9.
It was possibly the hottest day of the meet, and Cindy felt that if she didn't step in a cold shower soon she would surely melt under the scorching sun. There was shade in the paddock at Saratoga, but even the tall, full trees couldn't buffer the summer for the people and horses. Nearly everyone looked miserable.
Cindy sweltered in her dark gray and yellow silks, standing next to Darren Starks and some nameless blond woman Cindy hadn't bothered giving the time of day. She watched the young entrepreneur speak to the blond and point out the chestnut walking before them. The woman let out a small giggle, and for the third time since she walked into the paddock Cindy rolled her eyes. There were good owners, bad owners, and idiotic owners. Then there were the playboys. Unfortunately, Cindy was standing next to a playboy, and just about everyone else who had met Darren Starks that afternoon had the look on their face that told Cindy they knew it just as well as she did.
"Can I just whack her in the head, or something?" Cindy hissed in David's direction.
The assistant trainer only smiled, and informed Cindy to make sure to keep out of any early speed duel with Get My Gun, who was a notorious front runner for only having run in two races.
"You didn't answer my question," Cindy fired at him point blank.
"No, Cin," David told her, and Cindy sighed. If she had to put up with this man and his tramps during every race Wonderment ran, the excitement would soon wear off.
The chestnut colt looked beautiful in the paddock. He had been groomed to a shine, and his white blaze made him the most striking animal in the small handful of maidens that were running in the eighth race that day. If nothing else, Wonderment could easily win the beauty contest.
Cindy had been unbelievably excited coming into the day. Wonderment had been an angel during his morning work, and soon she was about to see just how good this son of Champion really was. She was almost positive that the colt already had all of his competition beat.
"Watch Tower might be a problem late in the race," David said to keep Cindy occupied. The bay colt in question walked by them and she let her eyes graze over his already sweat-darkened body. "He's going to come into the race big during the last three furlongs. His first race out he nearly won. They've probably perfected that closing kick since his last time out."
"I'll keep on my toes," Cindy promised, wanting badly to shove past the blond as Wonderment was stopped in front of them. The woman was acting all awe and astonishment at the gorgeous animal in front of her, and Darren Starks was encouraging every bit of it. For a moment Cindy regretted that the man was so proficient in the racing business. It was his only saving grace.
"Excuse me," Cindy smiled at them sweetly, moving past the couple to let David give her a leg up onto the tall colt. Wonderment huffed and struck out quickly with a foreleg, making the blond jump back from his head in shock. Cindy bit back a smile.
"Darren!" the woman exclaimed.
"It's alright, doll," Darren chuckled soothingly. "He's a racehorse, after all. They don't come timid."
Cindy didn't say a word as the groom led them off, Wonderment walking easily by the shallow group of people stationed around the paddock. Cindy patted the colt's sweaty neck and was glad to be off.
They hit the track and warmed up, cutting through the humid air and making it hard for Cindy to breath the thick stuff. She wound up gulping as Wonderment slowly galloped up the first turn, warming up past the starting gate and turning around.
"This heat is murder, if you ask me," Cindy's outrider grumbled, looking absolutely miserable in jeans and a dark blue Saratoga shirt.
"We're almost to the end of the day," Cindy tried to remain optimistic, frowning as the first horse trotted into the gate. "This is my last."
"Congrats," the man replied sarcastically. Cindy let a sliver of a smile creep up her mouth.
Three more horses walked into the gate before it was Wonderment's turn, and the chestnut colt slid easily inside. It was obvious from the start that Wonderment didn't have his sire's difficult temperament. Cindy was thankful for that one difference.
"Whoa, whoa!" she heard the calls of other jockeys in their stalls as the young horses banged and squealed at their tight confinement. Cindy pulled down her goggles and the last horse moved into line. Then the gates broke open with a bang.
Wonderment jerked with the rest of the maidens and left the gate pulling to the outside to brush up against It's Only Given, a bright bay colt by Point Given. Cindy had been ready for the colt's awkward start, as many maidens never got their first start perfect, and tugged the colt away from the bay, straightening him out. The six-horse field seemed to consolidate going down the stretch and Get My Gun had predictably taken the lead. The gray colt was bounding down the track with his rider hauling back on the reins, his mount rank and straining to run. Cindy hauled Wonderment to the inside, It's Only Given following them closely.
Get My Gun was roaring unchallenged down the backstretch, and Cindy settled Wonderment in third. It's Only Given was laying close in fourth, his head bobbing near Cindy's outside leg. The small field traveled easily down the backstretch and into the far turn, Get My Gun finally flattening out and letting his jockey take over command. At that point, horses were beginning to make moves in the short race, and Wonderment tensed with excitement.
As Get My Gun fell back, Cindy began to ask Wonderment for speed. The colt didn't seem hesitant to start pouring on power. At the top of the stretch, the leaders had fallen rapidly behind Wonderment and It's Only Given, the two colts locking into a duel to the wire.
Wonderment switched strides and shoved forward, accompanied by a swift tap from Cindy's whip. It's Only Given did the same, launching into battle with the chestnut as they roared down the homestretch, heads bobbing only inches in front of each other.
Cindy pushed and worked at Wonderment with her crop, refusing to let the chestnut give in. The two colts seemed to stare each other down as they drove to the finish, their bodies streaked with sweat and spotted with dirt and lather. Finally, the wire slipped overhead and Cindy leaned back, letting the colt slow.
"What do you think?" she heard Anthony call over to her, slowing It's Only Given, the bay glittering red and black in the harsh sun.
"I have no idea," Cindy said, hauling her golden colt to a canter, Wonderment tossing his
mane and snorting. Cindy patted him on the shoulder, feeling the wetness oozing out of his coat. The colt was slicked with sweat, and seemed several shades darker.
Cindy glanced back and saw Watch Tower standing in the middle of the homestretch, his jockey walking down the outside rail as several attendants began to walk the colt off the track. They had taken off his saddle, but the colt looked fine.
"Heat exhaustion," Anthony said as they began to trot their horses back to the grandstand. "In this weather, I'm not freaking surprised."
"No," Cindy said softly, rising in the saddle with Wonderment's tired, but sure rhythm. Watch Tower was led up into the ambulance, and as the colt was ferried back to the stables, Wonderment's number four was glowing surely on the totaliser. They had won, Cindy realized with a smile. But by a sliver of a nose.
At works a few days later, Cindy walked purposely down the outside rail of the training track, her thick blond hair firmly pulled back in a ponytail. The heat hadn't let up, and Cindy had already pulled off her flak jacket, plucking at her tank top with her fingers to let the air circulate against her hot skin.
Works were over, and Cindy was looking forward to a shower and a fresh change of clothes. She didn't have any mounts in the races that day and part of her was glad. It was a Saturday, and her father would like her in the Whitebrook box to keep him company as Heliacal and War Hero ran their races.
"Where are you going, little lady?" she heard David as she walked by the gap. The last Simm-trained horse was being led off the track, and David was coming back up to the stables with it.
"Headed back to the track," Cindy said, pausing to wait for him.
"You're off for the rest of the day, though," David said, meeting up with her and heading back to the shed row.
"Yeah, but my dad is running a few horses today. I thought I'd keep him company."
"Good deal," David said. "I'll see you up in the grandstand at some point, I'm sure."
"You can come along," Cindy said, speaking before she could think. She stopped short and looked at David out of the corner of her eye. He was glancing back at her as though equally confused that she was inviting him on what she had just deemed a family function.
"Um," Cindy said, trying to recover. "It's just that my dad is training some great two-year-olds this year. You might want to check them out up close and personal, if you want."
That still wasn't better, and Cindy was having a hard time trying to revoke any invitation. She wound up just sighing and smiling at David, looking stupid and completely mortified at herself.
"I'll see you in the grandstand, Cindy," David said, chuckling as they arrived at their stable and walked into the shade.
"Great," Cindy said, forcing a smile before picking up her duffle out of the office and retreating to the shower.
Later that day, Cindy stood in the paddock wearing a light sun dress and feeling just about as feminine as she could in the relentless heat and humidity. Josie stood next to her in the famous white and blue colors of Whitebrook, her eyes on the honey chestnut colt walking quietly around the paddock.
"He looks excellent," Cindy said, complementing the colt, and Josie nodded. Heliacal was led by them, the colt swishing his tail over his hocks as he passed. Cindy gave him a once over with her eyes and turned to follow the colt's movement as he rounded around the spacious paddock, her gaze inevitably wandering from the colt and onto the ominous presence walking up to them.
"God damn it," Cindy muttered, swiftly turning at the sight of Brad and Lavinia Townsend. "Is there some reason why they have to show up? It's only an allowance for Christ's sake."
Josie let a small smile play on her mouth, before glancing quickly at the gorgeous couple walking their way.
"You know Brad," Josie said, shrugging. "He can't keep away from the social Saratoga scene."
Cindy fumed quietly and gave Brad a curt hello before turning her attention to the colts, letting her father deal with the rich owner. As part owner of Heliacal's dam, Townsend Princess, the chestnut colt was automatically partly owned by Brad's father, Clay Townsend, as well. Clay Townsend was, for the most part, an upstanding Thoroughbred owner and breeder. His son didn't have the same charisma and patience, and since Cindy had had several conflicts with Brad and Lavinia she was more than happy to not look in their direction.
"Riders up!"
Cindy nudged Josie and told her good luck. Heliacal was brought by again, pausing for Ian to toss Josie up into the saddle. Cindy winced as she stood next to Lavinia, trying not to drown in the woman's expensive perfume that she seemed to wear as though she had bathed in it. Josie flashed a smile in Cindy's direction and waved, turning with the colt as they were led down to the track. Cindy smiled back, but it was instantly gone as she trudged along behind the bickering couple, wishing they didn't have a box right next to them. She knew Lavinia would be talking Brad's ear off during the entire race, and half of what she would say would be derogatory comments about Whitebrook.
"I just don't understand why she's wearing Whitebrook silks," Lavinia pouted, already starting her incessant chatter. "After all, Pride and Wonder wore Townsend Acres silks throughout their careers."
Cindy rolled her eyes behind Lavinia's back as they walked up the stairs into the grandstand, shooting her father a disgruntled look as the woman kept talking.
"He'll be wearing Townsend gold and green next time out," Brad assured his wife. "With Heliacal the contract states that both owners be represented, and silks alternated. Damn stupid agreement, if you ask me. Ashleigh always wants..."
At that point Cindy stopped listening as they reached their box seats, focusing her attention on Heliacal as the impressive young colt warmed up in the stretch. The race was only six and a half furlongs, and seemed a perfect step up for Heliacal, who had won his maiden at six furlongs.
"Excited?" Cindy asked her dad, who was tapping the racing program against the bars of the box.
"Nervous," Ian corrected his daughter, and Cindy smiled.
"He's a Wonder grandson, dad," Cindy said, taking the program for him so he'd stop fidgeting. "His name is practically waiting to enter the hall of fame."
"Let's hope," Ian said as the horses entered the gate and started without incident. Heliacal jumped cleanly and darted straight for the front, carrying Josie to the rail professionally and settling on the lead, letting Josie determine the pace.
"Smart horse," Cindy breathed, trying to drown out Lavinia's whining.
"Why on earth is he on the lead like that?" Lavinia groaned from behind her. "He was stalking last time. She's already ruined it, I swear..."
Cindy gritted her teeth and forced herself to focus again, watching as Heliacal already had cruised to an easy two length lead. Not knowing much about the colt's running style, Cindy went on faith. Josie knew what she was doing, and she was hardly asking Heliacal for speed when they hit the stretch. They were three lengths ahead, and the closest challenger was already going for the whip.
Laughing, Cindy raised her hand in the air and shouted for Heliacal as he galloped swiftly down to the finish and crossed the line six lengths ahead. The colt never had to dig deep, and when she turned to hug her father she was glad to hear the critical comments behind her cease.
There were so many two year olds swarming in Saratoga that year that Cindy could hardly keep them all straight. Not minutes after leaving the winner's circle for Heliacal's win in his allowance Cindy found herself back in the paddock. This time War Hero was prancing and sweating, nervously kicking out and acting like his sire and his grandsire before him.
The Saratoga Special had drawn serious competition. The grade two stakes had met capacity at twelve horses, and almost all of the entrants were royally bred and fit to become champions. Cindy had settled on the second favorite, a lanky light bay colt called Fine Print. He looked like he was still growing into his long legs, but his sire was the immortal Storm Cat and his dam had been a winner of four grade one stakes. He was built to become an impressive older horse, and Cindy was curious to see how he would do at two.
War Hero, of course, looked like he was about to eat his groom. He had his ears laid back and his body was streaked with dark lines of sweat. He didn't seem to take a liking to Fine Print, who was not amused with War Hero. The two colts were on their toes and walking with their necks arched, as though trying their best to circle each other like wild stallions.
"Testosterone," Josie said, summing it up in one word. "They had both better quit it. Cipher other there is cool as ever."
Cindy nodded, taking a look at the dark, nearly black colt who walked calmly by his groom, trying to rub his head against the man's arm. He was flashy, with a large white star on his forehead and four white socks. His sire was Victory Gallop, and with classic bloodlines such as those he would be something to look out for.
After getting Josie up onto Hero successfully, Cindy returned to the grandstand with her father, watching the colts warm up eagerly. She was so engrossed in following the main attractions that she didn't notice Lavinia's subtle remarks or the fact that David has slipped into a seat nearby.
The race went off easily, with Bookmarked taking the immediate lead and sprinting down the backstretch in the short race, letting everyone file along behind him. War Hero had fallen to nearly last, but Cipher was content to bring up the field. Fine Print was running mid-pack, with several other promising two year olds. The young horses were still new to racing, and as Cindy followed along with her binoculars she could see Fine Print getting bumped into the rail several times by Yougottawantit. War Hero and Cipher were settled in second to last and last, their dark presences shadows over the field.
When the colts swung into the homestretch, Cindy watched with enthusiasm as War Hero picked up with pace, Cipher hot on his heels as the two closers went wide around horses and bounded to the front, joining Fine Print, who seemed to be able to shake Yougottawantit off of his back.
Cindy set down her binoculars and cheered Josie on, watching as the three young horses left the rest of the field behind. Fine Print was in first, struggling to keep his lead. War Hero and Cipher were speeding up next to him. Cindy jumped up and down to see over the heads of other people, catching sight of Cipher cruising past Fine Print as War Hero seemed to stop. The dark bay colt passed under the finish a head in front, with Fine Print and War Hero filing after.
Cindy groaned as most of the people in the stands shrieked with happiness. Cipher had been the favorite in the race after coming off a beautiful allowance win. The colts cooled out in the first turn, their bodies glistening through the hot air.
"Better luck next time," David said, walking up to Cindy and Ian. "Heliacal was damn impressive, though. I'll be studying him."
Cindy did a quick introduction, getting her father and David speaking about the race as they walked out of the grandstand, fighting the crowd the entire way.
"Hero has some maturing to do," Ian said, talking with David easily. Cindy was almost surprised by her father's easiness with strangers. Although it shouldn't have surprised her. Ian handled the press as though it were his main job. "That's clear with him."
"Sure," David said. "His sire line was certainly slow to mature at two. You may have a classic horse on your hands instead of a young shooting star."
"No doubt," Ian nodded. "Warrior and Dominion are certainly not juvenile champions. He's bound to do better as time progresses."
"Good luck with him," David said. "I'd love to be in your position."
Cindy listened to the conversation for a few more moments before Brad walked up, beckoning David away with some request that surprised Cindy. David gave her a smile and told her he'd see her later as he walked off with the Townsend, Cindy still staring after him.
"Seems like a responsible young man," Ian said, throwing an arm around Cindy's shoulders as they walked down to the backside.
"Dad," Cindy started, only to be hushed.
"No need to explain, Cin. No need at all."
Cindy groaned and smacked her hand against her head with exasperation, and Ian only laughed.
Later that night, Cindy sat in absolute silence as they ate dinner with the Townsends. Cindy was sure she hadn't said a word during the night. Most of the time she was busy staring in horror at Lavinia's contemptuous comments, wondering who on earth could raise such a person. Brad was bearable, speaking mostly to Ian about his father's wish to see Heliacal in the Hopeful Stakes. Ian had been hesitant, but Brad had pushed. Heliacal was headed on the road to the Hopeful unless something happened to derail those plans.
Cindy was glad when the night was over, and she found herself driving alone with the windows down. She hadn't changed out of her good evening clothes, but she hadn't wanted to go home quite yet. Instead she found herself driving up to the gates of Saratoga Racecourse, rolling into the backside after she presented her ID.
She came up to Lucas' Saratoga barn and shut off her engine, setting foot on the gravel with her high heels. Tripping over the jagged bed of gravel, she made it to the stable without injury and walked down the shed row to Wonderment and Sunday, who were both dosing quietly in their stalls.
Wonderment didn't open his eyes, so Cindy gave him a soft caress on the muzzle before moving to Sunday, who had his dark brown eyes open and watching her.
"Hey, speedy," Cindy smiled at him, running her hand over his face, and tickling his chin. Sunday lipped at her fingers, trying to catch them in his mouth as she played. The backside was quiet except for the soft noise of the horses shifting their weight and sighing. It was soothing, and exactly what Cindy needed after a dinner with the Townsends.
Cindy gave the colt a kiss on the muzzle and patted his dappled gray neck, smoothing her hand down the soft fibers of his coat. Sunday butted her playfully with his head, grunting loud enough to wake up Wonderment from his deep dozing. Cindy gave the suddenly interested chestnut a kiss as well before wandering off to the office, where she found David stepping out the door.
"Cindy," he said, sounding surprised to see her.
"Hey," Cindy said, cheerful again after seeing the horses. "I didn't think you'd be here this late."
"Hell, Cin," David laughed. "I'm here at the weirdest hours."
Cindy smiled at him and walked with him down the row to check on the horses, talking easily. They had grown accustomed to each other since Cindy had come up to Saratoga, and although Cindy had been wary after all the things Jack had implied in his actions, she found no reason to not be friends with the man with her now.
David let himself into one of the gelding's stalls, leaning down to check the dozing horse's bandages that had been wrapped around his legs for the night.
"Did you ever get a hold of Lucas about Wonderment?" Cindy asked, leaning against stall to watch him work at redoing a messy bandage.
"Yeah," David said. "He wants to head to the Hopeful before we ship him down to Belmont after the meet."
"Oh?" Cindy frowned, wondering how on earth everything would work out. "No allowance?"
"No," David said. "We all pretty much agreed that he's ready. Skipping the traditional allowance won't harm him."
"Who's we?" Cindy asked curiously. She hadn't heard from Jack in a week, and every time she had called him to tell him about Wonderment's win she had gotten the answering machine. It was frustrating and Cindy was considering being mad at him the next time she saw him, but then she knew that getting mad at Jack usually had no benefits.
"Jack, Lucas, and I," David said slowly, standing up after fixing the bandage.
"You've talked to Jack?"
"Yeah," David said, shrugging. "Why? Haven't you?"
"No," Cindy said, hiding her concern. "No," she repeating with more assurance.
"It's okay," David said, giving her an amused smile. "He is busy."
"Yeah," Cindy frowned. "But he's, like, my best friend."
"Really?" David asked, stepping out of the stall and latching the guard back over the empty space.
"Really, really," Cindy said. "So it's kind of weird that I haven't heard from him."
"Nothing to worry about," David said. "You're his best friend after all."
Cindy frowned. The way he said that didn't make her feel much better.
"Oh, what do you mean by that?" Cindy asked, pushing for information if he had any.
"Nothing meant," David said, holding up his hand in mock innocence. "Nothing."
"I don't believe you," Cindy said pointedly.
"What?" David said. "He's a good guy. Doesn't seem to like me all that much, but you just have to let bygones be bygones."
"Yeah, I've never been able to figure that one out," Cindy said, and David looked over at her curiously.
"What? You like me?" He asked her, smiling devilishly.
"Come on," Cindy rolled her eyes. "I think you're a decent human being, if you must know."
"That's it?" he asked, pushing for more. "Am I not handsome, or sweet, or funny, or whatever it is girls always go on and on about?"
"No," Cindy said, getting almost a hurt look from him. Then she gave him one of her sarcastic nods of her head and said flirtatiously, "Oh, you're so much more, David."
"Good to hear," David laughed, looking in on the last horse. The small bay filly inside was already conked out in the bedding of her stall.
"Sweet," Cindy said, leaning against the stall to look at the filly. David leaned next to her, their shoulders brushing. "If I could sleep like that, with no worries or cares in the world, I'd be happy."
"That would make you happy?" David asked. "To be like that?"
"Well," Cindy said slowly. "Since I'm not a horse, I guess I'd have to have a little more than that."
"What do you want?" he asked her, turning his head to look at her. Cindy swallowed, suddenly aware of how close they were.
"I don't know," Cindy said defensively. "Nothing you could give me, that's for sure," she added, already beginning to push away from the stall. Things were strange now, and Cindy's skin was crawling in warning.
"Oh, don't say that, Cin," David said, grabbing her hand and pulling her back to him, pushing back from the stall to capture the back of her head in his other hand as he brought his head down to hers.
His lips touched hers long enough for a deep kiss. Cindy was too stunned to react, her arms down by her side, and she stared at him wide eyed. Then it dawned on her to push him away. She put her arms into action and shoved against his chest, breaking the kiss off sloppily and stepping back.
"David," she said, putting her hand to her mouth. "What got into you? I didn't..."
"No, Cindy," David said. "Don't tell me that this is all me."
"Well, it is," Cindy defended herself. "I never asked for..."
"Okay, then," David said, seeming to draw himself up to his full height. Cindy frowned at him in confusion and took another step back, shaking her head.
"David," she started, trying to figure all of this out. Everything had an explanation, and she was going to make this very clear to him. She wasn't interested.
"Cindy, I'm not Jack. Okay?" David said, and that brought Cindy to a stumbling halt.
"Excuse me?" Cindy whispered.
"I'm not Jack," he said. "I never will be. I'm not remotely like Jack, so stop speaking to me as if I am."
"I don't understand," Cindy said, shaking her head. "What the hell are you talking about."
"Cindy, wake up, okay? If Jack had caught on you'd have been with him months ago by now, if not years. Jack is a moron for not realizing it sooner."
"Not realizing what?" Cindy asked, trying not to feel hot and bothered. Her heart was beating out of her chest. She knew what he was going to say before he said it, and she desperately wanted him to lie to her.
"Do I really have to say it?" David asked her. "You're not fooling me, Cin. You're not fooling anyone, really."
Cindy only stared at him, shocked.
"And he's not here, but I am. I'm not filler, Cindy. Okay? Have you realized that now?"
Cindy was speechless. All she could do was press her hand against her lips again, trembling.
"I know this is all about Jack, Cindy," David said, walking up to her again only to stop when she took a step back. "I'd like it to be about me, but I'm not sure that can happen."
"I," Cindy tried. "I can't..."
"I know," David said, giving her a soft smile that seemed to tell her volumes about what he knew about her. He touched her arm and she jumped. "I'll see you tomorrow, Cin."
With that, he turned around and walked out of the barn and to his car.
"I like you, Cin," he called over his shoulder. "But I'm not going to be him for you."
Cindy only stared at him as he got in his car and drove off, leaving her staring at the horses in their stalls, milling softly in the darkness. Cindy took in an unsteady breath, letting it out quickly to take another one. Suddenly the soft sounds of the horses was not as soothing, and Cindy, confused and trembling, turned on her heel and left.