Jockeying for You (15 page)

Barney’s gaze narrowed. “How about more interference with your jockey?”

“What? Are you saying you’re responsible for Emanuel’s fall? That would be a crime you’re admitting to . . .” He felt his body freeze, slowly turning to ice. “Are you saying you’re going to hurt Ryder? You son of a bi—”

“Define
hurt
.” Barney’s grin was a long, slow snake. “A letter from your father telling her to back away from you and calling her trash might affect her ability to ride. It’s hard to compete properly and safely when you’re in a bad frame of mind. I was happy to deliver your father’s messages to her.”

“You’re a lying sack of shit, Smythe. Why would I listen to you?”

“Because I owe your father a lot of money. If my horse comes in, I can at least afford to pay him off and get him off my back. Why do you think your father hates your girlfriend so much? Leaving her nasty messages? Your dad wants Knows No Bounds to win as badly as I do so I can pay him back. Handsome Dancer is the only real challenge to my horse right now. But if I get a share of Handsome Dancer’s future earnings, I’ll have enough to pay him back and still keep some.”

“You owe my father money?” Jake felt like he’d been slapped in the face. “How is that possible?”

“You think of your father as Mr. Perfect, don’t you? The elegant, all-righteous businessman. What a fool you are. Your father is not what he seems. Sure, he’s got legitimate businesses but he’s also a loan shark.
My
loan shark. It’s not only the racetrack that makes money off of horse betters. Your father does, too. And he makes his money on me because I gamble. A lot.”

“You’re crazy. I would know if my father was a loan shark.”

“Would you? I’m guessing he controls how much of him you really get to see.” Barney suddenly shifted his gaze around the area. Sweat broke on the man’s brow. The weather, albeit warm, was not hot enough to generate that kind of reaction on its own.

“You’d be surprised how much power your father has,” Barney persisted. “His secret is well kept. He likes it that way. No one wants to cross him. Including me. So I need to pay the bastard off. Answer me, Jake, are you in?”

“Am I in? In what?”

“Are you going to give me a cut of Handsome Dancer’s winnings or not?”

Jake stood there, contemplating whether to deck the man in the face or call the cops.

“Jake, what’s it going to be? You need to answer me now. Are you in? Or does something bad need to happen that will make you wish you paid me off?”

Chapter 18

“Wait, Ryder,” Lenny called out.

Ryder dropped Handsome Dancer’s reins and turned around to see the old man fidget more nervously than she had ever seen him. “Yes?”

“I want to say something to you.” Lenny twisted his hands together, seemingly unconscious he was doing so. His eyes scanned the stables, no doubt double-checking Mindy had truly gone.

“Okay.” Ryder touched Lenny’s shoulder. “I’m listening.”

“I never thought I’d say this, but Mindy’s right. You should race. You need to race. And I need to support you. Having you do what’s best for me isn’t fair. I’m an old man. You have your whole life ahead of you. It’s time for you to do what’s best for you.” He gulped hard, his eyes downcast. “I’m sorry, Ry. I let you down.”

“No, you didn’t.”

“I did, but you don’t understand the full reason why. I had to suffer watching you in the hospital, and then at home, healing from your cracked ribs, your skin tears, and your concussion. You were in so much pain. I was in so much pain seeing you like that.”

Oh my God, is Lenny getting teary again?

“I felt guilty. Your father did, too. Maybe we pushed you too hard into racing. And now it’s become part of your blood. Like it’s in mine.”

“I chose this, Lenny. Nobody forced me. When I quit racing to become a trainer you supported me every step of the way. You’re always there when I need you. Whatever my goals have been you’ve done your best to make me successful. Don’t blame yourself.” She leaned over to kiss his cheek. The feel of his thick beard tickled her skin.

Then his arms suddenly wrapped around her shoulders and drew her in for a tight hug.

Her eyes widened in surprise. She wrapped her arms around him and shut her eyes tight. “Love you, Lenny.”

“I know, honey, I know. Now enough of this mushy stuff before Mindy comes back and sees us. I couldn’t live it down.”

Laughing, Ryder let him go. “Right. I’d hate for you to ruin your reputation as a curmudgeon.”

The corners of Lenny’s lips rose into an unheard of configuration—a smile. “No, I certainly wouldn’t want that. Now go change into your silks. You’ve got a race to win, Ms. Jockey.”

With a grateful smile, she walked back to her office to change. Normally a jockey would have a valet set out all the needed equipment, from riding silks to helmet, but she was on her own. Knowing that, she had already gathered everything she’d need.

After putting on her riding pants and boots, she snaked her arms through the jockey jacket then grabbed a bunch of goggles in case it rained. The goggles would go over the top of her helmet, the only weather protection she’d have.

She was already outside when she remembered to grab a saddle. A quick detour put the lightweight saddle in her hands. It weighed only a few pounds, a contraption that almost defied common sense to sit in. The harness was hardly better, merely some lightweight leather straps that included a bit for the horse’s mouth. If a car had such inconsequential steering equipment, a lot more people would die driving.

Unfortunately, lightweight equipment was a necessary evil. In moments she’d be weighed by the racetrack officials along with the rest of the other jockeys. The total weight allowed, including saddle weight and all other equipment, was capped at 126 pounds. She wasn’t too worried about the cap. Plus, nerves had kept her from eating too much this last week anyway. If anything, they’d probably find her underweight. If they did, she’d have to add equipment for poundage.

Then she remembered the rich chocolate cake Jake spoon-fed her last night, right before he’d placed the chocolate elsewhere . . . She shook off the now-painful memory and headed to the bathroom.
Maybe I can pee out some water weight.

In the bathroom, she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. The last time she had seen herself look like a jockey was the afternoon of the fall, several years ago. The thought almost made her change back into her trainer’s clothes.
Maybe it is better to try and fail than to not try at all. Wouldn’t the bigger failure be never giving myself the chance to succeed?

She noticed her reflection bore the same odd countenance as Lenny. A smile.
I am doing this. Not for Jake Carter. Not to prove a point to anyone else. I am doing this for me.
She tightened the straps on her helmet and walked off to be weighed.

I really am a jockey again.
Just like you, Dad. The Ryder you always wanted. And the rider I need to be.

Jake checked the stalls to find both Ryder and Handsome Dancer gone.
I’m too late.
He could only hope Handsome Dancer was willing to run, given the loss of his animal friends and his jockey undoubtedly in a bad mood. Neither horse nor rider would be at their best with such drama surrounding them.

Worse, the sky was darkening at a fast pace. Gray clouds drifted together as if magnetized. The little bit of blue sky left was ebbing away.

The tempo of Jake’s heartbeat was gaining a momentum as rapid as the clouds. If he didn’t calm himself down, he would be of no use to anyone.

It was wise to stop and think about the best course of action. Checking in on Ryder wasn’t feasible anymore. Barney’s bullshit had made Jake miss her. In moments she’d be parading Handsome Dancer out onto the track with all the other contenders. They’d walk out, giving bettors their chance for a last-minute inspection and bets, and then line up to the gate. A silent plea for her safety was the best he could do at this point.

If the rain broke while Ryder was on the track, the risk of injury would dramatically go up. Not only did mud make a lot of horses skittish, it made for slick conditions. Worse, any horse not in the lead would suffer from having mud thrown in its face. The same mud would also be thrown into the jockey’s face, dangerously impairing vision. Goggles often could not withstand the assault for too long and even having back-up goggles could fail, creating a dangerous racetrack filled with jockeys riding some of the fastest, biggest, most powerful animals on earth. Trying desperately to not crash into each other.

If they failed, or a horse simply stumbled on its own, both jockey and horse could be horribly injured or even trampled to death. Exactly like what had happened to Ryder last time she rode.

I can stand suffering a lost race. But I can’t stand losing her.

“Jake?” said a voice from behind him.

Hmm, what?
He spun around. “Dina? I told you, I’m through discussing— Hey, are you okay?” He squinted as his sister came closer. Her eyes were red-rimmed and swollen. He frowned. “Where’s Steven? Does he know you’re upset?”

“Sure he knows. He’s upset, too. Right now he’s yelling at Dad. I left to come find you.”

He shook his head. “No, sorry, I can’t. You’ll need to tell me later. I’ve got to get a message to Ryder. I don’t want her racing in these conditions. Handsome Dancer is already skittish to begin with. The rain is only going to compound the problem.”

“That’s what I came to talk to you about, Handsome Dancer. I overheard Dad fighting with Barney Smythe.” Dina let out a whimper. “Dad assured Barney that Handsome Dancer couldn’t possibly win. Apparently Dad not only bet on Barney’s horse, but he tried to fix this race, too.” Dina let out a strangled cry. “I can’t believe it. Why would Daddy do such a thing?”

“I can’t answer that.”

Dina blinked in surprise. “You knew about this, didn’t you?”

“I found out a few minutes ago. Barney told me. He said if I didn’t give him a cut of Handsome Dancer’s winnings, he’d see to it his horse won. He blamed the whole thing on Dad, calling him a loan shark. Barney said he owed Dad money.”

“I can’t believe it.”

Jake arched a single eyebrow. “Can’t you?”

Dina looked at him soulfully.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he did. You’ve always bought into all his crap, Dina. I know you’re better than all that stuff of his you spout. Telling me I need to be dating only
pedigree
people. And that Steven has to work his butt off to afford things like an unnecessary addition to your house. If Dad wasn’t so obsessed by money maybe he wouldn’t be loansharking in the first place. His legit business ventures have generated more than enough cash. I think people who can’t be happy with what they have, have a problem. Don’t you?” He gave her a pointed look.

“Maybe Dad is obsessed with money,” she said. “Maybe I am, too.”

All of a sudden the rain came. From light drops to heavy ones in almost an instant. Quickly turning into hard slats of pummeling rain.

Jake tensed.
“
Did you need to tell me anything else? Because I’ve got to go.”

Dina seemed not to notice the oncoming downpour. She grabbed ahold of Jake and drew him near her. “I love you, little brother.” Her voice was gravely as if she were going to sob again. “At least we have each other. I heard what you said and promise to be a better sister to you.” Her lips pressed together tightly in a thin line before adding, “Sounds like I need to be a better wife to Steven, too.”

“Steven loves you. I love you. Don’t worry, Dina. We’ll get through whatever issues with Dad. Now you’ve got to go, and so do I.”

“Thanks, Jake. Good luck with the race. And good luck with Ryder, too. If she’s the woman you want, I’m happy to welcome her.” She gave him a timid smile and then sprinted away, hand on her large hat as she fought through the wind and rain to get back to her husband.

As Jake hurried on, the track’s huge digital billboard caught his eye. The new message downgraded the condition from ‘fair’ to ‘poor.’ Soon it would read ‘sloppy.’ With each downgrade, Ryder would be in more danger.

He searched for an official to pull her out. He’d just gotten hold of someone when “sloppy” appeared in large white digital letters.

Shit!

And then Jake heard the sound of the bugle start the race.
Oh, God, Ryder.
His heart sank and his stomach tensed. Helpless, he walked away to stand in the downpour to watch.

He’d be damned if he admitted it was more than rain causing the water in his eyes.

Chapter 19

Ryder sat in the number one gate, placed approximately six furloughs from the finish line, her jaw set tight. Horses typically hated this gate, the one closest to the inside rail. This gate would get the first horse loaded, leaving that horse antsy while waiting for the rest of the horses to be put into their own gates. A restless horse was one that could thrash about and hurt itself or the jockey. It would also force the horse to start off against the rail, which could sometimes cause it to become trapped. A gate further down would allow better manipulation to get into the lead, and then edge toward the inside for a faster route to the finish line.

Handsome Dancer was agitated today to begin with. Getting stuck with the one gate wasn’t going to help. But which gate a horse got was the luck of the draw. A gamble, like the rest of horseracing. She could only hope the rest of this race would get better.

“Easy, babycakes, take it easy.” She stroked his mane and spoke softly to him. “We’re going to get through this, you and me.”

As if Mother Nature wanted to prove her wrong, the sky opened up with a
crack
. Then the wind picked up, starting slow but working its way into a howl. A few big heavy drops splashed against her skin. Handsome Dancer’s ears went flat and his flesh twitched. With a rough snort, he pawed at the ground with his front right hoof.

Suddenly more rain came with a strength that pummeled her. It stung her skin as it came in sideways sheets.
Lord, it’s my worst nightmare.

And then she wasn’t on Handsome Dancer anymore. No, in her mind she was on Makin’ Waves, the horse of her
last
race. Her father was not only alive but watching her from the viewing stands. Makin’ Waves’ owner stood by her father’s side. The owner’s face was calm and cool. Her father, however, gripped his hat tightly in his hands, a grimace on his face. No matter how much he believed in her, the risk of injury was too high for a parent to ignore. Her mother, also supportive, couldn’t bear to watch at all. “Maybe I’ll get braver as time goes on,” her mother had said. Ryder had laughed off their concern.
Parents worry so much. But at least mine encourage me to do what I was born to do.

Ryder, in her mind’s eye, saw her father’s face as Makin’ Waves bolted from the gate and took off in the lead. Only to fall midway through and crash down onto her.

She closed her eyes as she remembered the feeling of wet earth cutting into her skin. And then the tremendous
boom
as Makin’ Waves fell on top of her. Then nothing as the world stood still. No noise. No vision. Nothing. Until the world had started up again at a speed high enough to generate cyclones. Everything, sound, vision, crashing down on her at once. Along with the pain. The deep searing pain. It shot through her neck, back, and legs. Then she felt it in the ribs before everything went black.

She hadn’t actually seen her dad’s face when she fell. Even if she had wanted to look for him, he would have been indiscernible in the distance through the crowds. Yet she pictured him now, his face morphing, twisting in an agony that mirrored her own.

Handsome Dancer bucked underneath her, dragging Ryder into the here and now. She felt her chest expand and contract quickly as if struggling to get air.
Now is not the time for a panic attack.

“The horses are all loaded,” she heard somebody behind the posts shout out. “Get ready!”

Ryder shoved her goggles over her eyes, with more ready to drop down if needed. Then the gate doors opened and Handsome Dancer leapt out. He took off like a thunderbolt, seemingly oblivious to what the other horses were doing.

Ryder kept her position more upright, steering Handsome Dancer through the dangerous crowd. A storm of dark, beautiful bodies thundered along at shockingly high speeds. The mud kicked back from the horses’ hooves, cutting into their skin and blinding them. Within moments, her first pair of goggles became ruined, the lenses scratched and clouded from the sharp mud. She pulled down her second pair.
Damn. At this pace, I’ll have gone through my last pair before ever hitting the finish line.

Handsome kept his head low to avoid the muddy onslaught. But if she didn’t bring it up, the weight of his hanging head would slow him down and make them lose.
I’ve got to get us out of here.

She started steering Handsome through the throng to bring him closer to the outside, leaving the inside rail far behind. The sound of the horses’ hooves thundered loudly in her ears. Weaving Handsome Dancer though the herd was no easy task. It required spotting the minutest holes to shove through. Too tight a fit could lead to bumping, which would disqualify them. Or ban her from being able to ride. Or worst of all, result in a crash.
Am I crazy? Why am I worried about being able to race again when I haven’t even survived this one?
Her hands grasped Handsome Dancer’s reins so tightly the skin around her knuckles threatened to crack.

With a final bob and weave, she and Handsome made it all the way to the outside. They were well past the fourth furlough, getting closer to the home stretch. Time for a tactical choice. Should she conserve his energy a little longer or tell Handsome to go for it, hoping he had enough strength to keep up his highest speed until they reached the finish line, two furloughs away?
No, I’m through with playing it safe. In racing, and in life. I’m here to win, not just make do.

She grit her teeth, her body tense with resolve. She spurred him on faster, bent her knees until her butt hovered right above the saddle, and then leaned her upper body forward to spur the horse on. As Handsome gained stride she shoved her second pair of ruined goggles down around her neck and reached over her helmet to bring down the last pair.

The eighth pole, marking the fifth furlough, appeared.
I’m going to go for broke. It’s show time.

She leaned further forward in the saddle. “Let’s go!”

Handsome bolted. Suddenly, they were flying down the track.
He wants this. Handsome Dancer wants to win.
And now I know I want this, too.

In seconds they were a full length ahead of the pack. Ryder reached up and held on to Handsome’s neck, dropping the reins completely. “Keep your head up, boy,” she called out. Instantly she felt his head steady once again and his body surge forward.

They were almost two full lengths ahead.
Almost there!

The wind howled around them, heightened by their great speed. The rain crashed down in torrents, impossible to see. They surged forward, a single creature going for victory. One heart. One mind. One goal.

Feeling an empty, painful pit in his stomach, Jake cursed as he made his way back toward the viewing stands.
I should have stopped her. If anything happens to her, it’s my fault.

Win or lose he was going to be there for her. All that mattered was that she made it back safe to the finish line.
I’m the one who pushed her into this dangerous situation. What was I thinking?

The drama of the day had made it clear there was only one person who needed to be the focus of his life. A woman who would forever be in the winner’s circle. At the center of his life. His whole world.

A smile crept up his face.
There’s no fighting it. No denying it. I am in love with Ryder.

But with that realization came pain.
If anything happens to her . . .
Jake clutched at a handkerchief in his pocket, balling it up and kneading it in between his fingers with nervous energy. His face twisted around painfully though he hardly noticed it.

He felt a gentle arm on his shoulder and turned around to see his sister. Dina gave him a warm smile. “She’ll be okay, Jake. She might even win.”

Jake nodded, too focused on the unfolding race to verbally acknowledge his sister’s words.

“Holy crap, bro,” Steven marveled, his attention focused exclusively on the track. “I think she’s going to win.”

It was hard to see in the downpour. “What?” He swallowed and tried to breathe.

The announcer’s voice, crackly and hard to distinguish through the sound of the heavy rain, filled the air.

“Handsome Dancer is in the home stretch, folks. He’s being ridden today by Ryder Hannon, daughter of the legendary late Phil Hannon. This is Ryder Hannon’s first time back in the jockey’s saddle after years of retirement. And riding she is, folks! Handsome Dancer is in the clear lead. He’s more than two lengths ahead of Tex Arkana right now, who’s in second place. Knows No Bounds is in third place, with Baby Be Mine following close behind. Now Baby Be Mine moves up to third place with Tex Arkana still in second place. But Handsome Dancer is staying in the lead. This is it, folks, they are coming to the finish line. Handsome . . .”

And then the voice of the announcer was lost as a crack of lightning filled the air. The loudspeaker glitched, letting out a loud buzz.

And for a split-second, Jake felt his heart glitch out, too.

Ryder didn’t even hear the announcer’s voice proclaiming their victory. Or the shouts and cheers from the few spectators who stuck it out to the end. She only saw her and Handsome Dancer cross the finish line. Felt the two of them slowing down as they passed it. Only then did she feel her heart start beating again. They had done it. They had won. Tears rolled off her cheeks, blending in with the rain.

“Oh my God, my big Handsome babycakes. We did it.” Her voice was so soft no doubt the horse didn’t hear her words. But he understood her anyway, she was sure of it. She patted the horse to slow him down even more and bent forward to kiss his sopping wet neck. “Yup, we did it, boy. You are a real winner. The winner I knew you were all along.”

She went around the track with Handsome Dancer until he cooled down a bit and then rode him to the winner’s circle. When they made it there, she stopped and dismounted, practically blind from the rain. With a firm hand, she pulled the dirty goggles down around her neck and blinked to clear her eyes.

The rain was getting lighter. A small ray of sunlight could be seen in the distance, creeping in through the clouds. Enjoying a minute of perfect happiness, she smiled. Until she saw Jake.

His skin was pale and his clothes soaked, just like hers. In fact, she noticed he was shivering. Whether from cold or nerves she didn’t know. It didn’t matter. Jake’s expression was warm. Without a word, he stepped forward and opened his arms.

She froze. “I thought you were with your fiancée,” she said in a voice barely louder than a whisper.

“I
am
with my fiancée.”

Ryder’s heart sank. Her eyes stung, more than they had from the mud and the barrage of rain. It didn’t matter if her eyes hurt, she didn’t want to see him and the brunette anyway. She turned around to walk away, but he put an arm around her.

“I thought you’d be more excited about the engagement.”

“Thrilled,” she shot out bitterly. “I hope the two of you will be very happy.”

He blinked in surprise, and then let loose a large grin. “What are you talking about, Ry? I meant
you
. The two of us. I want you to be my wife, Ryder Hannon. I love you. I want to be with you forever.” He dropped down on one knee, onto the wet concrete floor, in front of a small crowd that now stood in stunned silence. “Will you marry me?”

Speechless, she nodded, until she got her voice back.
He was right. I should have learned to trust him.
“Yes. I love you, too, Jake Carter. I know I always will.”

What the people around her were saying or doing after that she didn’t know and didn’t care. Until she became aware of the announcer’s voice coming through loud and clear over the racetrack’s loudspeakers, once again working.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Ryder Hannon just said yes to horse owner Jake Carter’s marriage proposal. Looks like she not only won first place but won love, too. It’s a happy day at Belmont Park.
”

“I will always love you, Ryder,” Jake whispered in her ear.