Disclaimer: You know how it goes.

AN: My inspiration to produce this next chapter is entirely based on the new book I'm reading. It's called Lonesome Dove (yes, the title is a little misleading) but it's set in the Old West! And there are cowboys, and Indians, and tumbleweeds andCOWBOYS! It makes me think of Jack all day and what the hell is wrong with that? It also makes me want to learn how to ride a horse and because that will be impossible next year in NYC, I need DAKKI (yes you!) to write the next chapter of 'Horses'. Have Gwen doing something daring, like stealing horses (not really) or saving Jack (yea!).Oh! Energy

Book Two: Chapter 2

The next two days consisted of early mornings and late nights for Annabelle. During the day she moved in a sleep walking state; the only time mind and body connected was in the track with Macy, the wind against her cheeks making it impossible not to be alert. In between these rides, she stayed with Macy in the stable, grooming the horse out of boredom until he coat glistened. They were both restless, that much was obvious, but venturing into the surrounding city was out of the question for Macy and suddenly uninteresting to Annabelle.

She'd expected Jack as an ally; at this point in her plan she had pictured training at the track while he sold the morning edition and then meeting him somewhere for supper, laughing the night away with his friends. But without him, she felt strange around the newsies and distanced herself from them easily. She rarely saw them, leaving before they woke up and in her bed by the time they came home late; the thin walls of the lodging house did little to quiet their nose. When she did happen upon a group of them, on her way home from the track, they eyed her suspiciously. But it seemed to her that their curiosity was not because of her 'girl-in-boy-clothing' routine. Of her past they could care less, each had their own story to tell, but of why she was here, not one of them but reaping the benefits of a roof over her head, they questioned. Spot was nice enough, and she didn't know better than to question the reasons why. She imaged it was his influence that kept the newsies from doing much more than looking.

She'd seen him once since that first night, the next day when she'd been searching for a place to eat. He'd pulled her into a dirty spoon restaurant that seemed filled to the brim with other newsies and dropped her off at the counter with strict instructions to order nothing besides a turkey sandwich before disappearing to a back table. She inhaled that sandwich as if the other boys behind her would swipe it from underneath her nose, but enough time was spent for her to notice who Spot sat with, connecting the name Miracle, with the face.

She seemed like a tough girl, certainly had to be if she was Spot's. Annabelle had heard the whispers, although she'd never met the girl. Spot, the forever heartbreaking fool, had had his own heartbroken as soon as that girl walked onto the Brooklyn Bridge. She'd put up a fight at first, not because she didn't find him devilishly attractive, but because of how entertaining it was to be chased. Of course, this was all rumor; she hadn't spent one night in their room since Annabelle had arrived so all Annabelle knew of her was what she could see from across a dimly lit restaurant. But when Annabelle returned home to the empty room each night, little things had been moved alluding to the girl's presence: a new fold in the blanket, one of the draws open or a new article of clothing hanging on the bed frame.

So, she should have been expecting Miracle's appearance on the third day. The track had a strict schedule of when each horse could train, rotating the hours so that each rider had two early morning practices, two afternoons and two dark hours. On the third day, thankful for her afternoon riding hour, Annabelle had been too exhausted from mucking out Macy's stall the day before to rise much earlier than eleven. She was tying her bootlace, appealing to the lodging house's silence by saying nothing herself, when the door to her little room swung open with a moan and Miracle waltzed in.

She said nothing, flopping onto the mattress opposite Annabelle and almost knocking her in the head with the cane she held. It was Spot's cane, Annabelle wasn't clueless enough not to recognize that, and she wondered what Miracle was doing with it.

Clearing her throat, Annabelle looked up from her seat on the edge of the bed. "Heya, I'm Turner."

"I'se hoid of ya." The girl responded, now rooting underneath her bed for something. She pulled out a small box, catching Annabelle watching and warning her with a quick scowl to think twice of peaking. The lid opened, hiding Miracle's hand as she pulled something from it. Before Annabelle could catch a glimpse, her hand was deep within her pockets and Miracle was back on her feet. Annabelle shrunk away as the girl walked by, her heavy boots thundering the floorboards. She wore the clothes of a boy, but unlike Annabelle, her face was clearly shown, all the female delicateness reflected in her startling eyes and lips.

There was no mistaking her for a boy.

She turned at the door, surprising Annabelle when she spoke. "I thot you'd be at da track."

So Spot had told Miracle about her, and if not, then her story had leaked among some of the other newsies. She turned and wetted her lips before nodding. "Yea, I'm scheduled for later. Gotta follow those guys rules, ya know."

Miracle's smirk revealed that she didn't think very highly of rules. "Sure." Instead of leaving it at that, as Annabelle had thought she would, Miracle walked back to her bed, perching on the end footboard. "Honestly, I'm impressed."

Annabelle tilted her head to the side. "With what?"

"You. Spot told me you were here for da race but I didn't think you'd make it one night in this place."

The girls eye's challenged Annabelle to straightened her back and raise her chin. Stuffing her hands into the pockets of her trousers as she'd seen some of the other boys do, she stepped towards the door. "This type of racing ain't any different den what I'se faced back home and—"

"No, no!" She interrupted, waving her hands and that cane around for emphasis. "Not the racing," she laughed for a moment before dropping the cane to the bed and jumping to her feet. She grabbed one of Annabelle's hands, pushing it back into Annabelle's face as if it had just appeared. "Look at these hands, long delicate fingers, each one of 'em soft as silk and not a splice of dirt underneath them nails."

Annabelle was unsure for what point Miracle was trying to make but before she could protest, the girl was tugging at her shirt and coat. "Anyone could guess what a figure you've got under these baggy things. Just takes a little imagination, dat's all." She turned back to her perch at that point, settling back into a comfortable seat, a smirk still on her lips, while Annabelle stammered for a response.

"What da hell you talking about?" Annabelle asked, hoping that her curse would cover her nervousness. She understood now what this girl was guessing at and in a last minute attempt to dissuade her, tugged her hat over her ears.

Even though her hand hid her lips, propping up Miracle's chin, Annabelle knew that smirk still remained. "Don't try and fool me goil." She said a moment later, "I've been in dose shoes."

And before Annabelle knew what was happening, Miracle swiped the hat from her head, resting it loosely on her own while holding Annabelle's chin with thumb and middle finger. After observing her facial features, twisting Annabelle's face from side to side, she tugged at one curly stand of hair. "Look at that hair, glossy and red just like Jack said it was."

At the mention of his name, Annabelle jumped back with a growl, suddenly angry all over again and distracted enough not to continue her plan. "Don't listen to him!"

But Miracle ignored the request, pacing back in forth in front of Annabelle whose back was flush against the wall. "Spot was wrong, you are Jack's goil—just with shorter hair." She pivoted with her left foot, speaking mostly to herself than to Annabelle. "Why else would Kloppman send you here."

"What did you say?"

Annabelle was getting used to that upwards turn of Miracle's lips and the way it seemed to mock her ignorance. "That's right, hun, you've got it now." She laughed and fell back on the bed, legs kicked high in the air. "You've been thinking, 'Hey, this city ain't that hard' but what you don't know is dat you've got people watching out for ya—more help then I've ever received." She sat up at the end, legs folded underneath her.

Annabelle walked to her own bed, about to sit down and process this new information before changing her mind at the last moment and continuing her pacing instead. "My grandfather knows?" She mumbled.

"Sure does, from the moment you stepped under his roof. And that note he gave to Spot explained da whole thing. Why else do you tink Spot put you up here with me? A strange person he don't know, going with the love of his life?" She chuckled. "I don't think so."

Annabelle was silent for a moment, her back facing Miracle as she waited for Annabelle's response. "Who else have you told?" She asked quickly, her mind moving frantically as she tried to figure out her new situation.

Miracle, seemingly bored with the conversation now, scooted back on the bed and kicked her legs out in front of her. "Oh, just me and Spot know." The crack of her match sounded in the room as she lit her cigarette and fanned the match away. After taking her first puff she said, "We figured you'd stay to yourself, seeing as your reunion with Jacky-boy didn't go so well."

No longer surprised with all the information Miracle knew and she didn't, Annabelle fell back onto her bed, much in the same position Miracle was. "How you know 'bout that?"

"Kid, somethings you just don't need to know." The smoke floated between them and Annabelle waved her hand in front of her face. They sat there for a moment, Miracle finishing off a cigarette quicker than anyone Annabelle had ever seen before moving to the end of the bed and resting on her knees. "Besides, you're focusing on your race, right?"

"Right," She punched her lumpy mattress for good measure. "He can jump off that god forsaken bridge for all I care."

"That's what I like to hear!" Miracle jumped to her feet, pulling Annabelle with her. "I brought you a little friend, to help you with that there training." She started towards the door but Annabelle remained motionless on her feet. "You wanna win, dontcha?" Annabelle nodded but less enthusiastically than Miracle had expected. "Swallow that, Jack Kelly, eh?"

"Yea."

"Then lets meet your new trainer!" Miracle knocked a couple times on the doorframe, peering outside into the hall where Annabelle couldn't see.

She was apprehensive about who would appear, another soul knowing of her secret, but as soon as the sound of boots scraping the floor became clear her ears perked with interest. How could she miss such a unique gait? She took two steps towards the door just as he reached the open door, cigar and dirty cabby hat still present. "Racetrack!" She flung herself into his arms, catching him off guard so that he laughed in surprise. "Oh I'm so happy to see you—"

"Jesus, Kelly told me you'se was in town—thought dat bum was out of his mind." He held her at arms length away, a wide smile still on her lips as she fidgeted under his gaze. "Nice pants."

She laughed at that last comment, hugging him again before trying to explain herself. "Oh Race, I wanted to come see you earlier but,"

"I know, he told me what happened." Her eyes fell to the floor and a silence settled between them.

"Enough with the past!" Miracle interrupted, pulling them both out the door. "Lets get you to that track."

As they descended the stairs, ducking into the foggy morning, Miracle led the way. "She's sometin, ain't she." Race joked.

Annabelle nodded, glad to be walking and speaking with a friendly face. "I can't explain it."

They avoided the morning business, Annabelle knowing the way now but following Miracle all the same. Race watched her move in the city traffic, noticing her adjust to the noise and chaos quickly.
He wrapped an arm around her shoulder, "Good to see ya again, kid." She smiled at him and he was immediately taken back to the summer before. "I'se hoid what happened to your brother, the follow up and everything. Can't say I wasn't disappointed in showin' off my prodigy. How's he doing?"

The smile faded at the mention of her brother and she set her jaw. "I'm here 'cause I wanna win this for him, Race."

"Well, den it's a good thing Miracle dragged me down here." He laughed and chucked his cigar into a nearby gutter. "I was watching you ride yesterday..."

"Wait, you knew I was here?" She couldn't hide the surprise, shaking her head in disbelief. What else would she learn today?

"Don't look so surprised. News travels fast in this city and you're da latest headline." She swung at his stomach as the track came into view. He ducked out of the way, jogging a few steps in front of her and turning to walk backwards as she caught up. "I knew sometin was up as soon as Kelly came to talk to me. Only took me a couple guesses about where you'd be." When she reached him he dodged her last upper cut and patted her heartily on the back. "Jockey at heart, this one."

"Do me a favor Race, leave him out of your stories." She bumped into him and darted away from his arm, fixing her coat around shoulders much to small for it's bulk.

"Sure kid, we don't want you'se distracted none anyways." He said, nodding to some track hand he knew. Annabelle ducked her head, aware again that she was playing a role around these people.

"He doesn't know I'm here, right?" She asked, suddenly nervous.

"No." Race noticed her turn in spirits, waiting until they got to Macy's stall, Miracle up on the edge petting the horses' muzzle, before speaking. "And it's gonna stay that way until after your race."

"Until after I leave." She corrected, hopping into Macy's pen and welcoming the horse with soft coos.

"Right," Race agreed uncertainly. "until after you leave."

"What do ya say Race, we got a winner here?" Spot asked, slipping an arm around Miracle's waist and leaning on his cane.

She looked at him and scoffed, rolling her eyes before shoving him lightly. "'Corse we have a winna. With Race coachin and her god-given talent, I'd say she wins a hundred races this year, no sweat."

Peaking over Macy's back, Annabelle chuckled at Miracle's enthusiasm. "I don't need a hundred." She explained, beginning Macy's end of the day grooming. "I need just one."

Standing in the stables at the track, Race, Spot, and Annabelle inched towards the door. Finally,
Spot spoke up. "Jesus, I need to get outta here before I start smellin like horse shit." He walked to the other side of the pen.

"Who says you don't already." Miracle teased, facing him so that their noses touched, the wall of the pen still in between them both.

Race picked up his cap, slapping it against the pant leg as he exited the stall. "Disgusting, ain't it." He remarked, taking a left for the end of the stables.

Spot kissed Miracle quickly, jogging to catch up with Race. "Cointanly not any worse den dise here shit hole."

Miracle turned to face Annabelle, resting her elbows on the railing behind her and tilting her head to the side. "You coming to Tibby's, Turner?"

For some reason, 'Turner' had stuck with Miracle, becoming Annabelle's 'newsie name' of sorts. Too exhausted to argue with the girl, she focused on ridding all the dirt from Macy's hoof. "Nah, you go ahead."

"C'mon, it'll be to celebrate your victory." Miracle pushed, bending so that her head was the same level as Annabelle's.

"I haven't won yet." Annabelle said with a laugh, standing suddenly and surprising Miracle so that she stumbled backwards. "Besides, I need to finish up with Macy."

"Come back later." The girl shrugged.

"You know if I leave I won't make it out here after being in Manhattan."

Miracle sighed, shaking her head. "True, true. See ya later tonight then."

"Yea, later." Annabelle walked to the exit of the pen, waving to the trio as they left the stables.
Miracle caught up with the two boys, explaining that she wasn't coming. She chuckled to herself as she heard their responses.

"She ain't coming?" Asked Race.

"What, she immune to the smell or something?"

She shook her head, slightly disappointed that she couldn't join them but reminded of her last experience at Tibby's. When she turned back into the stall, Macy was right in front of her, startling her slightly. "What?" She asked the mare as Macy's moist muzzle nudged her face. "You think I should have gone? Faced them demons?"

Macy flounced her head up and down, nudging Annabelle with her nose. "Easy for you to say." Annabelle responded, side stepping the animal and grabbing the sponge from the near by bucket of water. She wetted down Macy's large belly, scrubbing harder than necessary because of her frustration. The animal responded by scooting in a circle, Annabelle moving accordingly. But as soon as Annabelle settled to begin scrubbing again, Macy began her circular prance, Annabelle stumbling behind. "Hey, stop that!" She called finally, standing still herself so that Macy rounded upon her, their foreheads meeting. "Don't do this. Don't you be difficult too." She whispered, waiting a few moments before slowly moving back to Macy's side. She was able to finish washing Macy, drying her with a quick towel, but moving slower than a mule on a hot day. Exhausted because of all her thinking, she rested her head on Macy's stomach, focusing on the rise and fall of the horse's breaths.

"Maybe I didn't give him time to explain." She finally whispered. "But what could he possibly say to make everything as it was?" That was what she wanted more than anything else. For things to go back to the way they had been in her mind.

During the past couple days, Race's persistence had distracted her from the previous problem she'd had. But now, standing alone with Macy and her thoughts, there suddenly was not enough room for all three. She kicked at the bucket, cursing when the water sloshed out the side. Macy neighed loudly, clearing her nose with a sneeze and plopping onto the ground. Annabelle followed, avoiding the water already on the ground.

She thought of Jack, picturing him that horrible afternoon. She blocked out the girl in the corner and the kiss Jack had shared with her so that she was focusing solely on how he'd looked at her; he looked good. There was no way to deny that, or her feelings. Stupidly she'd let herself believe in all the fairytales and stories Rose had told her.

She loved him.

With her head on Macy's stomach, Annabelle stared at the top of the stable, unable to distract herself with the cobwebs in the corners. To her surprise it seemed a little clearer now. She still loved Jack and continue to imagine a life with him. But would her pride allow it?

AN: Sorry, that last part was a little mushy, but it was important to understanding Annabelle and Jack's situation, Non? Well: SO'S

Smiley: Mucho thanks for filling my Inbox to he brim with reviews yesterday! Glad you liked my story and no penalities for stumbling upon it late.

Dakki: As always, your reviews are printed out, laminated and hung on my wall, in a frame. But, oh! Before I forget. I just found out that I actually know someone who lives in ALLENTOWN, PA! What a coincidence.I love those.