by Ann Hunter
Alex looked at Mr. North warily.
"My only problem, Alexandra, is that I know what buttons to push to make this horse grow into an athlete and want nothing more than to be faster than every other horse on any given day, but for the life of me I can't figure out how to make you want to stick around and watch it happen. You see, racing is a magical thing." Mr. North stood up and brushed himself off.
"It's unlike any other sport in the world. The horses don't have the big, pompous egos of other athletes. They don't care who their sponsor is, how much money they make, or when their contract expires. They just want to do the one thing they were bred for, the one thing they love more than anything else on earth. They want to run."
Promenade munched happily on his hay and grain. It was hard to imagine this little, leggy creature being more than a carriage horse, for that was the only job Alex had ever really seen a horse do before.
Mr. North didn't try to touch Alex this time, like he had at the hospital, but offered a hand instead.
She took her sweet time deciding if she wanted to accept it or not. His hand was large and clearly weathered. She looked into Mr. North's eyes and realized this was not just a rich man who sat behind a desk all day and took phone calls and filled out paperwork. There was a sad look to him. A hollowness.
Mr. North smiled. "I've got a secret. Would you like to know what it is?"
Alex turned her head to one side. Is this one of those 'I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours' things?
"If you come with me, I'll tell you," Mr. North said.
The lure was just enough to get Alex up and following him out past all of the barns and paddocks to a vast, dirt track, hugged by a forest of evergreens.
"This is where the magic happens." North leaned against the outside rail of the track. "Every morning, long before most people are awake, North Oak comes alive. Horses, grooms, and riders all go to work. It's really quite a sight to see, and we do it every day, year in and year out. It's not just our passion driving us, it's our entire lifestyle."
He took a deep breath, closing his eyes. "This track, and what happens on it, is our lifeblood. The track is magic. Some people think champions are born in a barn. Truth is, Alexandra," he opened his eyes to look at her, "even the horse with the most un-noteworthy of pedigrees can grow into a champion on this very track. All it needs is a little love and guidance." He winked at her. "That's the secret. If you ever want to see what I mean, we saddle the horses for training at five a.m."
Mr. North left Alex there, staring across the distance of whitewashed railing and dirt.
"Slow down, Alex, you'll choke," Cade admonished.
Alex realized how fast she was eating and sat back with a guilty look. "Sorry. It's really good, and I'm starving."
Hillary smiled.
"Didn't they feed you at the hospital?" Laura asked.
Alex took another helping of peas and meatloaf and spoke with a full mouth. "Just nasty-ass, green Jell-o." She wolfed down her food and stood up. "Well, good night."
"Sit," ordered Cade.
Alex paused. "Why?"
"Well, dear," Hillary explained, "in this house we have this thing called manners. We don't just get up and leave whenever we want."
"And we don't swear," Cade added.
Alex sat back down slowly, still chewing a mouthful of food. "If you tell me you don't lie either, I'm gonna laugh and pee myself." She glanced between them, wiping her mouth on her forearm. Their expressions were stoic. She sat up straight. "I'm very tired. May I please be excused?" Weirdos, she mentally added.
Cade waved her on.
"Thank you." Alex placed her dish in the sink and trotted up the stairs. She changed into pajamas the Showmans had given her and set the alarm clock by her ed for five in the morning. That's what time Mr. North had said workouts started.
Crazy people wake up at insane hours to get on dumb horses. 'Ooh, Alex, it's magical! We trot in a circle'.
Alex slid under the clean, well-worn sheets. They were so soft, she almost shivered at their touch. Why am I doing this to myself? I should just leave in the morning.
She shut out the light and curled up into a tight ball. Full stomach, soft sheets, a clean bed that didn't sag, and a pillow she didn't have to beat into submission. Her eyes drooped. This is… pretty nice.
Hillary leaned back in her chair at the table after dinner had been cleared away. She gave Laura a peck when the girl went upstairs to finish homework. As Cade started doing dishes in the kitchen, Hillary pulled out her cell phone and stared at the last conversation she'd had with North.
Hills: There she goes again. I told you she'd run. You want her to stay so badly? Fix it.
North: On it.
Hillary pursed her lips as she thought about Alex. The girl seemed more positive at dinner than the drive home. Hillary started typing at North. What did you say to her?
No answer came until after Cade finished the dishes, kissed Hillary, and told her he'd be in the den watching the game. North's lone response was simple.
:)
LEARNING THE ROPES
5 a.m. came sooner than Alex expected, especially after only an hour or two of sleep plagued by nightmares. She shut off the alarm groggily and rolled onto her back. The covers were cozy and seemed to grow even more inviting when she saw the frost on the bedroom window.
Keep it together. It won't be so bad once you get moving. Just find food and hit the road. They won't even notice you missing.
Gradually she worked up the nerve to leave the comforts of bed and get dressed. After tying her shoelaces, she dashed downstairs. The house was quiet.
On her way out, she grabbed an apple from the bowl of fruit on the dining room table and took her new jacket from the coat rack by the front door. She zipped it up and braced herself for the early November cold. Fortunately it wasn't as bitter as she anticipated, but still pretty brisk.
I probably should have taken more food. A chill ran through her. And heavier clothes.
She scrunched her face up with a pang of regret, but bolted down the stairs. Ashley had been the logical one, the one who was thoughtful and remembered important stuff like extra clothes in their plan to escape. Alex was the tactical one who would keep them safe and fed. They would have made it through everything together.
Now Alex only needed to feed herself. While it made the situation easier, it also made it harder by bitterly reminding Alex the better half of her was gone.
Alex knew she could head back up the main road to the front gate, but what if it was locked this early? She darted left, deeper into the farm. The property had to end somewhere.
But her feet had other ideas, and she eventually found herself near the rail of North Oak's training track. The sun was beginning to peek over the evergreens that lined the oval. A shadow formed at the top of the stretch, shrouded in purple mist. Alex's fingers tightened around the rail. Time seemed to slow dramatically.
The morning rays split the curtain of mist and poured across the back of a bay mare sprinting toward the finish line. Her breathing was deep and rhythmic and reminded Alex of a freight train. The ground shook as the mare thundered by.
Alex shut her eyes just as the sky parted. She inhaled the sweet smell of earth and horse. It did something for her soul, and she knew she must do whatever it took to experience this sensation again and again. Like a powerful drug, horse racing rushed into Alex's veins.
Her eyes fluttered open. Time resumed its steady march. The track was very busy with other sleek, powerful horses gliding across its surface. An old man clutched a stopwatch nearby and maintained an iron focus on the magical mare that had flown past Alex.
She watched the mare round the bend, fighting her rider as the rider asked her to stop. The rider eventually won and turned the mare back. The mare seemed to float over the track, graceful and fluid.
Alex held her breath as the mare danced closer, sideways, leg over leg. The mare chomped on the bit and snorted and blew, early morning
sunlight setting her soft brown coat afire with reds and golds. She turned her head just enough to get a good look at Alex with dark, liquid eyes, and finally she came to a halt in front of the man with the stopwatch a few yards away.
Alex held on to the rail, letting the cool, painted metal slide under her palm. She inched closer to pick up on the conversation between the man with the stopwatch and the rider.
"The last furlong was too fast. You can't do that right before a big race."
The rider took off her helmet, grinning. She didn't seem much older than Alex. "Aw, Pop, she was fine. Relax." She patted the mare's neck and dismounted just as the horse started to jig impatiently.
The old man frowned and ground his teeth. "Don't do it again. We still have to blow her out before we get to Churchill."
The girl sighed. "Are we done? Because I still need to get ready for school."
The man, studying his stopwatch, waved the girl on. She led the mare through the gap, right past Alex. The girl flashed her a smile as she passed.
Alex craned her neck, watching them and wanting to follow, but impossibly rooted to the spot. Questions flooded into her. What's it like to go that fast? Does it feel like flying? Can I do it? She jumped when a voice spoke behind her.
"She's quite the mare, isn't she?"
Alex turned. Oh, look. It's Mr. Creeper. "I guess so," she said to Mr. North, pretending not to care.
Mr. North smiled and rolled a Styrofoam cup of coffee between his hands. "I'm sorry I startled you. I never miss Venus Galaxies's workouts, and I couldn't help notice you sneaking up on old Joe." He motioned to the man who was grimacing and scrutinizing his stopwatch as he watched other horses on the track.
Alex listened passively, eyes fixed on the horses whizzing by, trying not to fall in love with each jagged breath they blew. Riding them looked easy. Just hang on and run away from your problems, forever free.
"He's our head trainer," Mr. North continued. "The girl you saw is his granddaughter, Brooke. She's the one who found you in Promenade's stall the night you tried to run from the Showmans. Come with me and I'll introduce you. I'll bet you get along famously."
Alex tore herself away from the rail and followed Mr. North to the barns. Even though it was still early, horses and grooms buzzed around, coming to and from the track.
The bay mare Alex had watched, Venus Galaxies, stood in the middle of the aisle with a set of chains clipped from her halter to the walls. Brooke slipped a lightweight exercise saddle from the mare's back. Patches of sweat stained the mare's coat where the equipment had been.
"Brooke, I'd like you to meet someone." Mr. North placed his hand on Alex's back, encouraging her forward. "This is Alexandra."
"Alex," Alex corrected.
Mr. North nodded. "Alex, Brooke Merrsal. Brooke, Alex."
"How's it goin'?" Brooke wiped her hands on her jeans and offered one to Alex. "You feelin' any better?"
Alex hesitated.
"C'mon, I don't bite… often." She grabbed Alex's hand and shook it firmly. Before Alex could react and rip away, Brooke pulled her over to the mare's side, thrusting a brush into Alex's hands. "Here. You seem okay. Make yourself useful."
Brooke showed her how to brush correctly for a few strokes. Venus Galaxies shivered with pleasure at the grooming, her head drooping. Alex was amazed at how soft her coat was. She also seemed bigger, originally, but now that Alex was close up, she realized how small and compact the mare was.
Mr. North stood at the mare's head, stroking the small star between her eyes. "Venus Galaxies is racing in the Breeders' Cup this weekend. Would you like to help get her ready, Alex?"
Alex stopped mid-stroke. She knew this would happen. They'd find a way to get her to stay, to make her live out these ten days she was supposed to agree to. She didn't want to get attached.
I can't stay, she thought. Yet, for the first time in her life, she felt compelled to. At least for the reason of getting this natural high again. "You mean, like, what I'm doing right now?"
Mr. North nodded. "A horse's groom is integral to the team. They're the ones who make sure the horse is happy and healthy at all times. You can take care of Promenade, too."
"Sweet!" Brooke grinned. "Another groom. I might actually make it to first period on time for once."
Alex resumed brushing the mare. "I don't like how I'm being pushed into all this."
"So, it's a yes, then? Super." Mr. North patted the mare and left.
"Don't mind him," Brooke said, "He's like that to everybody."
Alex had a sudden understanding of how Hillary must have felt the night Mr. North charged her with Alex's care.
"You'll get used to it."
"How long have you worked here?" Alex asked.
Brooke picked up one of Venus Galaxies's hooves and scraped out debris. "Me? I was born here. Right on Pop's couch, actually. A May storm blew in, cut down all the power lines, toppled trees. From what I hear, it was epic. Everyone at North Oak was trapped for three days. Been around these horses my entire life."
"How old are you?"
"Fifteen and a half. I just started exercise riding on my birthday, but I've been helping Pop train racehorses for as long as I can remember." Brooke finished picking out all of Venus Galaxies's hooves and stood up, looking at Alex. "You look like someone I used to know. Are you sure you're not from around here?"
Alex shook her head. "I'm pretty sure I would remember someone like you."
Brooke grabbed a blanket and tossed it over Venus Galaxies's glowing, freshly groomed hide. "I have to go shower and get ready for school. I've got a lot to teach you when I get home. Think you can put her away for me?"
"Um…"
"It's easy. Take her off the cross-ties here and point her in the direction of this open stall."
Alex nodded. "Okay."
"Thanks. I already put her feed in there, so just put her away after you comb out her mane. You seem smart enough. I'm sure you'll figure it out. Just don't stand at the wrong end of her."
Alex tensed. Her eyes flicked between the mare's front and hind. "Is that the end that bites or craps?"
Brooke laughed. "You're gonna be fine. Just put her away."
A while later, Alex finished and unclipped the cross-ties from the mare's leather halter. They were right beside the open stall, so there wasn't much more to do than point Venus Galaxies in the right direction. She practically dragged Alex in with her and dove into her bucket of grain.
Once outside, Alex closed the door and secured the latch. The only thing now was to figure out what to do the rest of the day while staying out of the way. Everyone seemed so busy.
She headed over to Promenade's stall, but when she got there, a groom told her that the colt had already been led down to the open pastures to play and graze with the other weanlings. Alex made her way over there, watching them race and kick and leap against each other, so full of life and vitality.
Promenade seemed to dominate his friends. He would instigate races with them, challenging them to outmatch his speed. Alex thought he sort of toyed with them, allowing them to pull ahead, only to dig down and pass them without much effort.
When the other weanlings lost to him, he would prance around, and snort and toss his head like he was a big shot, rubbing in his victory. Alex thought he was kind of a punk, but she liked him that way. He kind of reminded her of herself, back at Haven, before everything went down.
Alex spent most of the morning by the paddock, watching the young horses until they dropped from exhaustion and napped in the afternoon sun. The last one standing was Promenade, wondering why all his friends were so pooped.
He came over to say hello to Alex, sniffing her pockets for treats. She scratched him behind his ears, doting on him until, with a swish of his white tail, he lost interest in her and ambled away to lay beside a buddy which he groomed momentarily before collapsing in the warmth of the sun.
Alex pushed away from the fence. I should leave now. Before I find another
reason to stay.
Brooke shucked her school bag in the corner as soon as she got home from school. She was grateful not to have homework today and headed to the kitchen for a snack.
As she stared into the fridge, she wondered what she could make for dinner. Her grandfather was pretty useless at cooking, so Brooke had had to learn while fairly young. If she didn't make something, they'd end up with burnt food and Joe muttering to himself about woman's work.
Having to do all the cooking, cleaning, and laundry in addition to school and riding wore on her. There weren't many people her age at North Oak. Life got lonely at times. What would it be like to actually have friends outside of the farm and do things with them instead of being tied up at home?
A night off once in a while would be nice. Brooke sighed as she drummed the edge of the fridge door with her fingers, looking between some carrots, mushrooms, and celery. By themselves, Joe would complain about rabbit food, but throw in some meat and they'd likely have a decent meal.
She took out the vegetables and peeked in the freezer above to see if they had anything useful. A pound of ground beef was soon chucked on to the counter. Brooke would rather be vegetarian, not because she believed eating meat was inhumane, but because it really didn't appeal to her. Meat dishes were merely "meh." Yet Joe insisted they have it since he was a meat and potatoes man.
She got the frozen critter brick out of its package and placed it on a plate in the microwave to defrost, then started to chop the vegetables, snacking on the carrots and celery. She got to thinking about Alex.
There was something about that kid that got under Brooke's skin. Like they had met before. Where have I seen those eyes? I know them from somewhere. There's more to her, I just know it.
She glanced out the window over the sink. Maybe Laura and I can watch a movie together tonight. Maybe Alex will want to come.