Chapter Five
CHAPTER FIVE
Erin had been in Smoky Hill to visit a stud farm about thirty-minutes out of town, and she’d figured she may as well book a lesson with Helen while she was there. It would pay for the cost of the trip with a bit left over. Though she was a successful trainer her income barely covered her overhead. Now, thanks to the pushy cowboy, she’d lost a client, something she could ill-afford. Furious, she decided to seek revenge, and hastily placed a call to the man who had initially introduced her to Helen. A tough biker named Kenny.
“Hey, Erin,” he said gruffly as he accepted the call. “I’m busy. What’s up?”
“I was just attacked by a fucking hick cowboy.”
“What? Where?”
“At his ranch. That rich bitch you introduced me to, Helen Ramsey, she boards her horse there. I was in the area to visit a stud farm and I dropped in to give her a lesson. Apparently he didn’t like the way I was handling her dopey mare. You won’t believe this, but the asshole ripped my whip away from me and start hitting me with it.”
“What the fuck?”
“Exactly!”
“Why doesn’t Helen keep her horse at your barn?”
“I’ve been trying to convince her but she says she doesn’t like stalls so she trailers up once a week. Stupid cow. It’s ridiculous. I was going to suggest she pay me to come to her instead, but I was so mad after what that cowboy did I told her to take a hike.”
“Sorry to hear that, but how can I help?”
“I want you to pay that jerk a visit? Make him understand he should mind his own business?”
“I’ll ask one of the boys. I can’t risk Helen finding out.”
“Helen? Why do you care what she thinks?”
“None of your business.”
“Don’t tell me you’re trying to get her in the sack.”
“For fuck’s sake, Erin, I could do that in thirty-seconds. No, I have something else in mind. I’ll send Brian.”
“The bear? Yes, that would be great. Thanks, Kenny. By the way, my supply is running low. I need both the talcum powder and the herbs.”
“Okay. How about I swing by the barn later tonight.”
“Sounds good. I’ll see you there.”
* * *
As the call came to an end, Kenny grinned. The stupid woman thought calling coke talcum powder, and marijuana herbs, would fool the cops if they were listening. But the ruse kept her feeling safe so he went along with it. Picking up his beer he took a long drink, then called Helen.
“Kenny? Wow. This is a surprise.”
“A good one I hope.”
“Of course it is.”
“How are you?”
“Great, well, kind of.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, not really. I don’t want to bore you.”
“Come on, tell me, or I’ll put you over my knee next time you’re in town.”
“Stop it. You know when you say stuff like that it makes me feel all weird.”
“Weird good, though, right?”
“I plead the fifth.”
“That doesn’t fly with me, sweetheart. But tell me what’s making my poor little rich girl sad.”
“I’m not sad, but I am upset. Erin was in Smoky Hill today and she came to my boyfriend’s ranch to give me a lesson. He’s a trainer too, but western…obviously. Sorry, anyway, when he saw Erin riding my mare he didn’t like what she was doing and charged into the ring. They had a huge fight, then Erin left and told me she wouldn’t teach me anymore.”
“I could talk to her for you. I’m sure I could convince her to change her mind.”
“Actually, it’s okay. I’m getting tired of hauling Daisy into town anyway, and I think Andy—that’s my boyfriend—I think he was right. He doesn’t have anything against riding English, he just didn’t like her style of training. I’m sorry to say I agree with him. I just wish I’d seen things more clearly sooner. But enough about all that. Why are you calling?”
“I was thinking of taking a ride out your way this weekend. Would you like to get together?”
“Really? Yes, for sure, but there’s nowhere around here we can go without it getting back to Andy. Wait…I just had a thought. We could meet up at the Moonshine Campgrounds. They have a restaurant with an outside patio and the locals don’t go there much.”
“You must really like this guy.”
“Honestly, I’m liking him more and more, and I don’t want to do anything to mess it up. If he heard I was hanging out with a leather-clad biker I don’t think he’d be too happy.”
“Ah, gotcha.”
“Is there any special reason you’re coming out this way?”
“I want to get out of town, and I like the ride around Smoky Hill. There are plenty of twists and turns, and there are some great spots to stop and breathe in the clean air.”
“A biker like you cares about clean air?”
“After riding around the city for days on end, sure I do. And I appreciate the scenery there just as much as anyone else.”
“If you’re talking about Moonshine Lake then you must know the campgrounds.”
“I’ve seen their sign, but I’m actually talking about a place just off the main road called Lake View Point. It’s spectacular, but I get the impression no-one ever goes there.”
“That’s because hardly anyone ever does, and you’re right, it’s absolutely gorgeous. I don’t know why it’s not more popular. Anyway, Moonshine Campgrounds is very close to that spot. When are you coming up?”
“How about tomorrow. I’ll meet you there at say…two o’clock?”
“Great. See you then.”
* * *
Ending the call, Helen felt a shiver of anticipation. She could hardly believe it. Rough, tough, biker Kenny had not only called her, he wanted to see her. She would never consider actually going out with him, but meeting up was an exciting prospect, and though she hoped no-one at the campgrounds would recognized her, the risk made it that much more fun.