all roads lead to you

by Probst, Jennifer

  Muttering a curse, Aidan waved Elmo over. The jockey looked just as pissed off at the poor performance. Aidan studied the horse, noticing he’d barely broken a sweat. There was so much more in the tank ready to burst. How did they tap into it? What was he missing?

  “Any ideas?” Aidan asked.

  Elmo’s face was set in stone. “He fight demons in his head. He don’t give me enough gas at the end.”

  Aidan glared at him. “Well, is there a fucking voodoo spell we can do on him for those demons? Come on, Elmo, I’m asking for some damn help here.”

  Elmo glared back. “I give you help! Silence demons first, then he runs.”

  “Great, maybe I’ll serve up Hei Hei on a spit and offer his corpse to the voodoo gods!”

  “Do not disrespect the voodoo!”

  “Guys, cut it out.” Harper stepped in, shaking her head and patting the horse’s flank. “This isn’t helping. Our next race is coming up, and we need to figure this out.”

  Ethan and Chloe rode in on Maximus and Chloe’s Pride, followed by Ophelia on Scar. The horses hadn’t even been decent competition for Phoenix, but it didn’t matter. Too many other horses surrounding him got Phoenix distracted. Aidan could keep running him in big groups, desensitizing the horse until he was able to concentrate, but it might not be enough to win.

  Ethan shook his head. “Not sure he’s comfortable with horses running up on him,” he said. “The blind spots are a problem. He loses focus.”

  Aidan nodded. “Good point. I think we need to get him comfortable with running the track with other horses until he realizes he won’t get hurt.”

  “May take a while,” Harper said. “But it’s a solid plan.”

  “Then let’s do it. We schedule intermittent practice races and rotate the other horses.”

  Ophelia and Chloe shared a concerned look. “I’ll send Kyle to ride in the other sessions. He needs a break from his writing, anyway. Some fresh air will do him good.”

  “I’m free to race every day this week,” Chloe said. “I have to leave next week, though. Back to the city to be with my dad.”

  Aidan smiled at the girl. “Thanks, Chloe. You’ve been a great help.” He’d been impressed with her work ethic and ability to sense what the horses needed. She’d also been able to whip Owen into shape. The kid now ran around the farm, doing extra duties in the hunt to dazzle her.

  “Let’s take a break and get them cooled down,” he said. “Harper, let’s talk.”

  They strolled over to the barns.

  He couldn’t help but stare at her. With the sun glinting in her short, shiny hair and the faded denim cupping her magnificent ass, she was a sight to behold. Her small breasts pushed against the cotton of her powder-blue T-shirt, and those jeans emphasized her long, lean legs. The same legs he’d dreamed had been wrapped tight around his hips as he thrust into her hot, wet heat. The hunger had only grown since Saratoga, when she’d challenged him with her sharp words and brilliant mind and stubborn heart. He ached to touch her, stroke her hair, murmur her name. He looked forward to the end of the day, when they returned home, ate dinner, and settled in for a cozy night together. He loved how she settled close on the sofa while the dogs and Captain Hoof clustered around them. In a short time, they’d begun to form a unit. Kind of like a family.

  Temporary, of course.

  He buried the slight sting the reminder gave him and concentrated on the present. “I’m worried,” he said bluntly. “We have a grade-three stakes race coming up, and I can’t seem to reach him. We’ll have some big competition from owners looking to prove their two-year-olds, and we need to score some points.”

  She tucked a stray tendril of hair behind her ear. “I know. I keep trying to think of a way we can make him feel more secure. Kind of like Captain Hoof and his chicken costume.”

  He couldn’t help but grin. “At this point, I’d try anything. Chicken costumes. Voodoo. Hell, I’d dance in a tutu if I thought it’d help.”

  “You do have nice legs.”

  He laughed. “Least I’m good for something. Ah, looks like we got company.”

  Captain Hoof peeked his head around the barn, obviously searching for them. He spent most of his days at the farm and then went back to Harper’s house at night. He was usually with Phoenix, but when the horse was racing or being bathed, the Captain liked to wander and play with Wheezy and Bolt and the other horses. He still had some minor bumps from navigating his surroundings, but it was amazing how the other animals seemed to sense his disability and helped guide him. Especially Phoenix. The horse nudged him out of the way of danger, and consistently checked on him to make sure he was safe.

  Aidan had never seen such an extraordinary change in a horse before. Phoenix still disliked other visitors, but Captain Hoof was his buddy. Somehow, they’d built a bond of trust that allowed them both to feel safe.

  He leaned down and stroked the goat’s face, which peeked out from his chicken costume, and he nestled in for a hug. He was still silent, but Aidan was hopeful one day he’d speak. It just needed to be in his own time.

  “Let’s grab something to eat first, and do rounds,” he said to Harper, rubbing the goat’s ears. “Phoenix should be done by then, buddy, so you can nestle in for a long nap. Maybe without the costume for a few hours.”

  They both walked out of the barn with the goat trotting behind, then stopped.

  Hei Hei stood in the path before them, beady eyes trained on the goat, massive head feathers swaying in the breeze. A hushed silence fell over the farm as Captain Hoof met the Polish chicken for the very first time.

  “Don’t you even think of it,” Aidan said firmly, his finger jabbing in the air at the chicken. “If you scare him, I’ll take it up with Mia.”

  The goat suddenly swerved around them, prancing right toward Hei Hei.

  And then it happened.

  With a massive squawk, the chicken dragged his clawed feet against the ground, and charged.

  Captain Hoof stayed put, his head cocked in curiosity, completely calm under the direct attack.

  Aidan made a move to block the chicken, but it was too late.

  In midadvance, Hei Hei suddenly screeched to a stop a few inches from the goat, pure confusion radiating from his figure. He shrieked again in warning. Captain Hoof remained still.

  Slowly, the chicken closed the distance, studying the creature before him, and began pecking experimentally at the goat’s costume. Captain Hoof allowed the exploration until the chicken rubbed his feathers against the goat, as if trying to figure out what type of animal he was dealing with. The goat responded with eagerness, nudging his nose at the chicken, trying to butt with his tiny horns, until they were locked in a strange fowl-goat half embrace.

  “I don’t believe this,” Aidan muttered, taking in the scene before him. “What is going on?”

  Harper spoke in pure wonderment. “I think Hei Hei is shocked he’s not afraid. Most animals retreat or charge back. And I’m sure he’s never seen a goat in a chicken costume before, so he may think it’s a new breed of animal, just like Phoenix.”

  The animals kept trading affectionate gestures until Hei Hei finally pulled back. Captain Hoof pranced around him with an innocent happiness that put the chicken in shock. Without another word, the chicken shook out his feathers in irritation, pivoted on one clawed foot, and stalked away.

  Captain Hoof followed him, prancing happily.

  “Umm, Captain, maybe you should stay with us,” Aidan called out.

  But it was too late. The goat was intent on following his brand-new friend. Chloe came running up, her mouth dropped in astonishment.

  “Did you see that?” she squealed. “That is the cutest thing ever! I gotta put this on YouTube and IG. It’ll go viral.” She fished out her iPhone and followed them. “Don’t worry, Harper, I’ll keep an eye on the Captain.”

  “Thanks, Chloe.”

  Aidan shook his head. The most unlikely of friendships seemed to bloom around the Bishop f
arm. Maybe there was voodoo in the air. The good kind. The kind that brought teen crushes and strange animal bonds and the magic of possibility.

  The cynic in him sneered at the unicorn thought. The only reason Captain Hoof had no fear of Hei Hei was his blindness. Probably couldn’t see the chicken charge, so he remained calm. Sometimes ignorance is bliss. Sometimes—

  The realization slammed through him and knocked him breathless.

  Phoenix.

  He’d been looking at this scenario all wrong. If the horse couldn’t see . . . he couldn’t be afraid. Or distracted. He could focus on only what was right in front of him.

  The finish line.

  Excitement slithered through his veins. He turned toward Harper. “I got it,” he said.

  She tilted her head. “Got what?”

  Laughter exploded from his chest. He picked her up, swinging her around in a tight circle, enjoying the easy way she leaned in and allowed her body to trust his. “The answer to our big problem! I can’t believe I didn’t think about it before. We don’t use them in Ireland, but in this case, it could make a huge difference.”

  “Use what?”

  “Blinkers.” He let her go and stared down into her face. “Blinkers, love. I think they could help Phoenix focus and not be distracted by the chaos around him.”

  Her eyes widened. “It could be a game changer,” she breathed in wonder.

  “Let’s hope so. I’ll talk to Elmo. I may be able to get my hands on some today. Come on, we’ll tell the others.”

  Aidan prayed this was the answer they were all looking for.

  The next day, they all gathered around the track.

  Phoenix had been fitted with blinkers, and so far, the horse had easily accepted the change. The headgear was a black nylon hook with plastic eyecups attached, forcing his vision to focus ahead of him and blocking out any distractions.

  Ophelia, Kyle, and Ethan were all mounted on their horses. Harper decided to join them on a strong stallion named White Knight, a temporary boarder from the farm down the road until they finished their barn addition. He was comfortable racing and would be a nice pacesetter for Phoenix.

  Her belly fluttered with excitement. If the blinkers worked, they’d be able to attack the next Saratoga race with confidence. If not, they’d run a few more experiments and try something else. Taking a deep breath, she settled her horse next to the others and waited for Aidan’s signal.

  The buzzer screeched.

  The horses leaped.

  White Knight had a smooth, graceful gait and battled Phoenix for the lead. They flew over the track, quickly leaving the others behind after the second turn. Attention on her own mount, she managed to glance over and check Phoenix, noting this was the location where he usually began to slow, as if frustrated by the other horses looming up behind.

  Not this time.

  She urged her horse into a full extension, guiding him with her body and her words, wanting to give Phoenix a decent competition. As the final turn loomed, she watched Phoenix kick into full gear, his body a flash of black as he flew ahead and left them in the literal dirt.

  Phoenix passed the finish line in record time.

  White Knight crossed six lengths behind.

  A complete blowout.

  She pulled her horse up, easing him into a trot, then a walk, and met Elmo’s gaze. The jockey pumped his fist in the air, patting Phoenix as the horse seemed to almost prance with pride, as if sensing he’d won on his own terms.

  The blinkers had worked.

  Kyle, Ophelia, and Ethan rode up to them. “Looks like we solved our problem,” Ethan said with a grin.

  Ophelia shook her head. “Harp, that horse was on fire! Did you see him kick it up at the finish?”

  Aidan walked to meet them at the finish line, face carved with a deep satisfaction. “Elmo, did you push him hard?”

  Elmo grinned. “Nope. Gave me a pure breeze, not even a race.”

  “That’s what I thought. Which means we have a champion on our hands.” He stared at Harper with pride. “Just like you always believed.”

  Surroundings faded away under the sting of those golden eyes. He’d believed, too. Believed in her and Phoenix, enough to drop everything to stay and train him. Slowly, he’d become a fixture here at the farm and in her daily life.

  Slowly, he’d become a man she deeply cared for.

  “Come on, capalleen, let’s get you some cookies,” Aidan said. “You deserve a reward.”

  Harper watched man and horse walk away, and she wondered when the stakes had become so much bigger for all of them.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “And they’re off!”

  The announcer’s voice rang over the speaker system, and a shout rose from the crowd. Tingles crept down Aidan’s spine. It never got old. There was a piece of his soul buried in the dirt of the racetrack, now being pounded by dozens of horses’ hooves. Aidan watched Phoenix break clean and head to the front. With his newly fitted blinkers and a solid breeze under his belt, he was ready to tackle Saratoga one more time.

  Harper clutched his hand and stared through the binoculars. She realized how important this race was to indicate the horse’s skill. There could be no more excuses. After months of training, and with fall closing in with big stakes races ahead, coming in last was no longer an option.

  Aidan raised his own binoculars and watched the horse careen smoothly around the first turn. No lack of focus yet, but that’s not where his problem usually peaked. It was all about that final stretch and the cavalry ready to threaten the horse’s lead. The pace was unusually fast for such young horses, which told him the season might hold strong competitors. Still holding solid, Phoenix completed the final turn and headed down the backstretch.

  Aidan’s gut clenched with the familiar nausea and adrenaline. His gaze held tight to the fast-moving horse and jockey, bonded together as one as they raced down the backstretch and toward the finish. Elmo scrubbed his hand up and down the horse’s neck for a final push, and Phoenix gave it to him. The other two horses threatened, then died five and a half lengths back. The lone closer never fired. As if it were just a normal workout session, Phoenix breezed over the finish line and won the race in a stunning upset.

  Oh yeah. His odds were 50–1, and Phoenix had just made some long-shot lovers very, very happy.

  Harper turned to Aidan, eyes wide with joy. “He won,” she breathed. Gripped his shoulders. “He won!” she screamed, shaking him while he laughed and spun her around.

  “Yes, he did. And damned if he isn’t going to get a whole packet of cookies.”

  She laughed, hugging him tight, and a sense of rightness settled inside of him. The lure of the win was like a drug, always calling horse trainers to the road, to the next horse, to the next possible victory. He’d celebrated a few, and mourned many, but nothing felt as good as being with Harper during both.

  They visited the winner’s circle and posed for pictures. Phoenix mugged for the camera, sensing he’d done his job well and happy to revel in the pride of the win. When Aidan rubbed under his chin and praised him, he caught the look in those soulful brown eyes that stared back into his.

  Let’s do it again.

  Yeah, the horse was hooked. He had the Thoroughbred heart pounding loud and true, and now that he’d gotten a taste, he wanted more. Emotion rose up and squeezed Aidan’s throat. How many obstacles had this horse battled through to stand here? How much hurt and pain had he suffered, somehow never losing hope there’d be something more if he could just hang on? He was a beautiful spirit and survivor who made Aidan believe in all the good things in the world.

  Like Harper.

  He relished her smile and the light dancing in her mineral eyes. “I think he likes the attention,” she said, laughing as Phoenix bobbed his head with a haughty delight.

  Elmo snorted. “Champions like to win.”

  “He looked good at the final stretch,” Aidan said. “What about the shake-up? Did you have to push h
im hard?” God, that was the most important. A horse couldn’t make the Belmont if he didn’t have the staying power of a marathon.

  Elmo grinned. “He had more in him.”

  Excitement fluttered his nerves. He did the calculations in his head and whistled. “You sure?”

  “’Course I’m sure.” Elmo gave him a frown. “Blinkers remove demons. No more distraction. Now we go win more.”

  Aidan looked at Harper, who kissed the horse’s nose. “Hear that, boy? This is only the beginning. If you want it, you can take it. We all believe in you.”

  He was transfixed by the sheen of tears in her eyes and the conviction of her voice. He had just stepped in a few months ago and was hopelessly attached to the horse’s success. But Harper had been the one to rescue him and heal his battered soul step by slow step. She’d been the one to save him. To give him a chance to leave his past behind and live in the light.

  His gut stirred. Harper’s complete bond with the animals she saved fascinated him, and he sensed another battle going on beneath the surface, as if her own past was one she’d fought through and conquered on her own. The questions burned in his mind, but he knew it would take a lot for Harper to bare her secrets. Maybe he’d never know what truly drove her.

  But now wasn’t the time to linger on the past or painful secrets buried deep. It was a time to celebrate Phoenix and his victory.

  Sensing his thought, Phoenix nibbled at his mistress’s hair, bumping her cheek, and they all laughed together, feeling like anything was possible.

  Later that night, they all gathered around the laptop in the hotel room. The minibar had been raided, and bottles of liquor lay scattered on the glass-top table. Room service was burgers and fries and chocolate-mousse cake for dessert. The television blared low in the background. Papers and charts littered the excess spaces.

  “After this win, he’ll be watched,” Aidan said, rubbing his temple. “We’ll need to rest him enough before the Champagne.”