She knew she was dreaming because she knew it was impossible for dead people to parade before her. They were angry with her and yet kind at the same time, forcing her to wonder how that could be. Off in the distance, standing on a hill, or maybe it was a mountain, was a sign that she could read if she squinted. FIND THE ANSWERS. What answers? A dream was supposed to give you answers. Didn’t the subconscious provide you with responses to things that bothered you during the day? Didn’t those questions lie in wait until you closed your eyes and then manifest themselves in crazy dreams? Somewhere she’d read that Gypsies believed dreams were a special knowledge presented to us by our ancestors. Upon awakening, one was to write down the dream and try to interpret its meaning. But this dream wasn’t giving her any knowledge or any answers. It was just a crazy, mixed-up mess.
Nealy rolled over and stretched out her legs and immediately a solid cramp in the flesh of her calf caused pain. She hobbled around the room, her gaze swerving to the clock on the dresser—4:10. When the cramp in her leg eased, she sat down in Maud’s old rocker. She was wide-awake. Pain would do that to you, she decided. She found herself clenching and unclenching her hands, a sure sign that she was in turmoil.
Life was so complicated. Dealing with horses, employees, and the farm was totally different from real life. God, how had she come to this miserable patch in the road? Was she deaf, dumb, and blind? Obviously she was, or she wouldn’t be in this predicament. And what exactly was this particular predicament that was making her so damn miserable she had nightmares? The kids? Ken? Her past? All of the above. “Your problem, Nealy, is you ignore any and all things that don’t pertain to the well-being of the horses.”
There! She’d said it, and this time she would take it to heart and do something about it. This time she wouldn’t ignore it.
The past. Deal with that, lay it to rest. Ken isn’t going to play any kind of role in your life, so put all thoughts of him behind you. The kids will be okay. If they need you, they’ll call. It won’t matter that harsh words passed between you. Love between a mother and a child can never be broken. Let them go to do what they have to do to make their lives whole and rich. The horses, the farm, all was okay on that front. Ruby and Metaxas would take care of the foal for now. Dover could make things work, take up her slack, and, with the four brothers Smitty hired on as grooms, she could leave the farm for a few days at a time, possibly as long as a week. If she wanted to. The big question was, did she want to go on a quest whose ending she might not like. Maud always said, “If it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it.” Maybe she should just let things alone. What good would it do to resurrect her mother’s family? She might upset their lives if she was successful in finding them. Maybe it would be enough to know there was family out there. She could observe, check it out, weigh the pros and cons and then make a decision. Perhaps just knowing would be enough.
For long moments she sat there, still and silent, and reflected on her thoughts. It was strange, but she felt better already, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
A sense of relief enveloped her, and she sat back. She had pinpointed the three trouble spots in her life. Blue Diamond Farms, while a great deal of work, was not complicated. It was her joy, but it was also her excuse for not making a life for herself. Things would eventually work out with Nick and Emmie. Kendrick Bell was no longer an issue.
Nealy closed her eyes and tried to formulate a plan. The court case loomed, pushing everything else to the side. Okay, she would deal with that and Clem on a day-to-day basis. When she wasn’t dealing with the legal end of things, she could go through the files the private detectives she’d hired had handed over to her. She could go to Austin, Texas, check the court records, put notices in local papers. Surely something would surface to give her a clue to her mother’s family. Plus, Pyne had sent on all the boxes and folders of records he’d found in the attic. She’d go through each box, each file, each slip of paper. Smitty could help her. All she needed was a starting point, something to dig into, something to follow through on. If there was family out there, she wanted to find them. And she would.
She heaved a sigh as she struggled out of Maud’s rocker to head for the shower, then stopped in mid-stride when she thought about Hatch Littletree. She had to corral her thoughts where the big Indian was concerned. If he was going to be the protector of her children, their guiding star, she needed to rethink her feelings about him. Hunt always said Hatch had the purest of hearts. Whereas he had called her heart black. Her step faltered. “Oh, God!”
Dressed, her hair still wet from the shower, Nealy made her way downstairs. She wrinkled her nose. Was that bacon and coffee she smelled? She grinned when she saw Metaxas flipping bacon at the stove. “Coffee’s ready, Nealy.”
“I am so hungry I could chew the doorknob,” Nealy said.
“Me, too,” Ruby chirped. “Smell him, Nealy. He smells just like us. Doncha love it, honey?”
“I sure do, sweet baby. What will you have, Nealy?”
“One egg, some bacon, toast, and lots of coffee.” She reached for her bottle of multivitamins at the back of the table.
“Coming up. Nealy, is it okay that a lot of my business mail, my calls and faxes come through here? I don’t want your people bogged down with my business. I can just as easily bring some of my people here if you have a room where I can set things up.”
“You can use the cottage Danny and Hunt used to live in. Which reminds me, I have to call Danny sometime today. Dover didn’t want to stay in the cottage, so it’s empty. Feel free to use it. The office here in the house isn’t big enough for what I imagine will be coming in for you. And then there’s the entire garage and the apartment on top of it. Take your pick.”
Ruby sat sipping her coffee, looking like the second happiest person Nealy had ever seen. “The four brothers showed up this morning, Nealy. They were nice and clean, had haircuts, and they’re respectful. I like all four of them. They know horses, too. Gentle hands. It’s amazing, isn’t it, Nealy, that I can spot a good worker. I learned a lot hanging around you. You’re going to like all four of them, and they like each other. It’s nice to see that. Billy, the youngest one, took to Metaxas right away. I think it was that role model/father image thing. Dover took over, and they hustled. Smitty did real good on that one. I’d give her a raise if I were you. Your new housekeeper arrives tomorrow. Good food for a change. Not that what we’ve been eating isn’t good but it can be improved upon,” Ruby added hastily, her eyes on her husband standing at the stove.
Nealy stifled her laughter. “Sounds like things are moving along smoothly. No problems, no crisis, just smooth sailing. Until the court case comes up.”
“Are you worried about that, Nealy?” Metaxas asked.
“Yes and no. I don’t want to see my brothers lose the farm. They aren’t fighters. Rhy and Pyne can’t even comprehend any of this. All they’ve ever done is work. They just want to be left alone in peace. They never even got married for God’s sake. They don’t understand how family can do this. Hell, I don’t understand it either. What I do understand for certain is, the Colemans are not going to get away with it.”
“Eat up, ladies. I won’t be doing this after today, so enjoy it now. By the way, Nealy, did you dump Ken?”
Nealy blinked. “Well, that’s one way of putting it, I guess. I hope he changes and starts to do what the doctors tell him to do. I tried my best when I was there to get him to take walks, to do things, but he was always so anxious and kept wanting to go back to the house, where he felt safe and secure. I can’t live like that. I won’t live like that. He’s your friend, Metaxas, maybe you can get him to get off his duff and join the world.”
“I tried,” Metaxas said, sitting down next to Nealy. “I know where you’re coming from because I tried, too. He wants to sell me his interest in the restaurants. I agreed because I don’t want his apathy to ruin the business. The deal should close in a few weeks. I’ll stay in touch and do what I can,
but don’t look for any miracles. They ain’t gonna happen where he’s concerned. I feel bad because he’s such a nice guy.”
“What are you going to do today, Nealy?” Ruby asked as she stacked her dishes on the counter.
“I’m going to exercise Flyby, and I’ve got a full load on my plate. If you guys can handle Misty and Shufly, I’m good to go. I’ll clean up here, you cooked. Go on, I know you want to get back to the barn. I’ll call you for lunch.”
“Let’s go, sweet baby,” Metaxas chortled.
Nealy smiled as Metaxas wrapped his arm around his wife’s shoulder. Would she ever be as happy as the two of them? The smile stayed with her as she loaded the dishwasher and wiped off the counter and table. Satisfied that the kitchen was spic-and-span, she sat down with a fresh cup of coffee to wait for Smitty.
The minute the office manager walked through the kitchen door, Nealy bombarded her with a list of things to be done for the day. “And, Smitty, call Dagmar Doolittle and get us some press for that big Derby Ball you said I should throw. Since this is going to be my first, so-called, coming-out ball, I want to make sure we really make a splash. Have some of the office girls work on it. Invitation only. Figure out what we can realistically charge, with all the monies going to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah. Work it up so people beg to be invited. Dagmar will be good at that. And, I think you should limit the number of people we invite. Get the biggest hall, the best band, the best caterer around. In fact, I know of a set of twins, Kitty and Josie Dupré, who run a catering business in New Orleans that would be just perfect. Pay them whatever they want to come here. And you might want to hire the Butterfuncks, a band from New Orleans, too. Hire a decorator. I’ll pay for all of it. Just get the ball rolling.”
“Okay, boss. Anything else?”
“Plenty. I’ll feed it to you as I go along. I’ll be in the dining room with all my stuff spread out. If it’s the last thing I do, I’m going to find my mother’s people.”
Smitty whistled. “Attagirl! Call me if you need me. Hey, our new housekeeper arrives today, right?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Oh, shit!”
“So, what are you telling me, Clem?” Nealy asked three days before she was scheduled to appear in court.
“I’m saying Valentine Mitchell says the Colemans are not interested in settling the case out of court. Val said her clients are willing to take their chances in a court of law in front of a judge. She could have something or she could have nothing and be bluffing. Up until the minute we walk into court it could change. And she doesn’t know about those two little surprises you sprang on me two weeks ago. If you have any other aces up your sleeve, this would be a good time to bring them out so I can look at them. The way it stands right now, your old Virginia homestead is going to the Colemans—lock, stock, and barrel. I can almost guarantee they won’t want it when they find out there are no horses to sell. However, you and your brothers will get a percentage of Sunbridge since we can prove through DNA that you are indeed Seth Coleman’s children. Your children will also receive a share. Since you and your brothers are the only three blood children remaining, the percentage will be higher. The others are grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As far as SunStar Farms go, the Colemans still think they’re getting horses. It’s a damn mess no matter how you look at it.”
“How is it those horses didn’t show up on discovery?”
“They did. Val got a little cocky and wasn’t careful enough in her wording. All it asked was the name of each horse and the value placed on it. It didn’t say anything about ownership. I’m having a hard time believing she was that sloppy. The flip side to all of this is she probably doesn’t approve of this suit any more than I do. Are you sure, Nealy, absolutely sure, that Metaxas has receipts for board for all those horses, not to mention the bills of sale?”
Nealy rummaged through the stacks and files on the dining-room table. “Got them right here. Smitty can make copies for you.”
“When do your brothers plan on leaving for Texas? I have to go over their testimony with them.”
“They’re leaving the night before. I’m leaving late this afternoon. I’ll meet up with all of you at the hotel in the morning. Don’t worry about my brothers. All they can do is tell the truth. There’s no need to rehearse them. If you do, they’ll get nervous.”
“And you are going to do . . . what when you get there? Is there a reason why you’re going early?”
“As a matter of fact there is. I have a lead on my mother’s family I want to follow up on. Smitty came across it, and, strangely enough, it wasn’t all that hard to find, according to her. It makes me wonder why both those detectives I hired earlier couldn’t find this family. With my suspicious mind I’m thinking there was some kind of intervention. Then again, maybe not. I’ll get to the bottom of it. I guess I’ll see you in the Austin courthouse two days from now.”
Nealy’s eyes were hard and cold when she leaned over to tweak Clem’s cheek. “Think about all those high-end shoes you can buy when you send me your bill.”
“Nealy . . . I know what you’re planning. At least I think I do. And I know you didn’t ask for my advice, but I’m going to give it to you anyway. Don’t do it.”
Nealy clucked her tongue. “You’re right, I didn’t ask for your advice. See you in Texas, and make sure you wear a Stetson or they won’t take you seriously.”
Nealy watched the lawyer from the kitchen window as she started up her car, the wheels spinning in the gravel.
“What’s she got her panties in a wad over?” Smitty asked.
“She doesn’t like what I’m doing. In the beginning she couldn’t wait to sink her teeth into this case. She saw dollar signs, and that was all she saw. Somewhere along the way she switched up on me. She likes and favors compromise. She knows I don’t need the money; therefore, I should cave in and suck it up. Her idea would be for me to buy my brothers a new farm and let them run it. She doesn’t understand, Smitty. I don’t know if anyone but my brothers or I understand what’s going on. I’m not doing this for me; I’m doing it for them. For Nick and Emmie, too. That old man in Texas just threw us away. Threw us away, Smitty. It was like we weren’t human. He turned us over to that ugly, hateful man we thought was our father. He didn’t care if we lived or died. We weren’t good enough to be part of his fine upstanding legitimate family. We were just a dirty little secret that he palmed off on his hateful brother. It’s my turn now. If you don’t approve of what I’m doing, don’t tell me because I’m going to do it anyway.”
“Kiddo, go for the jugular and kick some ass. You’re right, it’s your turn. You just make damn sure you can live with whatever you do. Call me and let me know how it’s going, okay?”
“I will. You never judged me, Smitty. Why is that?”
“Because you never judged me. You always took my side with Carmela, and you always listened when I had something to say. By the way, calls have been coming in thick and fast. Everyone wants to be invited to your Derby Ball. I told Dagmar ten thousand a ticket and somehow or other it turned into twenty-five thousand. It doesn’t seem to make a difference. It’s like a presidential ball or something.”
“Dollars?” Nealy gasped.
Smitty laughed. “Yep, dollars. You can make a lot of animals happy with that contribution. Multiply that by one hundred people. We’ll be able to save a lot of animals with all that money. Very worthy cause, Nealy. You did good. What’s it going to be next year?”
“Spousal abuse. If this flies, hike the price next year. There are a lot of women’s shelters in this state that can use the money. You’re working on all those good charities you said I needed to donate to, right?”
“I’m donating your money left and right, Nealy.”
“Good. I feel better already,” Nealy muttered, her thoughts on Hatch Littletree and his philanthropic activities. “So, I’m a little slow at this. I’m getting there,” she continued to mutter as she made her way upstai
rs.
5
They sat around the dining-room table, their faces solemn, coffee cups and whiskey glasses at their elbows. In the center of the table were legal pads and legal papers. Piles and piles of legal papers.
“This is just a guess on my part, but I’d say there’s at least fifty pounds of legalese in the center of this table. And for all this we get to pay money. On top of that we’re going to boot our relatives’ asses out of their home. Does that about sum it up, family?” the ever-blunt Sawyer demanded angrily.
“Shut up, Sawyer. None of us likes what’s going on. In this world you do what you have to do to survive. It’s too late for recriminations. You voted along with the rest of us,” Riley said, his face haggard and gaunt. “Do you believe this rain?”
Cole Tanner stood up. He shoved his hands into his pockets. “Look, this is how I see it. Once we get Sunbridge back on its feet and the market stays steady, we can give back the farm and the money. We won’t feel any better, but it’s something maybe we can live with.”
Maggie Coleman Tanaka stared up at her son as though he’d lost his mind. “Earth to Cole,” she said, waving her hand in front of her son. “Are you the one who is going to stand up there in court and say, hey, listen, we’re stealing your home out from under you and your horses that we plan to sell to the highest bidder and when we’re satisfied that we have enough money we’ll start to pay you back? That has to be the dumbest, the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard of. No.”
Cole sat down and poured whiskey into his coffee cup. He gulped at it, his eyes watering. “Then what’s our answer?”
“There is no answer, you asshole,” Sawyer shot back. “I hate all of us for this. I do. I’m going to work for Lockheed Martin. They made me an offer I can’t refuse. Adam and I gave you every last cent we had and you pissed it away on interest for all those goddamn loans you took out, Riley. I’m outta here. You can go to the slaughter by yourself.”
Kentucky Heat Page 9