Black Stallion: Hopeful: Chapter 4 And that is how the maid found them. She gives them a scornful look. Alec with a blanket across his lap. Alex kneeling beside his bad leg with a used bandage in her hand reaching for a the clean one beside his hip and both of them laughing.
"I came to dress Mr. Ramsey's wound," the maid interrupts.
Alec knows the situation doesn't look well but he can't help his retort Alex, "How many dogs has she taken care of?"
Alex knows she better leave so she stands up and pats his bare shoulder, "You will be her first."
She heads for the door as his jaw drops at her reply.
"HEY!" he calls to her back disappearing out the door. The maid looks at Alec and then to Alex.
Alex calls back from the porch, "Hay is for horses!" And then she laughs. He can't help but be amused. It's been a long time since someone has given him some good ribbing.
The maid looks at his wound, "Oh this is gruesome."
Alec looks sympathetic at her, "I know. Don't worry, I can do it myself."
She smile up at him, "Anyone who can make "Zena happy again deserves my attention." Alec stares in disbelief at the maid. Then he sighs heavily. She always seemed happy when he saw her. But if what the maid is say is true….
"Don't let Mr. Rosenbalm know you are courting his daughter," the maid warns.
Alec gasps, "I'm not-"
The maid smiles up at him, "Your brain may not know it, but your heart is way ahead of you. I saw her on your Black Devil. I follow the sports page, Mr. Ramsey. We maids know people. Don't get caught." She shakes a finger at him and gently touches the tape securing the bandage, "There you go." She gathers up the supplies and sets them on the dresser. "You heal quickly. I'm sure you will be on your way soon." With a wink she is gone. Alec is left sitting in the room thinking a hurricane just swept through his life.
He didn't see Alex for the rest of the day. But as the stars came out he heard foot steps on the porch. He quickly gets out of the hammock. He sees it's Mr. Rosenbalm with scotch and ice tea. "May I?" he asks gesturing to the chair. Alec returns the gesture and sits with him at the table. "I didn't know what your preference was." Alec pours the tea in to his glass. "Not a man of spirits?" Rosenbalm pours himself a scotch.
"Very rarely. Especially when healing," Alec responds quietly.
Rosenbalm toast him, "You are a very wise man." Alec nods in acceptance of his praise.
"It's very beautiful here." Alec finally says.
"But not home?"
Alec smiles, "There's no place like home." Rosenbalm nods in agreement. The crickets remind them of a spring night. The silence is welcomed.
"This was our first home. Elizabeth and I lived here before we inherited the main house. This was Alexzenia's first home too. We moved to the main house when she was a week old. Elizabeth had a difficult delivery." Alec is silent. But he is understanding the paragraphs of warnings in between Rosenbalm's words. "I don't know why I invited you here. Don't make me regret it." With that he picks up the scotch and leaves. This time Alec feels like a ton of bricks has landed on his head.
This night Alec's nightmares were threats from Rosenbalm in Arab dress.
The next day Alec takes a careful walk to the stables and watches the activity. He puts out a hand for gentle touches to the horses' noses. The head groom comes over to him and smiles, "Mr. Ramsey, good to meet you." Alec shakes his hand. At he same time he sees Arturo, their lead jockey, come in. Wary he comes to Alec.
Alec sticks his hand out, "Hello Art."
"Ramsey." is all he says in response.
Alec tries again, "No hard feelings."
Art smiles, "You are the one who came in second." Alec smiles with a shrug. Art laughs at Alec's defeat.
A chestnut with a white blaze and socks enters the stable. The rider has a thick black braid down her back. It almost touches the back of the saddle. She calls to the groom, "James!" She dismounts with a leap. Alec can't move. She is stunningly beautiful in her riding habit and with her hair pulled back in the intriquite braid. His heart is gone now that he knows more about her. Then he turns to leave the barn.
"Alec!" her voice calls to him, "Let me show you around."
He freezes at the grip Art puts on his elbow, "Back off!" the whispered threat speaks louder than a bellow. Alec is genuinely afraid of Art. Alec begins to leave the barn again and Art goes to Alex to redirect her. She is disappointed.
Later that day Alec goes to the doctor for a check up. He is healing fine and should be able to leave in a couple of days.
Alec returns to Black. It's still too soon to ride but there's always time to brush and just run his fingers along the amazing body. Black relaxes at Alec's touch. The trance is broken by a voice at the fence.
She comes through the gate and towards them. "You are avoiding me."
"You know why," he returns.
"It's my life. I talk to who I want to."
He turns away from her. He can't look at her. He knows he's falling for her. "I don't make a host angry by disrespecting his wishes. It was made clear to me about you."
She steps in front of him pushing Black out of the way so Alec has to face her, "I don't have friends. I have who my father wants to be my friends. I like talking to you. Please, just talk to me," she almost begs him. Black comes back over to her and sticks his nose in her hair. He can't help but smile. His horse really likes her.
Alec goes over to the large oat tree and sits beneath it. She sits beside him. She begins toying with some acorns she finds. "Tell me how you met." They watch Black race across the field.
He closes his eyes and remembers the first time he heard Black's cry of distress. The first time he saw Black free. He tells her, "We were on an island not far from Spain…" He tells her his feelings. He tells her things his parents don't even know.
By the time he tells her everything, the sun is beginning to set. "You better go." She slips her hand into his while they walk back to the porch.
"Thank you." she whispers and is gone again.
Alec sat on the porch eating crackers and cheese when he smelled it. The rain. But it was the way Black was responding and he could feel the electricity in the air as well. It started in the distance with a roll of thunder. Black screams in fear. Alec quickly grabs the halter and limps out to the field. He calls for Black. He won't respond. Alec whistles for him. The lightning begins. They find each other as the claps begins the rain. Alec manages to get it onto Black before the next crack and Black yanks the rope away.
Alec's own heart is pounding in fear. He is desperately trying to be calm. One of them has to be. He gets the rope again. Black rears. He manages to hang on this time, "Come on boy. You've got to trust me. Lets get inside." Black nervously twitches his ears but follows him.
They make it to the gate just as the lightning strikes the filed and the thunder claps right above their heads. Black lifts Alec off the ground this time but he hangs on.
"Can I help?" an angel's voice smiles at them. She strokes Blacks muzzle and helps lead him towards the stable. And then the torrent begins. By the time they make it to the stable all three of them are drenched.
Alec stays in the stall with Black who is starting to calm down, "No fair upsetting the others. We are guests here." Black nudges Alec's chest. Alex returns with towels and they begin giving him a rub down. It does sooth Black… and Alec.
After about an hour the thunder moves on but the rain continues to pour. They sit down to keep Black company. Several times he comes back to Alec for reassurance.
Alec turns to her this time, "Tell me about England."
And that is how the groom found them the next morning. Sitting on a pile of hay with Black eating. They are telling each other about the places they have been. James hands them each a cup of coffee and Black a carrot.
They blush when they see that it is dawn. James gives them an encouraging smile. They finish the coffee and then lead Black back out to the pasture. She smiles to them both and with a kiss to Black's muzzle she heads back to the main house. He watches her disappear into the main house.
After he is sure Black is settled, he heads back to the house for a shower and then calls his parents. They assure him that the farm is fine. Henry is not happy with the new jockey. Alec better be ready to ride Tuesday. Alec can only laugh.
Alec goes back out to the porch. He sees someone in the field with Black. They are doing something to him. Alec hurries out to the field. He sees it is Alex braiding his tail. He sneaks up behind her, "What are you doing to my stallion?" he asks in an authorities voice. She quickly looks up at him. She's never heard him use that tone before. Is he mad or making fun of her? She gets a good look at him.
He's had a shower and a shave. A clean crisp shirt and bright eyes for someone up all night. She's lost in his gaze. She steps closer to him. She can smell the fresh soap, She could touch him if she dared let go of the braid.
"What are you doing, darling?" That was it, she was going liquid now. Then he has to touch her cheek with one finger. "Alex, are you alright?"
She drops the braid and touches his cheek in return, "Not anymore."
He can't help himself either. She so close to being in his arms. He combs his fingers through her hair, "Why are you braiding my stallion's tail?" He asks so softly.
She takes the last step and puts an arm around his waist. Now he has lost it. "The braid will keep the burs out. It also keeps it from getting tangled." Alec continues his strokes with both hands now. "Besides, he has such a beautiful mane and tail." Alec can only nod. She wraps her other arm around his back. She has to run her fingers up his strong back. He strokes her hair all the way to the tips. Then begins again but this time as his fingers stroke from her temple the fingers entwine at the base of her neck and gently draws her closer. She lifts her face to him. She digs her fingers into the small of his back. Their lips barely touch. A sweet kiss as fresh as the rain. A warm taste.
A swish of a tail slaps them both. Alec pulls back with a blush of a stolen forbidden touch. He lets go of her and steps back far enough that she has to release him as well. "Teach me this braid," he breathes.
"Why?" she ask confused.
He raises his hand to touch her hair again but then drops it, "I may need to braid a loved one's hair someday."
She smiles up at him, "A daughter?"
He takes a sharp breath. He had never thought about his own children until her kiss. He reaches out quickly and grabs his stallion's tail, "Or a horse!" Black squeals in delight. She laughs at his nervous response.
So she turns her back to Alec and begins again on Black's tail, while Alec watches over her shoulder.
The maid calls from the porch, "Miss Zena! Your father is looking for you!"
Alex reaches back and grips Alec by the back of the neck she turns her head to meet his over her shoulder and gets a kiss from him. Nervous of an audience he breaks it quickly, "Please don't make him angry." She nods and heads off to the main house.
Alec returns to the porch. The maid shakes a finger at him, "Don't break her heart. You won't have to worry about what Mr. Rosenbalm will do to you. You will have to worry about Mr. Lions and I." Alec sinks into the chair as she goes into the house. He closes his eyes and tries to figure out what he has just done.
The maid soon returns. "You keep yourself neat, Mr. Ramsey."
"Yes m'am." he sighs.
"Your housekeeper must be quite strict," she smiles at him.
Alec looks up at her and returns the smile, "My mother." Then his expression changes quickly, "My mother…."
The maid sits down beside him and puts a motherly hand on his knee, "Do you love Miss Zena?"
"I don't know. I don't want an infatuation. But I'm not sure if I'm ready for serious." He nods towards the main house, "I can't do high society."
"You never know. As a fellow farm owner-"
"But I'm a ranch hand and a jockey."
The maid pats his leg and stand up, "No wonder she likes you." She smiles at him and gathers her supplies. Alec lays down in the hammock and ponders all the maid just said. It's a good two hour nap.
Afterwards, he goes back out to the field. "Take it easy with me, boy" He leads Black to the fence and eases himself onto Blacks back. It's like coming home. A gentle walk, a light trot and easy gallop. Then back to the house to survey the damage to the knee. A few sore muscles but now reopened wound. He sighs with relief.
That night she returns with ice cream. They sit in the chairs and hold hands. "I saw you riding today. How is the knee?" Alec nods. The silence follows. "Alec, are you mad at me?" He squeezes her hand to say no. "Are you shutting me out?"
He strokes the back of her hand with his thumb while looking out over the sky. He can't face her. "I can't get my heart broken."
"Who can?" she replies.
"I have been warned and threatened to stay away from you," he tells her honestly.
"And you have. I came to you." She turns his face to look at her directly, "It's been a long time since some one has talked to Alex. They see Miss Rosenbalm or poor little Zena. I'm not a wounded bird. I'm not a princess. I'm a real person in my own right." The silence falls again.
Then he asks her what he has been asking himself lately, "What do you want with your life?"
"Horses and family," she answers directly. She points to the main house, "Not that." She points to the porch ceiling, "This," and then she kisses his hand entwined with hers, "and this."
The crickets can be heard again, "Henry will be here tomorrow. I race the next day."
She is concerned, "Are you sure you are ready?"
He goes to the railing looking out at Black, "I have to be." She comes to his side and slips an arm around his waist. In return he puts one around her shoulder holding her to his side. "Hopeful isn't like Rosewood. We don't have old money. It was started with Black and I. Then Henry sold his house and my parents sold theirs. Its just us. We have 20 horses, a barn, one main house, a bunk house and five employees. They all depend on our race earnings. So far I'm the only one who can lead them to victory. If we don't place first in the next race we will have to sell off some of the mares. Who do we sell off?" Alec drops his head. She wraps her other arm around his waist. He drops his other arm around her shoulders. He can feel her tears through his shirt. He kisses the top of her head, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told you." She lifts her head and smiles. He wipes away her tears, "Ah, so is horse racing business."
She straightens her back, "I never knew there was this side of racing. Maybe I have been a princess."
He leans down and kisses her nose, "I think that's what Henry meant by you being out of my league."
"I'm going to ask Father to teach me the business. Maybe even go to college. Who knows, a business degree!"
He smiles with her, "Good idea."
They spend the rest of the night talking business. She finds out that she knew more than she thought. He finds out that she may not be out of his league. By dawn, she slips back to the house.
Henry arrives a few hours later pleased to see Alec walking unassisted. They load up Black. With a thank you to Rosenbalm and his staff they head out. Alec takes a last look out the window towards the barn. Alex has a single raised hand to him. He returns the gesture.
Amazingly Alec manages to get some sleep in the van. By the time they arrive at the track Henry is worried, "Alec, I thought you were supposed to get some rest. Did you listen to my warning?"
Alec looks down at his hands, "Lets get training, Henry. I need to warm up." He gets Black settled into a stall. Henry gets Blackstone out. Alec carefully changes into his warm up gear. He sets the helmet down on the trunk, "I want to get this leg warmed up before we hit the track. I'll be right back." Henry nods.
The truth was, he had to get away from Henry before he asks questions Alec isn't ready for. He goes for a run out through the parking lot and down the street. On the corner he sees a man peddling silver jewelry. Alec pauses to catch his breath. There's one that catches his eye right away. It's an oval piece of black onyx with a Asecuring the stone to the band. He asks the silver smith, "How much for that one, sir?"
"Ten." the silver smith states smiling.
Alec gleams, "Hold it until noon for me and I'll pay twenty."
"For a lady friend?" the silver smith smiles gleaming. Alec blushes. The man put the ring into his pocket and Alec jogs off.
Alec returns to Henry and leaps onto the back of Blackstone. Henry gives his instructions. Alec nods. As he heads to the track Alec says to himself, "And keep your head on the track." Some how he manages to make a decent time for a trial run. Henry is alright with the time.
At noon, Alec manages to sneak away and get the ring. He slips it into his personal bag. At post time his leg was throbbing. Henry places and extra guard over the wound. But both were still nervous. Some how they managed to come in first. Even beating Rosenbalm's Roseanna.
Back at the stable Alec steals a glance over at Alex. She gives him a secret smile.
That night they are loading up. She comes over to him, "So now what?"
"I'm going back to Hopeful for awhile."
"How is the leg?" she wants to touch him. He grips the halter tighter, he wants to touch her too.
"Throbbing." Just before her father reaches them, he slips the ring into the palm of her hand. "Thank you for your hospitality." He manages to kiss the back of her hand quickly. But her father saw it. He glares at Alec. Alec quickly loads Black into the van.
Henry and Rosenbalm say a few words and shake hands. Then the Hopeful team is on their way.
After about an hour of silence on the road, Alec asks, "Henry, how did you know Clara was the one?"
Henry shakes his head, "Don't Alec. Don't do this."
Alec clenches his jaw, "What am I not supposed to do? Have a life? Think of a future with out racing? Isn't that what you and Dad have been trying to tell me when I was a kid?"
The long road of silence goes on. Henry finally answers, "Not her. Not Alexzina Rosenbalm."
Alec bangs his hand on the steering wheel and the rest of the ride home is tense. Not another word was spoken. When they got home Alec put the horses away while Henry parked the van. Alec headed to the house and hoped his parents were away.
No such luck. His father had praises for him. Alec handed him the check. His mother fussed about his leg and dinner. He barely ate and headed to bed as quick as he could. Somewhere between dreams of Alex and fighting with Henry and Rosenbalm he gave up.
By dawn he was at the barn for Black and heading off in to the woods. A few hours later Henry comes to the pond in the jeep, "I thought I would find you here."
"I'm sorry, Henry. I shouldn't have yelled at you."
"Sometimes it's still hard for me to see you as a man. I still see that little boy begging me to stable his wild beast." Black looks up at them and snorts. Alec laughs. Henry joins him.
"You both are getting older. You won't be able to race forever. Time for me to teach you to train. Time for your dad to give you the business lessons." There's along pause. "Maybe it is time for you to settle down."
"I'm not sure I am ready to settle down. But I am thinking about the next phase of my life, weather it be Alex or someone else."
Henry nods, "Fair enough."
Hopeful Chapter 5 A few days later an invitation arrives for Alec. A country club party. Henry is wary. "Please, Alec, be careful. We don't have that kind of money to throw around. We aren't Rockefeller and Rosenbalm." Alec nods.
He goes to the party, He takes a glass of champagne but turns down the harder drinks. Then he sees her. Now he knows where the invitation came from. She comes over with her friends She introduces them, "Trixy and Samantha, I would like for you to meet a friend of my father's, Mr. Ramsey. He has business investments with Hopeful Farms." The girls look at him with drooling eyes.
He feels a bit uncomfortable but shakes their hands, "Ladies." Before anything else can be said another girl comes running over.
"Show me, Alex! I gotta see it!" Alex raises her right hand up to show her friends the ring Alec had given her. They are all curious now.
"What is this?" Samantha asks.
Trixy giggles, "Does your father know?"
Alex rolls her eyes as her friends are intrigued by the ring, but more intrigued by the story. "Are you kidding? If my father knew he would send a PI out to track him down and have him buried!" Alec stays silent enjoying the attention Alex is getting. She gives him a secret look while the girls are bent over the ring.
Connie asks, "Then what did you tell your father?"
Alex smiles, "I told my father I bought it because it has my A on it."
Samantha curls her nose, "It's rather plain don't you think? I mean, no diamond or emeralds. No sparkles."
Trixy beams, "Oh, I think it is romantic. Think about it, in mysterious dark stranger with a contrast of simple silver. And the A, is it his name or to show how much he enamors her. Ooooh, has anything else arrived?"
Alex says simply, "I don't need anything else." Alec sips his champagne and slips off to the other side of the room. She watches him disappear. But can't break away from her friends.
He sees the balcony door is open. He sees a few kids sitting a sulking. He sets the glass down on a side table and joins the kids out side, "So what's the crime?"
"Running down the hall playing tag," the oldest one says. "We have to come and can't do anything fun."
Alec removes his jacket and sits with them on the floor of the balcony, "Yep, I can relate." They are bored and the littlest one looks like she is going to cry. "How about a story?" The kids shrug.
And that is how the parents find their kids. They are enraptured by Alec's story of the wild Arabian desert. The kids are upset they are being dragged away. So Alec leaves them with a thought, "What do you think happens in the next chapter?" The kids leave smiling and waving, "Bye Mr. Ramsey."
Even Trisha, Alex's cousin, scoops up her niece who fell asleep in Alec's arms. She gives him a smile. Alex comes to his side, "Where did all that come from?"
He entwines his finger with hers, "It was a story I heard when I was with the Sheik."
"You are good with children," she smiles at him.
"Not hard when you are still living with your parents and get treated like one."
She laughs, "Don't I know it!"
He laughs. When he sees no one looking he pulls her close and steals a kiss, "Secret admirer?" he says against her lips.
She steals another kiss, "What good is a country club with out a secret love affair?"
"Alexzina?" her father calls and she slips away from Alec back into the main room. "Where were you?"
She closes the balcony door hiding Alec, "Oh just helping Trisha find her niece."
And so that is how they kept in contact. Society parties. Soon Alec was invited not only by the Rosenbalm family but by the kids. Even some of the adults came to hear his stories.
One night, the party is at Rosenbalm's estate. Alec is not jealous of the other men she talks to because he knows it's his ring she wears. Then there is a dance. She chooses him. Most of the kids were already off to bed.
He tugs her braid, "I love the braid in your hair tonight." She has braided tiny roses into it. He fans his hand across her back.
"Do you love me because my hair is the same color as your stallion's?"
He smiles back, "And do you love me because mine is the same color as your mother's rose?" They both laugh at the thought.
Then a waiter comes over and hands Alex a note. She shows it to Alec.
It's time~~Lions
"Come with me!" she tugs his hand and they sneak out of the ballroom and out to the stables. Her shear skirts are billowing behind her. Alec is actually racing to keep up with her. He has no idea why she is leading him to the stables.
They arrive and James Lions hands Alex a pair of overalls. She is beaming with delight. Alec can see Lions has a reserved smile. Alex takes the overalls to the tack room. Lions grabs Alec's arm with a grim look, "Have you had any foaling go….. Mr. Ramsey?" James' voice wavers. Alec knows this man is not new and knows his horses quiet well and when to be worried.
"How long?" Alec is worried with him as he pulls his jacket off and rolls up his leaves.
"Too long. I wasn't sure if Zena should be here tonight, but since you are here, could you remove her if …"
"Mr. Lions, just tell me what you need." Just then Alex returns and they both put on their best fake smiles.
"Call me James," he says, "Miss Zena, take her head. Mr. Ramsey, help me here."
Alec kneels with him beside the mare's tail, "Call me Alec." James smiles and they get started. Alex talks softly to Rosemary.
Alec asks James quietly, "Where is Mr. Rosenbalm?"
Lions shakes his head, "The same place he was when his wife died. With investors." Alec's face turns angry. Lions shakes his head, "Not every man is strong enough to face death, so he goes where he knows he is strong." Alec softens. "I'm glad you are here with Miss Zena. Now help me turn this colt."
Alec and James are able to deliver the filly. James happily tells Alex, "It's a filly."
Alex happily strokes Rosemary's muzzle, "It's a girl Rosemary. Rosemary? Rosemary?" She starts to panic.
Alec gets the filly started while James goes to Rosemary's head. "I'm so sorry Miss Zena. She's gone." Alex leans over and sobs into the horse's forelock. James comes over and takes over for Alec. Alec in turn goes to Alex. He puts a gentle hand on her back.
Alex tries to explain between her tears, "Rosemary is my mother's horse. When she found out she was sick she had Rosemary breed so I could have the colt. But now…" She turns in to his chest and holds him tight as the tears soak his shirt.
The filly starts to cry for her mother. James quietly says, "Alec…" Alec leads Alex to the little filly wobbling to take her first steps.
"This little filly needs a mother now. She need you . Come on." Alex and Alec take over encouraging the little filly.
"I'll go get a bottle," James says leaving them alone.
Alec scoops the filly up and takes her into another empty stall away from the dead mare. James arrives in time to see the filly start to take some wobbly steps. They are all elated. Alec puts an arm around her shoulder, "What is her name?"
She looks up at Alec, "Hope." His heart stops. The filly has a black star, black socks but her mothers rosy chestnut color, "My mother's dieing prayer for me was that I would find happiness." James smiles as Alec wraps his arms around her and gives her a kiss that leaves no question of his love for her. She threads her fingers through the nape of his neck to keep him from drawing away. They only break because of the bleat from Hope.
James smiles at the young couple, "Why don't you take over with this bottle and I will find some sandwiches. I know Hope will keep and eye on you two." The couple laugh and finish giving her the bottle.
When James arrives he finds the filly flicking her tail at exploring her surroundings. Alec takes the tray and asks James quietly, "Do you want help with Rosemary?"
James pats his shoulder, "I don't know what Mr. Rosenbalm wants to do." Alec nods. Then he joins them for sandwiches and stories of foaling. Alec even tells them of getting Satan off the ship.
James gets Hope her next bottle and then they all settle down with the tired little filly.
When Mr. Rosenbalm comes down the next morning he finds Alec with his back against a hay bale asleep. One arm is around Alex's shoulder her head pressed against his naked chest where his soiled dress shirt is parted. Alex has Hope's head in her lap also asleep.
Alec is having a night mare about that desert island and the cobra again. But this time the cobra turns into Mr. Rosenbalm. He hears the hissing again, "Ramssssey!"
His eyes open to Mr. Rosenbalm's red and angry face hissing his name, "Ramsssssey!"
Even Hope and Alex awaken afraid. Rosenbalm bellows, "What is going on here?"
James rushes in at the bellowing as they all get to their feet. Alex steps in front of Alec, "Papa, wait." she pleads.
Rosenbalm reaches around her and grabs Alec's arm. But Alec's arm is thicker than he anticipated and Alec carefully draws it back. "I'm not going to let my daughter be…be.."
James tries to interrupt, "Mr. Rosenbalm, Rosemary is gone. Mr. Ramsey was here -"
"I don't care. I let him into my home and this is how he returns my respect! By taking my daughter for a roll in my hay? Look at you!"
Alec looks at himself. Shirt unbuttoned, blood, manure, mare's milk. His best dress pants are ruined. Then he looks at Alex. Overalls too big for her, straw in her beautiful black hair, dark circles under her hazel eyes. He can't help but smile. She weakly smiles back. Hope cries. Alec strokes the fuzzy little filly.
Rosenbalm is still seething. "Get off my property. I never want to see you near my daughter again. Do you understand me Mr. Ramsey?"
Alec looks back to Alex. He pulls a stray hair from her face, "You need a braid."
Alex turns her back to her father and takes Alec's ring putting it on her left hand. He takes a deep shuttering breath. "Soon," he whispers in agreement. He wants to kiss her but instead he walks towards the door. Alex starts to go towards the door with him.
"Alexzina, if you walk out that door, you will no longer be a Rosenbalm," her father threatens.
Hope cries. Alec encourages Alex, "Hope needs you now."
"Hopeful?" she almost pleads.
"We are okay right now."
"Stay away from the Rosenbalm's," he warns again.
James escorts Alec to his jeep and hands him his jacket and tie. As they leave the barn they can hear Rosenbalm yelling at Alex, "That's the end of your social parties. And you can forget about working at the track anymore! Time for you to grow up!"
Alex actually laughs at her father and runs off to the main house. James sees the worried look on Alec's face, "He would never strike her. I'll talk to them."
Alec nods, "Thank you for being her friend."
Rosenbalm comes out of the stables himself and sees James and Alec talking. He bellows again, "Lions! If Ramsey isn't off my property in ten seconds you better go with him!" Alec shakes hands with James and sprints to his jeep.
Chapter 6 It was a good thing Alec was angry, hurting and hungry. Because it was a long drive back to Hopeful. He pulls into the drive slowly and quietly parks his jeep in it's place. He enters the house knowing his mom would be with her church group, dad in his office and Henry scouting for another jockey. He drops his keys on the entry table and heads for the stairs.
"Alec, we need to talk," his father says in a tone that left no question. Keeping his back to the kitchen doorway where his father stood, Alec carefully asks,
"Can it wait until I change?"
"No. Now." His father simply orders. It has been a long time since his father has talked to him with that tone. He still respects his father and knows better than to argue. Slowly he turns to face his father. He wasn't expecting to see his mother and Henry also in the kitchen.
"Alexander Ramsey!" his mother gasps. Alec drops his head in shame and enters the kitchen.
"Not now Belle. Alec, sit," his father points to a chair. Alec sits. His mother is wringing her hands and horrified by Alec's attire. His father does his best to ignore it. "I know you grew up fast. Faster than any kid should have to. Maybe that is why you are getting rebellious now." Alec is about to speak but his father cuts off that thought. "We are all concerned about the path you are going down now. You aren't a kid anymore. You are a team member here. And we are a family. You can't go off thinking about yourself anymore. Okay?"
Alec waits a moment to see if the lecture will go on. Then he ask, "What have I done?"
Belle says, "We got a disturbing phone call from Mr. Rosenbalm and something…something…" She blushes at the thought of her son being intemeant
Alec clenches his fists on the table, "Yes, what did he say?"
Now Bill looks embarrassed, "He said you were inappropriate with his young daughter. Come on Alec, after he took you in at his home?"
Henry finally speaks, "Look at your self."
Alec stands up angry, "Yeah, lets look at me!" He points out the spots on his clothes, "I have manure, blood, afterbirth, mare's milk and who else knows what on me. A friend, my age, needed consoling when her mother's horse died foaling and her father was with investors." He stands there waiting for them to counter his remarks. They are left speechless. Alec spreads his arms wide, "Now may I be excused to shower? I have fences to mend, stalls to muck, yearlings to train, and bills to pay. When I'm done with that I'm sure my trainer has a few more lessons to teach me. The smell of dead dreams are really starting to get to me." He turns and runs up the stairs slamming his bedroom door.
He strips the last of his dress clothes and dumps them into the trash. The shower with it's searing hot needles are welcomed to burn away the pain in his chest. But it doesn't stop the tears from flowing or the sob in his throat.
When the water finally turns cold, he is ready to face the world again. He puts on his favorite worn jeans and a clean t-shirt and warm socks. He heads down stairs to the porch to put on his work boots. His mother comes out with a thick sandwich, two apples (knowing one would go to Black) a tall glass of milk, her famous potato salad and a large chocolate chip cookie. He looks up at her sheepishly, "I'm sorry, Mom. I almost told you guys I wish I had never come home from that island."
She kisses the top of his head, "I can see those days in your eyes."
He squeezes her hand, "And I see the pain in yours."
"I will always thank God for that horse," she smiles and goes back inside.
He devours his mother's love and takes the other apple to Black. Then Alec gets to his chores of cleaning the stalls and fences.
A few days later, a letter arrives from Alex. Her father may have stopped the social parting and working at the track, but he agreed to business classes at college. She is paying more attention to what James is teaching her about animal husbandry. Hope is doing well. Another mare has taken her on who lost her own foal. Alex asks Alec to write her back c/o James. That way her father won't know.
In turn, Alec begins to pay more attention to what his father and Henry are telling him. He is learning the business side and training side of the business. Even Henry and his parents see the difference.
The months go on. The letters increase. Alec misses some of her letters while on the road. Some of the letters arrive at the track for him, personally delivered via James. Alec keeps them tucked close to his chest so Henry won't find them. But each letter draws them closer together. They share their dreams, their loves, their desires, their fears… they are more in love than ever. He sees her a couple of times in the owner's boxes. She carries his ring on her left hand now. Something her father hasn't taken away from her. His heart reaches the finish line before his horse.
Then the race in New Jersey, Atlantic City. Alec and Henry get settled. Alec is getting Black all set up when he hears, "So handsome, want me to braid that tail for you?"
He whirls around, tripping over a bucket and going down. Black sticks his head out the door nickering to her. "Hey boy, miss me?" she gives him a carrot. Alec gets his foot out of the bucket and faces her curiously, "Papa doesn't know I'm here." Alec opens the door and pulls her inside and to the back corner. She wraps her arms around him and he swoops in for a kiss of forgotten time. Black whinnies. Alec looks up to see Henry coming. She dashes out the door, "Red truck, back lot," and she scurries off. Alec checks to see if he is composed. Black sniffs him over.
"Oh give me a break," and he shoves the horse's nose. Black just snorts at him.
Henry makes it to the stall. Alec tries to sound cool, "Since we don't have a race until tomorrow, mind if I go out?"
"No trouble?" Henry warns.
Alec raises his hands in defense, "Promise." Henry nods. Alec grabs his jacket and rubs his horse' nose. "Thanks, Henry!" Henry is very curious when he sees Alec run around to the back lot.
Alec meets Alex at the truck. They hop in, "How about the boardwalk?"
The have a grand time holding hands, getting a kiss, playing games together, walking in the sand. Actually being together again. It's a wonderful time. Their hearts are flying. The emotions are almost over powering. They want to stay like this forever.
Then they spot the silver smith. Alec tells her quietly, "Let me see the ring." She is curious but hands it to him. He pick up a silver horseshoe ring . The onyx nests into the cup of the horseshoe perfectly.
The silver smith smiles, "Good luck."
Alec turns to Alex with a serious look on his face, "I know I never officially asked you…"
Alex keeps her hazel eyes locked with his blue ones but her words reach out to the silver smith, "Do you have another one," she lifts his left hand, "this size?" The silver smith sizes Alec's hand.
As he looks through the rings Alec strokes her cheek, "Are you ready for this?"
She smiles back at him, "Are you?"
"Your father?"
"Henry?"
Alec cringes, "My mother?" She laughs and reaches up to kiss him lightly.
"We can face them together." He nods and bows his head to touch her fore head.
The silver smith returns, "I added a little something." The couple looks at the rings, at each tip of the horseshoe is and A & R.
Alex smiles, "Well I don't have to change my monogram." They all laugh. Alec pays for the rings with a thank you to the silver smith.
The silver smith points down the street, "Two blocks down on the right you will find the court house. The next block over, is my brother's place, The Hitching Post Chapel. Just the place for a couple of equestrians, Alex and Alec." He winks to them. "Yes, I know who you are. Your secret is safe here."
They smile and head down the street hand in hand. When they reach the court house. He holds the door and asks her once more, "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely." she responds. He follows her inside.
The service is a simple one. A quick one, sealed with a passionate kiss. When they leave they are so elated that then don't notice the flash of a camera as someone passes by the chapel door.
She looks up at him, "Now what?"
"Dinner?" She agrees. They go to a nearby diner for a light bite to eat.
After dinner she tugs his hand back to the truck and takes him to her hotel room. With the door closed they are now both nervous. She tugs the buttons on his shirt. He shakes off his jacket and tosses it on the chair. She kicks her shoes off. He pulls the pins from her hair and lets it flow naturally down. She untucks his shirt and then freezes. She grips his open shirt and looks up to his soft face, "Alec, I've never…"
He tenderly grips her waist and pulls her against his. He lowers her lips just above hers, "Neither have I ." His kiss tastes and explores. "The first of many things we learn together as a married team." She pushes the shirt off his shoulders and trails her fingers down his back. Then she steps back. She wants a good look at her husband.
"Oh God, you are handsome," she breathes. She can't help but touch and explore him. He actually blushes at each touch. He wants to explore her but he is reviling in the passion on her face and she gets to know his body.
The night is left to the lovers. Passion over and over again until exhaustion over takes them and they succumb to sleep.
As dawn slowly changes the window from black to warming yellow and orange. Just the beginning of the new day, he is so content. He hasn't felt this perfect in a long time. He wraps his arms around her. Her body fits against his like… like… like when he rides bare back with Black. They move together as one. They know each other with out talking. She reaches up curls her arm around his waist and tucks her head under his chin. She just holds him close. That's all she needs right now. He will give that to her. "I love you," he feels her lips against