Chapter 56- Meeting the Investor

A/N- hey guys, I know it has been awhile, thanks for being so patient with the update… I had a bit of a hard time with this chapter, and just trying to make sure everything was clear… Anyways as always enjoy and please review and let me know what you think!

Kris sat on the couch, quietly staring at the wall and contemplating her life. Things had used to be easy, and at least semi-normal, which seemed not to be the case anymore. In a single week she had lost her fiancé, her family, and her best friend. Her life had been flipped upside down for the second time, and this time things were as unsteady as ever.

She heard a gentle knock on the door, bringing her back to reality. Getting up quickly she made her way to the door and opened it without checking the peep-hole. She saw the shocked look on the girls face and she instantly realized what a mess she looked like. Her hair was falling out of her ponytail and her eyes were baggy from all of the crying she had been doing.

"Guees-louise are you OK Kris?" Tina asked as she stood on the porch with her hands on her hips.

"It's been a rough day," Kris replied softly.

"I heard about Wildfire, I am so sorry." Tina replied.

"Thanks," Kris stated in response "not to be rude but why are you here?"

"I came to deliver you a message," Tina stated.

"And that would be?" Kris asked.

"That I think it is time you met Firefly's other owner."

"Firefly's other owner as in your investor?" Kris asked inquiringly.

"That would be the same one, yes." Tina replied.

"Interesting," Kris stated "may I ask why all of the sudden this person is willing to meet with me when they haven't been before?"

"The situation has changed, Kris. Let's just say that they have an offer that I think is going to be hard for you to refuse." Tina replied.

--

Junior sat at the table, head in his hands, as his best friend and sister sat across from him.

"I really screwed up this time," Junior stated softly running his hands up his face and into his hair.

"You can say that again," Dani stated as she gently reached out and placed her hand on his arm. "Junior, it's obvious she loves you, I mean that is some love letter." Dani stated pointing to the letter that sat on the table in front of them.

Junior nodded his head softly, momentarily silent before he spoke. "So I need your guys' opinion. What do I do? Do I give her the time and space that she says that she needs or do I fight for her?"

A soft chuckle slowly left Matt's mouth and Junior instantly turned his head to look at his friend.

"What?" Junior asked.

"I think," Matt stated "that you already know the answer to that question."

Junior turned his head and looked at his sister who had a small smile on her face.

"Haven't you always been fighting for her?" Dani asked softly "What makes now a good time to give up?"

Junior felt a sigh escape his lips and he gently rested his chin upon his hand.

"You know we're right man," Matt stated "you're just too stubborn to admit it."

A small laugh escaped Dani's lips causing both men to turn and look at her. "And I thought I was the only one who thought that." Dani stated causing Matt to laugh as well.

"Gee, thank guys," Junior stated a bit frustrated.

"It doesn't mean we don't love you," Dani stated as another small laugh escaped her lips.

"Yeah, yeah," Junior stated as he stood up from the table "It looks like I have some work to do."

--

Kris pulled up to the worn down track that she had become accustomed to racing on. While the condition of it was not the greatest, the time she had spent here had meant more to her than she could even describe.

This time the trek was different though, and she had butterflies in the pit of her stomach. She would be meeting the investor today. Although it was something that she had thought about from time to time the fact that it was now happening unnerved her a bit.

A gentle knock on her window brought her out of her thoughts and into the present. Rolling down the window she turned and looked at the man standing by her car and smiled.

"Hey O," Kris stated softly as she looked up at the man.

"Kris, it's great that you are finally here. Exciting day, exciting news!" Omar replied.

"I know," Kris replied quickly "I hear I get to meet the other half of the team."

"Oh," Omar replied "well yeah there is that too."

"That too?" Kris asked a bit confused.

"Never mind me I am getting ahead of myself," Omar replied smiling softly. "Anyways he is waiting for you over by the stalls. I will talk to you later."

Kris slowly exited the car after looking herself over once in the mirror. It had been a long week, and while that showed on her face and definitely in her eyes, she still thought that she looked pretty presentable.

She made her way quickly to the stalls and looked around for a moment before spotting him.

"Oh my god." Kris stated as she stood staring at the man in front of her.

"Why hello, Kris." The man replied.

"I never thought it would be you." Kris stated the shock still evident on her face.

"And on that note," the man replied "we should talk."

"Talk about what?" Kris asked the bitterness present "Talk about how you told your son he should dump me and run or about how you have been trying to wedge a gap between us since day one. Was this another scheme of yours to get between Junior and I?"

Ken Davis looked at the woman in front of him for just a moment contemplating how to respond.

"Well Kris, I asked you to ride because I thought it would help you."

"Right," Kris replied snidely "and what did you get out of it?"

"I got someone who could control a horse that no one else could, which isn't surprising considering that Firefly is related to Wildfire."

"WHAT?" Kris asked shocked at the news.

"I can't get into the specifics since it wasn't exactly on the up and up in the first place but let's just say Firefly and Wildfire are close, very close."

A large sigh escaped Kris' lips as she stood exasperated staring at the man in front of her.

"And as for you and Junior breaking up, well I didn't exactly plan it but it worked out quite well in my favor didn't it? Let's be honest with each other, I never really thought you fit in with the Davis legacy anyway."

"Unbelievable!" Kris exclaimed as she shook with anger. "How did you rope Tina into this?"

"Oh she agreed quite willingly actually," Ken replied "A little money and she was willing to do whatever I asked of her. She was so eager to please, eager to have something worth doing, at least for a little while."

"You disgust me." Kris stated angrily.

"Now, now, Kris that is no way to talk to your child's grandfather. Plus I have something I need to discus with you involving your training."

"What can you possibly have to say to me?" Kris asked.

"Only that I've put you and Firefly in a very important race."

"How important?" Kris asked.

"The purse is a million dollars," Ken stated "half of it is yours if you agree to race and win."

"Is the race legal?" Kris asked immediately realizing Omar's involvement.

"Is that really important Kris? You and I both know that you have done some things that aren't exactly on the up and up yourself. Picture it Kris, with the money you would never have to worry about Jason's future. You would be able to be free to do what you want."

"Why would I agree to this?" Kris asked confusion and shock evident on her voice "Why would I put my license on the line again?"

"Because," Ken stated "you missed riding more than you are willing to admit. Plus you love the horse and need the money and yes I know you need the money."

"How?" Kris asked.

"Please," Ken replied snidely "with Junior, your money ticket, gone and that house payment plus babysitters and all the other expenses. Not to mention the fact that a close friend of mine owns the bank, it was obvious you were scrimping for every penny you could."

"Unbelievable," Kris stated disgusted "you knew I needed help. That your grandson needed help, but you chose to ignore it and go on as if you knew nothing." A small laugh escaped her lips and she looked at him fiercely. "That day at the party was just an act wasn't it?"

"What do you think?" Ken replied "I stick to my word that you slept your way into this family. I think your son is proof of that."

"What if I refuse?" Kris asked.

"The thing is," Ken replied as he reached up and brushed a stray hair out of her face "we both know you aren't going to."

A few tears fell from Kris' eyes as she slowly nodded her head. Ken was right; she did need money, desperately. She also loved Firefly more than she thought Ken even knew and the horse was yearning to race. SHE was yearning to race.

"Great!" Ken stated as he gently slapped her on the arm "It's wonderful to have you on the team Kris. Now let's talk about you relocating."

"Relocating?" Kris asked.

"Yes," Ken replied "the race is in Colorado."

"So can't we just train here and just go there for the race."

"Kris, Kris, Kris." Ken stated "Why would you ever ask a question that you already know the answer to."

"When do we leave?" Kris asked softly, tears once again brimming at her eyes.

"Next week," Ken stated "Should give you plenty of time to close things up."

"What about Jason?" Kris asked softly "I can bring him with can't I?"

"Of course Kris, I would never separate you two."

Kris nodded her head softly, slowly digesting the information.

"Just a little more incentive Kris," Ken stated as he watched the emotions play over her face "if you win this race we have a good shot at getting you two into the Kentucky Derby!"

Kris nodded her head, slowly digesting the information. "Great." Kris stated softly.

"I know it is something you have always wanted Kris, and now with Firefly it is within reach."

"Yeah," Kris stated softly. She turned to leave and could feel her heart pounding in her chest. Sitting in the car, she contemplated how she was going to leave everyone behind, including Junior. Worse of all how was she going to tell them? How was she going to tell Junior?