Baron had been doing so well with his training that Marion had deemed him ready to go to the track and to try to work with a real starting gate. With a little luck and a bit more patience. Baron would be ready to go back to Brookland Stables as soon as possible.
This morning Amy and Marion were taking him to the racetrack to work through his loading issues in situ. As they drove over to the track, Marion and Amy talked about Amy's upcoming date with Jesse. Marion didn't like the guy or his family, but she didn't want to discourage Amy from dating him. Marion had faith that one day Amy would meet someone who was actually worthy of her. Amy was a teenager, and, as such, she was entitled to have some fun.
"So, mom," Amy asked, "why are you in such a rush with this horse?"
"What do you mean?" Marion asked.
"Well," Amy said, "you hate being on a timeframe with your training projects. You usually like to let the horse decide when it's ready."
"Yeah," Marion said.
"So, why are you moving so quickly with this guy. Not that he's not ready…But it just seems like you're rushing. Is his owner pushing you?"
Marion took a breath, "Not exactly," she said, "but you are right I am rushing a bit. But it's not because the owner is pushing me. It's actually because I cannot stand his owner."
Amy laughed, "Seriously?"
"Seriously," Marion said, chuckling.
"How bad can this guy be?" Amy asked.
Marion rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Ooh, that bad?" Amy laughed.
"Absolutely," Marion said, "basically picture every stereotype of the ugly American businessman."
"Uh, enough said," Amy said, with a laugh, "let's get this guy fixed up and out of the barn!"
"That's the idea," Marion said, as they pulled into the track. "A straight export deal!"
Marion and Amy unloaded Baron from the trailer and set to the task of working with him with the starting gate. The work Marion had done with him at home had transferred well and he headed into the gate steadily on the first attempt.
Amy smiled and clapped her hands together as her mother broke from the gate and rode the horse around the track.
"Alright, let's try that again! Just to be sure we've got it!" Marion called, slightly out of breath, as she trotted back to the rail.
"Okay!" Amy called, and led Baron over to the gate.
Again Baron entered the gate calmly, and broke cleanly.
"That settles it!" Marion shouted, grinning from ear to ear, as she trotted Baron back toward Amy. "He's ready to go home!"
"You did it!" Amy shouted back, smiling and laughing happily. "You fixed him!"
Marion hopped down and gave Amy a big hug and a pat on the back.
"Thank goodness! Now let's get this guy home!"
They walked him out, untacked him, loaded him up and took him back to Heartland.
After they returned home and got Baron settled back into his stall, Amy headed out to ride Copper and Marion headed into the house.
Jack was sitting at the kitchen table reading the newspaper when Marion walked in. "How'd things go at the track?" Jack asked.
"Wonderfully!" Marion said, with a broad grin. "In no time Baron will be out of our barn and Dan Hartfield will be a distant memory."
Jack pursed his lips, "I know you don't like the man," he started, "and to be honest I don't much care for him, but he's paying you well." He looked at her, his eyebrows raised.
"I know, dad. But dealing with that man is not worth the money."
"But, it's good money," Jack said, pursing his lips, "and business is business."
"Not worth it!" Marion reiterated and picked up the phone. "I'm calling him now to tell him he can come pick his horse up tomorrow!"
"Suit yourself," Jack said, and stood up, walking out of the room with his newspaper, "I'll admit I won't be sad to see the back of Dan Hartfield."
Marion dialed the number for Brookland Stables, "Hello, Brookland Stables," Dan answered.
"Hello, this is Marion Fleming."
"Hello, Marion," Dan said, "How's my horse?"
"Doing wonderfully," Marion responded, "I took him to the track this morning and he broke clean from the gate."
"That's wonderful news!" Dan said, "So he's fixed?"
Marion rolled her eyes, "Yes, he's ready to go."
"Okay," Dan said, "I'll come by tomorrow and you can show me what you've done with him."
Marion gritted her teeth, "Sounds wonderful. I'll see you tomorrow, say around 4 o'clock?"
"It's a date," Dan said, his obnoxious confidence seeping through the phone lines.
Marion hung up the phone and took a deep breath. Tomorrow that insufferable man would be out of her hair.