He stopped for a moment, took both of her hands in his, and looked directly in her eyes. “Megan, I know this is probably difficult for you, but I would really like to know why those men at the pub tried to harm you.”
Megan avoided Ian’s eyes. She had known this was coming, but still, she wasn’t at all happy to involve Ian in her family’s problems. As soon as she told him what was going on, he was the kind of person who would want to get involved and might even sacrifice himself to help her and her family. That was the last thing she wanted. She was growing to care very much for Ian—not only the most handsome man she had ever seen, but also the most humble, generous, and intelligent, with a wicked sense of humor and a protective streak a mile long.
With the certain knowledge that if she left anything out, or sugar-coated any of their predicament, Ian would know, she resigned herself to telling him the whole story. With a heavy sigh, she began. “I wondered how long it would take before you asked me about that. I agree I owe you an explanation, but it’s a bit of a long story.” She looked around for a place where they could be comfortable while she related the events that had led up to the confrontation at the pub. There was a bench not far from where they were standing, and Megan led Ian to it.
When they were both seated, she began. “My grandfather, David Brady, owned a very successful thoroughbred breeding operation in Ireland. My father was an apprentice trainer under him. Nearly twenty-five years ago now, my grandfather asked my dad to fly to Kentucky to look at a mare he was considering buying to add to his breeding operation. Grandfather had a stallion named Sound and Fury that he wanted to breed to a certain bloodline, and this mare was well regarded and had produced quite a few winning offspring.“
“I think I vaguely remember that name, Sound and Fury. Did he win a lot of races?”
“Yes, he actually won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, but he lost the Belmont to another horse, so his name was probably all over the news for a time. Every year, when the Derby comes around, the media rehash how many horses have tried but failed to achieve the Triple Crown. That’s probably where you heard of him.”
“Now that you mention it, I do remember that. Sorry to interrupt. Please go on.”
Megan smiled and continued, “Dad flew with a groom to Kentucky to look the mare over and ascertain whether she was sound and looked as good as advertised, complete the sale, and bring her home. While at the Kentucky racing stables, called Whiskey Ridge Farm, Dad met Miss Anne Gibson, the daughter of the mare’s owners, Walter and Sarah Gibson. If you hear my dad tell it, Anne Gibson was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Petite and blonde with a cute, elfin face and brilliant blue eyes, he would say that at first Anne appeared to be fragile and too perfect for a man like him. Dad soon learned, however, that she could hold her own with any man or horse, was tough as nails, and had the courage of a lioness.”
Ian smiled. “Now I know where you got your sense of determination and the guts to face off with those O’Reilly thugs. It’s in your genetic makeup.”
“I never thought about it that way, but now that you mention it, I can see my mother doing the exact same thing if she was in the same position. I like to think I’m a lot like her in personality, although my looks favor my father.”
“So, what happened when they had a chance to get to know each other? Was she equally attracted to him, or did she make him work to earn her favor?”
Megan slid Ian a sidelong look. “She apparently was equally attracted to him because they both swore they fell in love at first sight. It was as if from their first meeting they knew they were meant for each other. Mom described Dad as tall, lanky, and handsome with a head of dark auburn hair, beautiful green eyes, and an Irish lilt to his voice that stirred her to her core. When he decided to turn his Irish charm on her, she was helpless to resist.”
Ian heaved an exaggerated sigh. “Since I don’t have a unique accent or Irish charm, it appears I’ll need to find another way to win your heart.”
Megan squeezed Ian’s hand and blushed. “Ian, having charm and an attractive accent is all well and good, but you’re well on the way to capturing my heart. Saving me from a brutal attack is definitely knight in shining armor material.”
It was Ian’s turn to blush since he didn’t think he had done anything any other man would do to save a woman in a similar situation. He signaled Megan to continue.
“Mom’s family was wealthy beyond anything my dad could imagine and was completely against her being in any kind of relationship with an Irish apprentice trainer who was poor and had few prospects. But she ignored their wishes and left Kentucky for Ireland with her true love.”
Megan paused to look up at Ian to see if he was still following her. He was looking at her intently and had not dropped his hold of one of her hands. At her glance, he squeezed her hand again and nodded to urge her to go on. She continued, “They married as soon as they legally could, and I followed exactly nine months later.” Megan blushed a bit at the implication. No one ever really likes thinking about their parents having sex, much less being conceived. It certainly appeared to Megan that her parents had wasted no time in conceiving her. She looked up at Ian, who was trying to stifle a grin without much success. Megan went on.
“My brother Stephen was born three years after me. His birth was premature, and there were complications that kept him in the hospital for a few weeks until he was developed enough not to need outside support. His physical appearance resembles my mother, but his premature status left him even smaller in stature and build than he would have been had my mother carried him to term. His start in life as a preemie impacted his mental capacities as well.”
“I noticed there was something about Stephen that appeared strange to me, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Now my feelings make sense.”
“Yes, that’s understandable. Stephen was diagnosed with a form of high-functioning autism. Most of the time, he acts and thinks like anyone his age, but there are times when something is triggered, and it’s as if he’s angry with the world. To make matters worse, he doesn’t seem to have a sense of when he’s gone too far. Even to this day, Stephen isn’t shy about taking on fights he should know he can’t physically win. He also can be very impulsive, acting without thinking, which can also get him in trouble.
“Mom always seemed to be able to find the right words or actions to calm him and get him to see reason. Dad hadn’t fully accepted that Stephen would never be the son he had expected, and wasn’t entirely comfortable with him. He struggled a bit with him when Mom wasn’t around. I frequently had to step in. Stephen and I developed a bond, and when Mom wasn’t around, Stephen came to me instead.
“Stephen’s small stature and short temper made him even more likely to be a target of bullies. They took advantage of the fact that he is awkward socially and, at the same time, very trusting of anyone who treats him with kindness. The cleverest of the bullies figure this out right away and lure him into situations where he ends up looking foolish. As his big sister, I’m someone he knows he can trust. I’ve promised him I’ll always be there for him, so he knows he always has someone on his side. I’ve acted as his protector on more than one occasion when bullies tried to harass him at school.”
“That had to be difficult for you. Taking care of your brother while at the same time pursuing your own studies could not have been easy.”
Megan nodded, “It was hard sometimes, but I never thought of shirking my responsibilities toward Stephen. Mom was always Stephen’s primary caregiver, and as we grew up, I watched and learned how to keep him on an even keel when Mom wasn’t immediately available. Dad continued working for his father, but Mom also offered her advice on the breeding operation. Grandfather Brady gradually grew to rely on Mom’s advice—she was the daughter of one of the most successful thoroughbred horse breeders in the United States after all, and she was a very intel
ligent woman. Her knowledge of which bloodlines to cross for the best racing results seemed uncanny. His operation became even more successful.
“Dad was becoming a respected trainer and eventually started his own farm and breeding operation in South Yorkshire with Mom’s help. Then, just three years ago, Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer.” Tears welled in Megan’s eyes as she recalled the ordeal her mother had gone through fighting that horrible disease. Ian looked at her with concern and gently squeezed her hand to let her know he was there and wasn’t going anywhere.
“The particular form of cancer my mother had was especially aggressive, and before we even knew what was happening, she was gone. Dad was devastated, and it was only through the diligence of our staff and extended family that our racing operation survived his grief. He avoided Stephen and me and spent a lot of time in the local pub instead of minding his horses, most likely to try to avoid anything that might trigger memories of her. It was during the time immediately following my mother’s death that our stallion Seabiscuit II was born.
“He was small and not terribly attractive at birth, and we didn’t know if he would survive a week, but he was a fighter. He not only survived, but he thrived, although he never did grow to average height—nor did he get any more attractive. I credit Seabiscuit II’s birth for bringing my Dad back from his own private hell. From the very beginning, Dad had a soft spot for this horse because he recalled my Mom insisting that the mare/stallion combination that produced him would make a magnificent race horse.
“Dad picked the name Seabiscuit II, we call him “Biscuit” for short, because the first Seabiscuit was famous for his stubborn determination to survive despite overwhelming odds against him and to win no matter how intimidating the opponent. If any horse met that description, it was this one.
“By this time, Stephen had just graduated from secondary school, had just turned eighteen, and was adrift. He really had no interest in being a race horse trainer, but nothing else seemed to catch his interest. Dad was worried he might run away. But when Biscuit came along, Stephen took to the horse right away, and they became nearly inseparable. They helped each other grow and thrive, Stephen mentally and emotionally, Biscuit physically.
“After spending time with Biscuit, Stephen’s aggressive tendencies calmed a bit, and he carried himself with less of a chip on his shoulder. I truly believe if it wasn’t for this horse, Stephen might not be as strong and confident as he is. It was because of Seabiscuit II that Stephen decided to become a jockey. He’s the only person—aside from a couple of trusted exercise riders—who has ridden him.”
“I also credit Biscuit with reconciling Dad and Stephen. Horses, and most particularly this horse, serve as a common point of reference for them both. Through their work with Biscuit, Dad and Stephen finally grew to know and respect each other. I was so happy to see that they finally found a way to connect, to feel more comfortable around each other. Because of this, regardless of whether he wins another race, Biscuit will always be special to my family. That’s why we’re so determined to make sure he stays safe, and has the chance to prove to the world that he’s a one of a kind horse.”
“Uncle Tommy tells me the connection he sees between Biscuit and Stephen is uncanny. He’s never seen anything like it.”
“It true,” Megan acknowledged. “I’ve seen it for myself. It was Stephen who convinced Dad that Biscuit would be an exceptional race horse. We knew from the first time he set foot on a track as a two-year-old that he was special. No other horse could get close to him when he raced one on one with another horse. When we put him up against more mature, seasoned horses, he still left them in the dust. Dad entered him in the Futurity Stakes in County Kildare, Ireland, and he shocked us with how easily he won.
“Rather than race him into the ground as a two-year-old, Dad decided to wait until his three-year-old year and aim for the Triple Crown. In April, we entered him in the 2000 Guineas Stakes, which he won handily from seemingly out of nowhere since Dad didn’t race him much before that.
“Unfortunately, Biscuit’s win and subsequent entry into the Epsom Derby generated a great deal of public interest and also got the attention of the O’Reilly crime family. They approached Stephen and attempted to bribe him to lose the Derby, so they could profit by betting against him. Not knowing what to do, Stephen immediately came to me and told me what happened. I was livid. There was no way we were going to cooperate with these gangsters.”
“You’re bloody well right!” Ian agreed. “There is no way you should allow those thugs to influence the outcome of the Derby. Why didn’t you go to the authorities?”
“The man who contacted Stephen implied the authorities were in their pocket, and it would do us no good to involve them. After what happened to you at the pub, I think they were telling the truth.”
“There’s no doubt in my mind about that,” Ian said. “Since they initially approached Stephen, how did you get involved?”
“Stephen was supposed to meet them at the Rusty Nail to give them his answer, which they assumed would be yes. I convinced Stephen to let me go in his place, so I could tell those criminals off. He didn’t like the idea at all and insisted he accompany me if I wouldn’t let him go alone, but I persuaded him to stay and make sure Dad didn’t notice I was gone. The only reason I was at the pub that day was to tell them Stephen was refusing their bribe and to leave us alone, or we would go to the authorities.” She grimaced as she recalled the events of that day. “You saw how unhappy they were about that.”
“Saw it, felt it, and a man died as a result,” Ian said grimly.
Megan’s face flushed. “I’m so sorry. It was a stupid thing for me to do. I should have known better than to try to face off with gangsters by myself. I was never more frightened in my life.”
Now that he knew the whole story behind Megan’s presence at the Rusty Nail that day, Ian was more impressed with her than before. This woman had courage and integrity—the likes of which he hadn’t seen in a long time. Ian was also pleased when he heard Megan admit her decision to take on a major organized crime family single-handedly was not smart because he heartily agreed. He also didn’t want her to continue to berate herself for her desire to protect her family. If a member of his own family was in danger, he would have done the exact same thing.
“Water under the bridge,” Ian said and gently squeezed her hand. He immediately redirected her back to her story. “Tell me the rest.”
“You pretty much know the rest. We’ve been hiding out here with your Uncle Thomas, getting ready for the Derby. We also assume that the O’Reillys are not giving up, and they know we will be at Epsom on Saturday for the race. That’s why we don’t plan on leaving for Epsom until early Saturday—the day of the race. They’ll never expect us to transport a horse that early on race day.”
“Doesn’t that risk Biscuit being tired and not at his best for the race?” Ian asked.
Megan smiled. “Not our Biscuit. He’s a real trooper—ready for anything we can throw at him. He doesn’t get rattled on race day. In fact, he’s been known to sleep until just before the race, just like his namesake. It’s incredible.”
“What a phenomenal horse,” Ian said, “Still, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared for O’Reilly and his men. It’s clear they will be waiting for you at Epsom and will make a play there. It’s their last chance if they want to cash in on the Derby. Most likely, they’ll try something before the day of the race. We’ll just have to make sure no one can approach you, your family, or Biscuit until then.”
Megan started shifting in her seat, and she began to look a bit uncomfortable as well as a little embarrassed.
“Ian, if it’s all right with you, could we please find a loo? I should have taken care of this at the restaurant, but it didn’t seem as urgent then as it does now. I’m so sorry. Do you mind?”
Ian was charmed b
y Megan’s embarrassment at what was a normal human function and easily agreed to her request. “Let’s see what we can find around here that will meet your needs.”
They located a pub nearby that was amenable to Megan using their facilities, and Megan retreated to the back of the establishment. Ian relaxed at the bar and struck up a conversation with the bartender. Neither Ian nor Megan had seen the three men who had been watching them since their stop at the park and who were now following at a discreet distance.
Chapter 13
After overhearing Megan and Ian speaking about her need to use the loo, Colin and his two accomplices lurked in the alley at the back of the pub that Megan and Ian had just entered. Colin tested the back door and found it locked. He looked to one of his men, and in minutes, he had picked the lock. It would be easy enough to sneak into the ladies’ room and snatch Megan away before Stafford had any idea she had been taken. By the time the bastard realized she was gone, they would be well on their way to a nearby hideout where they would keep Megan under wraps for the next three days until after the Epsom Derby was run. After that, she would be of no further use to them. He had already decided he would fuck her multiple times and hear her scream his name before he slit her beautiful throat.
Megan was just finishing washing her hands at the sink in the ladies’ room when the door opened. She looked up expecting to see another woman enter the room, but instead she saw the bruised but leering face of the O’Reilly thug she had first met at the Rusty Nail Pub. Megan opened her mouth to scream for Ian, but Colin swiftly put his hand over her mouth before she could utter a sound. He then wrapped his other arm around her, effectively trapping her against his body.
Megan struggled against his restraint, twisting and turning her body, first trying to bite his hand, and then, when he avoided that, trying to kick Colin in the legs in an attempt to disable him. But he was too strong for her to overpower.
Racing Toward Love (Horses Heal Hearts Book 2) Page 8
