Kentucky Heat

by Fern Michaels

  “When was the last time you laughed like that, Nealy?”

  “Probably never.” Nealy wiped at her eyes with a tissue from the glove compartment. “You are so good for me, Hatch.”

  “And you’re good for me.”

  They talked about everything under the sun for the next few hours. She realized suddenly that she knew very little, if anything, about Hatch’s childhood. “Tell me what it was like growing up on a reservation, Hatch. You know all about me, and now I want to know all about you.”

  “Do you really want to know, Nealy?”

  “I do, Hatch. I want to know everything about you. Don’t leave anything out either.”

  “My earliest memory is running with my friends. I was barefoot and half-naked. . . .”

  “Are you feeling good about this, Nealy?” Metaxas asked as he stroked Shufly’s big head. “He knows, Nealy, that today is different, just like he knew the Derby and the Preakness were different. See, he’s not going after my buttons. That means something to me. That means he knows. He knows, Nealy.”

  “You’re babbling, honey,” Ruby said, linking her arm with his.

  “They always know,” Nealy said gently. “There’s the call for Riders Up. Gotta go. Wish me luck.”

  Dover stood next to Shufly, waiting for her. “You pulled gate nine, Nealy. That’s good. Just let Shufly find his place. He does love that three-across spread. Bring it home, Nealy,” Dover said, hugging her tightly and then cupping his hands to give her a leg up.

  Nealy wiggled down into her seat. “I’ll do my best, Dover. You know Shufly is going to do his best. See ya, Dover.”

  The crowd roared with excitement when Nealy in her purple-and-white silks, rode into view.

  “My God,” she whispered, then bent to pat Shufly’s mane. “I think they like us. Look at them, Shufly. Turn your head and look at them.” He did just that: turned his head toward the crowd, perked his ears, then rolled back his lips in what Nealy could only describe as a smile. “You are a ham, Shufly.” She started to laugh, catching the attention of the jockey behind her.

  “What’s so funny?” he called to her.

  “Trust me, you wouldn’t believe it even if I told you,” she called over her shoulder.

  In the gate, Nealy stroked Shufly. She bowed her head and said her prayer. “Please, God, keep all the animals and jockeys safe in this race.”

  She snuggled down into her seat and prepared herself. “You back there, Hunt?”

  “I’m hanging on, Nealy. You okay?”

  “I’m very okay, Hunt. How’s it look from your vantage point?”

  “Tight as a duck’s ass. Smoky Joe is the one you have to watch out for. He’s got some speed in those legs. Cherokee Charlie can come from behind and into the stretch like greased lightning. Hiz Honor is in gate eight. He’s hot spit, Nealy. You’re the odds-on favorite, and we both know that can mean squat on the homestretch. This horse can do it. I know he can.”

  “Okay, okay. Enough. I need to talk to my horse now. Like me, you’re just along for the ride. Remember that. Don’t go confusing me.” Putting Hunt out of her mind, Nealy leaned over Shufly’s withers.

  “Then why didn’t you say so.”

  “I just did.”

  “Listen to me, big guy, it’s all the mints you want if you do this for Metaxas. All I want is your best. I know you’re tired because I’m tired, and I’m just sitting on your back. You win this and it’s bluegrass pasture, mares, and the love of the nicest man in the world. Okay, it’s time, sweetie. Blast out of this gate and show all those slugs you mean business.”

  The bell rang, the gate clanged open. “And they’re off in the Belmont Stakes!” The announcer blared over the public address system.

  “Smoky Joe broke slowly and breaking on the lead is Cherokee Charlie on the inside, Hiz Honor showing speed on the outside. Next to him is Shufly, the odds-on favorite to bring home a second Triple Crown to the state of Kentucky and ridden by Cornelia Diamond Clay.

  “Hiz Honor gets the lead, but Cherokee Charlie is taking over by two lengths. Smoky Joe is moving up and here’s Shufly moving up on the inside and has moved to capture the second position. Smoky Joe is dropping back. Bringing up the rear is Bee Bop, followed by Starlite, Secret Sam, and Bell Wether. On the far outside is Silver Streak and Loveboat.”

  Nealy allowed herself a quick glance at Cherokee Charlie, whose jockey had a reputation for taking unnecessary risks. Other than that, she felt they were in a solid position. “Keep it up, boy, you’re doing just fine,” she shouted.

  She could hear the excitement building in the crowd when the announcer blared on the horn. “Bee Bop is starting to nose up as Hiz Honor moves on the outside, and here come Fast Track, Silver Streak, Secret Sam, and Lord April. Moving into the turn it’s Cherokee Charlie ahead by half a length with Shufly on the rail right behind him.”

  Out of the corner of her eye Nealy saw Cherokee Charlie’s jockey rein his mount toward her. She needed to get out of the way before Shufly got pinned to the rail.

  “Flying on the inside is Secret Sam, who is three lengths back from third and is now quickly making up ground. Smoky Joe is attempting to get through and is also moving up.

  “Moving at breakneck speed is Cherokee Charlie, who moved up as Shufly blazes alongside. Smoky Joe is in third, a gap of two and a half lengths. Here comes Bee Bop, followed by Starlite and Secret Sam and Bell Wether. On the outside is Silver Streak and Loveboat. On the inside is Oscar and moving on to the backstretch is Lord April and on the inside, ahead and in front is Shufly in second and ahead by four lengths. Cherokee Charlie is third and ahead by four and a half lengths. Smoky Joe is in fourth place by a length and a half. Beginning to nose up is Bee Bop. Hiz Honor moves on the outside and here come Fast Track, Silver Streak, Secret Sam, and Lord April. Moving into the turn is Cherokee Charlie, Smoky Joe by half a length.

  “Blazing along on the inside is Secret Sam, who is three lengths back from third and is now quickly making up ground and is fourth on the outside. Smoky Joe is attempting to get through along the railing and is also moving up and it’s back to the next horse Bell Wether and into the stretch for Shufly, Cherokee Charlie, and Smoky Joe.”

  “Now, Shufly, go now! There’s enough room,” Nealy screamed, so loud she thought her tongue was falling out. “Get out now before you get pinned in.” She could hear Hunt screaming in her ear as the sound of the racing horses thundered all about her. “Go, baby, go! This is it!”

  “It’s Shufly and Cherokee Charlie battling it out together and here comes Smoky Joe closing ground fast and moving into third. It’s Shufly ahead at the stretch and he is taking over. Shufly is moving away by a length, by two and now it’s two and a half lengths. Look at that horse fly! He has wings on his feet, and they aren’t made of gossamer.

  “Smoky Joe drives up on the outside and into second, Cherokee Charlie closing off on the inside. Going down to the wire is Shufly by four lengths, Cherokee Charlie is in second, and Smoky Joe is third.” Screaming over the thunder of the crowd, the announcer blared, “Shufly straightened out his tail and is heading for the wire and it’s Shufly who wins the Belmont Stakes and takes home the Triple Crown to Blue Diamond Farms!”

  Nealy lifted up and off the saddle and stood in the irons, waving to the crowd, who, almost as one, shouted her name. When she came back around and in front of the grandstand, she gasped when she heard the announcer say, “Here she is, ladies and gentlemen, the woman of the moment, Nealy Diamond Clay, the first woman to win the Triple Crown not once but twice!”

  As one, the crowd rose to their feet to give her a standing ovation.

  “Hell of a race, Nealy. That crowd loves you. Thanks for inviting me!”

  “My pleasure, Hunt. Is this some kind of horse or what?” she gasped, sitting back down into the saddle.

  “He’s the kind of horse he is because of you, Nealy, and don’t you ever forget it. I’ll see you around.”

  “Hunt, wait. What does
that mean, you’ll see me around?” Nealy asked, struggling with her breathing.

  “I’m saying good-bye. You don’t need me anymore. Here comes the big guy. I told you he was your destiny. Be good to him, and be happy, Nealy. You deserve it.”

  Nealy ripped off her goggles and cried into Shufly’s mane. Her face streaked with dirt and tears, she trotted into the winner’s circle. A lump the size of a golf ball settled in her throat. She watched as Metaxas Parish dropped to his knees and kissed the ground next to Shufly for all the world to see.

  “I would have done a cartwheel, but I’m too damn old,” he said getting up and wrapping his arms around Shufly’s neck. “Congratulations, Nealy. Two Triple Crowns by father and son. You’re going to go down in history.”

  “Watch this, Metaxas,” Nealy said. To the roar of the crowd, Nealy swept her hat in front of her in a sitting curtsy, acknowledging their well-wishes. “Your turn, Shufly,” she said, and the Triple Crown Winner bowed to the crowd.

  “Is it my turn now?” Hatch said later, when the amenities were over and Shufly was being led away to be cooled down.

  “No. It’s our turn.” Nealy burst out laughing. “I am now going to eat until food pours out of my ears. I am going to drink four bottles of beer and smoke as many cigarettes as I want. I’ll quit smoking tomorrow. Can you fill that order for me, Hatch? By the way, Hunt said good-bye to me. He said I didn’t need him anymore. He said you were my destiny.”

  “Did he now?”

  “Yep. And you know what, he’s right. Hunt was always right except on the rare occasions when he was wrong.” Nealy smiled at her declaration.

  “Nealy, you won two Triple Crowns! No woman in the world has ever done that.”

  “Yeah, I know. But I can’t ski, snorkel, or ice-skate. Hell, I’ve never even had on a pair of roller skates. The truth is, the Triple Crowns belong to those magnificent animals I raised and trained. It doesn’t seem right that they should be given to me. I understand the process; it just doesn’t seem fair.”

  “You made Thoroughbred racing history today. You, a senior citizen.”

  “Fancy that.” Nealy laughed. “I am now officially yours, Mr. Littletree.”

  “Metaxas has some wonderful dinner party planned. We need to get ‘gussied up,’ as Ruby put it, for the festivities. It’s a celebration and a send-off for Dagmar. She’s returning to Sweden tomorrow with, as she put it, her poke filled to the brim.”

  “I just want a bath. But first I want to see Shufly.”

  “Then let’s go.”

  In the barn, where Shufly was being catered to like a brand-new father, Nealy walked over to him, hands on hips, and stared at him with unblinking intensity. “You are the marvel in marvelous. There are no words, and if there are, I certainly don’t know them, to tell you what a fine horse you are. You are your daddy’s son. That’s probably the greatest compliment I can give you. I love you with all my heart, but you belong to Metaxas. From this day forward, you’re going to have the most wonderful life imaginable. I’ll come back to see you from time to time. Just don’t forget about me, okay?” Nealy said, wrapping her arms around the horse’s neck.

  Shufly pawed the ground and snorted as he pushed Nealy to the side to rub his muzzle against her. “What? What do you want?”

  “He wants you to get on his back,” Metaxas said quietly. “Here, I’ll lift you up. Don’t ask me. This horse has a mind of his own. I think he wants to do his parade strut. He knows it’s over now. He’s doing it for you, Nealy. Go for the ride.”

  Tears streaming down her cheeks, Nealy sat tall as Shufly trotted the length of the barn and then back. When he returned to his stall, his front legs bent so she could slide off his back, he reared back and let loose with a sound that was neither a whinny or a whicker.

  “It’s his roar of approval for you, Nealy,” Metaxas said. Nealy bit down on her lower lip until she tasted her own blood. She managed to nod, the tears still streaming down her cheeks.

  “See ya, big guy!”

  Nealy ran from the barn.

  This part of her life was now over.

  The dinner was a colossal gourmet delight. The bushel basket of roses in the center of the table smelled heavenly. Nealy looked around, her champagne glass aloft. “I want to make a toast to the two finest horses in the world. To Flyby and Shufly!”

  “Hear! Hear!”

  Nealy swallowed the contents of her glass in one gulp. She held it up for a refill and locked her gaze with Mitch Cunningham.

  “I know I wasn’t invited, and I won’t stay,” the cinema-tographer said. “You did say I should look you up after you won the Triple Crown. You didn’t say if, you said when. So, will you do it?”

  Nealy looked across the table at her daughter. “Emmie, they want to make a movie about me. They want to film it at Blue Diamond Farms. What do you think?”

  “Go for it, Mom!” Emmie said.

  “Can you shoot your film around me? I’m going off with my fella here for a little while.”

  Cunningham could only bob his head up and down. She said yes. That meant she agreed. Christ, he’d been prepared for everything under the sun but the word yes. “I have the contracts in the car,” he said.

  “Send them to my lawyer. If he says it’s okay, Emmie, my daughter, has my power of attorney. By the way, my attorney is my son, so that contract better be real good. With one condition.”

  Cunningham groaned. “What?”

  “You get that studio of yours to put my picture on the front cover of Modern Maturity. And the horse’s.”

  “Done!”

  “Okay, everyone, Hatch and I are leaving. You’ll see us when you see us. Six months or so. Maybe sooner. Maybe later. Bye!”

  “Smitty! Come quick. I got a letter from Mom. Hurry, Smitty!” Emmie shouted as she ran up the steps of the back porch and into the kitchen. She ripped at the envelope. “Ohhhh, it’s a nice long one. We’re going to need coffee with this one. A cigarette would be nice,” she cajoled.

  “You’re worse than your mother. One cigarette, that’s it. Where is she? Read!” Smitty ordered.

  “Japan. Okay. Here goes.”

  My Dear Emmie,

  First things first. I miss you, Gabby, and Smitty. I think about all of you and the horses every single day. Without you running things, Emmie, I wouldn’t be able to be here with Hatch.

  Hatch and I spoke to Nick several days ago. He passed the bar. I was so excited, I almost fainted. I think I was more excited than Nick was. He now sits in his father’s chair, in his father’s office. I am so happy for him. I hope you are just as happy running Blue Diamond Farms, Emmie.

  I don’t know where to start. Everything is so wonderful. I’ve learned to swim in the ocean and snorkel. In my wildest dreams I never thought I would do half the things I’ve been doing. I can ski a little on the bunny hills. My rear end is sore from falling on the skating rink. I loved every minute of it. Hatch is such fun. People look at us because all we do is laugh and hold hands. I’m looking forward to spending the rest of my life with him.

  I’m having my wedding gown made in Hong Kong. Hatch knows this tailor who will measure me and make the dress in two days. He also knows someone who will take a mold of my feet and make me shoes to match the wedding gown. They will mail it home, so be on the lookout for it. I hope Smitty reserved the church and that plans for the reception are under way. Imagine me getting married the day after Christmas. The tailor is also making Gabby’s flower-girl dress. I’m so glad I had the size with me. Make a note, Emmie, to find a special little basket for the flower petals. One she will be comfortable carrying down the aisle.

  Tell Smitty and Ruby I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my entire life. I am literally seeing the world I only read about in a newspaper or saw on television and I am loving every minute of it.

  And now for the biggest surprise of all. Hatch persuaded me to look up Cole Tanner and mend my fences, one board at a time. I did, and we met for dinner the othe
r night. At first we stared at one another, neither of us sure what we should say. Hatch took matters into his own hands and got the conversation going. Cole has a wonderful family. His children are as precious as Gabby. It will be nice for her to have cousins even though they are so far away. We parted friends, and Hatch invited all of them to the wedding. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if they could come? I’m okay with it all. I realize now I can’t live my life full of bitterness and hatred. Hatch helped me with that part of it. That part of my life is over. We have to start somewhere, and this was a beginning. In the end, nothing is as important as family. Cole agreed.

  Give everyone my love, and if things work out according to plan, we’ll be home the week before Christmas. We’re leaving for Hong Kong later today. I’m enclosing the balance of my itinerary should you need it. Give Gabby a hug from her grandmother.

  All my love,

  Mom

  “Wow!” Emmie said.

  “Wow is right,” Smitty said.

  “I think she’s finally happy, Smitty. When I think back, I hardly ever remember Mom laughing. She smiled, but she never really laughed. I always wanted to make her laugh, but I didn’t know how.”

  “I think she’s making up for lost time,” Smitty said. “I can’t believe she invited the Colemans to the wedding. I wonder who’s next on her list. I might as well get to it. Do you need anything, Emmie?”

  “Nope. I have a ton of work to do. I’ll be up when it’s time to pick Gabby up at the bus. She does love preschool. She thinks she’s hot stuff riding on the bus. I used to be like that. The only difference was, I couldn’t shout with glee when I got off and ran to Mom. She was always waiting for me. Always. She never missed a day. God, I’m so glad she’s happy.”