Bree's Challenge
Chapter 9 "Sunshine and Trades"
Disclaimer: I own nothing but my made up characters!
Wednesday, November 21st
As we neared Gulfstream Park, I opened the window, letting the salty ocean air in. It smelled of Home. I loved it.
Once we were at the track, I helped unload the horses and get them into their stalls. Since Cloud had just raced two weeks ago, she was home with Len. I missed her already. Ashleigh had promised to visit her as much as she could while I was gone.
"Daydreaming on the job?" Chad teased as I stood in the barn aisle. I laughed and shook my head.
"Never." I said, letting him by as he lead Gunner into a stall. I ran to the truck to see what else had to come in.
"That's it." Uncle Gene said a few minutes later as Chad and Mike sat down a big trunk of supplies down. "I'll go park the trailer and stuff, then we'll grab some lunch?"
"Sounds good to me." I agreed and Mike nodded. After Uncle Gene left, I turned to Mike and Chad. "Okay, I know it's November and all but can we visit the beach while we're here? I miss the Ocean."
Mike chuckled. "I don't see a problem with that. It is Florida after all, their November and Kentucky's November are too very different things."
"Yeah, you sure can't wear these in Kentucky in November." Chad pulled at the hem of my shorts and grinned. I flushed as his hand rubbed against my leg.
"I was just too excited for the warmer weather, I couldn't help myself."
Gene walked back in and rubbed his hands. "If I'm right, there's a little café near the beach that has really good food. Why don't we go there?"
"Let's go!" I said excitedly, leading the way. They chuckled, following close behind.
….
Later that evening, after feeding time, I heard a familiar voice call my name. I looked up from my spot on the hay bale and smiled as Brad walked towards me.
He looked so good in his khaki shorts and button up shirt, his hair slicked back.
"Hey, when did you get here?" I asked, sliding my arms around him. His arms slid around my waist, giving me a squeeze.
"About an hour ago. Dad had some things to do first before we came to the track. How was the trip down?" Brad asked as we sat down on the hay bale I had been sitting on.
"Long," I admitted and Brad smiled. He had offered to let me fly down with him – but I hadn't accepted. I wanted to be with the horses. "But the horses seemed to do well and I slept through a lot of it. It was fun to stop in all the states on the way down though. I got you something!"
I reached into my pocket to fish out the keychain I had bought when we had passed through Georgia. It was an Atlanta Falcons keychain. "Here." I gave it to him.
His thumb ran over the logo and he turned to me with a smile. "You got this for me?"
"Yeah, they were selling them at one of the rest stops we pulled into. I know they're your favorite team and I thought you'd like it." I shrugged, feeling nervous suddenly. Brad was a rich kid – would he think a keychain was stupid?
I watched as his hand reached up and gently caressed my cheek.
"I love it, thank you." He said, leaning over to kiss me. "How would you feel about going to dinner with me? There's a nice bayside restaurant a few blocks over."
"I'd love to." I smiled over at him. "But can I grab a shower first? I need to get off the dust and grime."
"Sure, I'll meet you at your hotel in a half an hour, if that's good." Brad said and I nodded. "See you then."
He gave me a quick kiss and left the barn. I checked on the horses one more time before heading to the hotel. Since Len had stayed behind with the rest of the horses in Kentucky, the three of us were helping Gene with the horses here.
Back at the hotel, I checked in with Gene to make sure it was okay to go out with Brad though I didn't think he'd have an issue – he didn't.
After showering, I put on a teal floral maxi dress. It was too cold to wear it back home – even with the long sleeves – so it was perfect for Florida. I ran a brush through my wet hair and slid on my sandals.
There was a knock at the door and I ran to answer it. Brad stood there, smiling as I opened the door. "You look beautiful." He said as I stepped out. He kissed my cheek and grabbed my hand. "I figured we could just walk over, if that's okay with you?"
"Sounds good. It's so nice out." I answered as we started down the sidewalk.
The restaurant was nice with gorgeous views of the bay. Brad and I ordered our food, then immediately the conversation turned to horses.
"So how's Prince been doing with his time off?" I asked, taking a drink of my sweet tea.
"Good, I took him out for a ride yesterday, I wish you could have joined me." He reached over to squeeze my hand.
"Me too. I'd rather have been riding with you than going to the doctors." I said, sighing. Brad rubbed his thumb over my hand.
"What did the doctor say?"
"That my knee is still doing very well and he thinks the riding is helping. He warned me to take it easy especially after my fall a few weeks ago." That week when I was on bed rest had felt like forever – finally I was cleared to ride again and help out. My knee had protested some but I pushed through the pain.
"I'm glad it wasn't worse. You could have been hurt badly." Brad looked worried for a second but he shook it off. "I'm supposed to extend an invitation to you all for dinner tomorrow since we're far away from home."
"I will pass that along to Uncle Gene. I'm sure he'll accept. He really likes your parents too." I said with a smile.
"Too bad everyone didn't feel that way, huh?" Brad joked and I rolled my eyes.
"Mike has no problem with your parents – just you." I smirked and then pointed a finger at him. "But the same goes for you. You don't have a problem with Uncle Gene…just Mike."
Brad shrugged and then laughed. "We tolerate each other. For you." He grabbed my hand and squeezed.
I gave his hand a squeeze back. "And I appreciate that so much. I feel very special."
"You are very special." Brad murmured as he leaned over to kiss me.
Our food came and we ate, talking about the races coming up, horses, and school.
Brad walked me back to the hotel and he kissed me with my back against the hotel door.
"Oh gross, I just ate." Mike complained as he walked up. Brad and I slid apart, me blushing, Brad sighing with irritation. Chad was coming up behind Mike, grinning.
"Aw now, Mike, leave 'em alone. Don't be jealous that you can't kiss Ashleigh like that." Chad teased, winking at me and I grinned back at him, glad he was there to lighten up the mood.
"I should get back to our house. See you tomorrow – at some point?" Brad said, touching my cheek. I grabbed his hand and nodded.
"Text me when you get to your place." I told him and he nodded before leaving. Once he was gone, I turned to glare at Mike, who was leaning against the hotel, drinking a milkshake.
"What?" Mike asked, hunching his shoulders under my glare. I punched his shoulder. "Ow!"
"You know what!" I said to him as I crossed my arms. "Do I make comments like that when it's you and Ashleigh kissing?"
Mike grumbled something under his breath but I didn't quite catch it. The door to their room opened and Uncle Gene stepped out. "What is going on out here?" He asked amusedly, looking between the three of us, taking off his reading glasses.
"Mike's being a pain." I answered, still glaring at Mike. Mike snorted.
"Bree's out here swapping saliva with Brad Townsend like it's nothing."
I heard Gene and Chad chuckle. "Now Mike, leave Bree alone and cut her some slack. They're together and we'll all just have to deal with it."
"If everyone is done mentioning my lips and what they do…" I started irritably and turned to Uncle Gene. "The Townsends have invited us to have Thanksgiving dinner with them at their house tomorrow. I'm supposed to pass along the invitation."
"No way! We're not going!" Mike crowed and I rolled my eyes. Uncle Gene smiled.
"That's very nice of them – of course we'll accept. Please let Brad and his parents know we'll be there tomorrow."
As I went to my room, I could hear Mike in the background complaining to Uncle Gene but I just shook my head laughing. Mike wouldn't win – we'd be having dinner with the Townsends.
….
Thanksgiving Day
"Bree, so good to see you sweetheart." Angela, Brad's mother, hugged me quickly as she welcomed us into the house. "Gene, good to see you again. Michael, Chad, you too."
She stepped back to let us all in and Uncle Gene handed her a bottle of wine he had picked up on the way over. "I didn't want to come empty handed so I grabbed a bottle and some pie." He motioned to where Mike held the big pumpkin pie we had gotten.
"Thank you so much! You didn't have to do that." She patted Uncle Gene's arm. "But I do love this brand. So good."
We followed her into the kitchen where Clay was taking a huge turkey out of the oven and Brad leaned against the counter. He smiled when he saw me and started towards me.
"I'm glad you came." Brad put his arm around my shoulder.
"Thanks for inviting us." I kissed his cheek.
"Hey there Gene! Good to see you." Clay greeted Gene as he saw him and then the rest of us. "Bree, I'm glad you all could come. Make yourselves at home, as soon as I get this turkey carved, we'll eat."
I leaned around Brad to look at his mother. "Is there anything I can help with? Setting the table or pouring drinks?"
She smiled at me. "Thank you Bree, if you would grab these," she handed me a basket of rolls. "and then come back for the potatoes, that would be great."
"And Mike, you just sit that pie right there on the counter, sweetheart." Angela said to Mike and I took the rolls into the dining room and sat the rolls near the butter.
Together, we worked to get the food onto the table and then it was time to sit.
I sat quietly as Clay said grace and watched everyone. It was nice to have everyone together. I wished Ashleigh, Len, and Charlie were here though. They had quickly become family as well.
Once Clay was done, I heard footsteps. "Sorry I'm late, had to check on Queen Bee. She's still favoring that front leg a little." I glanced up to see Ken Maddock in a button down shirt and slacks, walk in.
He smiled a greeting at all of us and slid into a seat beside Clay. As expected, the conversation turned quickly towards horses as we filled our plates.
I listened to snippets about the Townsend Acres' stables horses and Whitebrook horses. This time last year, my life had been all about soccer. Now, it was all about horses. And I loved it.
"Bree, when do you think you'll race Cloud again?" I looked up as Ken asked me the question. I glanced over at Uncle Gene but he kept quiet.
"Uh, I'm not sure. I'll probably rest her for at least a few more weeks. With the ground getting hard, it'll be hard to work her properly. "Probably bring her back into training at the end of January."
"What races are you looking towards next year?"
Again, I glanced at Uncle Gene. I knew what I wanted to point her towards but I wasn't sure how Uncle Gene felt. "I'd like to point her towards the Triple Crown."
Silence filled the dining room. I hadn't mentioned it to anyone really, but why not shoot for the moon? "The Triple Crown – the regular one or the one for fillies?" Angela asked, surprised.
"The regular one." I said confidently and I saw Clay watching me with a smile. "I think she can do it."
"Well we'll have to start looking at schedules soon if you want that." Gene told me, as if everyone else didn't think it was crazy.
"Trying to follow in Wonder's footsteps, huh?" Mike teased, eating a bite of his potatoes.
I grinned. "Sort of. But I want to go further – I hope for Cloud to become the first Triple Crown winner since 1978."
"I'll toast to hopes and dreams." Clay said, raising his wineglass and the others did the same. "To watching our hopes and dreams come true."
…..
The next day, I was grooming Gunner when I heard someone walk up to the stall. I looked up to see Uncle Gene and my smile fell away when I saw his expression.
"What is it?" I asked, letting the brush drop back into the grooming box.
"It's Cloud, Bree. There's been an incident at the farm and…" Uncle Gene's voice faded out but I heard some words. Injury….waiting on the vet… may or may not affect her racing…
"Bree?" He said softly, bringing me back to reality. "Did you hear me, sweetheart?"
"Cloud's been injured." I answered numbly and he nodded.
"Len's waiting on the vet to get there and then we'll see what's going on." He watched me closely as I just stood there, frozen. Cloud was hurt.
"I need to go to her." I finally blurted, grabbing the tack box and leaving the stall. Gene sighed.
"I can't leave right now, Bree. Maybe in a day or two and Len is with her –"
I shook my head adamantly. "No, I need to go to her now. I can get myself home, Uncle Gene. I'll get a flight."
He looked apprehensive. "I'm not sure I like the idea of you flying alone and then at home you'll…"
"I'll be with Len!" I sat the grooming box on the tack box sitting in the aisle. "And I flew from South Carolina to Kentucky all by myself, this is just Florida to Kentucky. Please, Uncle Gene, I can't stay here while Cloud is at home, scared and hurt."
He sighed but nodded. "Let's see about getting you a flight home."
Over the next few hours, it was a whirlwind of talking to the airport, booking the next flight out, and running around getting things together to make sure I could make the flight.
Mike and Chad helped get my stuff together and promised to hold things down at the stables here until Uncle Gene got back from the airport.
Mike gave me a hug and Chad gave my shoulders a supportive squeeze. "It's going to be okay." Chad said reassuringly as he handed me my duffel bag.
I nodded, though I didn't feel as if things would be okay. What had happened? Would Cloud be unable rot race? Worse than that, would she have to be put down?
I told myself not to think the worst – not to think too much at all until I got back to Kentucky. Len was with her. He'd take care of her the best he could and no life or death decisions would be made until I was there to make them.
As Uncle Gene stopped the truck in the drop-off lane at the airport, he turned to me. "Okay, I know you're very worried but try not to stress too much and think of worst case scenarios while you're on the plane. Ashleigh and her mother are going to meet you at the airport in Lexington to take you to Whitebrook. Len is keeping me updated as much as he can. Are you going to be okay?"
I swallowed hard and nodded, trying not to let my fear show. I wasn't scared of the airport or the flight, I was scared for Cloud and what was waiting for me at home.
"I love you, Bree, and we'll get through this, sweetheart." Gene hugged me tightly before letting go. "Call me once you're at Whitebrook and have gotten settled."
"I love you too, Uncle Gene." I got out of the car and headed into the airport. I just wanted to see my horse.
It was evening when I landed in Lexington, luckily a short plane ride though. Darkness surrounded the airport as it was nearly Winter.
Ashleigh and her mother waved to get my attention as they stood by the baggage claim. I ran straight to Ashleigh and we hugged instantly.
"Have you talked to Len?" I asked breathlessly. Ashleigh shook her head.
"No, but Charlie went over earlier to give him a hand. They should know something by now." Ashleigh kept her arm around my shoulders and she pointed me towards the exit with her mother following.
"It may not be as serious as it sounded – sometimes an injury can seem worse at first." Mrs. Griffen said as she navigated into the airport traffic.
What if it was serious? What if I had to put Cloud down? Could I do that? How would I do that? I swallowed hard and shut my eyes. I loved Cloud. The thought of losing her…it killed me.
And then I thought about my words to everyone yesterday. The Triple Crown dreams. Having the first filly to win all three…having a Triple Crown winner for the first time in over thirty years.
Feeling deflated, I leaned against the car door and watched the darkened evening pass by.
This is what you got for dreaming.
…..
AN: Hey readers! Sorry for the long time, no update! I am trying to get back into updating but it's hard with all the stories and work! I was hoping to get some finished by the end of this year – ha! – but that won't be happening. I guess 2022 will be my goal year.
Thank you whoever is still here and hanging on. I promise to try to get you more frequent updates. I have been re-reading the Thoroughbred series so that has been helpful (though maybe I made Brad too unrealistic after re-reading how he can be LOL).
To my reviewers:
TBfan22: I'm glad you are liking the story! I will try to get more updates in for all my readers! I think a lot of people have probably forgotten about this series (seeing as how it's from the 90s!) but this was the series that started my love of reading. Thanks for your review and hope you like the new chapter!
Thank you again to all my readers. I won't take as long this time to update I promise 😊
Let me know your thoughts and what you might like to see in the future!
Always,
QuinnandSeth'sgirl15