Authors: Fern Michaels

Kentucky Sunrise (33 page)

BOOK: Kentucky Sunrise

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Together they tottered up the back stairway. In their room, they both flopped down on the bed and were asleep within seconds.

Nealy hopped from the Ford Ranger, a smile on her face.

Churchill Downs!

The land of hopes and dreams for every horse owner setting foot on its fabled turf. Herself included. She watched Jake as he twirled around and around, trying to take it all in at once.

“I can't believe I'm here! I'm really here! Someday, and I don't know when that day will be, but it's coming, and I'm going to fly out of that gate, and I'm going to fly across the finish line. Will you bet your poke on me, Aunt Nealy?”

Nealy hugged him. “You betcha. Come on now, we have to get these guys settled. Where did Lee go?”

“He's around here somewhere. He knows what to do. Look, there's Matrix, the favorite to win. He's stupendous. The one who's going to challenge us the most is Alpha Omega. He's got a great closing style. He can be running ninth and all of a sudden he's second and then he gives that last spurt and crosses the finish line with everyone watching with their mouths hanging open. I've watched all his races on video.”

“Nealy, wait up,” a voice called.

“Nice to see you again, Nealy. Sorry you aren't running this race today. I'm feeling kind of cheated. I got a great horse here,” the jockey said, pointing to Alpha Omega.

“Ricky! It is nice to see you, too. I heard you were riding the odds-on favorite. I've been hearing good things about you. I want you to meet my nephew, Blue Diamond Farm's up-and-coming jockey. Ricky Vee, this is Jake Thornton. Jake, Ricky Vee.”

“Wow! You're one of the best jockeys out there.”

“Nah, this lady is the best jockey ever to come out of Kentucky. I'm just a poor second,” Ricky joked as he pointed to Nealy. “See you around, Nealy.”

“Yeah, see you around. Cup of courage to you, Ricky.”

Nealy turned to Jake. “Not only is he a great jockey, he's a great human being. He has heart, and he loves the horses.”

“You're feeling sad, aren't you?”

“A little. It's like everything in life, Jake, the time always comes when you have to let it all go. The trick is knowing when that time is. I could probably do it but . . .”

“But?”

“I'm too old now.”

Jake guffawed. “Do you want me to tell you how old Willie and Eddie were?”

“No, we can skip that. Oh, oh, this isn't good.”

“Oh, shit,” Jake said, sprinting after Emmie, who was leading Hifly to his stall where a cluster of grooms and jockeys were heckling her about the horse's looks. Nealy was about to run to her daughter when she saw Ricky Vee swing around and jam his hand in the direction of the hecklers. His voice carried to Nealy. “Knock it off and grow up. And remember this, think back to John Henry. Now, get your asses out of here, all of you, or I'll kick them all the way to the clubhouse turn.”

Properly chastised, the little group moved on. Even from this distance, Nealy could see her daughter's shoulders shaking. She watched as Jake draped a comforting arm around her.

Nealy looked around and smiled at all the activity. Horse vans, trainers, grooms, owners, blaring music, it was all music to her soul. She saw Lee Liu and sighed with relief. There were Cordell and all her people. She whirled around when she heard her family call her name.

“What do you think?” Nealy said, waving her arms about.

“Awesome,” they responded as a group.

They would splinter off to tour the grounds, gaze upon the awesome track, and snap pictures of the twin spires, a must for any first-time visitor.

“Dinner is at seven; we do a tailgate picnic. Everything is throwaway. Afterward we sit around and tell tall horse tales. In between the tall tales, we either talk to the press or we go out of our way to avoid them. They're like a band of locusts, they're everywhere, and they don't give up. I'd appreciate it if none of you would talk to them. I'd like to be the one to introduce Jake to the media. Okay, go explore Churchill Downs, family.” Nealy watched them straggle off before she walked back to the barn where Gadfly and Hifly were in stalls next to each other.

For three years, the two of them were barn buddies and while some said it didn't mean anything, others said it meant everything. The naysayers, though, had never run two barn buddies in the Derby. Two barn buddies by the same awesome sire.

Nealy let her gaze rake the barn area for a sign of her daughter. When she spotted her, she took off on the run. She was breathless when she finally caught up to her. “Emmie, what was that all about? Are you all right? You look upset.”

“They were riding me about Hifly. I was about to tell them off when your . . .
friend
intervened.”

“Then why are you so jittery? You need to calm down now. Hifly is going to pick up on your nervousness.”

“Mom, I know that. I knew I was going to take some ribbing, I just didn't expect it the minute I got out of the truck. It threw me, okay? I'm not you, I react differently to things than you do. Everything is under control.”

Nealy nodded. “Where's your father?”

“He's here somewhere. He spotted some people he wanted to shake hands with. He'll be back soon. Do you need anything else, Mom?”

“No, I guess not. We missed you at dinner last night. You're coming to the tailgate dinner, aren't you?”

“I'll do my best. I brought Gabby with me, so I have to see to her.”

Nealy was dismissed, and she knew it. She turned to see Hatch loping toward her. She felt a sense of relief at the sight of him.

“Nealy,” Hatch hissed in her ear. “Guess who I just saw. I know I'm not seeing things. I recognized a picture of him that Nick showed me a long time ago.”

“Who, honey?”

“Buddy Owens. He's here. There!” Hatch said, pointing to a champagne-colored Lexus at the far end of the parking lot.

“Buddy Owens is here! Are you sure, Hatch?”

“I think I'm sure. If it isn't Buddy Owens, then Buddy Owens has a double. The car has an Ohio license plate. Doesn't Buddy live in Ohio?”

“Yes. Yes, he went back to Ohio. I can't believe he's here. I have to tell Emmie. Wait here, Hatch.”

Nealy ran back to the barn. “Emmie, Buddy's here. Hatch saw him in the parking lot.” At her daughter's vague, blank look, Nealy took a step backward. “You knew he was here, didn't you? That's why you're jittery. How did he find you?”

“I sent him a letter, Mom. He came to see Gabby and to see me run the Derby. He's going to sign off on Gabby. Give me sole custody. He's being decent about it. I can handle it.”

“Emmie, are you sure? Are you really sure? What if he changes his mind or switches up after he sees Gabby?”

“Then I'll deal with it. My life these days is all about dealing with things and situations. If I flub something up, I'll get back up and try again. This has nothing to do with you, Mom. Well, maybe indirectly, but not now. I'd rather see him alone if you don't mind.”

“Of course. I thought . . . I didn't know . . . all right, Emmie, I'm leaving. I hope it all works out the way you want it to.” She walked toward Hatch feeling like she'd just been body slammed.

Emmie leaned against the stall and took great gulping breaths. She was ready for this, she really was. She wondered if her ex-husband was as nervous as she was. Probably not. Buddy was always laid-back and cool. Most times, too laid-back and too cool. Maybe it had something to do with the world of silence he lived in. How long before he made his way to the barn? Ten minutes? Fifteen?

And then he was there, less than three feet away from her. She longed for her father. Maybe she shouldn't have sent him away. She spoke then at the same time her fingers worked furiously. “Hi, how are you, Buddy?”

“Not bad all things considered. It wasn't a long drive. I can't believe you're going to ride in the Kentucky Derby.”

“I'm a little surprised myself.”
He looks almost the same
she thought.
Maybe his hair is thinning a little on top, and he's gained a few pounds around the middle.
She wondered how she looked to him.

“So where is this miracle horse you're riding?”

Emmie pointed to the stall where Hifly stood watching what was going on.

“You're joking, right?” Buddy shook with silent laughter.

“Would I be here if I were joking? Why are you always so negative, Buddy? You never, ever, saw the bright side of things. Even when we were kids you were like that. If you want to see Gabby, she's back at the motel with the sitter. I can leave here and drive you there if you like. Are you staying for the race?”

Buddy's fingers worked furiously, while a smirk settled on his face. “I wouldn't miss that race for anything. I can wait to see Gabby. How about later this evening at the hotel where we're staying. Say nine-thirty or so. Did you bring all the paperwork you want me to sign?”

Emmie jammed her hands in the pockets of her jeans. “I have all the papers in the truck. Tell me where you're staying, and I'll be there. Gabby will be sleeping by then, so I can't bring her with me. Your visit with her will have to wait till tomorrow.”

She knew Buddy hated it when she spoke instead of signing. He didn't like reading lips because that meant the person speaking could actually talk and he couldn't.

“How is everything else?” Buddy signed.

Emmie deliberately turned away and spoke. “Great. I'm getting married to this really, handsome, rich guy who loves me and Gabby. Stick that in your ear, Buddy Owens, and I'm lying to you because you were stupid enough to make fun of my horse. So there, you big jerk.”

Emmie felt his hand on her arm. He forced her to face him. She grimaced an apology, and said, “Damn, I keep forgetting you can't hear. I said everything is fine, I'm getting married to this really handsome, rich guy who just dotes on Gabby. I hope you're as happy as I am.” She smiled brightly, hoping it would take away the lie she'd just told.

Buddy didn't bother to respond. Instead, he looked at Hifly again before he doubled over laughing. “Nine-thirty in the lobby of the Starlite Motel.” He waved airily as he strode off.

Cordell Lancer had seen the little byplay, but he couldn't hear what Emmie had said. He ran to Emmie as fast as his crooked legs could carry him. “What's wrong, kid? Who was that guy, and what'd he say to you?”

Emmie slid to the ground and brought her knees up to her chest. “That guy was my ex-husband. He's deaf. He dumped me after I learned to talk. He's here to sign off on my daughter, giving me sole custody of her. On top of that, he made fun of my horse. He snickered when he said he couldn't believe I would be riding him in the race. He's a jerk, what can I say.”

“Do you want me to go pop him in the nose for you?” Cordell grinned.

“He needs a good popping, but I don't want to do anything that might change his mind where Gabby is concerned.”

Cordell shrugged. “Just wanted you to know I seen that moving picture guy up at the clubhouse. He recognized me. Asked if you and your ma were here. Told him yes, and that you were running the race tomorrow. You coulda knocked him over with your pinkie finger when I said that. Said he's coming down here to see you. He's doing a doc-u-mentry on the Derby.”

“Oh, my God,” Emmie said, jumping to her feet. “How long ago was it that you saw him? I look awful.”

Cordell reared back. “You're a horse person, you ain't supposed to look good. You're supposed to look good tomorrow. Ain't tomorrow yet. Want me to head him off till you pretty up some?”

“Yes. No. I don't know.”

“Why don't I just head him off and tell him you're too busy and to come by tomorrow when you got yourself all fixed up?”

BOOK: Kentucky Sunrise

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