their plates and took them to the sink. She turned and smiled.
“Thank you for updating me. You’ll keep me updated?”
“I will.” Laurie nodded and helped clean up the kitchen. “What’s on your agenda for the day?”
“I have to run over to a ranch on the other side of Fool’s Gold to check on the progress of a stallion I worked on a couple of days ago. I told Mr. Coleman that I would return in a few days, and I want to go check on him.” She loaded the dishwasher as she talked, and raised a brow at her mother. “What about you? What are you going to do?”
“It’s going to be a while before I get called back east, and they might be able to talk to me over a Zoom call or whatever. I’m not going to sit around waiting for them, I’m going to go over and talk with Erin to see if there’s anything I can do to earn my keep.”
“What if it’s working with horses.”
“Then I’ll do it. I have to learn sometime. I might have a bum knee, but there are women working with missing limbs, so I can work right alongside them. Maybe I can curry comb them or something.”
“Good for you,” Lorissa said as she went over and hugged her mother. “I’m proud of you.”
“Thank you.” They hugged again, and Laurie said she’d finish up the dishes if Lorissa wanted to get on the road. Out in the barn, Lorissa made sure she packed up her bag with everything she thought she would need, and within thirty minutes she was tooting her horn to her mother as she drove downthe driveway and settled into the two-hour drive to the Coleman ranch.
Hours later,Lorissa was washing up in the sink and as she dried her hands, she cocked her head to the side and looked at Jared Coleman with a frown. He had his hand extended toward her with an envelope in it.
“What’s that?”
“Payment for working on Thor. I also want to talk to you about something.”
“What?”
“Are you in an exclusive contract with Erin Riceman?”
“No.” Lorissa didn’t hesitate to answer as she took the envelope and stuck it in her back pocket without opening it. “Back East, I was, but I made sure I wasn’t with Erin. Yes, I’m her farrier for Erin’s Way, The Broken Wheel, and New Double, but I’m not exclusive to her. If I’m needed elsewhere, and I am free to go, I can.”
“Good, because I want you to draw up a contract, with a retainer fee, for us. I want to use you as my farrier. I had to make sure I wasn’t poaching on Erin’s turf first.”
Lorissa laughed. “No, I’m basically a free agent,but her horses come first. What exactly would you want me to do?”
“I have seventy-seven horses now. I definitely want you to do an annual check-up on all of them, then come when I have an emergency like you did with Thor. I thought if you charge a large enough retainer, that would be paid annually, and then if it’s an emergency, we can work something out.”
“Oh, wow, I never thought of something like that. Would you give me a few days to write something up?”
“Sure, just give me a call when you get it ready. Right now, my horses are still in the summer pasture, and I don’t plan on bringing them closer to the barns for another couple of months yet. Depending on the weather, I’m thinking around the end of October possibly the beginning of November. However, I would like them worked on and up to snuff before the first snow fall.”
“I agree,” Lorissa nodded and stuck her hand out. “I’ll see what I can come up with. I’m not doubting you, but I’m going to stop at the bank on the way home and deposit this check.” She patted her ass and grinned when he laughed. He left her alone and she packed up her tools and headed to her truck. On the drive back to Fool’s Gold, she thought of what Jared had asked, and decided to check in with Erin to double check that she wasn’t exclusive to her, and ask if she knew of a good lawyer.
After leaving the bank, she stood on the sidewalk and looked around. Her stomach growled and it was well past noon. The last time she ate was at breakfast that morning, and though she was hungry, she didn’t want to go to the diner and ruin her supper by eating a meal now. She spotted a bakery and with a grin, started across the street.
She entered the bakery, closed her eyes as she took a deep breath to hold in the wonderful smells. With a decisive nod, she strode forward and ordered a coffee and muffin. With them in each hand, she turned and ran smack into a solid wall. Before she could react, she felt arms wrap around her and hold her tight to the wall.
Lorissa looked up in shock, and before she could say anything, Tom Stolls took her face gently in his hands and whispered as he lowered his head to hers, “Forgive me, I’ll explain, I promise, please go along with me.”
Again, before she could react, his lips touched hers, and she lost herself in the feel of them. It wasn’t until someone screamed behind them that she realized what had happened.
CHAPTER 8
Lorissa looked directlyinto Tom’s eyes after they both opened them, and with his forehead on hers, he sighed heavily. “I’m sorry, I can, andwillexplain. I just need you to be patient for a few minutes.”
“Okay,” Lorissa said on a sigh and stared in horror when a woman grabbed Tom by the upper arm, swung him around, and slapped him across the face so hard that it caused her to wince. She started forward, but saw a man who had been at the counter turn and approach Tom and the unknown woman.
“There a problem here, Stolls?” the man asked.
