Thoroughbreds and Trailer Trash by Bev Pettersen

called, meeting him between Wally’s door and the truck. “I’ve been jogging every night but haven’t seen you around.”
    “Mr. Burke instructed me to change patrol times. Not much crime around here but it’s good to shake things up.”
    “Yeah. Good idea,” she said brightly. Damn Burke .
    Larry continued toward Wally’s apartment but she rushed forward, pausing under the white driveway light and blocked his path. “I jogged by Wally’s door and it’s secure. You don’t have to do this end.”
    “Thanks, Jenna, but I still have to check,” he said. “It’s my job to keep everyone safe.”
    She smiled and widened her eyes. “Yes, and I personally feel much safer, knowing you’re around, changing up the schedule. You’re so smart. You probably walk another route too…checking different doors first.”
    “Yes. That’s right.” He shuffled his feet and glanced toward the far end of the building. “Sometimes I do check the receiving doors first.”
    She nodded encouragingly. “They’re probably the easiest doors to jimmy open.” She smiled over her shoulder and edged along the walkway, relieved when he followed her away from Wally’s door.
    “Maybe I’ll see you up here tomorrow night,” he called as he veered off the path and followed the walkway along the back of the building.
    “Maybe,” she said. “What time are you coming?”
    “Ten ten, and then again at ten fifty. I can bring you a cold drink, if you want?”
    “Oh, I can’t drink when I’m running, but it’s nice to know you’re around. You hurry now and check those side doors. You never know what’s out there.” She faked a nervous shiver. “You do have a gun, don’t you?”
    He nodded, patting his bulky holster. “Right here on my hip. And I completed my firearms course and a second update. Mr. Burke was happy to hear that.”
    “I bet he was,” she said dryly. She backed out of the light before pretending to jog away, peeking over her shoulder until the beam of his powerful light disappeared around the building.
    She wheeled, retraced her steps through the mantle of darkness and untied Peanut. “You are one smart fellow,” she whispered. She couldn’t resist giving him a big pat then hustled the obliging pony into the woods, up the path and back to his safe kennel.

 
     
    Chapter Nine
     
     
    “Tea? Lemon? Really, sir, you are too kind.” Jenna stared in delight as Burke placed a teacup, complete with a slice of fresh lemon, on the table beside her stack of files.
    The corner of his mouth lifted in a familiar twitch. “If it makes rebellious employees call me ‘sir,’ I’ll bring fresh lemon every morning.”
    “Really? But I’m starting to like the name Burke.”
    “So am I, Jenna.” He reached down and flipped through the files, not looking at her. “Actually I have a favor to ask.”
    “Oh, of course. Hence the tea.” She leaned back in her chair, hiding her disappointment with a flippant smile.
    “The big horse’s owners are flying in next week for a tour of Three Brooks,” Burke said. “They’re a brother and sister team, but according to my sources the brother makes all the decisions.” He dropped a brochure on the table. ‘Ridgeman Racing Stables’ was splashed in glitzy gold letters across the front.
    “Ah,” she breathed, staring in admiration at the chestnut with the imperious head pictured on the front cover. “Then the Derby horse must be Mr. Nifty. He’s coming here? Oh, my.” She lifted both hands, waggling her fingers in anticipation. “I can’t wait to touch him.”
    A low noise sounded and she jerked her head up. Burke was actually laughing, a deep sexy laugh that softened his chiseled jaw and made her forget all about horses. He circled the table, still chuckling. “We do this tour right, you’ll be able to touch him all over,” he said.
    Touch him all over . She swallowed, yanking her gaze off Burke’s beautiful mouth, and staring instead at his ridged forearms.