Teegan nodded and slid down under the blanket. “Good night, Georgie. Thank you.”
Georgie kissed her forehead, turned, and walked back into the kitchen, turning out the lights as she made her way to her room.
Suddenly, Georgie felt totally drained of life and energy. Her eyes were blurry. I just want to sleep. I feel like I am walking through frozen molasses. She fell naked into the bed, chuckling. You never know. Well, you know tonight—Teeg is on the couch and Vicente is—holy cow. Vicente! Oh my. Vicente. Who is that man? Tomorrow I will search on the Internet for him. And ask Osvaldo lots of Freddie-type questions.
Chapter 7:
The Forrest Gump of Roast Beef
The sun was streaming through the curtains as Georgie rolled over on to her side. The clock said nine fifteen. Holy crap. I haven’t stayed in the bed that long in years. I am getting too old for all that stuff it takes to do the event. Wow. I ache. Stretching with her arms above her head, she recalled yesterday and last night and ran through it quickly. The riding was fantastic. There were no injuries. Everyone had a great time at the dinner and I met a most sensuous, smart man. A very unique combo and one I want to more fully explore. Yikes. I really needed to deal with the break in and do a full accounting of what might be missing and what was damaged.
“Coffeeeeeee. I need coffeeeeeee.” After throwing on her sweats and a T-shirt, she walked quickly in search of a big cup of black coffee. Teegan was sitting at the table, the dogs right at her feet. “Good morning. I neeeeeed coffeeee.” Georgie sang this out loudly, resulting in a gasp of laughter from Teegan.
“Wow. You are certainly wound up this morning. Good day, sunshine. Good day, sunshine.” She sang back the famous old Beatles song.
Her coffee poured, Georgie walked over to the table, gave Teegan a small hug around her shoulders. “Did you finally sleep last night?”
Teegan hugged her back. “Not really. Even the dogs didn’t want to be near me, I was so restless. I feel like I’m a big confused mess of a woman. I’m angry, and I know that does no good. I keep trying to compare myself to Celeste’s new squeeze, but I can’t see it. I just don’t understand what I did wrong. Oh my, I’m sorry, Georgie. I didn’t mean to dump all of that crap right out, first thing in the morning. Deep breath. Yesterday was fabulous. I loved running Bonnie, and it didn’t hurt that I won the division after being away for a while. The word will get out. You and Freddie do such an amazing job. It was really special. Thank you for letting me be here.”
“Yes, yesterday was special. Very exciting and lots of fun. The dinner was great. I had a nice time, myself.”
“Who was that man you danced with? Very attractive, though not really my type.”
“Ha. Not your type! That’s funny. No, I guess he’s not. Anyway, he’s a friend of Osvaldo’s from Spain. He was so polite, almost formal, and seems very smart. He’s a consultant in turf and course design. It’ll be interesting to talk with him this week.”
“Oh. Well, that’s interesting.”
Teegan didn’t sound interested at all, and Georgie picked up on it.
“Uhmmm, Georgie, I made a bunch of calls yesterday, telling people I am back, and I have an offer from Anna Lise Beckenbauer to go to Wellington to ride some of her horses for the season. She lost her lead rider to a broken leg and was beginning to feel desperate when I happened to call her. I’m going to go. It’s important for me to get myself back in the game as quickly as I can. Working with her in Florida, I’ll be in a much better position to make other contacts and to figure out what’s best for me.
“I owe you a huge thanks, Georgie. You’ve been so generous to take me in—literally and figuratively. You’ve always been there when I needed you and Friday was no exception. And I know I cannot bear to hurt you again. It would be so easy and wonderful to be here with you, but I’m not sure that’s what you see as your life. So, I’ll leave tomorrow morning, go to Florida, and ride the winter season and see what happens. The situation between Celeste and me is irreparable, I think, and there’re many minute details that must be resolved before I can truly be unencumbered by anger, disappointment, and a complicated business situation. I wouldn’t wish that on anybody, especially you, my dearest Georgie. So, I’ll go tomorrow. I hope that you understand.”
Putting her cup down, Georgie took a deep breath and let it out slowly. That is the least selfish thing I have ever heard Teegan say. “Teegan, I believe that it’s the right thing for you to do, for you. You do need time alone to think about what you want your life to be. I’ll be right here. My life is here, my farm, my family, and my practice. You have several years of international-level competition in front of you. You must capitalize on your age, your experiences already, and your vision for what you can accomplish in the ring. Your talent is immense. Everyone saw that yesterday. You rode so beautifully. It was breathtaking. Go to Florida. Anna Lise has some amazing horses under her training, and you’ll do so well. And, you, my dear, are always welcome here. In fact, you will definitely have to ride in the trials next year. Everyone will expect you!”
Jumping up with a smile beginning to warm her face, Teegan wound her arms around Georgie and hugged her close. “Thank you, Georgie. Thank you. I can’t really say anything else but thank you.” She was crying and as she pulled away, wiping her eyes she said, “So can I make you a good-bye breakfast that can’t be beat?”
“Of course. Have at it. The kitchen is yours. And, because I can, while you cook, I’ll go get my shower.”
As Georgie moved through the house to the shower, she ruminated on the past few days. She felt beat-up and sore, emotionally and physically. She hoped that the shower would loosen things up a bit and help clear her mind.
As hot water cascaded over Georgie’s back, she stretched into it, feeling her tired back begin to unwind. Turning around, she let the water run down over her breasts and legs. Well, that’s not at all what I expected. She soaped herself with her favorite basil-and-lemon handmade soap. If I am honest with myself, I’m relieved. I’m not emotionally ready to address being with Teegan and what that means. I’m not sure if that’s my destiny. I’m often very confused when I think about this, and having Teegan here would have made me jump right back into a relationship with her. Just think about the resulting impacts on my other relationships. Yikes.
If I’m honest with myself, I need to really settle all of this in my own mind, I know. But on my time, not someone else’s. I wasn’t looking forward to listening to endless stories about Celeste’s wrongdoing and infidelity. I’ve had too much of that from Freddie, frankly and am not really interested in the gory details. I’ve got lots going on in my life, trying to figure my own future out. How much time do I devote to judging? To my research and writing, to my practice?
Oh my God. Then mystery man Vicente shows up out of nowhere. Holy crap. What does that mean to me? I could fuck him silly right now. And at the same time, I am interested him as an intelligent person. He clearly has something to say—he said as much in wanting to discuss competition versus training with Freddie and me. Plus, he’s freakin’ gorgeous, and I could fuck him silly a second time. Ha! Like that’s going to happen any time soon. Well, at least I’ll get to know him better. Then we’ll see about the next steps, which in my logical mind is fucking him silly multiple times. Ha!”
Georgie shocked herself with what she was thinking and laughed to herself as she dressed. On went tan breeches, a white turtleneck shirt and a deep blue Honor Creek Farm sweatshirt. The day was sunny and cool, perfect for a rigorous ride across the farm and back. The hot shower, Teegan’s big decision and thinking about Vicente mad her fell almost giddy and silly.
“Okay, Teeeegan, what fabulous concoction did you come up with this morning? Eggs Benedict? Pancakes and bacon? Omelets?”
“Nope, none of the above. There was left over prime rib in the fridge from last night, as well as roasted potatoes. I made a little white sauce, sautéed some onions, and made a hearty roast beef hash. I just ne
ed to fry our eggs, and we will be ready to eat. Get yourself some more coffee. It’ll be ready in a jiff.”
“Roast beef hash? Brilliant. I never would have thought of that. I would have just eaten the beef in hunks! I’m soooo hungry. This is going to be delicious. Would you be interested in a trail ride later today? I want to take Tanner out. I need to go figure out what happened in my office, and then we can go.”
Teegan looked stunned. “What happened in your office?”
“Oh, you probably don’t know. Sometime over night on Friday, someone broke into my office, tore everything up, tried to light some papers on fire, and stole my course design and calculations for the trials. Our sheriff came out and did an investigation, but because of the event, I didn’t have the time to really deeply examine the damage or what else might be missing. So I’ll do that today. Jan and I will connect all the dots together tomorrow, and we will figure out what happened.”
“Oh my God, Georgie. I had no idea. You didn’t let on one iota that anything was wrong. You are strong, my friend. Very strong. Well, after you eat, go over and do what you have to do. Then come and get me when you want to ride. I can clean the kitchen, walk the dogs, and, to sweeten the deal, how about if I make dinner tonight? Lots of leftovers from the party just waiting for a creative person to do something to them! Invite Freddie. I would like to spend some time with her before I go.”
They settled in to eat the hearty breakfast, and suddenly Teegan began chanting in a fake southern accent, “Roast beef hash, roast beef sandwiches, roast beef marinara, roast beef gumbo, roast beef sukiyaki, roast beef spaghetti, roast beef turnovers, roast beef on toast, roast beef soup, roast beef salad…Ha! Just call me the Forrest Gump of leftover roast beef.”
The breakfast was most enjoyable, and they laughed at Teegan’s bad imitation of Tom Hanks. They recounted some of the junior rides from the day before which were so sweet and slow. Teegan chuckled.
“Those little kids have so much gumption on those ponies. Plus, anyone who can get a stubborn pony over any kind of jump deserves a ribbon. Ponies are evil creatures. I really don’t like ponies.”
“Oh crap, Teegs. When was the last time you rode a pony? I should give you one today. The ponies are cute and the kids were great. They did just fine. You’re used to riding these huge warm bloods, animals that are bred for that work. Like Bonnie. You know how and why she was bred the way she was, you did it. She was incredible yesterday. Her form was perfect. All the judges and spotters talked about her to me. Oh, and they mentioned, you too. Ha!”
“Yeah, yeah. Me too. But seriously, you’ve done so much with her. She’s willing, smart and giving. And, I think she still remembers French. I was talking her the whole time, Friday in practice, too, in French. I was amazed on Friday that she responded to my urging as we took the downhill jumps. Then when we got to the track, I kicked lightly and said, ‘Allez-les Bonne Coeur!’ She surged. It was amazing. I haven’t ridden her for nearly five years. And I doubt that anyone here is talking in French, are they?”
“No, but sometimes Osvaldo speaks to the horses in Spanish. Maybe she’s bilingual, like you! All that Gump talk you do. Seriously, though, needless to say, I was watching carefully. I saw you talking to her as you came into the corner. I couldn’t read your lips. Typically, I see riders saying, ‘Come on, let’s go,’ or something similar. Usually useless. You, I saw talking, really talking, and I wondered what you were saying. I saw the light kick, and she came out from behind those trees like no other horse yesterday—fast, fast, fast and perfectly balanced on the track, after taking the three jumps behind the trees. Your circle was perfect, and I know I saw Bonnie smile as you did your salute. Of course, you heard the crowd go nuts.”
“Oh, Georgie. It was so much fun. Really fun. Yes, I was talking to her, telling her that I loved her and that she has become a lady, a stunning horse. I told her I missed her, that I knew she could do anything we decided to do. Yesterday, as we turned and I drove her down the hill, I told her to be patient with the jumps, to be square, straight and to love the jump. I told her, en Français, plus sur, that she would take every one of those jumps ‘perfectement et supreme.’ She did.
“Your course was unique. The uphill, the downhill, and the flat were all unusually laid out. That’s why you farm’s students do so well in regional competitions. They’re riding your courses, and those are unlike anyone else’s in the US. In Europe, for that matter. I’m not kidding. They get to a ‘normal’”—Teegan made air quotes—”competition, and it’s easy for them. That’s also why the other very advanced riders, and by the way, let’s not call them pros anymore because they are not, had to really study and think about what to do with your course. It wasn’t the usual thin gruel of high, low, corners, and coffins. It was serious thinking out there. And that, Georgie, is what makes you a major force in this business.”
“Oh my. Thank you, Teeg. Coming from you, that is most important, and appreciated. You rode Bonnie so beautifully. I’m supposed to talk with some trainers about Bonnie over the next couple of weeks. There are a few who want to take her to Florida. I honestly have not had in-depth conversations, but maybe we should try to figure something out about Bonnie. You and she are an unbelievable combination. Let me work that while I am in the office today, okay? I’m not promising you anything. Please be clear. But it’s worth a conversation with a few of them and understand what they think her prospects are. I know they are thinking about ribbons, wins, and sponsors. I don’t know if any of them has a rider in mind.”
Georgie took a big pause. “Okay, let’s get this show on the road!”
Chapter 8:
Increasing Attractions
The office door was still locked. Georgie was relieved that Jan and her other sheriffs had not draped it in yellow “Do not cross” tape. That would have caused so many people to want to engage. It felt good that Teegan had not heard. That meant that she, Freddie and Osvaldo had managed to keep the incident quiet. Opening the door, Georgie again got a whiff of something sweetish and, ultimately, unpleasant. This all happened in a second or two. Odd, it reminds me of dead flowers. Sickly sweet and powdery at the same time.
God, what a mess. Georgie began the cleanup. Two hours later, she concluded that there were two things missing—the chart from the race and all of Bonnie’s hard paper files. Very, very strange. She dialed the sheriff’s number.
“Hey, Jan. It’s Georgie. I figured out that the chart and all of one of my horse’s paper files are missing.” She listened to Jan. “Yeah, I made copious notes about the files. I have backups of each file on the computer and with my lawyer….Okay. Thanks, Jan. Let’s talk next week.”
Georgie walked through the barn. “Do you want to ride with us, Osvaldo?” He was an amazing rider.
He shook his head. “No, Miss Georgie. I want t get done and go home today. But thank you. I’ll get Tanner from the field for you.”
Georgie gave a quick call to Teegan. “Are you ready to ride? I have two ponies for you to choose from. Come on over to the barn.”
“Ha! I hope one is that little gray nasty thing from yesterday. I can’t wait to kick his little butt over a three-foot jump. I’ll be right over.”
She dialed another number. “Freddie, do you have time for a ride? Come on over dressed and you can take one of mine. If the kids are around, bring them, we have plenty of horses who would love a trail ride.”
Soon, a group had formed, including a few boarders who saw Teegan and knew that they could learn just by watching her ride. Mack, Brock, and Freddie arrived. Georgie was tightening the girth strap around Tanner’s belly when she heard footsteps behind her. It was Vicente. He had on tan full seat breeches, a collared shirt, a dark green sweater, a pin with a large horse head surrounded by some kind of flowers on his collar, and shining tall black riding field boots. Georgie could not help herself and glanced down at his crotch. One thing I do love about men in riding breeches is that you get to see the package. Oh, what a lovely grab-
able lump. Oh my gosh. I’ve just met this man. I’m holding a thirteen-hundred-pound animal. Pay attention. Pay attention.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Georgiana. Valdo tells me that you are going for a ride. May I join you? I have not ridden in several days and long to feel a horse beneath me.”
“Ah, Vicente. Nice to see you.” She smiled Would you like to have me beneath you?
Engaging his dark eyes in conversation, she raised her eyebrows. “Ah, good. I suspect Osvaldo has already chosen a horse for you, but yes, please, I very much want you to join us.”
Oh my God. I am not speaking in sentences much less speaking in paragraphs. I am mellllllting. Melting. Holy crap. He looked at me and I got wet. In my crotch. Jeez Louise. What the hell? I thought that maybe last night was because of the wine and the fact that he’s so freakin’ gorgeous. Today, it’s not the wine. He is hot, hot, hot and my simple fantasies about fucking him silly. Oh yeah. Oh yeah. Oh. “Yes? Of course, Osvaldo. Teegan should ride Bonnie, Vicente should ride Tandy, Freddie can ride Cash, Brock rides Burton, and Mack can ride PB.” Get it together, you. Crap. Crap. Crap.
“Okay, people. Let’s ride! We can all mount at the fence. We’ll go across Honor Field and up the hill toward the back of the cabin. How many of you want to do the jumps going down the hill? Everyone? Okay. We all do the jumps downward. At the bottom, instead of taking a left on the bottom like yesterday, take a right back around and up the back of the hill, behind the cabin, across Dash’s Field, along the Honor Creek and back to the barn. About five miles each way. Everyone okay with the ride? Your choice on field hurdles, gait, and speed. Just make a note on hurdle and obstacle condition so we can put it in the book. I have no need to be master, so if any of you wishes to lead, please feel free.”
Through the Red Gate [Honor Creek Farm] (Siren Publishing Allure) Page 5