Normally, Rafe Santiago likes his women polished and put
together, but there's something about Elena Caulfield that
catches his eye. Hard to imagine that the baggy coveralls,
dusty boots and the smell of horse could hide a surprising
beauty, but Rafe seems to believe it's there somewhere.
Unfortunately, he also suspects Elena of withholding
information from his business partner -- her new boss.
Elena has felt Rage watching her almost from the start, but
recently the heat of his gaze has intensified. She has no
idea what Rafe could possibly see in her; she knows she's
not his type, but the attraction is unquestionable. Elena
can only hope that he keeps his distance, since the last
thing she needs is her boss' business partner poking around
in her business -- on a personal level or a professional
one.
Rafe is determined to figure out what Elena is hiding, and
she's equally determined to protect her secret -- the health
of her horse depends on it. What neither of them is
counting on is the heat they create together, or the danger
that finds them. But will Elena's secret tear them apart?
THE BLACK SHEEP AND THE HIDDEN BEAUTY brings to life the
world of horse racing and all of its foibles. This is the
second novel in Ms. Kauffman's Men of Trinity Inc. series,
and it's a good one.
They're back-the boys you go out looking for precisely
because your mother warned you not to-the bad boys every
good girl needs at least once, if not twice.
Raphael "Rafe" Santiago may have left the streets years
ago, but the street has never left him. A rough childhood
in the Bronx taught him never to let his guard down, to
keep everything in order, and always to trust that little
voice in his gut that tells him when someone's got
something to hide. horse trainer Elena Caulfield, is
definitely hiding something, and Rafe intends to find out
what it is and take care of it-his way.
But his way wasn't supposed to include feeling an intense
attraction to the tomboyish Elena. With her mud-caked
boots, quiet strength, and gentle manner, she's nothing
like the flashy, seductive, overtly feminine women Rafe
usually beds. The closer he gets to her, the harder it is
to control that fiery passion he's worked hard to keep
cooled, the kind that can catch a man off guard and leave
him open to danger-because whatever secret Elena's
protecting, it's big.and worth killing for. Because when
you're from the Bronx, you take care of what you love-or
die trying.