When Ian could summon the energy to move again, he left the bed to dispose of the condom. Upon his return, Megan smiled lazily at him and made room beside her in the bed. He eagerly joined her and pulled her into an embrace. “I’m in awe of you, darling,” he whispered to her gently.
“I love you, Ian,” Megan said quietly. She looked at him with some apprehension since she wasn’t certain he returned her feelings. She’d fallen in love with her knight in shining armor the day he saved her at the Rusty Nail Pub. That love had only grown as she had seen how much he valued his family and hers. She respected his willingness to sacrifice his life for his country and his sense of honor and duty. But it was his willingness to sacrifice himself for her without hesitation that convinced her she would never give up fighting for this man and persuading him he deserved to be loved. His previous unwillingness to accept her love had given her cause to doubt.
She had no reason to worry. “I love you too, Megan,” Ian said, looking into her eyes as he gently pushed her hair away from her face. Megan’s chest swelled with emotion as she looked into Ian’s eyes and knew he wasn’t saying he loved her out of guilt or some sense of obligation. He was sincere. He really did love her. Her mouth trembled a bit with emotion as she smiled and reached up to kiss Ian lightly on the lips. She then tucked her head into the crook of his shoulder, caressed his chest with her free hand, sighed contentedly, and soon fell asleep.
~ ~ ~
As he drifted off himself, Ian marveled at how easily he and Megan fit together. There was something about this woman that just felt right. It was a feeling he couldn’t ignore. Give it up, mate. You’re well and truly caught. Ian was shocked to realize he experienced not a spot of discomfort or trepidation at that thought. There was no doubt in his mind he was committed. He couldn’t go on without this woman by his side.
Chapter 34
The morning of the St Leger Stakes race dawned crisp, clear, and sunny. Megan woke up in Ian’s bed feeling wonderfully sated and a bit sore. Ian had awakened her three times during the night to make love, not that she was complaining. She reached over to snuggle a bit more with him but found his side of the bed empty. Hmm. I wonder where he’s gone off to. Not having second thoughts, I hope.
Megan showered and dressed quickly and made her way down to the restaurant area of the inn. There she found her father and Ian with their heads together with serious expressions on their faces as if planning something. They had not yet seen her enter. Just as she approached their table, she heard her father say, “Good luck then, lad. I’m pulling for you,” before she cleared her throat to announce her presence. The men both looked startled and a bit embarrassed, but Ian smiled brightly at her.
“Megan, love. Please sit down. Your father and I were just discussing the logistics of getting all of us to the track with a minimum of fuss. I think we’ve worked out a plan. Would you like something to eat?”
His casual words belied the underlying tension she felt in him, and although she couldn’t put a finger on it, she sensed he was a bit uncomfortable about something. Without further clues, however, Megan elected to ignore her worries and ordered a hearty breakfast. Her father excused himself to go to the track and start preparations for the race. Ian told her Stephen was already at the track. She was definitely getting a late start.
“I was worried when I woke to find you gone,” Megan said as she scanned Ian’s face for any clues that might help her discern the reason for his discomfort.
Ian carefully schooled his features and offered her a polite smile. “I had something I wanted to discuss with your father, and I need to catch him before he left for the track.” He took her hand in his, and his gaze became heated as he placed a kiss in the center of her palm. “You never have to worry about me leaving you, sweetheart. I’m all in. I love you.”
Megan glowed in the wake of Ian’s declaration. “I love you too, Ian. I always will.”
~ ~ ~
The Doncaster Racecourse was packed to the brim with people, all there to witness history being made. Seabiscuit II was favored to be the first horse in over thirty years to win the British Triple Crown. Megan and Ian sat in the owners’ section and waited for Daniel to join them. Ian held Megan close, both to protect her from the surging masses of people surrounding them, and to keep her as close to his heart as possible. After all they had been through together, Ian wasn’t taking any chances. He wasn’t going to be separated from this woman ever again.
“There he is!” Megan exclaimed as she saw Daniel slowly making his way to them through the dense mass of humanity.
“Finally!” Daniel remarked as he gained access to their section. “I thought I’d never make it before the start of the race. This place is a mad house.”
“How’s Biscuit?” Ian asked.
“He’s cool as a cucumber,” Daniel replied. “Ready to make history, if I don’t miss my guess.”
“How’s Stephen holding up?” Megan asked mischievously.
Danial grinned. “He’s a bundle of nerves, but I think he’ll be fine once the bell rings and the starting gate opens. Biscuit has enough confidence for the both of them.”
“Undoubtedly.” Megan looked out at the track. “Look, here they come.”
The post parade of seven horses brave enough to challenge Seabiscuit II, plus the stallion himself, trotted by the grandstand. There was only one other horse in this field that Daniel had confessed worried him a bit.
Navy Admiral had almost beaten Biscuit at the Derby, and he was an impressive horse with an equally impressive win record. In workouts, Navy Admiral hadn’t come close to Biscuit’s times, but his owner and trainer could have been purposely holding him back to lull them into a false sense of security. Navy Admiral would bear watching. Daniel told them he had made sure to tell Stephen what his concerns were about the horse.
Biscuit had drawn the number four position, which Ian knew suited Daniel just fine. If the race went as planned, Stephen would hold Biscuit back slightly to allow the speed horses to take the lead initially, and then as their energy flagged, Stephen was to urge Biscuit to take the lead and continue there to the end.
As they watched, all eight horses, each led by an outrider, were loaded into the starting gate.
Megan grasped Ian’s hand and held it so tightly, he flinched in pain. “I’m so nervous, Ian. What if Biscuit doesn’t have the stamina to stay in front to the end?”
Ian squeezed her hand. “Sweetheart, you have nothing to worry about. Biscuit’s work in Kentucky did wonders for his stamina. If his workouts earlier this week are any indication, he’ll win the race handily.”
It wasn’t long before the bell rang, the starting gates opened, the crowd roared, and eight thoroughbred horses thundered out of the starting gate, jockeying for position. As Daniel had instructed, Stephen was holding Biscuit back from the speed demons that had taken the early lead, but it was also obvious Biscuit wasn’t happy to be held back. Navy Admiral was just on Biscuit’s right flank, keeping pace.
The St Leger Stakes, at a distance of a mile and six furlongs, or a total of fourteen furlongs, was the longest horse race in the Triple Crown, and the length had been the defeat of many would-be Triple Crown winners. Daniel’s instructions were calculated to save Biscuit’s strength for the closing furlongs when he would need it the most. Unfortunately, at the eight-furlong point, Ian, Daniel, and Megan noticed Biscuit wrestle control from Stephen and surge to the front of the pack. With a little less than half the race to go, Biscuit was running at his maximum pace.
“Oh, no,” Megan groaned. “What is he doing?”
Danial and Ian exchanged a glance. “I think Biscuit has decided he’s tired of holding back,” Daniel said with a smile. “He wants to show those other horses and this tremendous crowd what he’s made of.”
Ian nodded. “After spending as much time as I
have with this horse, I agree. He’s simply tired of waiting to show off.”
Sure enough, once he had taken the bit in his teeth, Biscuit surged powerfully forward, easily overtaking the speed horses, who had started flagging. However, there was another horse in the field that also started surging to the front. It was Navy Admiral, and he didn’t look like he was losing energy at all.
Riding Biscuit in front of the surging pack of galloping thoroughbreds, leading by almost two lengths, Stephen appeared to be sitting calmly, which would allow him to pace himself as the last four furlongs of the race stretched before them. Ian could see Daniel relax a bit and breathe a sigh of relief because it appeared Biscuit had the race well in control. Suddenly, Ian noticed another horse gaining ground at Biscuit’s right flank and surging. Again, it was Navy Admiral.
Ian watched as Stephen appeared to tap Biscuit’s right shoulder with his whip, most likely to make the stallion aware that Navy Admiral was approaching on the outside. Ian saw Stephen lean forward, using his hands and body to urge Biscuit even more strongly forward. He touched Biscuit briefly on the flank with his whip with some urgency.
Megan, Daniel, and Ian watched as Biscuit responded to the whip with a surge of power like they had never seen before. Biscuit reached the finish line an entire horse length in front of Navy Admiral. Stephen pumped his fist in the air, and with his open hand, patted Biscuit’s arching neck, wet with sweat, but still surging with power. Biscuit galloped around the rest of the track to the roar of the ecstatic crowd with Stephen grinning in triumph on his back.
Megan screamed as Biscuit crossed the finish line. She hugged Ian and then her father as the realization Biscuit had just made history hit her. “We did it, Dad. We did it!”
“We certainly did, sweetheart,” Daniel responded. “Let’s go find Biscuit and Stephen, and let’s savor our victory.”
“Oh, yes, let’s.” Megan grabbed Ian’s hand. “Come on, Ian, let’s go.”
“Are you sure you want me there too?” Ian asked hesitantly. “I’m not a part of the family, at least not yet.”
“Is there something you’d like to ask Megan, Ian?” Daniel said mischievously.
Ian fidgeted nervously. “Well, I was hoping to ask Megan this question while we were alone sometime, but the appropriate occasion hasn’t happened.”
“What question, Ian?” Megan asked.
Ian looked nervously between Megan and Daniel. “If we weren’t so tightly packed in this crowd, I’d go down on one knee, but as it is, I will just ask you.” Ian looked over at Daniel, who took a small diamond ring out of his pants’ pocket. Ian took the ring, reached for Megan’s left hand, and in the midst of a crowd of thousands of people, many of them watching the Bradys and Ian curiously, Ian looked into her eyes. “Megan Brady, I love you more than life itself. Would you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Megan’s eyes glistened with tears. She looked at the ring Ian was holding, and she looked over to her father, who was also tearing up. “It’s Mom’s ring. How did you get it?”
“Ian approached me early this morning and asked me for your hand. I sent Stephen home to get your mother’s ring for him before breakfast this morning. It will have to be resized to fit you, but Ian was determined to propose today. I hope it’s OK.”
“It’s perfect.” She met Ian’s gaze and said sincerely, “I love you, Ian. Yes, I will be your wife.”
The ring was too small for Megan’s ring finger, so Ian slipped the ring onto Megan’s left pinky finger, which fit perfectly. He then bent slightly to kiss her tenderly and hugged her tightly. “Thank you, sweetheart. You’ve made me very happy. Now, let’s go tell Stephen and Biscuit the good news.”
“Yes, let’s,” Megan said with a beaming smile on her face.
As they approached Stephen and Biscuit in the winner’s circle, the commotion was chaotic, but Biscuit easily picked Ian, Megan, and Daniel out of the crowd. He whinnied his welcome, even while posing for numerous photographs. When Megan relayed their good news to Stephen in front of Biscuit, the horse nodded his head as if to endorse the match, and then nudged Ian in the shoulder when he stood nearby.
“I knew you’d be happy for us, mate. I look forward to many more of our talks in the future.”
Biscuit nickered his agreement.
Epilogue
The trial that ultimately ended with a life sentence with no possibility of parole for Seamus O’Reilly had dominated the news for weeks after Biscuit’s win at the St Leger Stakes. The evidence found by the British Serious Organised Crime Agency, via Ryan O’Reilly’s cell phone, led to search warrants for all of the O’Reilly family’s records. Through electronic files diligently hacked by British Intelligence, many incriminating conversations were discovered.
Although Megan and Stephen Brady were warned they might have to testify, the documentary evidence was sufficient to garner a conviction without their assistance.
Quinn O’Reilly faced attempted kidnapping, weapons, and assault charges in a Kentucky Federal District Court. The O’Reilly empire, once the most powerful criminal enterprise in the U.K., was broken. As the only surviving son and heir to the O’Reilly enterprise, at least on paper, Quinn normally would be provided the best legal counsel money could buy. Now, Quinn was lucky to get a public defender, who couldn’t care less about this foreign interloper’s fate before the court. Needless to say, Quinn was convicted and sentenced to at least twenty years behind bars in a federal maximum-security prison. The British press lambasted Quinn for his ineptitude as the facts surrounding his bungled attempt to kidnap one of the Bradys were revealed. The once feared O’Reillys had become a laughing stock.
In comparison, the news of Ian Stafford’s marriage to Megan Brady four weeks after the St Leger Stakes race was noted in passing—an afterthought to the bloodthirsty British press.
As it happened, Ian and Megan were married just days after his brother Michael married Jessica Warren in a civil ceremony. Jessica, now four months pregnant, had served as Megan’s matron of honor. Michael, of course, was Ian’s best man.
Ian and Megan were staying with Michael and Jessica temporarily while their recently purchased home near Daniel’s thoroughbred farm in South Yorkshire could be renovated. The four of them were sitting down for breakfast. Megan was reading a section the morning newspaper, and Ian was scanning a document on his laptop while sipping coffee from an oversized mug and munching on a slice of buttered toast. He had already polished off his usual breakfast of eggs, bacon, and fried potatoes. Jessica and Michael were also reading the newspaper, having just finished their more modest meal.
Megan slowly sipped her tea. She suddenly reached for Ian’s hand and showed him an article on the front page of the day’s newspaper. “Look Ian, here’s an article about Biscuit.”
Ian looked up and smiled, reaching for the paper. “Is that so? Let me see what they have to say about our superstar.”
Megan smiled. “They’re thrilled that Dad is entering him in the Royal Ascot. They even quote the Queen as saying Seabiscuit II would be the horse to beat, and that she would definitely be in attendance to watch him leave the rest of the field behind.”
“The Royal Ascot is one of the richest horse races in the world. I’m sure Biscuit could clean up,” Ian said.
“I spoke with Dad yesterday, and he and Stephen are working him hard to make sure he’s ready. When he asked, I told him we would be there. I wouldn’t miss it for anything, Ian. I hope you will be able to go with me. Dad said he’ll have a box reserved for us.” She indicated the laptop Ian had been studying intently just moments ago. “Will you be able to come with me, or has Roger got you occupied with a new case?”
Impressed by Ian’s masterful rescue of Megan Brady, Roger Davis had offered Ian a job as a professional mission planner. Ian gratefully accepted the offer, ensuring he would use his
talents as he had always wanted—to help others. At Megan’s request, Roger had agreed to keep Ian’s field work to a minimum, pleasing Ian as well. However, there were some cases that required Ian’s full attention, without regard to time or day of the week. It was the nature of the security business that work didn’t keep to a regular Monday through Friday, eight to five schedule. The case Ian was working on currently had been taking a great deal of his time and attention.
“It’s all right, love.” Ian reassured her. “Roger knows how important Biscuit is to both of us. Not to mention that Davis Security still provides protection for Biscuit when he travels. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Roger found this protection job a good excuse to attend the Royal Ascot himself – in a purely business capacity, of course.”
“Of course,” Megan laughed. “In that case, I’ll tell Dad and Stephen we’ll be there.”
At the mention of Stephen’s name, Ian grew serious. “How is Stephen?” Ian asked. “I haven’t had much of a chance to talk with him since our wedding. Is he still feeling guilty about allowing Ryan O’Reilly to trick him into helping him?”
“I don’t know, Ian,” Megan said her brow furrowed with concern. “He says everything is fine, but he always seems more subdued around me than he had been before Ryan took him. I wish there was something I could do to reassure him that he didn’t do anything wrong.”
“It may just take time. I can speak from experience that it takes a while to recover from trauma.”
Racing Toward Love (Horses Heal Hearts Book 2) Page 21
