chapter 10
"Michael, I had other things planned for today. I can't possibly go to the racetrack with you." Sonny stood motionless in the doorway.
"Why not?"
"I have some shopping to do for the party this week-end, and this seemed the best time to get it finished."
"Well, it's not. Dad has to go to Sacramento for the next four days and so we are elected." His reassuring smile did nothing to dispel her feeling of disappointment. She had never been much interested in the races, and today she was even less interested.
"Is this one of those 'have to' occasions?"
"Definitely. It's time you witnessed for yourself the end product of all your work around here."
"I'll take your word for it."
"Not good enough, Sonny. An owner's place is at the track."
Sonny smiled sardonically. "Fine, then you can be the owner that watches them run. I'll keep things going here."
"Without me?" Michael's mouth was firm, but his eyes sparkled with an element of mischief.
Sonny was well aware of his over confidence in himself, but was always amazed that Michael so blatantly flaunted his arrogance. She had enough confidence in herself to know that she could run Pinebrook just as efficiently and smoothly as he had.
"Yes, without you, Michael."
He smiled then and bowed his head in a mocking gesture. "Some other time, but I'd like you to go with me. Bright Fancy's running." Sonny had watched the young filly come back from her training and known that she must be a magnificent runner, so the thought of actually seeing her perform was intriguing. Spending the day with Michael would not be easy, but she would get through it somehow.
"I'll go…but only to see Bright Fancy." Her voice and manner was emphatic.
Sonny had telephoned Pierre, telling him that she must watch Pinebrook's entry. He had assured her that he understood, and he would use the day to find a caterer for the dinner party.
Bay Meadows was, in itself, a different world for Sonny. By the time they arrived, the grand stand and outdoor seating areas were filled. The betting windows were lined with men and women, watching the board, checking the odds and getting ready to place their wagers.
"We'll go on up to the Turf Club," Michael announced as he placed his hand at her back, guiding her up the wide staircase. "There are some people I'd I ike you to meet."
Sonny was introduced to several owners and each one offered condolences for her father and their support of her new business venture with Michael O'Brien. One owner in particular, a Seamus McGuire, had high praise for him.
"Sonny, I've known Michael here, since he was born. In fact, I worked on the same farm with his father in Ireland." Seamus smiled and put an arm affectionately around Michael's shoulders. The older man was short and stocky and held a beer in one hand as he spoke.
"Then, you must come see our new colt," Sonny said brightly.
"New blood, that's fine. I just might take you up on that." His large round stomach, which protruded over his belt and his bright red cheeks pointed to the fact that Seamus enjoyed his ale as much as his horses.
"I'll tell dad I saw you," Michael said.
"Do that, lad, and good luck today. I hear your entry's got a good chance."
"We hope so." Michael flashed a confident smile in Sonny's direction and she knew that he was more certain of a win than he indicated.
As Seamus moved away, Sonny looked up at Michael with question in her blue eyes. "You're so sure Bright Fancy will do it, why did you act so hesitant?"
"Never hurts to keep em' wondering." A smile embraced the corners of Michael's mouth.
As Sonny watched Bright Fancy in the ring, just prior to the race, she felt an unexpected sense of pride. It had been one thing to work at Pinebrook and care for the horses, but now, watching one of their finest actually preparing made her heart skip.
Billy led her around as the people gathered marking their programs, deciding sometimes by appearance which horse would carry their wager. Sonny could feel the excitement around her and she wondered why it had taken this many years for her to see what this was all about.
"Michael, I think everyone is watching Bright Fancy." Sonny tugged at his elbow, talking inconspicuously out of the corner of her mouth.
"She's a beautiful horse and they know it."
"Look how high she holds her head. That's important isn't it?"
Michael placed an arm around her shoulder.
"Very. Now, let's get ready. They'll be leading them out soon. Do you want to "give a leg up?" Michael asked.
"What do you mean?"
"As owner, one of us helps the rider onto his mount. It's tradition."
Sonny followed Michael over to the side of Bright Fancy, where he talked with Billy, giving him last minute instructions.
"Don't let her take the lead too soon. Wait, be patient, and cut loose around the turn and down the home stretch," Michael instructed.
"Got it! This will be our day, you'll see. She's responding well and this morning's work-out was good." Billy smiled broadly as he adjusted the red and white hat atop his head. His silks were a combination of stripes and dots and his white pants and high black boots hugged his body.
Sonny began to feel the excitement build in the pit of her stomach as the riders were asked to mount and be led out to the starting gate.
She cupped her hands and Billy stepped into them and hoisted himself up on the strong back of Bright Fancy.
"I know she'll win, Billy," Sonny assured him as her blue eyes sparkled.
"We'll give it our best shot," he said.
As the horses were paraded out onto the field,
Sonny was filled with a proud kind of exuberance. For the moment she was beginning to forget Paris, Pierre and anything else that did not directly relate to where she was and what was happening.
"Let's go back upstairs," Michael suggested as he gently put his hand under her elbow.
"Oh no, Michael. Let's go outside, by the fence. I want to be down there when she goes over the finish line."
Michael was stirred with feelings that were again getting out of control as he watched the enthusiasm building in her face. He had brought her here hoping to show her the final product of the farm, but he had not expected or anticipated her response.
It was more than he had hoped for.
Sonny leaned against the fence that separated spectators from the track, and she reached for the binoculars around her neck, focusing them in on the starting gate across the field. She watched Billy as he guided Bright Fancy into the stall, patting her on the side as he waited for the bell. The crowd was mingling around, enjoying the afternoon soon and she listened as the voice over the loud speaker announced the next race.
"They're off!"
Almost instantly, the stands came alive with cheering and everyone around her was standing by the fence, waiting for their favorite to take the lead. Faces were strained as they tried to catch a glimpse of the horses as they moved away from the gate.
Putting the binoculars back to her eyes, Sonny began to cheer. "Fancy. Fancy. Come on, girl. Come on."
Michael could barely keep his eyes on the race, for his attention was turned to the woman at his side. The sun sent shimmers of light through her golden hair and he could smell the fresh, sweet fragrance of her cologne, sending strange sensations through his body which almost touched hers. She was caught up in the thrill of the race and her head bobbed up and down as she positioned herself to see better.
"Michael, she's ahead."
Michael leaned against the fence, watching the horses and the colorful array of riders. "But, not by much. Billy will have to push her down the stretch."
"You mean she might not win?" Sonny's eyes were filled with disappointment as she spoke. She had thought an early lead made the victory inevitable.
"Depends on how he handles her. He knows what
to do. If he keeps his mind on what's happening…"
"Come on, Fancy," Sonny hollered. She had given up the glasses and now peered through the fence, waiting for the moment when the horses would cross the line.
As the screams and cheers of the crowd filled her ears, the thunderous group came down the stretch. Dust was flying and the hooves pounded against the ground in unison as the jockeys made their last attempts to change their positions.
Billy moved his whip from one side to the other, gently urging her on, but always mindful to handle the horse with carefulness. Riding for Pinebrook was an honor, and he knew that Bright Fancy could do it.
Within a blink of an eye, the horses galloped past the on-lookers with clamoring speed, each one being pushed for that extra bit that might make the difference.
Suddenly it was over. Sonny jumped up and down, screaming with joy as she heard the words she had waited for.
Bright Fancy had won the race.
"Michael, we did it. We did it." Without thinking or reasoning, she reached for him, throwing her arms around his broad neck and planting a kiss on the side of his face.
Michael scooped her up in his arms and held her by the waist as he swung her around. He could not help but be caught up in the excitement that shown in her clear blue eyes.
As Michael stopped, he gently lowered Sonny and her expression changed. She had been so wrapped up in the race that she had forgotten everything. She had forgotten that just a day before, Michael had burst into her room and disrupted her needlessly and she had forgotten his rudeness with Pierre.
This world of racing had a way of taking her out of reality and placing her in the center of a situation that made her forget her priorities. Maybe Michael had brought her here for that very purpose.
To make her forget her direction in life. A direction that led directly to Paris.
"I'm sorry Michael," she apologized as her feet touched the ground.
"Sorry for what?" he asked.
"Getting so out of control. I just felt happy when our horse won."
"You have a right to be happy, Sonny. Don't apologize for it."Michael's eyes searched her face and he surveyed her kindly. He was easier to resist when he was arrogant and uncompromising, but when his dark eyes softened she found it difficult to keep her d i stance.
"So…we've won. Now what?" she asked trying to still her heart.
"We go to the winner's circle."
Billy was ecstatic with the victory and he chattered with Michael about the ease with which the horse ran. It was a heartwarming moment for Sonny and she thought ahead to the day when her beloved Midnight would thrill the crowds.
Sonny's day at the racetrack had been filled with excitement and she spent the evening taking a fragrant bath, drinking a cup of hot chocolate and catching up on some long over-due reading.
As she sank into the cool leather cushions of her father's chair in the den, she was filled with the quiet satisfaction that comes after a pleasant day. Inwardly she could hardly wait until the next race and she hoped she could forget it all when she returned to Paris.
Graceful Lady and Midnight had become a big part of her life, even though she insisted they hadn't. It wouldn't be easy to leave them behind. Nor would it be easy to leave Michael O'Brien.