Enjoy!
Pat! Good idea. I incorporated your suggestion. Thanks.
For Amy, racing Old Sweet Sage in the Timbre Classic and crossing the finish line first was thrilling, something that she would always remember. Even more satisfying was her donation of her winnings to Canter Project, a charity she admired for their good work.
But, her incredible day of celebration, of triumph, was tainted by her dad. He broke her heart and her spirit once again. Her confidence plummeted.
Amy was beside herself with tears running hot down her face, shoulders shaking, lips quivering. Overwhelmed by heartache, she struggled to understand how her dad could be so cruel to Dexter. Overcome with guilt, she chastised herself for not stopping him from entering him in the race. Overrun with sadness, she cried for Dexter who had endured so much pain already. Consumed by dread, she was worried about the charges against Janice and her dad and their impact on their livelihood with horses and on her own.
She was reduced to a quaking, inconsolable child. Ty knew her tender heart was breaking, her emotions were raw. Words were of little value. So he held her. His strong arms surrounded her, protected her, formed a fortress around her to ward off any more hurt. In a corner of Dexter's stable, side by side on a hay bale, his arms enveloped her, unmoving except for his thumb which slowly stroked her soft hair. Her sobs were the only sound he heard. Her heartache became his.
Time passed, faint music began to float through the air. Still nestled against his broad chest, she slowly calmed, her sobs and trembling subsided. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she pulled away from his embrace to look at him. He studied her sweet face, her pretty blue eyes, searching. He gently brushed away remaining traces of tears.
"Thank you for staying with me."
"There's nowhere I'd rather be." He whispered back honestly. He wanted to be the one who Amy turned for comfort. Always. A golden strand of hair had fallen across her nose. He gently pushed it back, behind her ear. His finger lightly caressed her ear lobe.
She murmured, "Ty." Then lightly kissed his cheek. "My someone special."
"Being your someone special is a job that I take very seriously." He returned earnestly. His seriousness soothed her.
A moment passed. He noticed it immediately. Her relaxed body began to tense ever so slightly. A knit of her brow and a tiny grimace on her lips revealed too that her thoughts were shifting. Ty knew her mood would soon follow suit.
"Amy, something on your mind?"
"No." she shot back.
"Come on Amy. I know you. What are you thinking?" Coaxing her.
She hesitated. "Dexter is an amazing horse with incredible heart and spirit. He keeps rising above his setbacks." Dexter snorted in agreement. Amy laughed. "Dexter, I love you too. I'm so sorry that I let you down." she held back a tear.
"Amy." Ty now worried.
"You know, Ty. I just don't get it."
"Get what?"
"Dexter. Dad. Did I do everything that he asked?"
"Yeah, you did."
"Right. When he asked me to fix Dexter, I felt so bad. I mean, I had already told Lisa NO. But he asked, so I couldn't say NO. So, I fixed him."
"Then, he wanted me to jockey him. Dexter needed rest. I wasn't a real jockey. Heartland work was piling up. Grandpa even said it was a bad idea. I couldn't say NO. Turned out he only wanted me to jockey to get back at Janice."
"Dexter came up lame, remember? He wanted me to fix him, again. I knew Dexter's rehab could take months, his racing days were over. You even said so. I couldn't say NO. Even if I knew his expectations for Dexter were unrealistic, I said YES."
"Ty, I wanted to do it for dad. I wanted to please him. I wanted him to be proud of me. I went against my better judgement." Her fists were now clenched.
"I get it...He's your dad, Amy. You love him. You want to please him." Trying to assuage her.
"So, what if he wants me to do something cruel? Or unethical or illegal? Would I cave and do it because he's my dad?" she sighed heavily.
"Amy. This isn't your fault." he feared she was spiraling down again.
"If it's not my fault, why do I feel like it is? That I am somehow responsible?" Amy clearly frustrated.
"You didn't enter him in the race. You didn't buzz him." Trying to reinforce that.
"No. But, I could have tried harder, should I have said NO?"
She was building her case. "Ty. I asked one thing of dad. No, I begged him. One thing. To not race to Dexter."
"He ignored me." She pushed further. "He did it anyhow. Took Dexter to the track when I wasn't there."
"Did dad spend even one second worrying about Dexter? NO! He didn't, not one second...or me? Did he think about me? NO! About my feelings? NO! Not one second!" she answered her own questions, in rapid order. "Ty. What about my future?"
"He loves you."
"Ha. Sure doesn't feel that way." She smirked.
"Amy. Sometimes I think you and I are cut from the same cloth. Just different families." he tried to connect them.
"What do you mean?"
"My dad, your dad. They aren't all that much different."
"Hadn't thought about it that way."
"Yeah. They are both selfish, greedy, irresponsible..."
"Self-centered, pig headed, unreasonable, callous, thoughtless, cruel, heartless ..."
"Manipulative, sneaky, self-absorbed..."
They laughed. "Hey. Let's make a list. Maybe pull out Mr. Thesaurus." She laughed again.
"That's just who they are. They are our dads."
"They left us, Ty, when we were just kids. When we needed them."
"They left when things got hard. They shouldn't have. They were wrong." He conceded. "I have felt the same way about my own dad since the first time he left."
He put his hand on her thigh and continued. "I know it's not easy. We just have to deal with them as they are."
"Why?" She sighed loudly and looked away.
"Why what?"
"Why should I? Why should we have to deal with it?" Clearly fed up.
"Ah, Amy, come on." He tried to catch her eyes.
She looked back at him. Took a deep breath and exhaled, "Ty. I am so tired of having to deal with it. I am tired of feeling sad, of feeling responsible, of being considered last, of being ignored, of being left."
She took another deep breath. "Especially by people who supposedly love me."
She stared intently at him. Eyes downcast, he simply said "It hurts, I know."
Silently, they sat side by side, not looking each other. While each retreated into their own world of self preservation, they held hands.
Coming back to reality, she said. "Hey. Ty. We're both exhausted but we have to get to that stupid gala."
"Right. Let's get night check done." He added.
They started their work in silence. Ty focused on feed and water, Amy on Dexter.
Amy started with checking Dexter's coat and legs. She chattered with his as she worked. "Hey Dexter. How are you doing? It's been a long day." Dexter jerked his head in agreement.
"Are you ready for some quiet without having to listen to me boohoo, blubber and say stupid things?" Dexter snorted.
"Yeah, you are so right." Ty was listening. "He was nothing short of amazing today. He took care of you and me. Super Special Someone." Dexter tried to nuzzle her ear.
She giggled. "That tickles. Oh, good question, Dexter. Let me check." She walked closer to Ty.
"Ty?"
"Hm?"
"Dexter wants to know if you're ticklish." A devilish grin formed on her lips, in her eyes. She rush him and found his spots.
"No, Amy don't." He cried out trying to escaped her fingers. His only defense was to tickle back connecting with her spots. She cried out and they both fell to the ground in a heap laughing. She was laying atop of him, her face inches from his, eyes fixed on his.
"Ty. Thank you. You are truly amazing." She kissed him on the nose.
He studied her blues eyes. They always told the truth. "You are welcome." He wanted to kiss her so badly.
The rest of their chores were completed quickly. "I really need to get out of these filthy silks. I'm stinky." Scrunching her nose.
"And, I thought it was just manure that I smelled." He deadpanned.
"HaHa!" She grinned, bumping her shoulder into his. "Hey. I am going head over to Sage's stable. My overnight bag is there. And, my phone...Come with me. Please."
"Sure."
They wove their way through the stables, Ty introducing her to each horse, including Spiritual Being. Spiritual had won her race and seemed quite proud of her accomplishment.
"Well, hey Spiritual Being! I really love your name! Congratulations on your win." The horse nickered. Amy continued to converse with her. "Yes, Ty is an excellent "Vet to Be". Oh, you don't say? Oh, yes, yes, you are so right. I can see that. I will definitely tell him. Yes, I will ask. Sleep well!" She grinned.
As they moved on, Amy was mum. Ty couldn't stand it any more and inquired. "Well, are you going to tell me what Spiritual said?"
She giggled. "Well. You heard that she thought you are a great "Vet to Be". His brows raised, couldn't imagine what she'd say next. "And?"
She paused and giggled again. "Well, she accredited you for her win."
"Oh?"
"Yeah. She said something like your touch was sensuous and..."
"And?" He was shaking his head realizing how ridiculous this conversation was.
"Your electrifying touch and..."
"Wait, I thoughtful you said sensuous?" He said in mock seriousness.
"Right. Your sensuous touch and your dreamy green eyes got her racing hard!" Amy cracking up. "Well, she wanted me to tell you that she is available, you know, for future exams and such!"
"Yikes, that sounds so wrong!" He chuckled "Ask?"
"Oh yeah. She me to ask you...if you have someone special already."
"Tell her. Yes. Yes, I do." mimicking Caleb. She grinned ear to ear.
The sun had set by the time they arrived at Old Sweet Sage's stable. Sage greeted them with a tired nicker. "Hey, Sage. There's my sweet lady. How are you?"
"I am good Amy, you?" A falsetto voice replied making her jump, then laugh.
"Hey Andy. What's going on? You are all spiffed up." Ty noticed.
"Well, funny you should ask! We're waiting on our relief groom."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, Maddie and I are headed to the gala. You are going, right? Good music, free food."
"Yeah, unfortunately." Amy groused. "But, I going for the food, I'm starved." Amy licked her lips.
"Of course, she's hungry!" bantered Ty
"I can't go anywhere like this though." She lamented.
"Nice shower facilities over there. Maddie is there now."
Ty glanced over his shoulder. "Actually, here she comes now."
Andy turned. "WOW! Maddie, you are, just WOW!"
Maddie blushed. She was wearing short, mauve skater dress with a V neck line and sandals with 4 inch heels. Andy had never seen her in a dress, or look so beautiful. "Maddie, you look...so pretty." She grinned and took his hand.
"He's right Mad. You look beautiful. Andy, you are pretty gala sharp yourself! You two make a very handsome couple." Amy said.
"Thanks. Bet I'll lose these sandals in like five minutes! What was I thinking?" She rolled her eyes.
Amy smiled. "Well, you look great, sandals or not. But, now I'm questioning my outfit." she frowned. "Oh well. I'm really hungry. Ty?" Amy hoped.
"I'm starved too. My stuff is at the Vet Office. How about I see you there, say in an hour?"
"Okay." She turned to Andy and Maddie. "Hey guys. I don't want to hold you up, so go on." Amy offered half heartedly.
"Are you sure?" Amy nodded. "Thanks Amy. Why don't you text me when you get there?" Mad suggested.
As the couple walked away, Maddie yelled back. "Oh, by the way, Amy. Some lady left something for you. I put it with your stuff." She waved.
Amy's shoulders slumped as she entered the stall. "Hey Sage. Wanna go with me to the gala?" Sage snorted spraying horse snot on her. "Thanks. Yeah, I don't want to go either. Gala, Schmala!" She grumbled.
"Hey. I can just text everyone, tell them I forgot my clothes or something, and I am not coming."
Fumbling through her bag, she found her phone. "Just great! It's dead!" She said aloud sarcastically.
She spied the box in the corner. She opened the card. She it aloud "Amy. So proud of you. See you at the gala." She had no choice now, resigned herself and headed to the showers.
Arriving at the gala alone and rather late, Amy didn't know what to expect.
"Next!" The attendant motioned to Amy to step up. "Name?"
"Amy Fleming?" Amy answered somewhat timidly.
"Ah. Here you are" she found her name on the list. "Ms Fleming! We so excited that you could join us. Here's your name tag. When you enter, to your right is the bar, to your left is the buffet, and straight is where all the activities are happening, Meet Greet, dancing, silent auction, oh and the live auction in 30. Have fun!"
Dismissing her, the attendant motioned to the next person in line. "NEXT!...Name?"
She took a few steps forward, nervously looked around the infield. Miles of white fabric flowed and millions of white lights twinkled overhead illuminating the festivities, giving a fairyland look. Cliques of stylish, well heeled guests, women in beautiful cocktail dress and men in sharp pants and shirts, mingled and chatted, and clinked champagne flutes.
Standing there, Amy was grateful to Lisa, her impeccable taste and her generous gift left in Sage's stable. From her outward appearances, Amy belonged at the gala. She was dressed in a form-fitted, promenade dress, in the palest blue, with a sophisticated, halter neckline which exposed her sculptured shoulders and arms. The short skirt had tiny tiers of fringe which swayed ever so slightly when she moved. Her hair hung in loose waves down her back. Her simple sandals had pretty straps that crossed her feet and wrapped around her ankles. Lisa was like a fairy godmother.
"Fake it, until you make it!" she said under her breath. She straightened her posture, plastered a smile on her face, and swam into the sea of beautiful people.
"Amy, Hey Amy!" Sara, pulling James, ran up and hugged her. Andy and Maddie were with them.
"Sara! James! I am so glad you made it!" Amy could not help but brighten just being around Sara's exuberance.
"Us too! Congratulations on your win!" Sara started. "Amy, you were fantastic. The whole race was so exciting. I am still hoarse from screaming and yelling!" Sara said excitedly.
"Thanks. Sage is an incredible racehorse."
"Oh. I love your outfit, so chic!" Sara gushed.
"Yours is beautiful too. Turn around so I can see your skirt twirl!" Sara giggled, but spun in her pale pink ballerina dress.
"What about that horse that raced without the jockey? That was crazy! You were his jockey in another race?" James changed the topic, not interested in clothing.
"Yes, he was my first! Lightening Dexter is a great horse too."
"No kidding. How in the world did you pick between riding Sage and Dexter?" James asked honestly. Amy hesitated, struggling for a good response.
"Hey Everyone. Amy's over there." She heard Lou's voice and turned towards her beaming.
Before she knew it, swarming around her were family and friends, all waiting to congratulate her, Lou, Peter, Jack, Lisa, Soraya, Ben and Mallory. Amy welcomed them with a huge grin and arms out stretched.
"Oh my gosh! I am so happy to see you all! Oh my. Wasn't it a crazy race?" Seeing them made her laugh, and cry a little. She introduced everyone around.
"Well, there she is, the Winning Jockey. My sister, Amy Fleming!" Lou, stunning in a filmy, peach dress that accentuated her terrific figure, pulled her in for a hug and whispered, "Amy you look beautiful! And, that dress fits you perfectly! Do you like it? I ordered it from Anthropologie."
"Oh, Lou. Was it you? The dress and shoes are so incredible. Thank you. How did you know?" Amy grinned.
"I know my sister. Figured that you'd just pack some old jeans and a flannel."
She rolled her eyes and shrugged. "Guilty. You do know me. Glad one of us has excellent fashion sense. You are stunning yourself."
"Hey, you deserve beautiful things because you have worked so hard." They hugged each other, rocking back and forth. "Ty?" She raised her eyebrows.
"Hopefully we'll meet up soon."
"I want to hear everything later. Love you." They laughed as they hugged.
"Love you too!"
Dashing as always, Peter, standing next to Lou, leaned in and said. "Great race Amy."
"Okay. My turn, Peter!" Jack interrupted. He grabbed her shoulders, choking up said. "Amy, I am so very proud of you!" He kissed her forehead.
"Oh, Grandpa!" she laying her head on his chest.
"We will deal with that later." he had read her mind. "Tonight you celebrate. You did good."
"Love you grandpa." She gave him another hug.
"Love you too." He was a little teary eyed.
Striking as always, Lisa wore a tailored, knee-length, three quarter sleeve dress in cream with large navy polka dots. Her waist accentuated with a flat bow which matched her stylish hat.
"Honey, I am very happy that you came tonight. I was so afraid that you would be too exhausted to join the fun." She embraced Amy and whispered in her ear, "Amy, sweetheart, I am so very proud of you. And, thank you. For everything."
From arm's length, Lisa took a good look at her, "You are absolutely gorgeous, honey! Good for you!"
Jack tugged at Lisa's arm, "Well, looks like I am wanted." She winked. Jack escorted her to the buffet.
"Hey there, Amy! Way to go!" Said Soraya with a big grin.
Hugging her best friends, "I can't believe your here. I haven't seen you in ages." Amy squealed.
"I know between school, which I love, and Maggie's, which I don't, I never have any extra time. But you'll never guess what?"
"Have no idea. What?"
Just then Ben stepped up slipping his arm around Soraya's waist, "Hey Amy! Great race. Lisa is on Cloud 9!"
Soraya whispered to Amy, "We're dating!" Pointing to Ben.
"You and Ben? It's about time! So excited for you" They both giggled.
Amy's stomach growled loudly, "I am starving!" Ben pointed towards the buffet. "I'll be right back, everybody."
As she made her way there, she heard the starting notes to the their song, "You've got a Friend." She stopped in her tracks, and turned to listen to the band in the distance, feeling a little melancholy.
She felt his warm breath on her skin before his lips touched her bare shoulder. He murmured in her ear, "Hey, there horsey girl!"
She spun into his arms, and smiled into his shining green eyes. "Wanna dance?"
"Thought you'd never ask." He took her into his arms, pulled her close and they began to sway. She giggled.
"Amy. You clean up very nicely. You even smell good!" He teased.
"Hey, I thought you liked the smell of horse manure!" She countered.
He laughed. "I like the scent of you better."
Suddenly, he stopped dancing and pulled away. "Ty?"
He stood back, at arms length, and admired her from head to toe and back, "Amy. You are so incredibly beautiful. You are."
Then he spun her around, launching hundreds of tiny fringe on her skirt to sway, and pulled her back into his arms. She giggled "Wow. A new dance move? Nice."
A few partiers around them starting clapping and clinking their champagne flutes. "Kiss Her! "Kiss Her" they chanted.
Ty whispered, "What do you think? Should we give the fans what they want?" She smiled.
"You sure?" He asked. She nodded.
His heart flipped, raced. He leaned in, gazing into her eyes, his hands cupped her delicate face, his thumb traced her lips, almost foreplay. She sighed, parting her lips slightly. Pulling her close, he lightly kissed her lips, his touching hers. Hers tasted of strawberries. He withdrew, but lingered close. Each lost in the other, eyes and smiles.
"Let's dance!" She pulled him close. They began to sway again to the music.
Cheering erupted around them, several stood with their phones taking pictures. A gala photographer interrupted them, asked permission to publish their picture.
Ty looked at Amy who nodded. "Sure."
"Names? You first miss."
"Amy Fleming?" She said quietly.
"Wait, Old Sweet Sage's Jockey! Wow!"
Amy interrupted. "And, this is Tyler Borden, his in the track's Vet Team."
"So, Dr?"
"Not yet." Ty answered.
"I'd like to interview you both. Is now good?"
"No, but maybe later." Amy said decidedly, but politely.
"Sure thing." The photographer walked away.
"Ty? I'm starving!"
"Of course, you are. Let's go to buffet."
"Think they have beef on the bun?" She grinned.