by Ann Hunter
“Think of Promenade,” Carol whispered.
Alex took a deep breath. “Okay.”
Laura patted Alex’s arm.
Alex knew she should be looking forward to her first plane ride. What normal person wouldn’t? She wasn’t afraid of heights; she’d jumped out of windows before. She wasn’t afraid of going fast; speed was her addiction. So what was her problem?
Alex convinced herself she was cool, she was fine. She filed onto the plane, and stuffed her carry-on bag under the seat in front of her, then buckled up. But as the plane taxied, her foot started thumping a mile a minute. Carol touched her knee gently.
“Do you need to switch places? We could swap really fast before we take off.”
Alex wasn’t sure that would help. Pretty sure not much would help now. Carol would probably enjoy the view more anyway. She unbuckled, did the ol’ switcheroo, and buckled again. Now she was sandwiched between Carol and Laura.
What Alex was sure of is if she were on the aisle, she’d make a break for the emergency exit. Even if she had to climb over passengers and flight security. She was fifteen, she could legally hit that aisle.
Laura smiled at her and squeezed her hand. “Breathe, sis.”
Alex exhaled hard.
Laura reached for the little air conditioning nozzles overhead and adjusted it for Alex. The plane picked up speed and started making high pitched whizzing noises, and all sorts of weird sounds. Alex gripped her arm rests, white-knuckled and slid down in her seat.
They went faster and faster. The plane tipped back, forcing Alex deeper into her seat. As they lifted off, she screamed the F-word. Laura cackled giddily, while Carol stared in awe at her.
Alex was definitely not a fan of this act of going along quietly, stuck in a metal tube, hurtling six hundred miles per hour, forty thousand feet above the earth. I mean, what could possibly go wrong?
She reached for the barf bag and put it over her face.
Alex could’ve kissed the floor of the JFK airport terminal when they arrived, but Hillary and the girls were too busy whisking her to the car rental. She felt like a crazy person, escorted by orderlies. How had Carol been so calm? It was her first time flying, too. She actually seemed to enjoy it when, in reality, it was more terrifying than a horror flick.
Carol was the crazy one, Alex reminded herself. That girl laughed when horses tried to throw her. Also, she liked math. Proof.
“Can we go see Promenade now?” Alex asked as Hillary received the keys to the rental.
“I think we should get some lunch and rest,” Hillary replied, popping the trunk to put their luggage away. “It’s been a long morning for everyone.”
Alex slouched in the backseat, a little bummed that her ordeal wouldn’t be rewarded.
Hillary smiled over her shoulder as she buckled into the driver’s seat. “We’re staying at a nice hotel, five miles from the track. It even has a spa.” She started the car. “I’ll treat us. Girl’s day in.”
Laura and Carol both grinned, chiming, “Sweet.”
“Awesome!”
Alex frowned. Have fun with that. She’d rather be covered in hay and horse hair, smelling like appley-tart fly spray and peppermints, surrounded by leather. Build a salon like that and she’d be the first in line.
“Any chance you could drop me off on the way?” Alex asked. Drowned out by their chatter and the radio, she was pretty sure nobody heard her.
Waiting for them to be ready at the hotel was only slightly less painful than enduring the journey here. Hillary and Laura each wanted to shower, which took for-freaking-evaarrr. Once Hillary was done, she headed out to grab food for everyone. Alex paced the room, looking out the window to the surrounding city. She’d never seen so many cars.
She had to get her mind off going out there. It was killing her she was only five miles away from Promenade. Hell, North Oak’s borders were only five miles around. Alex grabbed the remote to turn the TV on. Surely there had to be some racing on one of the channels, being so close to Belmont Park.
She turned the volume way down when she noticed Carol had dozed off on one of the beds. There was something soothing about her breathing, the sound of the shower going in the background, and the low buzz of the announcer’s voice.
Laura was just drying her hair when Hillary returned with cheeseburgers.
“You got me a veggie burger, right?” Laura called through the door.
“Yes,” Hillary answered, passing a burger to Alex.
Her eyes still hooked to the TV screen, Alex unwrapped her burger passively. She hadn’t realize how hungry she was until she bit into it. Lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, and meat was all it took for her to finally relax. A warm meal in her belly, a soda to wash it down, and she was sure she could be more patient with everyone.
They didn’t get out to Belmont until late afternoon. Alex was overly eager to be there. As soon as they parked on the backside, she rushed to the shedrow where North Oak’s horses were stabled. She gave a low whistle, and Promenade stuck his head over the stall barrier. Alex broke into a grin.
“There’s my big, handsome boy.”
He whickered and nibbled her pocket unabashedly. She tugged his ear, then reached for a peppermint she’d been saving just for him.
A few stalls down, Morning Glory popped her head out too and whinnied.
“Hey, Mags,” Alex crooned back. She wondered where Brooke was.
Alex turned her attention back to Promenade, just as Hillary, Laura, and Carol caught up to her.
“I saw Brooke a few barns down talking to another trainer,” Laura said. “She’ll be over in a minute.”
Carol smiled at Promenade. “He’s looking really good. Better than the last time I saw him, anyway.”
Alex nodded, hoping that bode well for the Belmont in two days. He’d need all the strength he could get to take on Black Scotch.
“Hi, guys,” Brooke called as she crossed the yard to Morning Glory’s stall. Hillary and Laura went to greet her right away, but Alex and Carol hung back.
“He’ll do great,” Carol reassured, as if she’d been reading Alex the whole time.
“I sure hope so.”
They stayed with Promenade a few minutes longer, before Alex turned to the others.
“Hey big shot,” she called. “You get any new recruits?”
Brooke grimaced. “Hardly.”
Alex and Carol exchanged looks, then went to join the others.
“I’ve been getting a lot of flak,” Brooke confessed. “I asked Pop if that was normal, and he just laughed. He said I’m on my own now.”
“Helpful as always,” Alex gibed.
“I’m just glad he doesn’t have an entry in Mag’s race. He’d never leave me alone.”
“When is she running?” Carol asked.
Brooke stroked Morning Glory’s forelock. “Tomorrow. In the Jersey Girl Stakes. To be honest, I’m scared shirtless.”
“Why?”
“All the other trainer’s teasing me about being a little girl with her pony.”
“Idiots,” Alex muttered. “Don’t they know girls and horses are a thing? What about being related to the old man?”
“I’m nobody. Just because Joe Hendricks is my granddaddy, doesn’t mean I instantly have credibility.”
“I guess you’re just gonna have to show them what a one-woman show is all about then.” Laura linked elbows with her. “We all have to start somewhere, right?”
Brooke nodded. “I’m glad my beginning is with Mags.”
Morning Glory rubbed her head against Brooke’s chest, as if to say she was glad too.
Hillary put her arm around Brooke’s shoulders. “Come on, girls. Let’s get dinner.”
JERSEY GIRLS
The following morning, Alex drove to Belmont with Brooke to catch a couple of rides on North Oak’s horses. It felt fantastic to be back in the irons after everything that had happened at home. Joe even cut her some slack, by not chewing her out as much with the feedback, for being a
champion to Promenade. The reason he was still alive was all because of her, and that meant something to the old man.
However, when the morning workouts finished, Alex noticed a change in Brooke. With nothing to distract her, she got a little edgy. Alex hated when Brooke was as nippy as a colt. She was relieved when she got back to Promenade’s stall and saw Dejado hanging out by him.
He sat on a hay bale, whistling as he polished a pair of boots. He seemed set on his work, in his own private world even. The fact that he had a little happy place forced a smile onto Alex’s face. She and Dejado always seemed happiest around Promenade. A few months ago, it would’ve driven her mad with jealousy, but now she appreciated the ally he was to her.
Alex ambled over to him and sat down. “Hey.”
He glanced to her, smiled, and continued working to his merry tune. Promenade arced his neck over the stall barrier, and snuffled Alex’s hair. She reached up to scratch his jaw contentedly. The only thing that broke their attention was Steven North marching toward them with a short guy beside him.
Alex felt like she sort of recognized shorty, with the way he carried his whip, and strode beside North, like she’d seen it play out before. His words to North were incensed.
“You crazy, man. Miss my chance to win the Triple Crown?”
“Promenade’s the better horse, and you know it.”
“Sorry, but I’m committed to Scotch.”
“We’ll see if you’re still singing that song at the finish line.”
It had to be Enrique Diaz, the jockey who usually rode Promenade. North stood there, staring at the jockey as he skulked off.
Dejado leaned toward Alex. “They haven’t been able to find a rider for Pro. No one thinks he stands much of a chance after what happened at the farm.”
“People know about that?”
“Everyone knows.”
North rubbed his chin irritably, then turned his head toward them. Alex could tell, even from across the yard, that the gears in his head were ticking along. He broke into that creepy grin that irked her, and made his way toward them.
“Enrique said he’ll pass. But I’ve got a wild card up my sleeve.”
“Who?” Alex asked, squinting at him. She followed his gaze to Dejado.
Dejado threw his boots onto the bale, and backed away slowly. “Ohhhh, no. Not this again.”
“It’s another opportunity to line your pockets, son. You and I both know Promenade’s going to come in the money.”
Dejado rubbed his neck. “I was really hoping to watch the race.”
“Well, now you’re in it. Get ready,” North said, pivoting on his heel and striding away.
Alex smirked at Dejado. “Toldja you wouldn’t have to ride the Derby.”
Dejado groaned.
She stood and walked toward him, hoping her words would be convincing. “There’s no one else for the job. You and I, we’re the ones who believe in him. Nobody else would give Pro that chance.”
“Is this your way of saying you believe in me?”
Alex glanced down to her feet, toeing the dirt. A flare of warmth crept up her neck. Was she blushing? She really hoped she wasn’t blushing. “I’m saying…” she met his eyes. “You deserve it.”
A few hours passed before Brooke and Dejado both took off to get ready for Morning Glory’s race. Alex had the shedrow to herself, much to her satisfaction. Hillary and Carol were enjoying the festivities at the clubhouse. Even from where she sat, near Promenade of course, Alex heard the cheers of the crowd all the way across the vast track. She couldn’t imagine what tomorrow would be like when attendance would surely double, or even triple, because of the Triple Crown on the line.
Her favorite part of waiting for Morning Glory’s big race was when some of the horses in the other races on the card would thunder by on the track. The desire to eat, sleep, and breathe it was sometimes overwhelming. A mantra hummed in her head to the tune of the drumming of hooves; October, October, October. Four more months, and she’d be out there with them.
Not long before the race, Brooke appeared in a navy blue jacket, patterned blouse, and slacks, which Laura probably helped her pick out. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail.
Alex rose to greet her. “Well ain’t you hoity toity Miss Trainer,” she teased.
Brooke asked “Do I look okay?” like she wasn’t sure. Like Laura totally wasn’t admiring what a great job she did getting Brooke gussied up.
Alex grinned. “Legit.”
Brooke exhaled hard, seeming like it was taking every fiber of her to hold it together. “What in the world was I thinking entering her in a stakes right off the bat? I should’ve built her up more.”
She paused before Morning Glory’s stall, staring at the filly.
“Too late to kick yourself now,” Laura chimed.
Alex agreed. “Yeah, you can be nervous after you saddle her. You don’t want that mojo rubbing off on her before her big dance.”
“You’re right.” Brooke looked between them, then wrapped her arms around each of them. “I love you guys.”
Alex wrinkled her nose. Mushy stuff. But secretly, she had a deeper feeling about being there with them now. Because they’d always been with her in her time of need, too.
Brooke let them go, and stepped back. “Let’s get her ready.”
She lead Mags from her stall, and Alex and Laura helped her groom the filly. Laura even put a white band in Morning Glory’s dark forelock.
Brooke double checked her watch. “We gotta go,” she squeaked.
Alex fist bumped her. “You got this, Stick.”
Brooke gave her a thumbs up, leading Mags toward the saddling area, and looking appreciative of the pep talk.
Morning Glory was an example of composure. Alex wished some of it would rub off on Brooke. The filly was quiet, but curious. She looked at all the people staring back at her, ears listening to the hubbub.
Alex couldn’t fight the smile that worked itself onto her face once Dejado appeared. Carol elbowed her with a smirk. Alex shoved her back.
Dejado looked sharp in Brooke’s daring black and purple silks. She’d worked years for this. Alex double checked her racing form for their entry. Seeing Morning Glory’s and Brooke’s names together made her smile broader. It seemed fitting that their stakes debut was with one another.
Alex followed them through the crowd to the apron of the clubhouse, joining Carol, Hillary, and Laura. From where Alex stood at the rail, Brooke tried to look brave when she passed Morning Glory off to the outrider. Alex noticed Brooke’s hands shaking when she joined them. Brooke must have noticed back, because she hid them under her arms.
Morning Glory’s odds were solid. She wasn’t the favorite, but she’d won her last few races. The only thing hindering her was the fact she hadn’t raced in a few months, and she was facing quite the respectable field.
Brooke was barely audible over the crowd. “It seems like everyone knows about the virus. I just hope it doesn’t make her look weak.”
“Let them think what they want,” Alex said. “They’ll be sorry they didn’t bet on her.”
Laura hooked arms with Brooke. “Team underdog for the win.”
“They’re all in line,” the announcer echoed as the last filly loaded into the starting gate. “Ready to go for the Jersey Girl Stakes.”
The bell clanged. Gate doors slammed open. Morning Glory and her rivals surged forward.
Brooke and Laura huddled close together, arm in arm, almost hugging one another. Alex and Carol gripped the rail. The announcer called the race, but Alex was too absorbed in actually watching Dejado rate Morning Glory off the pace. He got her settled almost effortlessly, then sat chilly, biding his time.
The race seemed to go by too fast, and too slowly, all at once. It was only six furlongs; three-quarters of a mile long. Alex tried to tick off the seconds in her head to see if she could get a gut reaction to sending Mags into her run. Gauging a race was something Alex’s mother had been
renowned for. The field rounded the turn, cruising toward the finish line.
“Hold it, DJ, hold it,” Alex said under her breath. Her grip on the rail grew tighter. She watched the leaders slug it out. Dejado guided Mags toward them, then swung around.
“Now!” Alex said aloud, slapping the rail.
“Here comes Morning Glory on the outside,” the announcer called.
“Come on, Mags. Come on home!” Brooke shouted.
Laura echoed her, “Come on, baby!”
Dejado popped Mags lightly with his whip, and dug into overdrive.
“She’s closing in. Here’s the wire! Acacia Saint for the win, with Morning Glory in a fast-closing second.”
Alex watched Brooke’s gaze follow Morning Glory around the turn, the expression etched on her face hard to read. Wasn’t she happy?
“You should be psyched,” Laura said, hugging her.
“Yeah, Stick,” Alex added. “Debut trainer coming in second with a debut stakes horse. Watch them ignore you now.”
Brooke remained silent as Morning Glory trotted back. Dejado tossed his whip to them with a grin. Brooke picked it up, examining it as if it would tell her how to feel or something. She finally nodded.
“Y’know what? You’re right. I’m super proud of her.” Brooke slung her arms around their shoulders.
“Lunch is on me.” She went to collect Morning Glory, after Dejado had weighed out with his tack. “Just today, we’re a couple of Jersey girls.”
“Mind if I join you, ladies?” Dejado asked super suavely, still covered in dirt all over his silks.
“I mind,” Alex teased. “You need to make weight tomorrow mister. I’m counting on you.”
Brooke hugged him. “Thank you for that great ride.”
He winked at her. “She’s a great gal.”
When he stalked off, Laura squirmed giddily. “Are you sure there’s nothing going on between you two?”
“Not even a little bit,” Brooke said, pulling out her pony tail. “I’m letting my hair down, let’s roll.”
They followed her back to the barn to bathe, groom, and settle Morning Glory in for the evening, before getting into Brooke’s car.
