With tears flowing, Cassie hugged her father, who also freely shed his own tears. “She did it, Dad! You did it. The big horse.”
“You did it, child,” sobbed her father. “You did it, with your perseverance and skill. And with a touch of Irish Luck,” he added, grinning sheepishly.
Ignoring the photo finish sign, everybody knew who had won. Cassie dashed toward the track to greet her horse and lead her into the winner’s circle. The girls would bring her father.
As she attached the lead rope to Hope’s bridle, she ran her hand over the filly’s sweaty heated flesh and knew in that instant that she’d never experienced a more precious moment in her life.
Jessica Wilder brought her back to the present. “She ran a great race, Cass. You’ve got a real race horse here.”
“Thanks,” Cassie replied, reaching up to grip the jock’s outstretched hand. “And thanks for keeping her out of trouble out there.”
“Yeah.”
While Cassie held the filly steady in the winner’s circle, track personnel presented the Land of Lincoln Stakes trophy to her dad and placed a green and white blanket across Hope’s withers. Pride overran Cassie’s heart as she watched her father’s broad smile. How long had he waited for that moment?
As Cassie began to lead Hope out of the winner’s circle, Ashton pulled on her sleeve. “Is it okay if I tag along? I’ve got the barn pass you arranged for,” she said, showing her the laminated badge.
Cassie smiled ruefully. “Sure, come along. Traci and Susan can take Dad back. It’ll be awhile, though. First we have to take Hope to the test barn, and then cool her out before taking her home. It might be a couple hours or more.”
“That’s okay with me. Don’t have anything better to do. Boy, what a day for you, Cass. What a day!”
“Yeah, it’s outstanding all right,” Cassie said, leading the horse toward the test barn. “Now if Hope can cooperate and give them a urine specimen quickly, this won’t take too long. Sometimes horses are so keyed up, it takes awhile. But this is part of what keeps racing clean…testing winners for drugs. Usually, they also test another horse or two in each race randomly. Hope was never randomly chosen before, or maybe we would’ve known about Louie and my mother earlier.”
Shaking her head, Cassie muttered, “But I don’t want to dwell on them now. Damn, didn’t she run a great race!”
Ashton smiled in response. “Yeah, she did. But truthfully, the only way I know is that she won. And I did well at the betting window.” Rattling the several gold bracelets decorating her left arm, the woman hooted, “I may have to go back to the jewelry store on Monday. Boy, I’ve never seen your dad so excited. He’s sure proud of what you’ve accomplished.”
Cassie nodded, tearing up.
Once the filly was loaded for the trip home, Cassie took one last look around the stable area and the track. This was a life she’d been around for so long. She’d rejected it once—now it was coursing through her body like the lifeblood it had become. At times like this it was difficult to recall her other life, her job, her delinquents.
Was Raul right? Had the four legged beasts lured her away? His words echoed in her memory: You’ll use your social work skills wherever you are.
Cassie stifled a sob. Why couldn’t that obstinate cowboy be here today? How the kids would have loved the race and standing in the winner’s circle at Arlington Park. She shook her head sadly. That was the past. She started up the engine.
There was a loud banging against the side of the trailer. Glancing in her mirror, Cassie scowled. Ed Harrington was trying to get her attention before she pulled out. She knew she should just put the pedal to the floor and go home. But she didn’t.
She looked out the open window and there he stood with his hat off, looking uncharacteristically contrite.
“Can I speak with you for a minute, Cass? It’s important.” He nodded toward Ashton and said, “Sorry to interrupt.”
Cassie hesitated and then smiled. Nothing could ruin this glorious day. Not even Harrington. “Sure,” she said, “what’s on your mind?”
“Can we talk in private,” the man whispered through nearly closed lips.
“Oh, okay.” She shut off the engine, opened the door, got out of the cab and walked to the rear of the trailer, all the time wondering what kind of problem the blond trainer was going to lay on her this time.
“Okay, spit it out, Harrington. I don’t have all day.” She knew she was being rude, but she was more than a little irritated by his melodramatic intrigue.
Harrington furrowed his brow and sighed. “I just wanted to congratulate you on a real fine win, Cassie. You did a great job with Hope and it paid off big time.”
“Oh, well thank you, Ed,” she replied flustered by his praise. “I am pleased to hear you say that. You’re right, this is certainly one of the happiest days of my life.”
“I also wanted you to know that I’m sorry I’ve been ragging on you so much.” He winced as if in great pain. “I can’t quite explain it. I know I’m no great shakes of a man, but I’m usually not such an ass, either.”
Cassie felt her cheeks redden. The man was genuinely sorry. She could tell that. But now what was she supposed to do? She certainly didn’t not want to lead him on.
Playing it straight was best. Crossing her arms, she said, “Your apology is accepted, Ed. I’ve always respected you as a trainer, or I wouldn’t have worked with you as closely as I have these last several months. You’re damn good at what you do.”
“Thanks.”
“But don’t go to thinking that there’s anything now or ever will be anything personal between us. It’s just not going to happen.”
Ed surprised her by smiling easily. “Don’t worry, Cass. I’m clear on that point. But I would like to continue our professional relationship, with fewer sparks.”
“That sounds fine with me,” Cassie concurred. “Well, I’d best be going home.”
“There is one more thing.”
“What’s that?”
Shifting his weight uncomfortably, Ed stammered, “I’m sorry if I caused you trouble with your Utah rancher.”
Cassie’s eyes sprang wide.
“But I really was afraid he was behind all your difficulties with the horse. It seemed quite logical to me. I wasn’t just trying to cause problems. And I was shocked to hear that it had been old Louie all along.”
Giving him a half smile, Cassie said, “Yes, that was a shock for Dad too. And I’m sure it did seem reasonable to you that Clint might be behind it all.” She wiped the back of her hand across her brow. “Whatever happened between me and Travers isn’t your fault. It was bound to happen. It’s just the kind of people we are. Now, I really must be going. There’s going to be some serious celebrating tonight. I probably won’t see you for a day or two.”
“Thanks for listening. Thanks for understanding,” Harrington mumbled. He turned to head back toward shedrow. “Congratulations again, and good luck.”
“Yeah.”
Stepping back into the cab, Cassie was pleased he’d stopped her. They did need to clear the air, and now that was done. Another event to celebrate on this day of celebrations.
“You hear any of that?” she asked.
“If the man wants to have a quiet conversation with a lady, he ought to get a softer voice,” Ashton chuckled. “Seems like he had his tail between his legs.”
“Harrington is an odd sort of man. Basically, I think he’s a decent fellow with an oversized ego. But he is a damn good trainer.”
“I bet that gravelly voice attracts women, too.”
“So I’ve heard,” Cassie said, pulling the trailer out into traffic.
As Cassie maneuvered through streets making her way toward the interstate, the chatter between the two of them stopped. Once they pulled on the main highway, Ashton asked, “What are you going to do about him, Cass?”
“About who?” Cassie answered, frowning, unsuccessful in masking her annoyance.
Ashton laughed. “About the man who hangs over this day. About the man who said he loved you and you were slow to believe. About the man who clutches your soul, whether you like it or not, girl.”
“Nothing,” Cass whispered faintly. “He doesn’t ever want to see me again.”
“Don’t you think he’ll call and congratulate you on Hope’s victory? Certainly, he’ll learn of it.”
“He could’ve watched it on satellite, if he wanted to. But he’ll never call. Ashton, I can’t tell you how absolutely stone-walled he went when he thought I suspected him of drugging Hope. He was so shut down, I don’t think he heard anything I said.”
Ashton chuckled, pulling down the visor to keep out the glare of the late afternoon sun. “It does sound like he lost it. But when I met him, he struck me as a basically calm and steady kind of guy. Sounds like he was great with his kids and he was so obviously in love with you. I don’t think that kind of love can dissolve in one night. I suspect he’s embarrassed and as plagued about what to do next as you are.”
Cassie shrugged. Keeping her eyes on the traffic, she mumbled, “It’s over. That’s about all there is to say.”
“I’ve never seen you give up like this, Cass. You’d told me what he won’t do. What do you hope will happen with Clint?”
“I don’t know.” Cassie turned sharply to her friend. “I honestly don’t know. And don’t try to be my social worker, Ashton. I don’t like it one bit.”
Shifting her attention back to the road, Cassie felt the tension ebb from her body. “I’m sorry. I know you care, and I appreciate you so much. I imagine I’ve put a lot of things on hold until after the Lincoln. Dad has finally reached a longtime dream. Though, I doubt that will be enough for him now.
“Once horses and horseracing get in your blood, there’s always the push for more. Can you make it to the next level? Can you improve the breed another notch? You watch the little foals running around the paddock and you can’t help but wonder which of them will be the next big horse.” Cassie laughed at herself. “I guess it’s true that you’ve got to be a dreamer to work with racehorses. But what a great dream to pursue.”
“That’s what’s happening to you, isn’t it?” Ashton’s eyes went wide. “You want more. You want to pursue the dream further. Cassie’s Hope is only a beginning.”
“I do,” Cassie confessed, feeling goose bumps gather on her arms. “I’m still shocked by my own response to being there today in that winner’s circle. I’ve stood there with my father on many occasions, but not like today. Not having trained a horse with some promise to a point where she could not only contend but win against stiff competition.
“You’re right. I don’t know how I can go back to my old world. It seems so mundane, now. I’d love to be able to breed horses like Dad does. We’d sell some and race some, but always attempting to improve the breed.”
“Isn’t that what Clint Travers does?” asked Ashton innocently.
Cassie hit the brake. The trailer swerved. She managed to straighten things out before causing an accident. She glared through the windshield, wishing for the turn-off for the farm to appear. She loved Ashton deeply. They’d been friends for years, but she didn’t want to delve into her feelings about horses or about Clint Travers.
As they turned into the driveway, Ashton stopped humming a popular tune. “I want you to know, Cass that this has been a very special day for me too. I am so thrilled for you and your dad.” She chuckled. “If you make this your career, I’m going to have to get some books and read up on betting. It was fantastic standing with you in that winner’s circle. And I can certainly understand why you’d like to replicate that moment over and over again.”
Cassie welcomed the lighter mood. “Maybe you might want to buy into a horse. Nothing is better than being an owner of the horse in that circle set aside for winners.”
A slow smile crept across Ashton’s face. “You know, I think you’re onto something there. I could do that. And we could continue chasing some dreams together. I think I’d like that.”
After turning off the ignition but before getting out, Cassie clasped her friend’s hand. “And I do appreciate your concern and your insights, Ashton. I’ll always value our friendship.”
“You better, girl,” Ashton teased. “Because I’ll be watching.”
The party was already in full swing when Cassie and Ashton entered the house. Glasses of champagne had appeared from somewhere. Her father probably shouldn’t be drinking any, but Cassie knew it would be futile to try and stop him. Instead, she joined in the celebration.
They took their glasses into the living room where her dad sat in his most comfortable chair. He didn’t look any worse off for having spent much of the day away from the house. Actually, he had a little more color than usual.
Lifting his glass in salute, he announced, “And here comes the best damn trainer at the track. Congratulations, honey.”
“Thanks,” she retorted, “but I have a long ways to go before that happens.”
“Your dad has been glowing about your achievements ever since we left the track,” Susan bubbled. “He has more stories about you than I bet you even know.”
Cassie winced. “I wouldn’t doubt that one bit. But then I wouldn’t believe most of them, either. Remember, you’re listening to an Irish horse trainer. Listen to everything with a block of salt.”
“Now, Cass,” Tug protested, reaching for her hand.
She allowed herself to be pulled down so she was sitting on the floor beside him. This was good. How long had it been since they shared such happiness?
“Tell us,” Traci prodded with a laugh, “about the time you and your dad slept in a horse trailer overnight to save money down in Oklahoma and the police came by.”
“He didn’t,” Cassie scolded glaring at her father.
“Well, now we’ve lived a rich life, girl. These young ones haven’t seen or done half of what you’ve done. Isn’t it a shame?”
Tears rolled down Cassie’s cheeks. She knew what he said was true. She’d been ashamed of much of her childhood. But he was right. They’d had a rich life in spite of a reluctant mother. And damn, she was going to celebrate. She lifted her empty glass and didn’t notice who filled it.
“You chased the dream and won,” she said happily. “How does it feel, Dad? How does it really feel?”
She watched him turn serious. The jokes and storytelling were over, at least for the moment. He was reaching for something special and she wanted to hear it.
“It’s hard to find the right words,” he began. “Maybe I don’t know what they are.”
Four women waited for him. No one tried to rush him.
“We’ve been through so much. The good and the bad. I guess the dream probably cost us your mother. No, don’t try to tell me otherwise, girl,” he said before his daughter could speak. “We’ve been in and out of a lot of towns and tracks looking for just the right horse. I’m just so pleased that we raised Hope from a foal. And that you could take the time to train her. You don’t know how special that has been for me. It’s like the two of you have been learning and growing together. I expect she’s taught you a thing or two.”
Cassie nodded in agreement. Her tears matched his.
“That’s the way it ought to be between a horse and trainer.” Tug reached for his large bandanna and blew his nose. “Well, this is good. No denying that. But now,” he winked at his listeners, “we’ve gotta conjure up another dream. How about the Kentucky Derby?”
The women were stunned.
“Well, you gotta have dreams to live, don’t you?” Looking around he sputtered, “My glass is empty. Is anybody gonna do anything about it?”
Chuckling, Ashton did the honors and whispered to Cassie, “Where did he get his social work degree?”
- o -
With satisfaction and relief, Clint Travers watched the replay of the Land of Lincoln Stakes on his TV fed by a satellite dish. He’d known all along the horse was damn go
od. The way she raced so patiently only underscored her ability to pace herself. She could have a very good four-year-old campaign if anybody cared enough to race her. He sure hoped Harrington didn’t have that opportunity.
“There she is,” Sammy shrieked, running to the large screen TV to point out Cassie shaking the jockey’s hand. The camera followed Cassie leading her horse in circles waiting for the final results to be posted. Then they all watched as she led Hope into the winner’s circle. It was hard to tell who was smiling most, Cassie or her father. Clint was pleased to see that the old codger had made it to the race. He appeared healthier than he’d ever seen him.
His heart lurched when he saw her lean over to kiss her father. “Damn,” he mumbled.
“When are we going to see her again?” Lester demanded. “We never had a chance to say goodbye.”
Clint shook his head at his son’s sense of unfairness. He’d have to learn things didn’t always work out the way one hoped.
Sammy crawled up into her father’s lap. “I want to graduate Cassie. Can’t we call her up?”
“No, I don’t think that would be very good idea,” Clint said, wishing his daughter would forget about the woman.
“Well, I’m going to graduate her.” Sammy stubbornly dropped to the floor. “Aunt Silver Hawk, you’ll help me write a letter, won’t you?”
“Sure, I will,” she sighed, scowling defiantly at her brother. “I’m sure Cassie will be pleased to know that you’re happy for her.”
Blurred by a mixture of emotions he could not define, Clint lurched to his feet and fled the house, rushing to the stable, where he usually could regain his balance.
Shortly he was working a young filly through her paces. Even in the round pen, he couldn’t escape the nagging feeling that he was not entirely finished with the woman on the TV screen. His grandmother’s words continued to haunt him, for he knew he could not easily dismiss the old woman. And the kids certainly had not accepted his claim that he was through with Cassie. Sometimes he’d like to wring his sister’s neck, but he supposed it wasn’t a terrible thing for Sammy to write her congratulations to Cassie. He had to admit that he was proud of what she’d accomplished with Hope. But damn if he would tell her that.
Cassie's Hope (Riders Up) Page 25