Chapter Two

Bay Area, April 2012.

Jumping up from the ground a teenage boy widened his bright blue eyes and a grin spread across his face. His dark wash jeans were covered in dusty sand and he had rosy cheeks from being in the sun taking care of the horses.

“Aunt J!” He exclaimed happily throwing his arms around the woman’s neck. At thirteen he was about as tall as his aunt and she shook her head at his figure. “You coming to ride?”

Jocelynn Reid pulled away and laughed. “Hey Tim, next time you’re gonna be taller than me young man.” She grinned. “I didn’t come here just for a ride but we could go out after I talked to your mom if you’d like?” Her light brown long hair was strung together by a loose braid that was slung over her shoulder and ended just above her nipple.

“Timothy Jones stop harassing Jocelynn and get inside. No riding unless your homework is all done!” A mature female stood on the porch of the large house with her hands in her sides pretending to be disciplinary. Lynn knew it was just because she was there she wanted to set an example, hoping one day it would help the other woman with her own offspring.

Relda Jones was 6 years Lynn’s senior and took her under her wing. “You’ve heard your mom Tim. Let’s get inside so we can take the horses for a ride later.” Pushing him gently towards the house she followed behind with a wide grin. It may not have been her sole reason for the visit but it sure as hell was fun to ride once in a while.

I had been 15 years ago that she and Relda met in a bar in New York. Both fascinated by a local rock band. Relda had met her husband around the same time. A Californian cowboy with his own ranch and trail riding business. He did tours around the area for groups and everyone else who was interested. They have been a perfect couple ever since, a unit.

With Timothy in his room upstairs working on his homework the two women sat in the kitchen with a mug of steaming coffee in front of them. Relda was the first to speak. “So Jack called you out?” Her brown eyes squinted a little as she frowned.

Jocelynn sighed. “Sweetie you’re 7 months pregnant. You can’t go helping him with the training. He called and said he needed my help, I came down here. I love working with the horses you know that. What bothers me the most and how hush-hush he was about all this. Wouldn’t tell me a damned thing.” As a freelance photographer Jocelynn could pretty much take as much time off as she wanted unless there was anything scheduled beforehand.

Relda threw her hands up in defense. “I ain’t spillin’ either. Jack is down by the corral if you wanna talk to him. You probably should though. Just so you know what you’re gonna be working with. It’ll be a lot of fun though, I can tell ya that much.” With a sweet smile Lynn was basically dismissed and after a last gulp of coffee she changed out of her high heeled boots and slid into a riding pair of western boots. Letting the bootcut jeans fall loosely over them it was just a pair of ray-ban’s on the bridge of her nose and she was a new woman.

The jeans were a light wash and her brown leather square toed boots matched perfectly with the suede shirt she was wearing.  After walking for a couple of minutes she began rounding the corner behind the barn and saw Jack with a palomino Quarter Horse working on a spin. The trail rides may be his favorite part of his job but training the horses made him the most money. She grinned as she horse moved flawlessly and Jack enthusiastic reaction to it. The man’s sandy blonde shoulder length hair falling over his face as he patted he horse’s neck in appreciation.

“Looked good Jacky.” She noted as she neared the corral. Jack’s head shot up and a smile graced his lips. “That’s one beauty ya got there.”

The man clicked with his tongue and guided the horse to the fence of the corral letting Jocelynn rub her hand over the palomino’s nose. “It’s good to see ya woman. Been far too long since you visited West Coast.” A grin passed Lynn’s face.  “Timothy taller than you now?”

“Nope but he will be next time. I think we’re about even right now. He’s a good looking kid too Jacky, ya sure he’s yours?” The female grinned slyly at the man’s faux hurt expression. Ever since Relda and Jack got together she’d been the man’s younger sister. She was close to Relda but Jack was exactly like her in so many different personality traits it scared them both at first.

“Yeah keep sayin’ that. I assume Relda didn’t give you any answers in regards to why I needed your help?” He noted as he slid off the horse’s back and gave it another pat and rubbed it’s ears where he just removed the headstall. Jack didn’t just get a horse show ready, he taught them manners too. Following their leader at all times was one of them. Lynn had always admired him for that. His horses were some of the best in the country and yet well mannered, no biting, kicking or other unwanted behavior. They could walk with a correctional bit as well as without any bridle at all.  “Let me get this boy in his paddock and I tell ya all about it.” He winked and Lynn smiled as she nodded. All the paddocks were occupied and Lynn wondered if he was understaffed that he needed her help now.

“Can I help with anything?” The woman spoke as Jack kept himself busy taking the saddle to an assigned room. Taking the hose from the wall she hosed the excess sweat off the horse and dried it with a handy tool before letting it loose in his paddock. The gelding took off and soon rolled around in the sand. Lynn shook her head in laughter and turned to find her non biological brother.

Jack was putting all the tack away in it designated location in the tack room and cleaning it as he did so. He just put the bridle away as she came in. “Lynn I’m gonna need to ask you to keep everything I tell you between the three of us for this job.” Jack spoke seriously. Lynn’s eyes widened at this statement.

“Jack of course I can promise you that. You know me.” She leaned against a stool and cocked her hip to the left but straightening once realizing her movement. “Anything you need. You both are family after all.”

He male smiled at her statement and sighed. “There’s a job to be done in L.A. it starts tomorrow. I need you to go out there for a couple of weeks and do it. A friend of a friend recommended me to this guy and he truly wants only the best.” Jocelynn nodded. “His ex wife bought their daughter a horse. A gelding. And the girl is only fourteen with very little riding experience. At least by far not enough to train it. We’re talking three year old Quarter Horse here. I need you there to train the horse with her assisting you from time to time so that when you’re done and you leave they’ve already bonded.”

Jocelynn’s eyes shone. “That sounds perfect. If she has at least some experience she can help me out a bunch and I’ll make sure the two bond properly. I take it a place to crash has been taken care of?”

Jack nodded. “You’re staying with the kid’s father in their guest house. It’ll be for your private use so don’t worry about that. It’ll be pretty basic so I have no worries. The reason I wanted you for this is that how good Ralph is with the horses, he’s horrible when it comes to kids and she will be a big part of this training.” There was a silence between the two of them as Lynn processed the information given to her.

“I’ll go fetch Tim now, promised him to go for a ride. Which horses should we take?” She spoke quietly. “I don’t want to know who we’re dealing with yet. That might turn into another conversation and Tim was looking forward to a trail ride.”

The man grinned. “Take Viper Dun It and Freckles Playboy. Viper’s good for you, great horse but needs a steady rider. Freckles is one of Tim’s favorites. You know the terrain good enough right?”

Lynn nodded. “Yeah that’ll be fine, been around here plenty. I’ll go fetch Tim. See you at dinner?”

After some more talk about the current horses in training she went to get the teenager and saddle the horses. Viper was a grullo Quarter Horse stud and Freckles an Appaloosa gelding almost completely white except some black spots. Teaching Tim some new tricks along the path they crossed a fallen tree. Seeing the adventure and encouraging stare from the boy she made a kissy sound to get the stud in a gentle lope.

Taking a leap they passed the tree with ease and landed in the soft grass. Viper let his excitement show at his achievement with the lift of his behind sending Tim in a fit of laughter as he was close behind her. Also taking the obstacle with ease.

Three hours later they arrived back on the ranch and made sure the horses were well taken care of. After a quick shower and snack for both they were released in their paddocks just in time for the regulated feeding time.

Tim had some stories to share about rides he took with his father and sometimes clients. How he got to help out some people and teach them the basics with pride. She could only image the pride his father must have felt. There was little doubt that Tim wouldn’t take over the family business. A love for horses was in his blood after all.

Dinner passed uneventful. Tim giving his parents a detailed run through of the afternoon ride and being specific about the jump they took. Both adults shining with pride for their son. Who after his storytelling went to his room for some videogame and then bed. Leaving Lynn with an expectant face between Relda and Jack.

“So is someone going to tell me who I’m going to be helping tomorrow? Might not be a good idea to stand in front of the poor man’s house shell shocked.” She spoke laughing but quieted at the look that passed between the couple. “What? Is it someone that big?”

“Sweetie.” Relda began. “It’s Ava. Ava Sambora.”

All the color drained from Jocelynn’s face. “Ava Sambora? As in Heather Locklear?” At which Jack nodded quietly.

Which meant the father, the man’s guest house she would be staying at. Was Richie Sambora.

Well Shit.