Authors: Fern Michaels
Kentucky Heat (21 page)
“Not me. I like it just the way it is. Have a good time. Mud wrestling, huh?”
“Yeah.”
Nealy laughed.
Summer passed and then fall and winter, and before Nealy knew it, it was spring again. Maud's morning glories climbed the trellises and the front porch was alive with scarlet geraniums in their white-wicker baskets. The rockers sported a new coat of fresh white paint, their flowered cushions just as vibrant as the geraniums.
It was the last weekend in April, and if Hatch could get away, he would attend the farm's annual barbecue later in the day. She looked forward to his visit, but this visit was going to be different. He'd visited eight times so far, and she usually looked forward to his visits, but this time she wished she hadn't asked him to come.
Had it been any other week, she probably wouldn't have any misgivings. The next seven days were going to be stressful enough without having to worry about Hatch. The Saturday after next was Derby Day. She felt giddy at the thought.
Nealy sucked in her breath as past memories assailed her. She leaned back in the rocker and closed her eyes. To this day, all these years later, she could run
the race
in her mind. That's how she always thought of it,
the race.
Could she do it again? Metaxas and Ruby thought she could. So did Hatch.
I should be able to do it. I haven't done anything different. I'm just older. My weight is good, perfect actually. Shufly responds to my every touch.
Maybe what she was missing was Hunt's encouragement. He'd been a pillar of strength that first time. This time she was going it alone. Tears burned her eyes. She closed her eyes and sat back.
the race
in her mind. That's how she always thought of it,
the race.
Could she do it again? Metaxas and Ruby thought she could. So did Hatch.
I should be able to do it. I haven't done anything different. I'm just older. My weight is good, perfect actually. Shufly responds to my every touch.
Maybe what she was missing was Hunt's encouragement. He'd been a pillar of strength that first time. This time she was going it alone. Tears burned her eyes. She closed her eyes and sat back.
“You're not alone, Nealy. You can do it. You ran four races. You won each time because you're the best. Five if you count Santa Anita. None of those other jockeys can hold a candle to you. I want you to believe that.”
“Okay, I'll believe it because when it came to the horses you never lied to me. That other stuff, the personal stuff is a different story. What am I really up against, Hunt? How do you see it?”
“The same way you see it. Navigator is good in the stretch. He can come from behind like a lightning bolt. You'll have to watch him. Hard Money is a real fireball, but he'll burn out in the stretch. Jake's Thunder is going to be your biggest competition. The best jockey in the world is riding him. He's going to go to the front early. There's going to be a shitload of speed in that race, Nealy. I think you have it aced, but you can't
't
count on it. If Sweet Pete takes that first turn, he's going to save valuable ground. It's Jake's Thunder you have to worry about. He was bred to go long, Nealy. I'm happy that you've been studying your competition.”
't
count on it. If Sweet Pete takes that first turn, he's going to save valuable ground. It's Jake's Thunder you have to worry about. He was bred to go long, Nealy. I'm happy that you've been studying your competition.”
“The truth, Hunt, who's the better jockey, me or Mickey Lyons?”
“I think you're evenly matched, but you have a slight edge, Nealy, but not much. Mickey rides for hire. He's only twenty-six, and he's going to flaunt his youth at you. You ride for the love of it and because Shufly is Flyby's son. That makes a big difference. He'll try to rattle you, and so will the others. They're going to call you things like âold lady'and worse. Roll with it, Nealy. You being a woman eats at them. Don't fall for it. Give the bunch of them the finger if you have to. I'll be watching over you.”
“I'll miss you at the walkover, Hunt. I hope I draw gate fifteen.”
“I hope you do, too, Nealy. Those roses belong to you. You deserve them.”
“That's one of the nicest things you ever said to me.”
“So, how's it going with the big guy?”
“That's none of your business, Hunt. He's nice. I like him. He's become a good friend. It's an easy, comfortable friendship. He doesn't make demands, and neither do I.”
“That's it, a friend? I was hoping for a little more than
friend.”
friend.”
“I've been kind of busy, Hunt, in case you haven't noticed. He lives in New Mexico, and I live in Kentucky. I don't want to talk to you about Hatch. It's . . . it's immoral.”
“You wearing the purple silks?”
“Absolutely. You gave them to me, Hunt. Of course I'm wearing them. Purple was Maud's favorite color. I hope they bring me luck. Do you have any inside . . . you know, firsthand . . .”
“No.”
“You don't have to get snippy. Is something wrong, Hunt?”
“It's you, Nealy. Not me. You're starting to get nervous. That's not good. You have to shift into neutral.”
“You're right. I'm sorry. I really am going to miss you on the walkover, though.”
“I'll be there, Nealy.”
“Will you give me a sign so I know you're there?”
“You bet.”
Nealy rubbed at her eyes. She must have dozed off. For some reason her shoulders felt lighter. She thought about her children. Would they come home for the Derby? Did they know she was riding Shufly? Hatch hadn't mentioned anything to her on his last visit. She hadn't asked either. Maybe they didn't know she was riding. Emmie might know if she was researching her book. “I miss you both so much,” she murmured.
“Ruby, do you think Hatch really likes me? Or do you think he comes here to give me little tidbits about the kids? You know, out of a sense of duty. I enjoy his company tremendously and I always look forward to his visits. He's only kissed me once, and it was just a little light peck. Hey, I was ready . . . for you know . . .
more.
We get on so well. Tell me if I'm wrong here. I'm thinking, he's thinking that he's being disloyal to Hunt. I don't know how Indian people think about stuff like that. Is it possible he just wants to be friends? I catch him looking at me in certain ways, I get all breathless, then nothing happens. Am I supposed to hit on him? Maybe I'm not giving off the right signals. He's been here eight times, Ruby. I don't need another Kendrick Bell in my life. Do you understand where I'm coming from?”
more.
We get on so well. Tell me if I'm wrong here. I'm thinking, he's thinking that he's being disloyal to Hunt. I don't know how Indian people think about stuff like that. Is it possible he just wants to be friends? I catch him looking at me in certain ways, I get all breathless, then nothing happens. Am I supposed to hit on him? Maybe I'm not giving off the right signals. He's been here eight times, Ruby. I don't need another Kendrick Bell in my life. Do you understand where I'm coming from?”
Ruby plopped down on the top front porch step. She was wearing a fuzzy pink robe and matching slippers.
“I'll tell you what I think. First of all, Hatch is no Ken Bell. I think he respects you. Yeah, Hunt may play a little part in it. Eight visits isn't all that much. Hell, you didn't even know the guy the first visit, so that doesn't count. I'd be real disappointed in him if he had tried to drag you off to his lair. Personally, I think that he thinks you are not ready for a relationship, and for now he's being a friend to you and a mentor to your children. For some reason I don't think he can separate the two. So, you might have to wait a bit longer. It's not a bad thing, Nealy. Actually, I think it's a good thing. It was like that with me and Metaxas at first. Then we really got to know one another. The bottom line is, he wouldn't be coming here if he wasn't attracted to you.”
“I do like him. You look tired, Ruby. Are you okay?”
“I am tired. No, no, it's nothing like that,” Ruby said, seeing the immediate concern in Nealy's eyes. “It's coming down to the wire. I feel like I have a load of fire ants in my undies. How can you be so calm? The race is just days away. All things considered, Metaxas is relatively calm. He loves that horse, Nealy. I'm talking about
real
love here. Shufly is like a child to him, his flesh and blood. I know that sounds stupid, but that's how he feels. In all honesty, I truly believe he doesn't care if the horse wins or not. He won't love him any less. Do you understand that, Nealy?”
real
love here. Shufly is like a child to him, his flesh and blood. I know that sounds stupid, but that's how he feels. In all honesty, I truly believe he doesn't care if the horse wins or not. He won't love him any less. Do you understand that, Nealy?”
“Of course. That's how I always felt about Flyby. I still feel that way. It's that family thing. Are you ready for the barbecue and the horde of Secret Service men that's about to descend on us? Tell me again why the vice president is coming here to my house. I'm in awe over that.”
“He's coming because Metaxas invited him. The vice president and his wife are very active in some of the charities you sponsor with your Derby Ball. Plus, everyone wants to come to the Kentucky Derby. Oh, Nealy, you don't know half the people my husband knows. He knows the president, too. Think of Metaxas as a kind of Ross Perot.
“Allowing us to stay here and work all this time was just what we both needed. Metaxas has been able to keep his hand in his business and still help you out. I just love being around the horses and doing whatever I can do to help. Neither one of us is getting any younger, and I think Metaxas is actually ready to put down some roots. I'm not sure about this, but I think he has his eye on the Goldberg farm next to you. I think he might finally want to settle down and take life easy. I hope so.”
“It would be wonderful to have you and Metaxas for neighbors. So, are you ready to meet the vice president?”
“Yes, but I voted for the other team, you know. When the vice president comes to town, so does the Secret Service. They have to make sure everything is safe and secure. Metaxas spent half the night talking to those guys. According to him they were actually thinking about confiscating the hoof picks and riding crops because they could be used as weapons. They shouldn't bother us too much. It will be dusk, and the barbecue will be over. I am going to stuff myself until those ribs come out my ears. How about you?”
“Can't put on even one ounce, Ruby. I'll have some of the barbecued vegetables. I ate light this morning, just yogurt, and for lunch I had broiled fish and a sliced tomato. When the races are over, I'm going to chow down for a solid week. Right now I would kill for a slice of praline pie and fresh whipped cream with strawberries dipped in milk chocolate all around the plate and a big glass of ice-cold milk.”
Ruby groaned. “Are you looking forward to Hatch's visit?”
“At first I regretted inviting him because so much is going on, and I didn't think I would have much time to spend with him. I'll work it out, and now I'm glad he's coming. He's very easy and comfortable to be around. He likes sitting on the front porch and just talking. He's a very kind man, a gentle man. Fun, too. He can make me laugh. He told me Nick is going to ace the bar. When that happens he gets to sit in his father's chair and gets his name on his desk. I am so proud I could just bust.”
“You never told him why you sent the kids off, did you?”
“You mean Hatch? No, I never told him.”
“Maybe both Nick and Emmie will come for the race. I hope for your sake that happens.”
“I do, too, but I have to be realistic. What have the papers been saying, Ruby?” Nealy asked, abruptly changing the subject.
“You don't want to know, Nealy. It's all garbage.”
“No, I do want to know. Yesterday I didn't want to know. Today when I dozed off, I had a dream about Hunt. He said the other jockeys were going to try to rattle me. I'm prepared. So, what are they saying?”
Ruby was a long time in answering. “Somehow or other they found out you're a grandmother. Use your imagination.” When Nealy rolled her eyes, she said, “I told you it was garbage.”
Nealy smirked. “What they can't see, they can't write about. Hunt always used to say that. They're forced to pick on me. That's okay. This way Shufly remains a mystery, which is just the way I want it.”
“Are you ready for your big Derby Ball tomorrow, honey?”
“Oh, God, you had to say that, didn't you? Now my heart is pounding,” Nealy said, her face going white.
“Things this year will be better because you have a date.” She tilted her head and looked past Nealy. “I bet Hatch is going to be impressive in his tux. I mean he's impressive anyway but in a black tux . . . woo-ee!” Ruby's eyes were bright with excitement. “And the very fact that the vice president of the United States is attending as your guest along with the secretary of state, thanks to Metaxas, I might add, will have everybody buzzing for weeks to come.”
Nealy felt sick to her stomach. “If you're trying to make me feel better, it isn't working.”
Ruby sighed with exasperation. “Don't be ridiculous. Everything is going to be perfect. You are going to be perfect. You have a gorgeous, spangled dress to wear, outrageous shoes, a classy new hairdo, and when you load on all those diamonds, honey, you are going to make an entrance like no one has ever made an entrance. The best part is now you know how to dance. Metaxas taught you well. It's taken us a solid year but you can hold your own now. All you have to remember is not to look down at your feet and don't mutter, âone, two, three, one, two, three.' ”
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