The Girl in the Window (30 page)

In the stands the fans surged to their feet with a roar as Fair and Josh passed second.

The whip sailed out and Fair answered.

First fell behind them as even strangers began to jump and shout, grabbing each other with excitement.

“We have a new track record,” the announcer called.

The day dawned bright and sunny, a little cool for a day in late summer, but it was perfect for racing, the sky clear and cloudless and the stands filled with racing fans who’d come to see something truly special.

Around them the green hills of Kentucky spread like a plush carpet broken by white fences and the occasional stand of trees.

It was astonishingly beautiful.

Beth looked around in exasperation.

“Where did he go this time?”

She’d only taken her eyes off him for a minute.

Laughing, Tyler shook his head, craning his head over the crowd.

“Matty,” she shouted, “get back here this
instant
.”

“I’ve got him, Beth,” Will said, catching the boy as he tried to duck out of the box, before popping the boy on his shoulders as the announcer called out the names of the horses in the next race. The Kentucky Futurity. The last race of the triple crown of trotters.

Russ arrived just as the announcer called out, “Good Sport in gate five.”

She looked down onto the track to where Josh and Sport waited for the gates to open.

Excitement rushed over her, touched lightly by the ever-present fear, but she pushed those images away as she always did.

What the sire hadn’t been able to accomplish, it looked like the son would.

Fair had come close, he’d fought for it, but he’d only come in second in the Hambletonian, third at Yonkers and just shy of third but out of the money at the Red Mile.

That had been enough for Josh and her and an amazing finish for a horse with so many handicaps, but Fair’s blood had shown.

Now they were back in Kentucky and Josh was in the bike again.

The horse was Good Sport out of Fair Play, son of Bella, and he was set to win the Triple Crown of trotters.

She reached for her son. “Come on, Matty, let’s cheer for Daddy.”

Her son came to her, his eyes alight as she reached for him.

“And they’re off,” the announcer said.

#####

Happily married, Valerie is  ensconced in the wilds of central Ohio farm country with two dogs, four cats and an African clawed frog for company as she writes. The frog doesn’t say much. The cats do.

You can contact her through her webpage:

www.valeriedouglasbooks.com

Other Novels by Valerie Douglas

Fantasy

The Coming Storm Series

The Coming Storm
First in the series. Elon of Aerilann, Elven advisor to the High Council, helped negotiate the alliance between Elves, Dwarves and men. Suddenly he finds that fragile truce threatened from without by an unknown enemy and from within by old hatreds and prejudice. To preserve the alliance he'll be forced to choose between his honor, his duty and the woman he might just love.

Not Magic Enough
- For Delae, a lonely landholder on the edge of the Kingdoms, a frantic knock at the door on a stormy winter's night brings more than a cry for help. After centuries of war Elves have little contact with the race of men, but Dorovan can't bring himself to ride past those so obviously in need. One small act, with enormous consequences. Not Magic Enough is a tale of love and honor, duty and determination.

Setting Boundaries
- After centuries of war an uneasy peace has finally been negotiated between Elves, Dwarves and Men, thanks to Elon of Aerilann, Elven councilor to the High King of Men. One final task yet remains, one final bone of contention - to set the boundaries between their lands. For journeyman wizard Jareth it's the opportunity of a lifetime. What he doesn't know is that the journey will test him to his limits and forge a friendship that will last for centuries.

Heart of the Gods
– When archaeologist Ky Farrar starts in search of the ancient Tomb, he awakens its lethal, and lovely, guardian. Both quickly discover Ky isn’t the only one in search of the tomb and the danger to the world that lies within it. The key to which is the Heart of the Gods.

Servant of the Gods
– A child of prophecy, she would bear many names. Born a peasant, she became a mercenary, was captured and enslaved, but rose to become a Priestess of Isis. As High Priestess she would face her greatest challenge yet and find a love that would last beyond time.

Romance:

The Millersburg Quartet

Irish Fling
– Ali was the smart one but brains didn’t stop her from crashing and burning. A desire to connect with her roots takes her to Ireland and a chance meeting with internet mogul Aidan O’Connell. Even brilliant Ali with her nearly photographic memory doesn’t realize the danger lurking when she sees the wrong thing.

Dirty Politics
– Returning to her hometown, practical Cam Kenyon discovers that teenage crush Noah Denton is running for D.A. When she discovers that his opponent is going to indulge in dirty politics, she throws her support to him, accidentally resurrecting an old enemy.

Director’s Cut
– When bad-boy director Jack Tyler comes to town to rediscover his passion with the local community theater group, teacher and theater geek Molly has to decide whether to take a chance on him. When his past catches up with him and he seems to be returning to his old bad habits, she has to decide whether to fight his demons alongside him.

Two Up
– Sculptor and welder Jesse was always the wild child, her only real family her three friends. A chance meeting with novelist Mitch Donovan gives her a chance to make a new life. For Mitch meeting Jesse gives him new inspiration, but that inspiration comes at a terrifying price.

Lucky Charm
– When private investigator Matt Morrison’s best friend Bill is murdered, all evidence seems to point at his company, but Matt’s every attempt at entry is thwarted. Violently. When pretty Ariel O’Donnell comes unexpectedly to his rescue, he resolves to keep her out of what is clearly a dangerous situation. Unfortunately, it seems that Ariel is already involved and the forces set in motion by Bill’s death are closing around her.

Other Fantasy Novels Published by the Alexandria Publishing Group

Paul Kater

Hilda the Wicked Witch series

Hilda the wicked witch

Hilda - Snow White revisited

Hilda - The Challenge

Hilda and Zelda

Hilda - Cats

Hilda - Lycadea

Hilda - Back to School

Hilda - Dragon Master (coming in Jan. 2012)

Steampunk

Aeroparts factory

Bactine

Lily Marin - three short steampunk stories

Terry C. Simpson

Epic Fantasy

Aegis of the Gods Series

Etchings of Power (Bk1) - Out now

Shade's Forging - Prequel - Coming Soon

Uprising - (Bk 2) - Coming Soon

Urban/Dark Fantasy

Necrosis - Coming Soon