The electronic tote board posted Win: Rockstar at 40 to 1, Place: Perfidy at 2 to 1, and Show: Presidential at 14 to 1. The race had run for 2:02:06 minutes.
Matt Jackson reached over from his adjoining box and shook Mike and Ross’s hands. “Congratulations. Well done—the Oaks yesterday and the Derby today. That’s really impressive, Hamilton, but I’ll be seeing you at the Preakness.”
Maddie threw her arms around Ross and hugged him tight, and then they both hugged Nickie, who was jumping up and down in excitement. Robbie and Mike and their two kids, as well as Grammy Barb, were just as excited, as were all of their friends from Ocala. The Eden Creek Farm victory was especially sweet given all it had taken to get Rockstar, the half blind, hard-luck horse, to the Derby. The enormous investment of time, effort, and love, not to mention money in the form of training costs, vet expenses, and nomination and entry fees in the various preparatory races and the Derby itself, was immense. Having a second Derby winner for the farm, not to mention Delight’s Oaks win, would boost their reputation and escalate their stud fees into the stratosphere. Their stud book would be full for years to come. Breeding reservations for mares from all over the country would pour in. If Rockstar was able to take the Triple Crown, all bets would literally be off! But that was in the future and a very long shot indeed.
The winning purse was $1,425,000 for Eden Creek Farm, track bets aside. Jason Steele who had wagered $2,000—and now wished it had been more—would collect $80,000. Justin and Jamie Devereau, not known to be conservative, had wagered $5,000 a piece and would each take home $200,000. Trent Redding, who was known to be very conservative, but who had also wagered $2,000, was very happy with his winnings of $80,000. The ladies, however, were not talking and would not tell the gentlemen exactly how much they had won. Their Oaks and Derby tickets remained firmly in their purses and their lips were sealed.
Back at the Winner’s Circle in the shadow of the iconic twin white spires of the Churchill Downs clubhouse, Belinda held Rockstar steady as the blanket of five hundred and fifty-four blood red roses was draped across her lap. Maddie thought Belinda had never gotten so many flowers in her life as these last two days. They walked around the winner’s circle with grooms on each side, ever ready for Rockstar to protest the activities on his blind side, but he was a gentleman. It was as though he understood the importance of the day. Flashes popped and hundreds of pictures were taken. Finally, the garland and trophy were presented to Mike and Ross, representing Eden Creek Farm, by the Governor of Kentucky to the strains of the Dan Fogelberg tune “Run for the Roses.”
Ross smiled down at Maddie and brought her fingers to his lips. She smiled back at him as he hugged her close with Nickie sandwiched in between them. Mike and Robbie with their kids all crushed together for a group hug with Grammy Barb squashed in the center. Then hugs and kisses were passed around as all of them switched places while flashes continued to pop.
Ross leaned down and sang along in Maddie’s ear. “It’s the chance of a lifetime, in a lifetime of chance.”
THE END
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I was born in New Jersey and grew up an only child on a small farm in the “Garden State.” My father grew acres and acres of flowers for commercial florists and various produce such as tomatoes. My high school years were spent at Wayne Hills High School, where I was not one of the popular, preppy kids, or one of the hoods—which kind of left me in limbo as I wasn’t one of the brainiacs either. Weekends were spent going into “the City” and Greenwich Village with my friends and doing a lot of things I probably shouldn’t have—don’t tell my grandkids!
After attending Katharine Gibbs School in Montclair, New Jersey, I began a career as a legal secretary and then a paralegal. I moved to Florida and currently live in Davie, Florida with my dog, Snickerdoodles, and my cat, Mimi. I was married for eight years but have been single for many years. My major addiction is jewelry, but any kind of shopping will do for a fix!
After my long-time job as a paralegal was ended by the economic downturn, I decided to turn lemons into lemonade and finally write the stories I’d had in my head for many years. I had always wanted to write romance novels, but my family and job kept me too busy.
My major interest aside from my family and friends is horses. I enjoy putting an animal character into my stories if possible. I am extremely “low-tech” and probably should have been born in the 1800s as I enjoy driving a horse and buggy for fun. I also enjoy horseback riding, but the ground has gotten harder and further away over the years.
I have a small farm and vacation home in Ocala, Florida which is my favorite place in the world. There’s nothing as wonderful as swinging in the hammock in the shade and listening to the music of the wind in the pines while cuddled under a quilt reading a good book.
Books have always been my escape into love and adventure, and through reading, I have been able to be many people, do many things, and go to many wonderful places I wouldn’t have otherwise been able to be, do, or see.
I hope that all hardworking women who have a moment to put up their tired feet and relax with a cup of coffee (or a glass of wine) enjoy getting to meet my fantasy friends and to experience something new and different with a touch of hot romance thrown in for good measure!
Also by Skye Michaels
Siren Classic: Le Club 1: Calleigh’s Collar
Siren Classic: Le Club 2: Kelly’s Challenge
Siren Classic: Le Club 3: Anne’s Courage
Siren Classic: Le Club 4: Paula’s Commitment
Available at
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Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Epilogue
About the Author
Also by Skye Michaels
Madison's Choice Page 15