chapter 4
Sonny trudged up the hill to the sanctuary of her own house. Her mouth still burned with the memory of Michael's kiss. She dug into the dirt path with the toe of her boot, kicking rocks and pebbles that lay in her path. You've really made a mess of things today, she told herself. She had planned to be tough and show him what she was made of, and all she had managed to do was give in to exhaustion and end up in Michael's arms. Not a very good beginning.
Michael was on familiar ground and she wasn't.Her father had dealt the hand and Michael held all of the cards. All she could do was to hang on and stand her ground. After all, Pinebrook was rightfully hers and Michael O'Brien had no right to any part of it.
Her father had been misled, or charmed…or he would never have written in this ridiculous agreement.
As the house came into view, Sonny felt a wave of warmth come over her. Just a few more steps and she could enjoy a hot bath, which was something that she needed desperately. Every muscle in her back ached and her arms were tired and limp at her sides. She had never experienced this kind of exhaustion in her life and hopefully, she never would again.
But she did. For the next few days, Michael repeated his routine of coming up to the house for her by seven and escorting her down to the stables where she worked with them to care for the animals.
The routine had expanded by a few hours, when she learned that the horses had to be groomed again after they were exercised. The black two-year old would be racing soon and he seemed to respond well to Billy. Michael explained that he would never be a Kentucky Derby winner, but with the training he had received, he would bring in a good share of wins to Pinebrook.
"She's just like her name, Fit n' Fancy," Billy explained as he mounted the black Thoroughbred.
"When will you ride her?" Sonny knew that Billy had been training for his first race.
"Soon as Will gets back with Tally Ho and Bright Fancy, we'll be heading with him over to Golden Gate Fields." Billy rubbed the dark horse's side affectionately.
"Is it tough, in the race Billy?" Sonny had always wondered what kind of pressure the jockey's must be under and how they handled their mounts so expertly.
"It won't be tough as long as I keep my head straight," he said confidently. "Main thing is to know what the horse can do, and this gal can out run em' all."
"I hope you're right." Although Sonny had never been to a race with her father, she could feel the excitement in Billy's voice.
Sonny had watched Fit n' Fancy working out and was in awe of her agility, but the horse that quickly became her favorite was Graceful Lady. She loved grooming her and watching the luster come into her deep chestnut coat. With all the routine care, Sonny
had lost most of her long fingernails. Finally she resolved to keep them short until she returned to Paris.
After lunch everyday, Sonny perched on the wood rail fence by the lush green grazing pasture and watched the animals that fed on the grass. They seemed so free her, she thought, and it occurred to her that they would make wonderful studies for pictures.
When Will O'Brien returned from his racing tour, he came back with several victories for Pinebrook. He was delighted to see Sonny and he looked just as she had remembered. His salt and pepper hair was as thick and wavy as Michael's and the heavy brows framed dark eyes and a weather-beaten face. He stood erect and spoke with the hint of the Irish accent that had never quite left both he and Katy.
"You've become a beauty," Will said as he bent down to kiss Sonny on the forehead. "Oust like Michael said."
Sonny's cheeks warmed at his remark. She wrapped her arms around Will and held him tightly, afraid for a moment to let go. She wanted to talk with him about her father's death and the circumstances that led to his strange will, but she knew that would be intruding on Michael's close relationship with his own father.
"You look good," Sonny said as she held him at arm's length. "Michael tells me you're traveling a lot these days and letting him manage things back here."
"That's right," Will answered. "I've done all I could do with the training and now it's Michael's turn. He has such a way with the horses you know, that your father and I just let him take over."
Indeed they did Sonny thought.
So that explained how Michael had worked his way into his father's will. He had made himself indispensable and when his own father stepped aside, that left him in charge. Sonny should have guessed that it was all that simple, right from the start.
"Did you know about Michael's being named as half owner of Pinebrook?" Sonny asked the question in a cautious way, not wanting to show her feelings of resentment to Michael's father.
Will's eyebrows formed into a frown and he shook his head. "No, and it came as a big surprise, you can be sure."
"I'm surprised my father hadn't mentioned it to you beforehand."
"Oh, I don't know about that, Sonny. Your father was a dear friend, but he kept some of his business to himself.
"Will, you know how I've always felt about this place." Sonny watched Michael's father as he carefully pulled the worn pipe from the pocket of his shirt. He lit the end, stuck between his teeth, and filled the air with the aromatic blend of the tobacco blend that was so much a part of him.
"I know. But, you're a strong girl and you'll see things differently in a few months. That I promise you."
Sonny turned her head away from the kind eyes that looked back at her. She knew that Will had spent a lifetime here, training, managing and overseeing every detail at Pinebrook. And she also knew that his heart was here too. He would have to understand that her heart wasn't. It never had been.
"I haven't decided what I'll do with it all yet," Sonny explained. "Dad's attorney says Michael and I have to review the farm's business at the end of the six month period."
Will arched one eyebrow and then smiled. "Our new champion will be weaned by then."
He was ignoring her last comment.
"Graceful Lady's foal?" If Will did not want to discuss the future of Pinebrook, then Sonny would not press him.
"I feel it in my bones, Sonny. This is the one we've been waitin' for." The laugh lines around Will's eyes were pronounced as he cocked his head to one side. He seemed always to be hearing something the breeze whispered in his ear. Something private that only he could know or understand.
"You're that sure?" Sonny asked.
"It's that I am. Graceful Lady has a contentment to her this time that's not like all the other times."
"But, Michael said you check those things on charts and…"
"Blarney to the charts. He'll be a champion, you'll see. A real horseman can feel it in his bones."
Will was emphatic that Sonny believed him too. When her father had found the beautiful stallion,
Irish Crystal, in Ireland, he had brought him back to the stables with his trainer, Will O'Brien. The family story was that Will had known the horse would be a champion. J.B. had kept Will with him,
training, breeding and always turning to him for his inherited expertise. This new champion was a descendent of Irish Crystal and might just be the animal to bring Pinebrook the big victory.
Will stuck the pipe in his mouth again, and then gave Sonny an affectionate pat on the shoulder. "I'll be going now. I've got to pick up the mess I just left on the kitchen table or my sister will have me on a platter."
Sonny leaned against the fence post as she watched Will hurrying back to his cottage. Having him back made her feel good. She remembered as a child how often she had tried to follow him around as he did his work, always talking and telling him her latest news from school. She realized now just how busy he must have been, but he always took the time to listen.
Graceful Lady grew nearer to her time, and Sonny could not tear herself away from the gentle eyes of the splendid horse. The solid, flowing lines of her muscular body and the long slender neck that she held so high intrigued her. Sonny worked with her every day, taking her time to brush and rub her down as she talked to her. She found herself telling Graceful Lady things that she was not even aware existed in her heart. The grand and beautiful chestnut horse had become her friend.
The plush greenery that surrounded the farm was a natural backdrop for Sonny's photographs. She was able to capture all the beauty of nature and still maintain the Thoroughbred as her main subject. As the days passed it seemed that Graceful Lady knew she was being admired. She was "on stage" the moment Sonny put the camera to her face. As well as the shots of her feeding in the pasture, Sonny liked to capture other impromptu moments.
Being accustomed to her own small dark room, Sonny knew she would have to make some arrangements to have one close at hand. She liked to develop her own pictures and nothing short of that would do now.
Since her pictures were being taken in and around the stables, Sonny decided to use the enclosed stall at the far end of the main barn. The space was totally enclosed and already had a work bench and double sink. It would be perfect, and so close to everything. While Michael was busy having a meeting with his father and with Billy, Sonny began clearing the few things out of the room, including a mop, some buckets and brushes which she put in the Tack Room.
She had been out the day before, purchasing the necessary pans and chemicals and now she lined the shelves on one wall with her supplies. For the first time in her life, Sonny had a sense of belonging here. This was her little corner in the midst of her father's world and she whistled under her breath as she worked.
"What's this?"
Sonny turned around abruptly to see Michael standing in the doorway.
"My new dark room."
Michael leaned his arm against the doorway, and watched her hammering two more brackets to the back wall. She worked diligently, trying to avoid his interest in her. She had four rolls to develop, and if Michael would just leave she could begin.
"You can't have it here." Michael's voice was matter-of-fact.
"Of course I can," Sonny snapped.
"I'll send Billy to help you get this stuff out of here." Michael turned to leave and Sonny grabbed him by the arm, pulling him around with all the force she could gather.
"I will stay! And don't order me around."
Michael lifted the fingers that clutched his shirt and held them securely as he drew Sonny dangerously close to him. His eyes frightened her and
made a chill run the length of her back. They were not lit with fire but with a cold anger that spilled from his lips.
"You little fool. You want to endanger the health of these animals?" The lines of his mouth were hard as he spoke.
"What are you talking about?"
"The odor from these chemicals could make them very sick."
An odd feeling of defensiveness came over her and Sonny's face became suddenly pale in the dim light of the small room.
"Are you saying this could really harm them?"
"That would be an easy out for you wouldn't it Sonny? If the horses get sick we have no farm."
The paleness in Sonny's face drained and was replaced with a vivid splash of color that began at her neck and worked its way up to her blue eyes, which were watching his every move.
"You think I would do that?" Sonny whispered in disbelief.
Michael was certain that her intentions had been innocent enough, but it was that kind of careless thinking that could bring down the stables and destroy everything he had worked for. Wouldn't you? You hate it here, remember?" Michael's dark eyes were menacing.
"Not enough to harm my horses or property."
"Our property," Michael corrected.
"You don't have a right to my land, Michael." Michael pulled her toward him and his eyes burned through her cold skin. "I belong here…and it's as much mine as yours."
She moved against the force of his grasp and the unbridled anger that filled her heart now spilled over into her blue eyes.
"We'll see about that," Sonny snapped. "Now, if you don't mind, I have work to do."
"Just get these chemicals out of here. I don't want them near the barn." Michael insisted.
"If you wanted them moved, why didn't you just ask?"
"Even a gal from Paris, France ought to have enough sense to know what not to put near horses." Michael's voice was hard and sarcastic and every word cut through her like a hot knife.
He turned and strode over to the stalls at the other side of the large barn. Sonny dug her toe into the dirt with such force that tears came to her eyes. Her intentions had been innocent, but she hated to think of what the smell of the chemicals might have done to the horses. She would not have hurt them for the world, but Michael saw it as another chance to make her six months here just as demeaning and miserable as possible.
She carried her equipment up to the house, and soon found a portion of the garage that could be used.
It was already sectioned off with plywood and had a small sink in one corner. Even though it was small, it would work fine. Her lack of training was certainly showing today, but she would soon learn what it was that Michael thought he was so good at.
Relocating her work room had taken most of the afternoon, and by four o'clock, Katy was rustling pans in the kitchen and opening and closing the large pantry door. Having her cook meals for her was such a joy for Sonny who was accustomed to dinner out and had long ago forgot the real goodness of home cooked food.
Sonny would have to watch her waistline, because Katy was a meat and potatoes woman who still believed in serving hearty meals. It was no wonder that Will and Michael were so strong and muscular.
"Smells good," Sonny said as she popped her head around the kitchen door.
"That it is. I brought a little Irish stew for you and some of my warm soda bread." Katy was heating the meal on the electric range and slicing a loaf of freshly baked bread.
Katy placed the bowl of stew in front of Sonny and put the bread basket in the center of the table. They chattered about the weather and several other conversational topics before Katy finally approached the subject of Michael, trying to find out what Sonny's feelings about him were.
"Michael's always workin' himself to death," Katy said, "what he needs is the love of a good woman. "
Sonny looked into the dark eyes across from her that were filled with specks of merriment and mischief. She always knew when Katy was trying to make a point, because her accent became quite heavy and she resorted to her native language patterns.
"I'm not that woman, Katy."
"Now, did I say you were? I was just makin' a statement. Take it as you will."
"Michael and I don't see eye to eye on much of anything. Or haven't you noticed?" Sonny savored a bite of hot stew.
Katy pushed her brows into a frown, then leaned forward on her elbows. "You're fighting over this farm. Now you've got to be gettin' on with other things." Sonny smiled wickedly. "Like what?" she asked.
"Marriage, and maybe a baby or two." "You know what I'm talkin' about."
Yes, Sonny knew all too well. Even if she and Michael could work out their differences, which she doubted, there would be no time in his life for a woman, much less a child. It would be just like it had been with her father. She would be left alone most of the time, and neglected. And Sonny wanted to be loved. That was more important to her than anything.
What she felt for Pierre was not love, but at least it was comfortable and he was there when she needed him. He represented the security she needed and also the glamour she desired. Sonny wanted to tell Katy that, but she knew it would only hurt her.
After the dishes were washed and put away, Katy went back home and Sonny kept herself busy in her newly arranged dark room. She worked for almost two hours, developing the film she had taken of Graceful Lady. Her work was very good, and not one picture turned out bad.
As Sonny hung the paper to dry, she noticed the subtle changes in the chestnut horse. Will had said her time was very near and this morning, they had talked of moving her to the double-stalled brood barn.
The moment of birth was going to be exciting and Sonny had informed both Michael and Will that she wanted more than anything to be there with Graceful Lady.
Later that evening, Sonny brushed her long blond hair and changed into a white fleecy robe, which she tied around her waist. She felt like sitting for awhile with a good book and promptly curled up on the chair next to her bed and began to read.
At ten o'clock the phone rang, piercing the quiet and Sonny almost jumped when she heard the sound. Michael's voice at the other end was excited and he said only two words before hanging up.
"She's ready!"