O'Brien's Lady

by Marsha Doss

  CHAPTER 12

  Although Sonny was mentally preparing herself for this moment, nothing in the world could have helped her conceive the amount of pain that Graceful Lady was experiencing.

  The gentle chestnut horse was now staggering around and around her stall, where she had made a path in her bedding. The lean, muscular body was covered with sweat and her nostrils were flared.

  "Ail right, Lady," Sonny said, trying to get the sound to come from her throat, but only ending with a low raspy sound that she was sure the horse hadn't even heard.

  What was she to do now? Michael had talked with her, telling her over and over the procedures to follow when the animals were taken suddenly ill. Then why couldn't she remember what to do?

  Sonny's mouth had gone dry and the pain she had felt in her leg before, now went unnoticed. There should be a call made to the veterinarian, but first she would try to comfort her in any way possible. If she kept rolling her head and pacing this way, Sonny was sure she would hurt herself even more.

  Lady's dark eyes were blank as they stared back at Sonny, seemingly unaware of her presence. Sonny went over to the stall and reached her arms up to her, trying to make her stop.

  "Lady, it's all right. All right." Her voice was still unnatural and as she watched, she realized that the horse must have a case of colic. She had heard Michael and Will talking about it and she knew that it was fairly common.

  But what had they done? Could she duplicate their procedures, could she make the right decisions now? Sonny knew that she needed help and she hurried back to the main barn, to telephone Walt Hermann. She held the receiver to her ear, moving constantly, too nervous to stop and too upset to stand still. Finally after several rings the deep voice at the other end answered.

  "Walt, this Sonny at Pinebrook. Please can you come over?"

  "What is it?"

  "Lady, she's pacing, groaning and her eyes are blank. Michael and Will won't be back for another thirty minutes and I'm here alone." Sonny felt the shrillness in her voice as she began talking very quickly, until the end when she gasped one long breath of air.

  "Must be colic. Give me ten minutes."

  She wanted to ring Katy at the cottage, but there wasn't time. Lady was suffering and she had to get back to her as quickly as possible.

  Her forehead was damp now and she felt the pieces of her hair as they fell away from her forehead. She grasped at the limp, torn pieces of lace that fell around her ankles, and held them between her fingers to avoid still another fall.

  Midnight, who occupied the other stall across from his mother, began to whinny and move about nervously. Sonny knew she should move him to the larger barn. It would not be easy to separate the two of them, but it had to be done.

  Gently, she placed the halter around Midnight's neck, pulling the reins just enough to let him know who was in command.

  "Steady, boy. Everything is going to be fine." She steadied him with a stronger grip on the reins, all the time talking in low tones and patting him reassuringly. The colt soon relaxed and responded to her lead.

  By now, Sonny practically ran back to Lady, who was still pacing wildly and making such a low, guttural, pitiful sound that she fought hard to keep the tears from her eyes.

  Walt had said he'd be here in ten minutes, and already it felt like ten hours. If only she could do something now, to eliminate some of the pain while they both waited for the veterinarian to arrive.

  Sonny dropped to her knees and talked to Lady, keeping her voice calm and as low-pitched as possible. The force with which the horse maneuvered herself

  around the box was tremendous and she was certain to hurt herself now that she was kicking at the belly. Michael would know what to do, if only he were here.

  And, where was Walt?

  She ran to the large tub in the back of the barn and filled a bucket with water and sponges. Her instincts told her she might have to wash Lady down and she wanted to be ready. As she carried the water back to the stall, drops of cold splashed onto her feet, causing her shoes to cake with loose dirt.

  By the time Walt Hermann arrived, a large leather bag carried at his side, Sonny's face was drained of all color and her hair, that had been so perfectly styled just moments before, now hung loosely over her shoulders and she had the forlorn look of a frightened child.

  "Quickly, Walt, she's in terrible pain." Sonny followed him over to the stall, and stood helplessly by as he rolled his sleeves up and began to work with the animal. His voice was strong but gentle and she thought she saw a look of recognition in Lady's large brown eyes, as she watched the doctor perform his cure.

  "I'll drain her fluids, Sonny. Just help me hold her." Walt handed her the rein and told her to grasp it tightly between her fingers. She nodded her head and did just as he ordered, knowing that any delay now could harm the horse. His hands worked quickly and expertly with the nasal tube and Sonny closed her eyes as he worked. She could not bear the pain in Lady's eyes nor the sounds she made.

  "Now, then I'll give her a shot and that should quieter her a bit."

  Walt was a large, round giant of a man, and his strength allowed him to maneuver the large animals with great agility. Within seconds he had injected the medication.

  "How much longer will she be like this?" Sonny asked.

  "With the colic you can't be sure. She may have ingested too much grass, or had a large amount of

  cold water…there are several things that can cause this reaction."

  "Will she be all right?" Sonny had to pull from somewhere deep in her stomach for that question and she was almost afraid to hear the answer, for even now Lady paced and moved about, only showing the least bit of calmness overcome her anxiety.

  "I think she will, Sonny."

  "I'll stay with her," she said, as she walked him to the door of the barn. "And thank for getting here so quickly."

  "Anytime. Remember, call me if there's a sudden change. She'll quiet in a bit."

  There was a stillness that surrounded her and she felt detached and strangely comfortable at the same time.

  Almost as if she belonged here. Like a bird who's flown all over the country and finally comes to roost in the same spot from where he started. Perhaps there was that homing instinct in all of us and she was only becoming melancholy because exhaustion was setting in.

  Lady was slowing now, her eyes were no longer expressionless and she had stopped making the sad noises of pain. Sonny wiped her down with the towel, talking to her in quiet words that only she and the horse could understand.

  She did not notice when Michael and Will returned and suddenly she felt the warmth of Michael's hand against her elbow and she turned around.

  "Michael… it was awful," she stammered.

  "I know, we met Walt on the way in. He told us everything."

  "You did a fine job," Will said giving her an affectionate pat on the shoulder, "Now, I'll go make us a cup of coffee unless Katy had beat me to it," "Will, please tell her what happened," Sonny added hastily. "She stayed at the cottage, hoping you'd call in again,"

  "You can go on back to your party," Michael said, "I'll stay with her now."

  Sonny turned to Lady and then back to Michael, whose face was like an expressionless mask. She had not seen the look of longing that had passed before his eyes when he first saw her, standing there in her torn white gown, dirt smudges on her feet and her hair hanging loosely over her shoulders. She looked so vulnerable and insecure that he had fought the urge to wrap her in his arms.

  There was so much Michael wanted to say to her, but there was no guarantee she would even listen. The party and Pierre were waiting up at the house and he had nothing to offer but his soul and the heart that beat beneath his chest. He wanted her to stay, but he knew she couldn't.

  Michael was certain that she and Pierre had already made plans to return to Paris. That meant the fight was over, and he had lost."I don't want to leave her." She looked out into the darkness, wanting to be here and not wit
h Pierre's groups of faceless strangers. How could she just walk away from Lady?

  "She'll settle down soon. Go on." Michael's eyes were looking past her now, and she could not see the far away expression in them. He didn't understand or comprehend what she felt now or how much the chestnut horse meant to her. If he had known he would not have asked her to leave.

  Sonny walked slowly back up the gentle slope of the pathway, her eyes on the ground and not on the house that glowed with light. A strange sense of detachment filled her thoughts, and with that came the realization that her life would never again be the same.

  The gown she wore and the ring on her finger were grim reminders that Pierre had given her everything but himself. She had been too busy following his madcap adventures to take notice of the truth that had existed in her heart. And Michael had been the one to unlock the emotions and needs that she had tried to hide.

  Sonny came through the back door, hoping she could somehow go upstairs to change without being seen. The tear of the gown had lengthened, and bits of lace ruffling drug at her feet. She crept into the dining room, and then saw Pierre's face as he looked up. His eyes narrowed and his cheeks colored as he graciously excused himself and came toward her.

  Ernestine had noticed her entrance and eased herself toward the entry way, the feline eyes watching her every expression.

  "Sondra what is the meaning of this?"

  Pierre was by her side in three large strides, his body directly in front of her as if he were trying to hide her appearance.

  "What are you talking about?" Sonny's words were spoken slowly, and she suddenly felt very sick. Coming in from the cool air, with the smell of sweat and fear still in her nostrils, she could barely stomach the warm, sweet odors of a conglomerate of perfumes and colognes that lingered.

  "How dare you leave my party and come back looking like this." Pierre's voice was peculiarly high-pitched and the vein in his neck stood out. His quietly, suave manners were gone and now he exuded anger and disgust.

  "You don't understand. Lady was so sick, I thought I might lose her."

  Ernestine joined them, holding the long-stemmed glass carefully in her hand. Her thin eyebrows arched and she smiled wickedly at Sonny. "My goodness, you look like you've been hit by a train."

  Sonny glared at her and Pierre seemed to have heard nothing, nor been even remotely aware of her unexpected presence.

  "Sondra, you can buy another horse…but my gown, my beautiful gown is ruined."

  Sonny's cheeks flushed with color and her blue eyes burned with anger. The group of men and women stood smugly, watching her, whispering among themselves as they waited for her response. The pretense was over, and now she saw herself in so many of their faces.

  Their lives were dependent upon whom they were with and where they were seen, and she had been just like them. She had frequented all the best places and worn the finest clothes and never been in touch with who she was or where she was from.

  "Pierre, is that all you care about…this gown…these people?" Sonny gestured with her handand her eyes were suddenly filled with fire and determination.

  Pierre's unyielding expression told her that she had just answered her own question. The things that he held most dear in life were the things that really didn't matter at all. How could it have taken her this long to understand?

  "I'm very ashamed, Sondra. Now, go upstairs and change into something quickly, and I'll try to explain this outrage."

  "Just a minute, Pierre," she said, her temper enraged. "This is my house and if there's an announcement to be made, I'll do it."

  He stepped back ceremoniously, a snide expression covering his face. "Go right ahead."

  Sonny cleared her throat, looking squarely at the group that had become suddenly very quiet.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, I'm afraid you'll have to leave my house. You see, my horse Graceful Lady was taken ill this evening, and I have to go back to her."

  An audible gasp filled the room and Pierre's eyes bulged with indignation as he looked on, helpless to defend her outburst.

  "Thank you all for coming," she added with a smile.

  Turning to Pierre, who was still in a mild state of shock, she took the ring from her finger and handed it to him. "Here, I have no need for this anymore."

  "You've gone mad," he blurted.

  "Have I Pierre?"

  Sonny picked up the hanging lace, and walked to the back door. As she went back out into the dark night, she looked over her shoulder. "About the gown…send me a bill!"

  CHAPTER 13

  Sonny closed the door behind her, leaning heavily against the wood frame as she breathed in the sweet smell of pine.

  There was a whole new world waiting for her at the bottom of that hill, for she had just bid farewell to the old one. She smiled contentedly as she recalled the look on Pierre's face. The utter disbelief that had creased those flawless features would remind her always what a fool she had been.

  Her father had once said, if you can't find happiness in your own back yard, you won't find it anywhere else on earth. How wise he had been.

  It suddenly occurred to Sonny that the very conditions of his will had forced her to face something that she would not have otherwise found. It had forced her to find herself.

  Maybe for the first time.

  As she made her way down the slope and to the barn where Graceful Lady was kept, her heart stilled, until she was certain it had stopped. Nothing else in the world mattered now, except keeping Pinebrook.

  How would she explain all of this to Michael? She had fought so hard to keep her distance from the farm, and now she was willing to fight for it, no matter what the cost.

  The sounds of night filtered down through the pines as she crept along, hearing only the loud thumping of her heart in her ears. It had come to life…and so had she.On any other night, she might have been cold, but not tonight. The blood rushed through her veins and she was filled with a warm glow of contentment.

  Michael turned around when Sonny entered the barn and he looked at her in surprise. She was the last person he had expected to see walk through that door.

  "How is she?" Sonny came to stand next to Michael, whose eyes watched her every move.

  "Better." Then, as if the idea had just struck him, Michael asked, "Why did you come back?"

  "I couldn't stay up there with the Lady sick, Michael."

  "I told you I would take care of her tonight."

  Sonny patted the side of Lady, who was now much quieter than she had been earlier. "Look, we're business partners."

  "So?" Michael's eyes were defiant.

  "I'm as responsible for these animals as you are. And I care as much as you do." Sonny felt her cheeks growing warm as she watched Michael.

  "They'll have to get used to being without you eventually, Sonny. That is, unless you go back to Paris with your friend." His words were sharp and cutting.

  "Now, you listen to me, Michael O'Brien."

  Sonny shook her finger at him as she spoke.

  "I'm not going back to Paris. Not now. Not ever."

  Michael watched her as he focused on her blue eyes, her soft mouth.

  "Why not?" he asked.

  "For reasons you might not understand."

  "Try me."

  "Well, for one thing, I like it here. It's a lot of hard work, but watching Lady foal, working with Midnight… it' s become a part of me."

  "Funny, you could have fooled me." Michael smiled sardonically.

  She ignored his remark and continued. And she only hoped that he would listen and understand.

  "When Lady was sick tonight, I thought I might lose her."

  "That happens sometimes," Michael answered.

  "It's never happened to me before, Michael. I left this place because I didn't think I belonged here. I felt left out of everything. But tonight, I realized it's a part of me. These Thoroughbreds are important to me."

  Michael's eyes devoured her face and yet he kept his voice c
alm and non-committal. He held his breath as he waited and listened.

  "What about Pierre? Will he stay here in the states?"

  "Heavens no. I hope he'll be on his way tonight."

  Michael had leaned against the side of Lady's stall and he fought against the urge to hold her in his arms.

  "What about your party?" Michael asked.

  "I had very little to do with it. Pierre arranged everything…and they're his guests, not mine."

  She pulled the dragging lace up from the ground and Michael glanced down, noticing the red cut on her leg.

  "But, you did polish the silver?" he asked, smiling.

  "Yes. That I did."

  His hand cradled her leg, gently, carefully. Reaching for the first-aid box next to him, he pulled out a bottle of disinfectant and a cotton swab. "Here, sit down and I'll fix this."

  Sonny eased herself onto the small wooden stool as she watched Michael's kind eyes.

  "This might hurt a little," he warned.

  He was right.

  Sonny winced as he dabbed at the cut and she began to talk to keep her mind from the stinging pain.

  "Michael, I ruined this gown tonight," she said.

  His eyes were again full of sparkle as he arched one thick eyebrow. "Oh, I hadn't noticed."

  "Pierre did, and he was indignant and demanded I not embarrass him this way."

  Michael watched the blue of her eyes grow deeper and he could hardly keep his mind on what he was doing.

  "And here I thought he was a French gentleman." Michael made a clucking sound with his teeth and shook his head slowly from side to side.

  While she was talking, he placed the iodine on her cut and bandaged it so carefully that she barely felt the touch of his hands.

  "No, I don't suppose he's a gentleman, Michael. But for awhile he had me fooled."

  Michael's hand moved to her cheek and slowly he wiped away the smudges under her eyes. "Did you know that you have a dirty face?"

  She smiled and the color came back to her cheeks.

  "No, I didn't. I guess I look pretty awful."

  Michael's touch was intoxicating and Sonny felt her knees weaken as he ran the cloth over her nose and to the other side of her face, taking long slow moves that made her dizzy.