Read Backstretch Baby for Free Online

daughter will love it. Thirty-five hundred is an excellent price.”
    Eve’s mouth tightened but Ashley clearly didn’t share her irritation. She dragged a finger over the brushed cotton of her new shirt, adjusting the collar and even opening and closing the buttons. Eve controlled her impatience, even giving a polite smile as she stepped aside for the father buying the expensive saddle.
    Five minutes later, the clerk turned back to them. But her smile was gone now, her mouth a flat line. “You can’t buy on credit,” she said. “Store policy.”
    “We’re not asking for credit,” Eve said. “But our boss planned to arrange payment. He probably left his credit card number.”
    The woman’s face pinched in horror. “We wouldn’t do that. He has to be personally present. Otherwise it could be a fraudulent transaction.”
    Eve blinked. She was accustomed to the tack store at Santa Anita where everyone knew Jackson. “Of course,” she said. “Sorry. I’ll call him and we can figure out the best way.”
    “Yes, but move to the end of the counter, please. I have other customers waiting.”
    The security guard stepped closer, his arms flexing. “Is there a problem?”
    “Not yet,” Eve said, pulling out her phone. She pressed Jackson’s number.
    Victoria answered on the first ring, as if expecting the call. “Hello, Eve. What do you want now?”
    “I need to talk to Jackson for a sec,” Eve said, shocked that Victoria was now controlling Jackson’s cell phone. “He was going to arrange for some replacement bridles. But we’re at the store now—”
    “He’s busy with important things,” Victoria said. “And your budget doesn’t include new tack. You’ll have to wait for the insurance check.”
    “But that could take months. And the amount isn’t much. Just five bridles.”
    “If it’s not much,” Victoria said, her voice silky but no less threatening, “you should be able to cover the cost. And if you’re not capable of handling such a routine matter, maybe I should ship those horses home.”
    Eve twisted away from the clerk’s curious eyes, dismay leaving her movements jerky. Victoria had joined Jackson’s stable last year as a lowly hotwalker. Three months later, they were married. Eve had always thought that landing Jackson was the woman’s main goal, but perhaps taking over his business was her real intent. He seemed to regret the marriage, and the last few months he’d turned increasingly morose. Now that Eve was away from Santa Anita, Victoria was clearly making a power move.
    “I can handle things here,” Eve said, her voice tight. “In fact, both Tizzy and Stinger will be entered for the weekend.”
    “Good,” Victoria said. “Be sure to run Stinger a mile and an eighth. And don’t call back until Sunday, when you finally have some race results. Understand?”
    “I do understand,” Eve said. She cut the connection then smacked the phone against her hand.
    “What’s going on?” Ashley’s eyes widened. “Won’t she let Jackson pay?”
    “She won’t even let him talk,” Eve said.
    “Can you ladies pay for these items, or not?” the clerk asked, a little too loudly.
    Eve raised her head, conscious of five other customers straining to catch the drama. Unfortunately she couldn’t afford a single bit and bridle. “Not today,” she said, reaching for her twenty-dollar bill. “We’ll take the shirt though. I’ll pay for that with cash.”
    Ashley reached out and stopped Eve’s hand. “No,” she said. “I don’t need the shirt as much as you need the bridles.” She folded the shirt, laying it on top of the counter and walked toward the exit.
    Eve followed, hating to see her disappointment. But Ashley was right. Her finances were stretched to the limit, and tack was critical. Somehow, she had to find enough money for at least one bridle.
    They walked toward the exit, both of them holding their backs carefully erect. But this time the guard didn’t open the