Kentucky Heat

by Fern Michaels

  Grinning from ear to ear, the reporter held out a sheaf of bills. Nealy grinned at her. “So, are you going to retire?”

  “Yes, but not until you run the Preakness and the Belmont. I’m going to go back home and live like a queen. I put down every cent I had in the bank on you, Nealy. Plus yours. Thanks.”

  Nealy hugged her, mud and all. “My pleasure.”

  A long time later, after many handshakes and well-wishes, Nealy finally spotted her brothers, Emmie, and Nick.

  “As soon as you get cleaned up, Nealy, we’re taking you out to dinner to celebrate. Metaxas flew in a chef from somewhere, and the dinner is on him. What’s wrong? Are you too tired?” Rhy asked as he hugged her, then held her out at arm’s length, then hugged her again.

  Nealy looked at her brother and smiled. It was wonderful that he and Pyne had come to the race. Normally it was like pulling teeth to get either one of them away from SunStar. She realized now, after all these years, just how much she meant to her brothers. She knew also that they would never be a daily part of her life but she could count on them and they’d always be there for her. For that she would be forever grateful.

  “No. No, not at all. I guess I’m just surprised. No one said anything about celebrating.”

  “I’ll hustle her back to the motel, get her cleaned up, and we’ll meet up back here. Is that okay with all of you?” Hatch asked. To Nealy, he leaned over and whispered, “We have the rest of our lives. They want to do this for you, and you deserve it.”

  Nealy nodded. “It sure is okay. Make sure you ask Dagmar to come along. Dover and Smitty, too.”

  Hatch asked, “What was it like, Nealy? There for a while all we could see was flying mud. Did Hunt ride with you?”

  “Yep, all the way. I can’t describe it, Hatch. My heart was pounding almost as loud as those thundering hooves. That’s all you really hear. I was screaming and I couldn’t hear my own voice. Shufly, just like his daddy did, waited for his moment and when he saw it he took it. That’s the thing. He knew. Flyby knew, too. Shufly is real comfortable in that three-horse-across position. He likes being in the middle, and that’s exactly where he put himself. I was just along for the ride. I would like a beer and a cigarette, Mr. Littletree.” She took a deep breath and sounded like a deflating balloon when she let it out.

  “While you’re getting cleaned up, I’ll get them for you. I guess I will never understand how you couldn’t be scared out of your wits.”

  “If you’re scared, you don’t belong in the business, Hatch. Your horse reacts to you. When I’m on his back we are one. It’s not him and me. It’s . . . I don’t know the word. It’s like he absorbs me by some kind of osmosis or something. I don’t know if it’s like that for the other jockeys or not. Oh, Lenny, the jockey riding Jake’s Thunder, congratulated me. None of the other jockeys did, though.”

  “Jealousy is the answer.”

  “Whatever. I just want to see Shufly before we head back, okay?”

  “Sure.”

  Everyone was waiting for them at Shufly’s stall. Nealy stood back and watched Metaxas for a moment as he continued to wipe his eyes on the sleeve of his white-linen jacket. The love of an animal, Nealy thought, is a wondrous thing. She inched forward. “Hey, big guy, you did real good out there today. You made me proud to ride you. You rest now.” She held out a handful of mints and watched them disappear. She laughed a moment later when he snapped the buttons off her shirt and spit them out. “I’ll see you later. Metaxas, are you okay?”

  “I’m just in shock. I’m stunned. I can’t believe what I saw. I’m damn well overwhelmed is what I am.”

  “Yeah, it’s kind of wonderful, isn’t it?” she whispered. She leaned over to kiss his cheek. “I’m gonna get cleaned up now. I’ll meet up with you all back here in an hour. Okay?”

  “Nealy, I honest to God love you.” Ruby beamed. Nealy nodded as she walked down the length of the shed row to where Hatch waited for her.

  She turned halfway down and looked back. This part of her life was almost over, she realized with a feeling of sadness. She turned and smiled at the second half of her life waiting so patiently.

  14

  It was a festive dinner, the food exquisite, the orchid centerpiece breathtaking, the china and silver elegant beyond belief. But it was the camaraderie and the laughter that made all the difference to Nealy Diamond Clay on her night of victory.

  Nealy leaned back in her chair and remembered another time when she’d been at another celebration dinner, almost in the same position as she was now but with Kendrick Bell. She couldn’t help but wonder if Ken had watched the race on his television set. Every time she thought about him, which wasn’t that often anymore, she imagined him sitting in his recliner, a remote control in his hand.

  She shrugged away the vision, dropping her hand from the edge of the table to reach for Hatch’s hand. He squeezed hard. How good it felt. How right and wonderful. She couldn’t ever remember being as happy as she was right this very minute.

  “We need one more toast before we call it a night,” Metaxas said, standing up and clinking his wineglass with his dessert spoon.

  “Not another one, Metaxas,” Nealy groaned with good nature. She’d consumed more wine tonight than she usually drank in a year. She hated to think about how she was going to feel in the morning.

  Metaxas looked down his nose at her. “Absolutely, we need another one. This one is for Shufly!” he boomed.

  As one, the occupants sitting at the long table stood up, their wineglasses aloft! “To Shufly!”

  “Hear! Hear!” Nealy shouted. The others joined in.

  “Now can we go back to the motel?” Nick pleaded.

  Metaxas raised his hand. “No, not yet. I have to make a speech.”

  Playing with him, Nealy said, “Then can we go back to the motel?”

  Metaxas stood up and put his hands on the table in front of him. “Now listen, everyone. I practiced this speech for weeks on the off chance that I would get to present it and, by God, I’m going to give it so pay attention. There is no hint of limit to Shufly just like there was no hint of limit with Man O’ War. Maybe he didn’t win the Derby, but Man O’ War was one hell of a horse. When he crossed that wire, he had more to give if needed. Like Secretariat, Shufly showed the greatest exhibition of speed and stamina ever seen. McKay was right when he said he was a lightning bolt when he blazed down that track. Shufly popped out of that gate like a champagne cork and didn’t let up. The whole world remembers Citation and his jockey Eddie Arcaro. I stand here before you with stars in my eyes and a humbleness I’ve never experienced in my entire life. I want you all to know that Nealy Clay is every bit the jockey Eddie Arcaro was. They called Citation the brightest star in the galaxy, but that was because Shufly wasn’t around back then. They said Citation had no faults. He could sprint, he could go two miles, he could go in the mud, and he could go on a hard track. They said he could do it all. Shufly did all of those things today. He belongs up there with the greatest of the great.

  “Seattle Slew,” he droned on, “entered the twenty-first century as the only horse to win the Triple Crown while undefeated. I want you all to listen to me very carefully because I’m telling you, right here, right now, that Shufly is taking it home to Blue Diamond Farms.”

  “Wind it up, honey,” Ruby said, twirling her index finger in the air. “We all want to get some shut-eye, especially Nealy, who looks like she’s going to fall asleep any minute.”

  “I didn’t get to Affirmed or Whirlaway, not to mention Spectacular Bid yet,” Metaxas grumbled. At his wife’s warning look, he said, “Okay, okay. Shufly’s the best. Let’s leave it at that.”

  On the drive back to the motel, Nealy asked, “Hatch, what did we have for dinner? Whatever it was, I ate it, but I can’t remember. I must be really tired.” She yawned as if to prove her point.

  Hatch glanced over at her. “I think you’re beyond tired, Nealy. I know I’m damn well exhausted, and all I did w
as watch the race. I think I remember what we had to eat. There was so much to choose from. I think I had a goat cheese and walnut soufflé on mesclun. The wine was some kind of Merlot. Forest Glen Barrel, I think. Ruby had chorizo and potato empanaditas; it’s a kind of sausage and potato miniturnover with guacamole and fresh tomato salsa. I remember because it looked so good I wished I had ordered it. I think she had a mango cactus-pear sorbet for dessert. She was drinking watermelon margaritas. I do remember that. Metaxas had grilled garlic-marinated skirt steak with lime, poblano strips with onions, and cream-grilled shrimp with ancho pasilla sauce, fresh tomato salsa, warm tortillas filled with steak and salsa, grilled spring onions, and chopped avocado.”

  Nealy could only stare at him. “How can you remember all that?” she asked sleepily.

  “I’m a lawyer, remember. I memorize everything. One of my better traits. Plus I’m used to eating stuff like that.”

  “What did my brothers have?”

  Hatch laughed. “Steak and potatoes. Apple pie for dessert. They drank beer.”

  “ ‘Night, Hatch,” Nealy muttered as she curled into the side of the car seat.

  Laughter rumbled in Hatch’s throat. “Good night, Nealy.”

  Late the next morning, Nealy made her way downstairs to the smell of frying bacon and fragrant coffee. She smiled when she saw Hatch sitting at the table. “You’re up early. Are you going somewhere?” She eyed the sizzling bacon knowing she couldn’t touch it if she wanted to maintain her weight. Just smelling it was enough to make her crazy.

  “I’m heading back to Santa Fe this morning. The office called me late last night. They say my presence is required in the office. I’ll be back this weekend if that’s okay with you.”

  “It’s very okay. I miss you already. Hatch . . .”

  Hatch held up his hands, palms outward. “Remember what I said, we have the rest of our lives. Right now I would only be getting a part of you, and that’s not what I want. I want all of you, Nealy. You have a commitment to Metaxas and yourself. I came along afterward. I can wait my turn.”

  Nealy reached for his hand across the table. “I have to wonder what I did to deserve you even if we got off to a rocky start. I’m really sorry I fell asleep on you the other night. That’s the second time I did that. Did I snore?”

  “Uh-huh. A gentle, ladylike sound. Everyone snores; they just won’t admit it.”

  “You always know just the right thing to say. Will you call me tonight?” She couldn’t help but marvel at his patience and understanding.

  “Absolutely. The morning papers are full of you, Nealy. They’re calling you the Kentucky phenomenon. Some of the articles sounded a little brittle to me, but for the most part I think everyone has taken a step backward. I wouldn’t be a bit surprised to find them all camping out here. With a change of heart, of course. If you bring another Triple Crown winner to this state, you will be on one lofty perch.”

  Nealy shrugged. “So what do you think of these gorgeous flowers, Hatch?” she asked, leaning forward to sniff at the fragrant bouquet. “They’re from the president of the United States and the first lady. The card said, ‘I received your message. Well done, Ms. Clay.’ And he signed it ‘with affection.’ I’m going to save the card and one of the flowers.”

  “They’re beautiful. They mention the flowers in the morning papers. I would assume the florist alerted the paper that you got flowers from the president.”

  “I guess he watched the race. He said he was going to. I thought he might just be saying that, but I guess he meant it. It makes me feel special.” She stuck her nose in one of the roses and breathed deeply. “Heavenly.”

  “You are special, Nealy. I don’t think you have any idea of just how special you really are.”

  Nealy shrugged again. It wasn’t that she didn’t like compliments, she did. Sometimes, like now, she felt uncomfortable with the praise because she wasn’t sure how to respond.

  “I have to get down to the barn and get to work. I don’t want Shufly stiffening up, so I’m going to take him out for a breeze. I’ll look forward to your call tonight, Hatch.”

  He kissed her then. It was a kiss that spoke of many things—desire, passion, and sweet tomorrows. She tingled from head to toe, not wanting to let him go. Not now, not ever.

  It was Hatch who stepped away. “I’ll call you tonight,” he said gruffly.

  “Okay.” In her life she’d never been this shaken. “You make my ears sweat,” she blurted.

  Hatch stopped in mid-stride. He turned around and with one long-legged stride he was next to her again. He touched her ears. “I’ll be damned,” he said, his voice full of awe.

  “What . . . what happened to you?”

  “Me? Oh, I just got a hard-on the size of Mount Rushmore.”

  Nealy laughed all the way to the barn.

  Two weeks later, on a balmy, sun-filled day, Nealy Diamond Clay rode Shufly to victory in the Preakness, her second win in the second jewel of the Triple Crown. Following the win and elated at the horse’s prowess, Nealy fell back to light training for both herself and Shufly. Three days before the Belmont Stakes, she stopped everything to prepare for the trip North.

  The Belmont Stakes.

  The Triple Crown.

  Shufly.

  Hatch.

  The start of a new life.

  Nealy settled herself comfortably in the cab of the Ford Ranger, Hatch behind the wheel. Metaxas and Ruby drove Shufly and the horse trailer, while Dover Wilkie and Smitty followed close behind. A day of traveling, a day of rest, and then the race.

  “Three days from now and it will all be over, Hatch. We’ll drive home after the race, rest up for a few days, and then it’s Nealy and Hatch time. Where are we going again?” She was on top of the world, and that’s where she intended to stay.

  “For starters, we’re going to Hawaii. I’m going to teach you to swim, to sail, to scuba dive. You are going to love snorkeling. When we aren’t playing in the Pacific Jewel, we’ll be making love on our own private beach. We’ll stay there for about three weeks. We’ll island hop. After Hawaii, I thought I would take you to Santa Fe for a little while. Nick will be taking the bar around that time, and I thought you might want to, you know, be his mother while he’s acing the three-day ordeal. After that, I thought we’d do Japan, Hong Kong and maybe scoot on to Australia and New Zealand. From there Africa, maybe Egypt and then back to the States and Colorado, where I’m going to teach you to ski. I have a house there with a giant fireplace that burns whole six-foot logs. I’m going to lace up your ice skates and we’ll twirl around a pond I know of. We’re going to get out my old Flexible Flyer and do some belly whopping and then back to Hawaii for a week or so. In short, Nealy, we are going to do all the things you never got a chance to do while you were growing up. It’s called Fun one-oh-one. I hope you’re looking forward to it as much as I am. We’ll come home for Christmas.”

  “It sounds wonderful, Hatch. I should tell you, I’m not very coordinated.”

  “Are you kidding? You don’t think it takes coordination to ride a horse, especially a racehorse at what is it . . . forty miles an hour? Trust me, Nealy, you won’t have any trouble learning to ski and snorkel. But in case you’re worried, we’ll start off slow. I’ll teach you in a private pool attached to the estate I rented. I want you to be a really strong swimmer before we attempt the ocean. The Pacific is like a jewel. Trust me when I tell you that you will love it. You have to really let go, though. You have to be free to experience everything I want for you. It’s a whole other life, Nealy.”

  “Maggie Coleman Tanaka lives in Hawaii,” Nealy said.

  “So do thousands of other people. It’s unlikely we’ll see her.”

  “Cole Tanner lives in Japan.”

  “Millions of people live in Japan, Nealy. It’s also unlikely that we’ll see him either. Are you worried?”

  “No.” Nealy turned to look out the window. “I don’t know why their names keep popping into my head. It i
s something to think about, though. Hatch, where are we going to live when we settle down?”

  “Where would you like to live, Nealy?” he said, answering her question with a question. “It’s up to you.”

  Nealy thought about it for a moment. “That’s just it, I don’t know, Hatch. If Emmie is running Blue Diamond Farms, she’s going to want to do it her way, not my way. That’s the way it should be. I think I’m going to be more or less homeless. Ruby and Metaxas are talking about buying the Goldberg farm. It used to belong to Buddy’s family. If that happens, they’ll be able to help Emmie and vice versa. Nick will be settled down in Santa Fe. I want to visit often with Emmie, so Gabby gets to know me. We can do that, can’t we, Hatch?” Just the thought of little Gabby made her smile.

  “Absolutely. We can stay in Kentucky if you like. Hell, Nealy, I don’t care where we live as long as we’re together. Don’t worry about it. Where we live really isn’t a problem. Between the airlines and my plane, we can be anywhere we want to be in a matter of just a few hours.

  “We can take Gabby for whole summers if Emmie allows it. We’ll work everything out. Where should we get married? At the farm?”

  “In a church. I want to get married in a church. I want to walk down the aisle and I want Gabby to be my flower girl. I want Smitty, Ruby, and Emmie to stand up for me. How about you?”

  “Bode, Hank, Nick, and Metaxas,” he responded without hesitation. “We got it covered, Nealy. Just one question, though. Are you as happy as I am?”

  “I’m so happy I could just bust wide open. I’ll be even happier when this last race is over. I had this dream last night, Hatch. You aren’t going to believe it especially the way I’ve been moaning and groaning about being a senior. In my dream I had stationery printed up that said, Nealy Littletree, Senior Citizen.”

  Hatch laughed so hard the truck rocked underneath them. He continued to laugh until tears rolled down his cheeks.

  “Wait, there’s more,” she said, reaching out to touch his arm. “I wrote a letter to the president and the first lady on that stationery thanking them for the beautiful flowers.” She doubled over, laughing hysterically. Hatch gasped as he wiped at his eyes with the back of his hand.