Kentucky Heat

by Fern Michaels

  “You had enough on your plate, Nick. It’s a little more involved than bringing the two of you up to speed. That day when your mother told you and Emmie to leave . . . she did that on purpose. She had a plan in her head. She was waiting for just the right time to . . . to put it into play. Smitty clued me in the first time I came here and swore me to secrecy. I never let on to your mother that I knew. I guess it’s something she isn’t comfortable talking about. Look, it doesn’t matter why or how or any of that stuff. Your mother did what she felt she had to do. It was the only way she could get you both to stand on your own feet. Especially you, Nick, because she knew it was what your father had wanted. She’s the first one to admit she didn’t make the best choice. She knows now there were probably other, better ways. She seized the moment and ran with it. No one is perfect, Nick. She loves you both so much. She understands the farm isn’t the right place for you. Just because she’s tough and hard doesn’t mean she has no feelings. She does. When she talks about you and Emmie, her face softens and her voice gentles. This is a new day, Nick. The past is prologue. Trust me when I tell you your mother’s arms will be open wide.”

  Nick was on his feet pacing, the racing form slapping at his leg. He nodded, relief written all over his face. “I thought about . . . driving by later this morning. They’re going to erect the statue of Shufly this morning. My dad and the workers gave Mom the one of Flyby for her birthday a long time ago. I thought . . .”

  Hatch grinned. “You are so much like your dad you spook me, boy. Your mother is going to bust with pride. I think she is about ready to step down from the saddle. She’ll ride her three races, and then I’ve been hoping she will turn things over to Emmie. She wants to be Gabby’s grandmother so bad she can taste it. I’m hoping, if things go right, that Nealy and I . . . can move forward. Become close. Hell, boy, I want to marry your mother. There, I said it out loud. I want to show her the world outside this farm. I don’t know if she wants that or not, but I’m prepared to bust my gut trying to get her to see things my way.”

  Nick rubbed at the stubble on his chin. “I’ll be damned. You and Mom. Yeah, yeah, I can see it! I really can. I’m okay with that, too. I’m really okay with it, Hatch. Just be sure you make her happy. Emmie will jump at the chance. She’s going to be okay with the you and Mom thing, too. This is where she wants to be. Where she wants Gabby to grow up. There’s more, though, isn’t there?”

  “Yeah. There’s no easy way to say this except to just come out and say it. I found Willow. She was in Aruba cooking in a big resort. Somehow she found out I was there and put two and two together. In a matter of hours she was gone. This might explain things a little better,” Hatch said, handing Nick a thick, padded envelope that contained Willow’s Aruba wedding album. “While you’re looking at that, I’ll just sit here. Your mother told Willow she was cutting off your trust fund. You have to deal with that, too.” Hatch placed a comforting hand on Nick’s shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.

  Ten minutes later, Nick shoved the contents back into the padded envelope. Hatch noticed that his hands were shaking. He looked across the patio at Hatch, his eyes full of questions.

  “You asked me to find her, kid, and I did. I used all the firm’s resources. I know it wasn’t what you wanted to see. I’m sorry as hell about that. It hurts like a son of a bitch when you get your heart broken. It hurts even more when you realize you were a fool and you still got your heart broken. My guess would be this, Nick. She latches on to rich men and takes them for what she can get and then she splits. She thought you were rich. She took off when your mother told her she was cutting you off. I know you aren’t going to want to believe this either, but your mother saw right through her. My wife used to be able to do that. It’s a woman thing, and us men need to pay more attention when they tell us stuff like that.

  “Look, I can keep looking for her. Your mother hired all kinds of private dicks to search her out because she knew you loved her. She tried, Nick, she really did. Jesus, look how long it took me to get a bead on her. Then she gave me the slip.”

  Nick stared off into the distance, the padded envelope still in his hand. “She must have had a good laugh over this dumb old horse handler. Christ, I poured my heart out to her, and she lapped it all up. I was just some dumb kid she had to teach how to make love.”

  “Nick, don’t do this to yourself. I’d bet the firm she goes from place to place, sets guys up, marries them, takes what she can get, and splits. You were one of the lucky ones. Real lucky. All you lost was a little piece of your heart.”

  Nick nodded. “Emmie’s calling you. I think I’d just like to sit here for a little while. I’m okay, Hatch. Don’t worry about me.”

  “Did you hear, Emmie?” Hatch asked, closing the kitchen door behind him.

  Emmie’s face wore a mixture of emotions. “Yes. The kitchen window is open. Is it really okay for us to go to the farm? I guess I should be more concerned about Willow and Nick, but I suspected something along those lines myself. I guess I am Mom’s daughter after all. If you’re sure she won’t boot us off the farm, I’m going out there as soon as Gabby wakes up. She was exhausted with the flight and the excitement. She got up, ate, and went back to sleep. I’m so excited, so jittery I can’t see straight. My stomach is in knots. It’s going to be all right, isn’t it, Hatch?”

  “Yes, it’s going to be all right,” Hatch said, watching Nick through the kitchen window.

  “Poor Nick. Of all times for this to happen. No, no, I don’t mean that the way it sounds. I just meant he’s finished with school now and everything should be coming up roses as they say. We’re home, Mom’s racing, and now this. He looks . . . so stunned.”

  “It’s a kick to the gut, that’s for sure. At this point, knowing what I know, I’m not even sure their marriage was legal. Yes, they went through a ceremony, but what if this is a pattern with her? If she was already married, then they aren’t really married. It makes Willow a bigamist. The firm will intensify the search into her background. He’ll be a little rocky for a while, but Nick is tough. I’m counting on that toughness to get him through this. Everything happens for a reason, Emmie.”

  “I know but look at him. He looks . . . whipped.”

  “Life goes on, Emmie. You moved forward after Buddy. Nick will, too, in his own good time. I’ll take that coffee now.”

  Emmie smiled, her eyes on her half brother Nick.

  Twenty minutes later, Nick entered the kitchen. He handed the thick envelope to Hatch. His eyes miserable, his voice husky, he said, “If I’m married, I want to file for divorce. If I’m not married, I want to know that, too. Can the firm help, Hatch?”

  “Absolutely. I’ll call the office later and put the wheels in motion.”

  “Good. I hear Gabby stirring. I’ll get her ready, Emmie, and we can head out to the farm. What about Cookie?”

  “Cookie is family. He goes where we go. You know how Mom loves dogs. Take your time, Nick. Hatch hasn’t finished his coffee.”

  Emmie turned to Hatch. “Are you and Mom . . . you know, seeing each other?”

  “Seeing each other is a good way of putting it. We’re very good friends. The truth is, I love your mother.”

  Emmie smiled. “Mom needs someone. Everyone needs someone, and I hope that someone is you, Hatch. I hope someday I find that special person who will love me and Gabby both. Mom used to tell me when I was little that she would wish on a star at night and say a prayer that someone would find her and love us both. She said she knew it wouldn’t happen, but she kept on wishing and praying. When Hunt came along I wasn’t little anymore. You know, like Gabby.”

  “Today is a new day, Emmie. For you, Gabby, and Nick. I have a good feeling about all of this. It’s an old Indian thing,” he said, winking at her.

  “That’s good enough for me.” Emmie twinkled in return. “Oh, I’m going home. I’m really going home. We’re all going home. Oh, Hatch,” Emmie said, throwing her arms around the big man, “I’m so h
appy I can hardly stand it.”

  It was like the last time, Nealy thought as she walked down the breezeway. The air of excitement that maybe, if things went right, she would bring back a second Derby winner to Blue Diamond Farms. She looked around, half-expecting to see or hear Hunt. His absence was the only thing that was different this time.

  Nealy turned when she heard Ruby call out to her. “Nealy, we have to do something. Metaxas is going to give himself a heart attack over this. I have never, in my entire life, seen him so excited, so agitated, so damn wired. He’s combing that horse’s tail one strand at a time. Then he messes it up and starts all over again. Shufly just stands there and lets him do it. I caught him trying to brush his teeth this morning. Shufly let him do that, too. I don’t know how he’s going to handle the next twenty-four hours. Don’t you have something else for him to do?”

  Nealy placed both her hands on Ruby’s shoulders. “I was like that the first time, Ruby. No, there’s nothing you or I can do. Metaxas’s bond with Shufly is stronger than I ever anticipated. That’s a good thing. He’s having the time of his life. This is an important day for all of us. All the training is over. All the big guy has to do is run for the roses tomorrow. I swear he knows what it’s all about. I think Flyby remembers, too.

  “Listen to me, Ruby. There is every possibility that I won’t win tomorrow. Jake’s Thunder and Navigator are right up there with the best of the best. No one has seen Shufly, so they aren’t really talking about him. They don’t know what he can and cannot do. I can lose, Ruby. I can come in fifth or sixth or finish last.”

  “Oh, Nealy, Metaxas and I truly don’t care if you win or not. It’s the fact that the big guy is good enough to get his shot at the roses with the best jockey in the world riding him. That’s all we want. Win or lose, it doesn’t matter.”

  “I’m old, Ruby. I can’t run up and down these barns the way I used to. Mentally, I’m fine. I’m full of confidence. All this training has proved to be a little harder than I anticipated. The plain, unvarnished truth is, I’m not as agile as I used to be. Hell, I’m a senior citizen! By the way, that was the headline in the morning’s paper. Another one said, ‘Granny running for the roses.’ Smitty showed them to me. Dagmar’s paper had the only decent article and headline. The others said I don’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of winning the Derby twice.”

  “Oh, baby, baby, is that what this is all about? Your age! Get those thoughts right out of your head. I don’t want to hear another word about age, senior citizens, or those other yahoos running in the Derby. You have them all beat by a furlong. Shift into neutral, Nealy. Better yet, why don’t you take a walk over to the cemetery and do some palavering with the . . . you know. Take Flyby with you.”

  Nealy’s face brightened. “I . . . I’ll do that, Ruby.”

  Nealy was leading Flyby down the breezeway when she saw them outlined in the bright sunshine. She brought her hand up to shield her eyes. It was Emmie who broke ranks and ran to her, her arms open wide. Nealy dropped Flyby’s halter and ran the last few steps. “Oh Emmie, I’m so glad to see you! You came back! God, I missed you!

  “Nick!” Tears rolled down Nealy’s cheeks as she embraced her son and daughter. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry about so many things. I wanted . . . I did it all wrong . . . I can’t believe you’re here. Can you stay? Are you going to the Derby? You look so wonderful. Taller, leaner, and you look tired. You both look tired.”

  “We aren’t tired, Mom. We were worried you wouldn’t want us here,” Emmie said. “Oh, Mom, we missed you so much. Can I stay, Mom? I won’t let you down again. I promise.”

  “You never once let me down, Emmie. Of course you can stay.”

  “Not me, Mom.”

  Nealy cupped her son’s face in both her hands. “I know, Nick. You’re where you belong now. Your dad would be so proud of you. I’m proud of you, too. Hatch said you’re going to be a wild-ass lawyer. I am so glad you came back. I wanted to go after you a hundred times, maybe a thousand, but I couldn’t. I had to give you your chance. I’m sorry it took me so long, Nick. Can you ever forgive me?”

  “There’s nothing to forgive, Mom. We’re here. Whoa, what’s this? He remembers me,” Nick said in awe, as Flyby used his big head to butt him. Nealy slipped Nick a mint that he held out to the horse.

  For the first time Nealy noticed Hatch. She grinned her thanks. He nodded. “Where’s the baby?”

  “Up at the house with Smitty.”

  “Mom, do you want me to take Flyby out to the pasture?”

  “That would be nice, Nick. I was going to take him out to the cemetery to work off some of my nerves. I can do that later. I want to see my granddaughter right now.”

  “I’ll stay down here with Nick for a while, Nealy,” Hatch said.

  Nick wrapped his arms around his mother. “I missed you, Mom. I never stopped loving you, not for a minute. I used to write little notes to you on my legal pads. Writing them made me feel better. I love it here, Mom, but I don’t belong here. I need to hear you tell me you understand and that it’s okay.”

  “It’s okay, Nick, and yes, I do understand. I wrote a thousand letters to you and to Emmie in my head. I love you, Nick. Nothing will ever change that. I’m truly sorry about Willow.”

  “I know, Mom. I just don’t want to talk about her. Maybe later on but not now, okay?”

  Nealy nodded. “Okay, Nick.”

  “Go see your granddaughter, Mom.”

  “I’m going, I’m going,” Nealy said, sprinting for the house.

  “Mom, this is Gabby. Honey, this is your grandma,” Emmie said.

  Nealy dropped to her haunches. “Hello, Gabby.” She cupped the little girl’s face in her hands and kissed her forehead. “I’ve waited a long time to meet you. You look just like your mommy when she was little. Who is this little guy?” she said, pointing to the frisky pup.

  “Cookie. Him sleeps with me.”

  “Is he nice and warm and cozy? Does he wiggle under the covers and keep you warm?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Would you like to sit on the front porch with your mommy and me? You can play with Cookie on the porch.”

  “I brought some toys with us, Mom. They’re in the car.”

  “You can bring them up on the porch, but I’m going to hold this little angel on my lap and tell her a story about the Rainbow Queen. Would you like to hear about the Rainbow Queen, Gabby? Later, when I have to go back to the barn she can play with the toys.” Gabby nodded and allowed Nealy to pick her up.

  “Once upon a time there was a beautiful queen named . . .”

  “Gabby,” the little girl chortled.

  Nealy’s gaze locked with her daughter’s. “Ah, I see your mommy has already told you this story.”

  “She knows it word for word, so don’t change anything.” Emmie laughed.

  Gabby snuggled into the crook of Nealy’s arm. It felt so right, so good, she felt light-headed with the feeling. Cookie took that moment to hop onto her lap and wiggle his way close to Gabby. Now it was complete.

  Thank you, God.

  It was all behind her now. All the hard work, the sleepless nights, the weary hours, the cold, the heat. She was here again, running for the roses.

  With Metaxas’s help, she settled Shufly into his stall. “This is your day, baby. All I want is for you to do your best and remember this old lady is on your back. You know me and I know you. When we walk into that gate, we are one.” Nealy whispered to the horse as she stroked his head. “God, I wish I knew what you were thinking. If there was only some way you could give me some kind of sign that you understand what today really means I would appreciate it. Part of me wants you to do better than your daddy and another part of me doesn’t want that. I feel so disloyal even thinking such a thing, much less saying it aloud. You have wings on your feet, baby. I want you to use them today.” She continued to whisper as she ran her hands over the mass of quivering horseflesh. In the moment it took her heart to beat tw
ice, Shufly lowered his massive head and nuzzled her ear. Nealy giggled. “I’m going to take that as my sign. Okay, big fella. Here comes your human daddy. Stay calm. I’ll be back in a bit.”

  “Nealy, where are you going? It’s the middle of the night?” Ruby said, her voice filled with anxiety.

  “I just want to walk around a bit. The last time I was here Hunt was with me. I need to stretch my legs and do some thinking. Where is everyone?”

  “Hatch took the kids to the hotel. He’ll be here bright and early with coffee and the morning paper. This is it, Nealy. You okay?”

  “I’m very okay. Are you and Metaxas okay?”

  “You bet. We’ll be right here. Go ahead and do whatever you need to do. Shufly is in good hands. He knows, doesn’t he, Nealy?”

  “Yes. Yes, he does, Ruby. Flyby knew, too. That’s why everything is okay. See you in a bit.”

  Nealy walked out into the dark, misty night. The soft night breeze tickled her face and fanned her hair. She brushed at it with an impatient hand. She was happier at that moment than she had ever been in her entire life. Her kids were home, her world was right side up, and Hatch was there. She looked up at the rolling cloud cover. Rain was in the forecast for tomorrow. She wondered if it would hold off till after the race. In the end, it wouldn’t matter. Shufly was just as good on a sloppy track as he was on a hard, dry one. The only downside was if it rained, her hair would frizz up. She laughed as she dropped to her rear end, her back against a thick, old tree. A perfect spot to sit and watch all the activity. She’d sat there years ago and done the same thing. She smiled as she closed her eyes and relaxed for the first time in days.

  “What’s so funny, Nealy?”

  “Hunt! I’m here. It’s just perfect, Hunt. The kids are home and that grandbaby is something special. She felt so good, all soft and warm. My cup runneth over. Hatch is here, too. Guess you know that, huh? I’m going to get all choked up on the walkover. I’ll be remembering the last time when you were with me. How’s it looking from where you’re . . . ah . . . perched? I can do this, can’t I, Hunt?”