Authors: Fern Michaels
Kentucky Rich (12 page)
Stardancer whickered softly from the next stall. He had been so quiet, so still, that Nealy had all but forgotten he was there.
With a little encouragement from the vet, the foal slipped out of the mare's womb onto the straw bedding.
A colt, Nealy cheered in silence. But she had known it would be.
Emmie moved into place and immediately started wiping away the afterbirth and running her small hands over the colt's body.
Nealy watched her daughter with pride. “What should we name him?” she asked, speaking to no one in particular.
Hunt's brows drew together in thought as did his father's.
“He's going to be our Derby winner, you know. Mark my words, he's going to fly by every other horse in the field,” Nealy said, signing at the same time out of habit.
Buddy stood up and faced Nealy, his fingers animated as he signed,
How about Flyby?
How about Flyby?
Hunt cocked his head to look at the newborn as he made his first awkward attempt to stand up. “I like it,” he said. “It has
meaning.”
meaning.”
“Flyby,” Nealy repeated, testing the sound of it on her tongue. “There goes Flyby into the stretch,” she said in her announcer's voice. “Look at him run, folks! He's flying!” She walked over to Stardancer and rubbed his majestic forehead. “What do you think, boy? Is Flyby okay with you?” The big stallion bobbed his head up and down.
Nealy laughed. “Tell me he doesn't understand. Just try and tell me,” she said smugly. “Flyby it is!”
As if on cue, the colt stood up and gave a little whinny.
Nealy put her arms around his still-wet body. “It's a long way from here to the Derby, Flyby, but you are
the one.”
the one.”
10
Hunter Clay's dark eyes searched Nealy's face. “A penny for your thoughts.”
Nealy blinked and looked up. “I was just sitting here thinking. I do that sometimes, let my mind drift wherever it wants.” She squeezed the couch pillow she was holding. “Aside from a few little things, I've never been more contented with my life than I am right now. It's such a joy to watch Emmie and Buddy with the new colt. You saw how Emmie bonded with him the second he was born. It was her hands he felt first, and then mine. I think that bodes well for all of us.”
“I think so, too,” he said, putting his arm around the back of the couch, close to her hair.
“No one ever believed that big guy could be so gentle,” Nealy said, referring to the tense moment when little Flyby had wobbled over to the windowlike opening where his sire watched. Everyone had held their breath when the big stallion lowered his massive head and sniffed the colt. The colt sniffed back, gave a little whinny, then darted back over to his mother's side and began nursing. “I'm glad I followed my instincts and didn't let anyone talk me out of letting Stardancer in on the birth. Now you just watch, from here on out those three are going to be a family.” Nealy noticed that Hunt's eyes were riveted on her face as she talked.
“So, you think Flyby is
the one,
huh? The Derby winner?”
the one,
huh? The Derby winner?”
“I don't think he's the one, I
know
he is,” she said, her voice ringing with confidence. She looked away, disturbed by the way he was staring at her, as if he could see inside her. “Maud's dream was to have another Derby winner. Her father had one and she managed to get two early on. I promised her I would bring another trophy home, and I intend to do just that with Flyby.”
know
he is,” she said, her voice ringing with confidence. She looked away, disturbed by the way he was staring at her, as if he could see inside her. “Maud's dream was to have another Derby winner. Her father had one and she managed to get two early on. I promised her I would bring another trophy home, and I intend to do just that with Flyby.”
“If anybody can do it, you can. As far as I'm concerned, you've proved yourself and your theory beyond a reasonable doubt,” he said, emphasizing the courtroom cliché. “Even Dad is starting to come around. I heard him use the word
miracle
in reference to Stardancer a few days ago.”
miracle
in reference to Stardancer a few days ago.”
Nealy blinked, then focused her gaze. Just the other day she had wished for someone to talk to, confide in and help her resolve her problems. It was beginning to look like her wish had come true. In the few days following Flyby's birth she and Hunt had spent countless hours together talking about anything and everything. He was easy to talk to because he was a good listener. She hadn't confided any secrets to him yet, but she knew that if and when she did, he would keep her confidences.
“Speaking of your father. Has he heard any more grumblings about the Carneys or Stardancer?”
“He's dealing with some nasty stuff from some of the men. They don't take well to change. The bottom line is they haven't forgiven you for firing Jack Carney. But it's what you did with Stardancer that's rocking the foundation of this farm. They feel you risked the life of that colt to satisfy your ego.”
“That's not true,” Nealy answered in a rush of words. “I don't have an ego.”
Hunt moved his hand off the back of the couch and took hold of her braid and gently tugged it. “Hey, I know you don't, but that's because I know you and understand you better than they do.”
A part of her reveled in his trust in her. She felt an unexpected warmth flow through her. “It's just that I think this breeding thing has gotten too clinical. The breeders are turning the horses into machines. I pray to God the day never comes when Thoroughbreds are artificially bred, like cows.” Nealy felt an odd twinge of disappointment when he took his hand from her hair. She had secretly hoped . . . She wasn't sure what she had been hoping for, but she didn't dare think too hard about it. She had enough on her mind right now.
“I saw Wiley in town yesterday around four o'clock. He was drunk as a skunk.”
Nealy shrugged. “I could care less what Wiley is doing as long as he isn't doing it on my payroll and my farm. I've got bigger concerns at the moment than Wiley Carney, Jack, and even the staff. I'm worried about Buddy. One day he's up, and the next he's down. The psychologist seeing him wants to increase his sessions. I think it's a good idea. He doesn't open up to me too much, but he talks to Emmie nonstop. Maybe I'm expecting too much too soon.”
“He's a survivor, Nealy. He's grieving the way a child grieves. It wouldn't be normal if he didn't have some downtime. He's doing well in school. He eats constantly because he's a growing boy, so that has to mean something. He's got all kinds of male role models around here. When I come back at the end of the quarter, I'll spend more time with him. He's teaching me to sign, but he says I'm way too slow. There's a guy in one of my classes who works with the deaf. I'll get him to work with me, and when I get back here, I'll blow Buddy's socks off with how good I am.” He laughed at his own little joke.
A smile found its way to Nealy's lips. In the short time Hunt had been working on the farm, he'd proved himself not only to be an ally but a genuinely good person. He worked tirelessly, never complained, and was good to his father. Whenever she saw Hunt joke with his father or put his arm around his shoulders, her heart ached. Never once had her own father joked with her or put his arm around her. Ditto for Pyne and Rhy. Maybe that was why she was always hugging Emmie and Buddy, because she'd never gotten any hugs herself.
Nealy's mind drifted off.
A few minutes later Hunt asked, “What are you thinking?”
She blinked. “Hmm? Oh, this and that.” She grinned mischievously. “Maud loved to talk about the old days to me. She had a rapt pupil in me. I soaked it all up like a sponge. Being a woman in the Thoroughbred horse business made for some really tough times, and yet she survived and thrived. Every single person on this farm loved her.” She looked away then, her eyes misty, and said, “I think they're all likening me to Maud, and I'm coming up short in their eyes.” She could feel her throat closing up and knew she had to regain control. The last thing she wanted was for Hunt to think she was feeling sorry for herself. “Anyway,” she said, taking a deep breath, “Maud told me that her father's death devastated her. She admitted to drinking more than a bit of his moonshine to help her get through the burial. She said when she came back from the cemetery, she sat down on the front porch steps and wondered what she was going to do. She figured she had enough food to last her a week but only enough hay to last the horses a couple more days and no money to buy any more. I guess she was ready to give up, auction off the horses, and let the farm go back to the bank.
“That's when Jess rode onto the property, took her in hand, and told her she couldn't give up, that she had too much to lose. He offered to help her pull it all together if she'd get off her butt and make him some supper.” Nealy couldn't help but break into a smile. “Jess never struck me as being a knight in shining armor, but that's exactly what he was. Maud said he wasn't the music-and-roses type, but he made up for it in other ways.
“To think that Blue Diamond Farms is what it is today because of that chance meeting.” She paused a moment before adding, “It kind of reminds me of that night when I was sitting on the fence and you drove up asking if this was Blue Diamond Farms.”
Hunt's eyebrows shot up to his hairline.
His reaction amused her. “Now don't be jumping to conclusions. I'm not suggesting that you're my knight in shining armor, and I'm certainly not down-and-out. It's just that I was feeling a little overwhelmed with all the responsibility, and then you came along and things eased up a bit.”
“Glad I could help.” His eyes brightened with pleasure. “Are you still feeling overwhelmed?”
Nealy chuckled. “Oh, yeah. While Maud and Jess were alive, the workers and I got along just fine. Now they resent me. I can't say I blame them, but it's not like I asked to inherit Blue Diamond Farms. I didn't. All I ever wanted was a home for Emmie and me. That's all, I swear,” she said, crossing her heart. “Sometimes I wish they hadn't left it to me but maybe just provided for me and Emmie to stay on here. But then other times I think they may have known what they were doing after all. Nobody loves this place more than I do. Nobody cares more about its future than I do. It isn't just a moneymaking Thoroughbred farm to me, it's a home.
“I want to believe I can handle the trouble I know is coming. Maud and Jess had faith in me. I refuse to betray that faith. So,” she said, dusting her hands together, “are you all set to leave in the morning?”
“I'm packed. The car is gassed. But am I all set to leave? Physically yes, mentally no.”
“Do you think that old car of yours will make it?”
“Maybe. Maybe not. If it doesn't, I might have to hitchhike. I've done it before. Don't tell me that's worry I see on your face. For me?” He pretended to be aghast.
Nealy rearranged her expression. She loved this gentle sparring as much as he did. “Since you're going to be working here come May, why don't you take one of the trucks? They were all serviced right before the holidays. You're on the payroll, so that means as far as our insurance goes, you can drive any of the vehicles.”
He shook his head. “That would start more than a few tongues wagging that you're showing favoritism.”
Nealy thought a moment. “In that case, I insist. Besides, I don't want your father worrying himself sick over you driving that rusty clunker.”
“Dad doesn't worry about things like that. He knows I know how to survive. I was a Boy Scout and then an Eagle Scout. Got all the knots to prove it and the badges, too.”
“Then it's settled,” she said, clapping her hands. “Take the black Ford Ranger.”
He grinned as he got up off the couch. “You're a persuasive woman, Nealy Diamond.” He walked to the front door, then stopped before turning back toward her. “Nealy?”
She came toward him, her legs wobbly as a new colt's. “Yes.”
“I . . . just . . . what I wanted to say is . . .”
“Yes?” She hoped she didn't sound too anxious.
“You know, to say thanks. Dad couldn't believe your offer. Hell, I can hardly believe it myself. I guess I want to know why. Did I charm you? Did I say the right thing? What? Did you feel sorry for me?”
Nealy's lips split into a grin. She liked this humble side of him. “None of the above. Blue Diamond Farms needs some more new blood besides me. You're Danny's son, and you said yourself you love it here. I know how that feels. Trust me, Maud and Jess would approve.”
“Then I guess I'll say good-bye now. See you in May.”
“Good-bye, Hunt. Drive safely.”
He took a step forward then stopped again. “Nealy?”
“Yes,” she responded with a smile in her voice.
“If you don't mind, I'd like to kiss you good-bye.”
Instinct told her if he kissed her, she'd never let him go. “Nah,” she laughed. “I hate good-bye kisses. When you come back, you can kiss me hello.”
“Yeah, that's good,” he said, flustered. “Uh-huh, hello is better than good-bye anyway. You're probably right. Yeah, yeah. It's doable.”
He looked so disappointed that she threw her arms around him and pulled him toward her. “I think maybe I'll make an exception this time,” she said, pressing her mouth to his. When he backed away, she grinned, and said, “The keys are in the truck. See you in May.”
Back inside the house, with the door closed and locked behind her, Nealy leaned against the wall and slowly sank to the floor. Her heart thudded inside her chest, and her stomach felt fluttery. She wondered if she'd just done a stupid thing, but if something felt good and right, how could it be stupid?
Delighted with herself, she rolled across the foyer floor, grinning from ear to ear, until she saw Carmela standing above her.
“Is there a reason why you're rolling around on the floor, Nealy? Isn't it clean enough for you?” She reached down to grasp Nealy's hand to pull her to her feet.
“You know what, Carmela? I just kissed Hunter Clay.
I
kissed him, not the other way around.”
I
kissed him, not the other way around.”
The housekeeper pursed her lips, the topknot on her head jiggling with suppressed laughter. “Is that a fact?”
“Yes. And it was great, too. He tasted kind of minty, like maybe he'd just brushed his teeth, and he smelled good, like new leather.”
“Imagine that.”
“You're making fun of me, aren't you?” Before Carmela could answer, Nealy went on. “That's okay. Go ahead and laugh if that's what you want. I don't care. I enjoyed it. I mean I
really
enjoyed it.” She twirled around and headed for the stairs. “Guess I'll go check on the kids.”
really
enjoyed it.” She twirled around and headed for the stairs. “Guess I'll go check on the kids.”
“Wait a minute, Nealy. Before you fall head over heels there's something I want to say. I know it's none of my business but . . .” Carmela sighed. “I guess I just have to spit it out. I don't want to see you break that boy's heart. I've known him since he was a little boy, and he's a fine person. Maud and Jess were mighty sweet on him. They even paid half his way to send him to college and law school. It's a fine thing you did, offering him the job as farm manager. He'll do a good job because he loves this farm and the horses. But what I'm telling you is that you can't mix business with pleasure. You best be remembering that.”
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