7.
The shrill ring of Cindy's alarm woke her early the next day, and she rolled over and turned it off before it woke the rest of the household. She dressed quickly in jeans and a black tank top, lacing on paddock boots and grabbing her chaps from where they had been thrown over a chair in her still uncompleted task of unpacking. Perhaps because of being shuffled from one foster home to the next as a child, it was hard for Cindy to get settled anywhere.
Grabbing an apple from the bowl on the table, Cindy practically skipped down the steps and towards the barns, eager to see Maverick and Joy. Samantha was already up and in the kitchen, and Cindy waved a hello to her sleepy sister before leaping out the door.
"Morning Cin," Ashleigh greeted the blonde as she entered the training barn. Ashleigh stood with a bottle and syringe, extracting a thick white liquid through a needle.
"Morning. What's that for?"
"One of the two-year-olds is getting an infection. The vet stopped by and said to give him a shot of this stuff every morning. So, I get stuck playing doctor because Mike doesn't do needles." She grinned as she capped the small white bottle, sticking it back in the refrigerator. "You come down to help with the works?"
"Um," Cindy stammered. "I was going to work with Maverick a little, and brush Joy… did you mean ride?"
Walking into the stall of a smallish chestnut colt named Zinfandel, Ashleigh nodded. "Can you hold his head?" she asked. She slapped the colt's hindquarters a little to numb it when Cindy had a hold of his halter, and then stuck the needle into his flesh. Cindy winced as she watched Ashleigh inject the fluid. "Mike and I talked last night, and we'd like to put you on Half Magic this morning. He's a good old gelding, but no one really pays any attention to him. We've got him entered in a race soon, so we need to breeze him a couple furlongs. You up to it?" After extracting the needle, she bent it and then slid the green cover back over, separating it from the syringe and patting Zinfandel's neck.
"Sure," Cindy said, grinning. She would have preferred riding Joy, but at least riding Half Magic was a step in the right direction.
"Good." Ashleigh dropped the used needle in a trash can on her way to the office, leaving Cindy with, "Just brush Joy today; she's not going out. Then you can get Half Magic ready to go and bring him down to the oval. His stall is the last one on the left, and his stuff is all right there."
"Got it," Cindy nodded, heading towards Joy's stall. "See you at the track." Picking up Joy's lead line, she smiled. It was great to be able to say that again. "Let's get you out, gorgeous girl," Cindy murmured, stroking Joy's face. "And after I get you brushed, then I get to ride!" It sent tingles down Cindy's spine.
Cindy clipped Joy into crossties, running brushes over Joy's silver body in a quick manner, hurrying to finish up with the filly so she could get down to the track with Half Magic. "OK, girl," she said, placing the last hoof on the ground and putting the hoof pick back in the grooming kit. "You're done." She gave Joy a little cluck, then led the light filly out of the barn and into a small paddock near Glory. "That way people can tell that you really are your father's daughter, right?" she joked, letting the filly loose. Without waiting for a last good-bye, Joy tore away from Cindy, divots of grass rising up from her hooves as she galloped across the pasture. Cindy smiled, buckling Joy's halter on the fence, then turned back to the barn.
Half Magic was a large chestnut gelding, with a large blaze down his face and large feet covered with large white stockings. Everything about him screamed large, and as Cindy led him out she was really feeling her five-foot-three frame. But the horse was a gentle giant, and bent his head down so Cindy could brush his face and forelock. He was virtually clean, and Cindy had him tacked up and ready to go in no time at all, grabbing her helmet and a crop and walking down to the track. Ann was already trotting around on Angel, the bay filly squealing and tossing her head, doing what she could to get the best of her young rider. As they passed by the gap, Cindy could hear Ann's words as she growled at the filly to calm down.
"Hey, Cin," Ian said as she walked up. "Ready to give this boy a go?"
"Yes sir," she agreed, throwing the reins over her mount's head and letting Ian give her a leg up. Ashleigh came over after releasing Josie and Warrior onto the track, waiting as Cindy adjusted her chaps and buckled her helmet before giving instructions.
"We're going to have you work a half mile at a slow gallop, and then breeze the other half. Warm him up with a lap around the track before you take off."
"Got it," Cindy said, placing her crop to her helmet in a salute. "Anything I need to know about him?"
"He's got a closing style, so let him choose his pace through the last half mile until you approach the wire. Then just flick the whip by his eye, he doesn't take well to being hit. He'll take care of you out there; no worries. Just have fun."
Cindy jogged Half Magic out to the dirt of the track, heading clockwise as she warmed him up through a mile, jogging and cantering in turn. As she got ready to press him forward to the canter, she heard a loud squeal and a stallion's bellow, and snapped her head further up the track to where Ann had just been galloping Angel, and Warrior had just completed his warm-up. Warrior had broken Josie's hold on his bridle, and tore up to Angel's side, snaking his head over to bite his bay half-sister. Ann and Josie were desperately trying to tear the two apart, but neither Dominion foal was having it. Josie had managed to jump off, but Warrior reared up, knocking a hoof into the flesh of Ann's shoulder, shoving the rider off Angel. Ann stood quickly, Angel's reins still in her hands, and hauled the filly away from Warrior. By that time Ian, Mike and Ashleigh had all jogged out to help, and it took both men and Josie to lead the hard-headed Warrior off while Ashleigh and Ann waged their own battle with the protesting Angel.
Cindy had pulled Half Magic up, watching the event unfold before her, and as Ashleigh struggled past with Ann, she called, "Tom's still at the gap to time you. Take him around, Cin. Just keep going!"
It took Cindy a moment to remember Tom Beck, Whitebrook's assistant trainer, but she nodded at Ashleigh and picked up the reins as soon as Angel was a safe distance away. She wanted to turn around and run after Ann, asking if she was ok, but she had a job to do. She finished warming up Half Magic and then readied him for a gallop, horse and rider totally synchronized as they leapt into the faster gait. Cindy held herself high on his neck, letting his legs carry them forward and accelerate as they continued, remembering Ashleigh's words to show him the whip only when the wire was in sight.
Half Magic snorted as his hooves hit the ground in a staccato beat, and when they reached the half mile pole she bent low, whispering encouragement in his mane and pressing forward with her hands, urging him into a breeze; just that little exhilarating step above a regular gallop. Half Magic pulled at the reins in Cindy's hands, asking for a little slack on the bit. Experimenting, she gave it to him, allowing the chestnut to pull them faster as they neared the wire, flicking the whip past the gelding's eye as they ran. He responded with a last burst of speed as they slipped silently under the wire, noticed only by Tom Beck as he stood on the rail, clicking his stopwatch as they flew effortlessly past.
"Still an allowance horse," he claimed as Cindy rode up, "but a good one at that. Good pacing through that half mile; you told him when to go just at the right time."
Cindy nodded, but her mind was on other thoughts as she pulled up, jumping off and pulling the reins over the gelding's head. "Thanks, Tom." She waved a little as she jogged up to the barn, seeing that Warrior had been put away and Angel was in her paddock. Len grabbed Half Magic's reins wordlessly as Cindy caught sight of Ann, sitting down in the middle of the aisle and crying as Ashleigh inspected her shoulder.
Cindy rushed up, kneeling beside Ann. "He got you good," Ashleigh was saying. Cindy could see a dark bruise on Ann's arm already and there was a cut where Warrior's steel shoe had hit her. Pulling Ann's shirt down over the injury, Ashleigh continued, "However, I don't think you have any broken bones. It's going to hurt, but you should be ok. Ice and something for that cut, and you'll be back in business."
Ashleigh and Ann stood up, and Ann gave Cindy, then Josie, a hug. Josie's face was pale, and Cindy could tell her cousin had been crying as well. "It's not your fault, Jo," Ann said quietly. "He's just being Warrior."
"I know," Josie said. "I just couldn't hold him…"
"Come on, Ann, let's get up to the house and get this taken care of," Ashleigh suggested. "I think Beth can help." She touched Josie's shoulder. "Come with?"
Josie nodded, and grasped Cindy's hand. "You too."
Wiping at her tears, Ann turned to Cindy. "How was your debut with Half Magic?" she asked with a shaky smile.
"Good," Cindy said. "I didn't check what our time was, but he felt real nice."
"Adrian usually rides him," Ann nodded. At Cindy's questioning look, she supplied, "He's another new rider." She reached over and poked Josie in the ribs. "He and Jo here have gone out together a few times, in fact."
Josie groaned. "Enough," she protested.
Up at Cindy's house, Beth patched up Ann's shoulder professionally, giving the dark-haired girl a small ice pack to hold against it.
"That's cold!" Ann protested.
"Well, that's the idea, genius," Samantha countered, having entered the kitchen after showering and slipping into shorts and a T-shirt. It was a big change from the still pajama-clad Samantha that Cindy had left in the kitchen earlier that morning. Samantha had skipped going out to the barns that morning at Beth's insistence, instead staying in to finish with the last-minute prep that was going on the day before the wedding.
"How are you doing, Sammy?" Josie asked, switching the subject.
Samantha laughed. "Surviving," she replied. "Tor will be over in a while to help set up for the wedding with some of his friends, and I was just about to go pick up Yvonne. She's flying in from New York, and I've arranged for Maureen to come over at about noon." Yvonne, a beautiful Spanish-Navajo-English clothes designer in New York, was Samantha's best friend from high school and would be Sammy's bridesmaid. Maureen, an editor at the Lexington Herald, was also a long-time school friend. It was easier for Sammy and Maureen to keep in touch, but whenever Sammy went up to Belmont or Saratoga she made it a point to drop in on Yvonne. "We're going to have a whole crew of people here; Tor's parents are coming over too. Then we have rehearsal dinner tonight, and last minute phone calls, and…" she took a deep breath. "There's a lot of stuff to do."
Beth smiled, pulling her stepdaughter's shining red hair behind her ear. "You'll be fine," she said. "Everything is going to be perfect."
Samantha managed a shaky smile, giving Beth a kiss on the cheek. "We hope," she said, crossing her fingers. Picking her keys up off the table, she waved good-bye to Cindy, Ashleigh, Ann and Josie. "I'm off to the airport," she announced. "See you guys when I get back. Make Tor at home until I get here."
"Don't worry, and drive carefully," Ann called as Sammy left through the garage door. They could hear as her little Camry started its engine and drove out of Whitebrook's driveway, the garage door closing behind her.
"This is it," Ashleigh smiled, watching the blue Toyota disappear through the wrought-iron gates. "Sammy's really getting married. I've been waiting for this for a long time." She laughed. "I'm glad she decided to have the ceremony and reception here," she said. "Just like my wedding." A moment of sadness slipped over her features, and Cindy could tell she was thinking of Charlie Burke, the old trainer who had first believed in Ashleigh and Wonder, and then in Wonder's son, Wonder's Pride. Charlie had been a great man, and Ashleigh had looked up to him for everything. Sadly, he had died of a heart attack at Ashleigh's wedding. Cindy had heard tell of Charlie, but he had died before she had come to Whitebrook. The only thing she knew him by was pictures, his credentials, and a small copper foal, Charlie's Legacy, a daughter of Wonder's Princess who had raced well for a few years and now resided in the mare and foal barn, scheduled to give birth next season.
Cindy walked over and slipped an arm around Ashleigh's shoulders, giving her a light squeeze. "He'd be proud, Ash," she said.
The older woman's eyes glittered wet, but she didn't cry, just nodded. "I know," she said. "I just wish…" she left her sentence unfinished, and looked at Ann and Josie, then Cindy. "We have a couple horses that need attention," she said. "You guys up to the task?"
"If you can handle a one-armed groom," Ann agreed, handing the ice pack back to Beth.
"Any groom is better than no groom at all," Ashleigh joked, regaining her composure. "Beth, we'll see you in a little while to help set up."
"OK. You all be careful. I'm limited to fixing one arm per day."
"Uh-oh," Ann grinned. "We'd really better be careful then." Kevin's crying from upstairs successfully separated the group from Beth, and they walked out to the barns together, brushing horses and turning them out in their paddocks. They worked diligently until a torch-red Ferrari spun gravel as it roared into the drive, announcing the arrival of Brad Townsend. All eyes rolled and all voices groaned as the handsome young son of Clay Townsend walked into the training barn.
"Works are over?" he asked no one in particular, walking down the aisle.
"Long over, Brad," Ashleigh responded, walking out of a stall she was cleaning and wiping a trickle of sweat off her brow. They were a contrasted pair; Ashleigh in work clothes, dirty and sweaty from working in the barn for hours and Brad in his perfectly tailored suit, dressed up as if he should be at a social gathering and not the stables.
Ashleigh glanced behind him as Cindy walked up. "No Lavinia?" Ashleigh asked.
"She's getting her nails done, she had an early appointment," he snipped. "I wanted to watch Warrior work today, see how he's training," Brad explained. He wasn't rude, but pretty near to it.
"Well, like Ash said, works are over. Sorry. Maybe next time." Cindy flat-out hated the man, and crossed her arms over her chest, giving the silent message that the time had come for him to leave.
Glaring a little at Cindy, Brad put his hands on his hips. "Can I at least see him?"
Ashleigh sighed. "Sure, Brad, come on. We just turned him out." Wise beyond their years, no one mentioned the morning's fiasco with Warrior and Angel.
Disgusted, Cindy shook her head and returned to cleaning Maverick's stall, piling soiled bedding into a wheel barrow until she heard Samantha's car return.
"I see His Highness has blessed Whitebrook with his presence," Sammy said as she got out of the Camry, glancing at Brad's car.
"Oh, God, Brad still comes here?" Yvonne said, getting out of the other side. Then she saw whom Sammy had been talking to. "Cindy!" she squealed, running around to give the blonde girl a hug. She pulled her to arms length, her eyes skipping over Cindy's trim figure. "You look great," she declared. "And I brought you the right size clothing, too." Working in the fashion industry, Yvonne had access to many of the great styles that came through, and when she visited Whitebrook she usually came armed with new attire for Cindy, Samantha, Ann, and Josie.
"You look good, too," Cindy said, smiling at Yvonne. "Do you guys need help bringing things in the house?"
"I think we've got it," Samantha said, pulling the last of Yvonne's suitcases out of the car. "Go save Ashleigh, and we'll meet you up at the house soon." Cindy nodded, having forgotten about her mucking job as well, and finished dumping the bucket of manure just as Ashleigh returned Brad to his car.
"Yvonne's here," Cindy said. "I can finish up your last stall for you if you want to go say hi."
"I'd love it Cin, thanks." Officially handing over her manure fork to Cindy, Ashleigh jogged up to the house. Cindy finished up with Ashleigh's stall, fetched Ann and Josie, and followed the older women up to the house.
Yvonne, Sammy, Beth and Ashleigh were seated around the table drinking iced tea, and from the multiple cars in the driveway and the sounds of a football game in the living room, Cindy could tell that Tor and his friends had arrived as well. All the women regrouped in the den, and discussed dresses, Yvonne's job, and the wedding preparation. Everything was done except the set up.
"I've kept the front paddock open," Ashleigh said. "We can set up tents there tonight, and then food tents can go… somewhere else." She laughed. "I'm open to pretty much anything."
Looking a little tense, Samantha worked out a plan for buffet tents and the band and the tent where the ceremony was to be held, and a dance floor. She was in the middle of discussing plans for a reception when the doorbell rang. Cindy opened it to discover a couple she didn't recognize, but who introduced themselves as Tor's parents.
"Nancy Wilson," the woman said, shaking Cindy's hand. "And this is my husband, Gerry." Cindy shook hands with Gerry as well, and then Nancy pointed to a couple walking from their car. The man was obviously a horse person, and as he came up she recognized him as Tor's father, Larry Nelson, whom she had seen while visiting at Tor's stable. His wife was introduced as Miranda, and after meeting everyone and introducing herself, Cindy invited them inside.
"Tor," she called, poking her head into the living room. Five college-aged men accompanied Samantha's blonde, blue-eyed husband to be as they watched sports. "Parents."
"Thanks Cin," Tor said, jumping up from the couch and handing one of his buddies the remote control. "Gotta be civil," he whispered. Then he followed Cindy into the den, where everyone had stood up and were being introduced by Samantha.
"Dad," Tor said, walking up behind his father and giving him a handshake, then pulling their chests together in a male greeting.
"Men," Sammy said jokingly.
"You'd better believe it," Tor teased, kissing his fiancee.
Samantha pulled away with a laugh. "Alright," she said, picking up the piece of paper she had sketched everything out on. "Let's get going!"
The day of Samantha's wedding dawned cool and clear, with a light breeze running through the farm as caterers, a band, and everyone who was helping get things ready rushed around. Beth stood at the head of it all, making sure everything was as it should be. Months earlier, Samantha had declared her stepmom official organizer, and Beth was good at it. By the time everyone went in to get ready, things were set up perfectly, waiting for the bride and groom to say, "I do."
Tor and his best man, Ashleigh's younger brother Rory, would be getting ready at his house, and arriving a little later. But Ashleigh, Samantha, Cindy, Yvonne, Maureen, Josie and Ann were all getting ready in Ashleigh's large farmhouse. All of the designated bridesmaids wore a simple yellow dress like Cindy's, coordinating with Samantha's fall theme, save Ashleigh, who as Maid of Honor wore a deep, copper colored dress. It reminded Cindy of Champion's beautiful coat, and how her beloved horse was all the way in Dubai. Though this was supposed to be Samantha's special day, Cindy couldn't help but miss the big stallion.
"Samantha is going to look so beautiful," said Yvonne, tying her jet black hair back with a ribbon that matched her dress. "I can't believe she's actually getting married."
"Me either," Cindy shook her head. "After the first wedding fell through, I thought that might have been it, but Sammy and Tor are good together. I guess it was meant to be."
Yvonne's prediction had been correct, and when Samantha finally emerged from where she and Beth had been getting ready, there were tears in her eyes. The simple dress fit elegantly on Samantha, and she looked stunning. Her hair was pulled back in curls at the nape of her neck, and she wore a sleek veil.
"Sam, what's wrong?" Maureen asked, rushing up to her friend.
"I just… I wish my mom could have been here," Samantha whispered, accepting a hug from Maureen, then Yvonne. Everyone stood around Samantha; an emotional support net. "I miss her so much."
"It's ok, Sammy," Cindy said, reaching out to her sister.
"God, I feel awful, Cin… I've still got my dad, but you've lost both of your parents. I couldn't imagine… if it hurts this much with Mom gone…"
"No, Sammy… Don't think that way. Things happen for a reason, always. See, now you have Beth, and then Kevin. And you wouldn't have come to Whitebrook and met Tor, and I wouldn't even be here."
Samantha gave a small laugh through her tears. "You're right," she said. "But I still wish she were here."
"I know, Sam." Cindy gave Samantha another small hug, and then her sister straightened and wiped her eyes.
"I'm OK," she said, taking her bouquet of red, orange and yellow leaves that surrounded three simple white lilies. She smiled bravely, and then they stepped outside.
The tents were packed with people, and Tor stood handsome in his tuxedo at the altar, Rory at his side and the justice of the peace standing ready with his bible. Everyone took their places, and Ian grasped Samantha in a fierce hug before they walked arm in arm down the aisle behind Christina, the flower girl, and Kevin, the ring bearer, followed closely by Ashleigh, and then each of the bridesmaids. Christina would stoop down every other step and carefully place a colored leaf on the ground, proceeding down the aisle slowly with little red-haired Kevin waiting impatiently for her and nearly dropping the rings. It was all Cindy could do to keep from laughing, walking down the aisle and praying she wouldn't trip on the ridiculous high heels she was wearing. She knew many people from the crowd; family, friends and people whom Samantha and Tor knew from their long time experience in the horse business. When they finally made it to the altar, Samantha handed Ashleigh her bouquet and grasped Tor's hand, smiling softly.
The justice of the peace began, and the words were short as Samantha and Tor had chosen their own vows. Tor and Samantha held each other's gaze throughout the ceremony, their lips moving in soft utterances as they repeated the words that would probably mean the most to them in all of their life. Cindy gazed at them with happy tears forming at the corners of her eyes, realizing how truly in love her sister was with Tor. As he placed the ring on Samantha's finger, Tor's serious face broke into a smile, and Samantha's did the same. Cindy was almost startled as the justice of the peace called out, "I now pronounce you man and wife! You may kiss the bride!" and everyone cheered and whistled as the couple exchanged a long kiss.
Grabbing his new bride's hand, and Samantha taking her bouquet back from Ashleigh, they turned and walked down the aisle as husband and wife, waving to all of their friends. Tears, now of happiness, flowed down Samantha's cheeks, but she was smiling like Cindy had never seen before.
The band struck up the sounds of "Here comes the bride" as they continued down the aisle, and then everyone stood and proceeded towards the food tents where a reception was being held, stopping to congratulate Samantha and Tor. While everyone else loaded their plates with food and sat down to eat, different conversations humming through the crowd, the new couple posed for pictures. Taking Ashleigh's suggestion, they did what the older woman had done at her wedding and took pictures with their favorite horses, having vanned Top Hat, Tor's retired gelding, just for the occasion. Shining was led out, and then Eleta, and Wonder's Pride, Samantha's favorite stallion.
Pictures were also taken with their families, and at one point all of Tor's closest friends and family, including Rory Griffen, and Samantha's family as well, and her bridesmaids and close friends all crowded in for one photo together. Cindy and Samantha took a photo together, and Cindy knew that for once she had taken a good picture.
When pictures were over and horses were safely back in their stalls or paddocks, the wedding party retired to the food tent, heaping their plates with wonderfully prepared, delicious food. No one began dancing until after Samantha and Tor finished eating, and had danced the first song together. Then all kinds of couples stood up and began dancing together, the band finding a happy medium between upbeat and slow songs. Cindy was asked to dance by two of Tor's college friends and Rory, and she was eager to accept every invitation. Finally, after a spin around the floor with Rory, Tor tapped his glass with a spoon. "May I have your attention," he asked. The dance floor cleared, and Rory escorted Cindy to her seat. When everyone had their eyes on Tor, he began his speech. "I am glad you all could come to the wedding," he began. "I'm sorry you all had to miss the last one." A ripple of laughter ran through the crowd. "I am happy to finally be joined as husband and wife with my lovely bride, Samantha McLean-Nelson, and to have married in to such a wonderful family. I look forward to making many memories." He raised his glass. "To Samantha!"
Beside him, Sammy blushed furiously as the crowd raised their glasses and echoed, "To Samantha!" Other speeches were made, by Ian, Beth, Ashleigh, and Rory, and Tor's best friend Eric. When everyone had had their say, a beautiful wedding cake was brought out, and everyone laughed at the decoration on top. Instead of the typical bride and groom adorning the last layer, two horses in a tuxedo and wedding gown galloped across the top. It was adorable, and totally like the couple.
After the cake was cut and served, the happy newly weds stood to leave, but not before Samantha had thrown her bouquet. With a few leaves escaping and falling over the crowd, the bunch of flowers came straight at Cindy's face. Reaching up on instinct, Cindy caught them with one hand, and the crowd cheered.
"I told you that you'd get married!" Samantha cried. Then the two of them walked out of a path lined by people, everyone throwing rice, and escaped in Tor's mom's white Mazda Miata, with bells and shaving cream announcing the newly wed couple.
Cindy still stood stunned with the bouquet in her hands, watching the car disappear down the driveway, slipping through the soundless iron gates and onto Skyline Drive. All of a sudden, Cindy was struck with an odd feeling, and realized how Samantha, and most of all her parents, must have felt as they watched Cindy leaving for Dubai. A tear slid down Cindy's cheek as people milled around her, pushing and shoving to go back and get their things now that they could leave. Many had people to go home to, and light was rapidly fading.
Rushing up to the house quickly so that she could change, along with Josie and Ann, Cindy returned to find nearly all of the guests gone, and already people were cleaning up. Beth was stooped low to the ground, fetching napkins, forks and plates that had been scattered in the confusion. Huge trash bags were to be found everywhere, all of them nearly full already. A few people had stayed to help, and as Cindy and Josie and Ann walked upon the scene, Ann gave a mock dirty look, announcing, "Girls, it's time to get down and dirty."