Everyone ate their grain in record time, which made me happy. I needed to put everyone outside before leaving. The weather was supposed to be beautiful the next several days and it would save me the trouble of cleaning stalls when we returned after midnight. Two by two, I led them out and put them in the northern pastures. All fifteen of the horses squealed and gave empty threats before they settled down. The herd quieted and began grazing in the orange and fuchsia light of dawn.
“Hey.”
I squealed and fell back against the tack room door. Mike smiled devilishly, laughing at my skittishness.
“Hi Mike,” I breathed out. “I wasn't expecting anyone.”
“I'll say.” He grinned again. “I'm cutting some hay for Danika today. It's supposed to be perfect this week. Dry and warm. That's all I need.”
“Good. We're down to the last fifty bales up in the loft.”
Mike didn't say anything. He stared at the ground and kicked a tiny pebble that had somehow rolled in from the parking area. Clearing his throat, he kept his eyes trained on the ground. “So, Nadia, I, uh…”
“Good morning, everyone!” chirped Gretchen. She stood in the doorway with her hands on her waist. Wearing a pair of sleek black riding breeches with a skintight designer blouse, she looked like a model posed and ready for a photo shoot. Her brilliant blond hair was meticulously braided and her pearly complexion was absolutely flawless.
“Hey,” Mike and I said in unison. Gretchen suppressed a smirk, knowing she had just caught the two of us before Mike could ask me whatever it was he was about to ask. She flipped her braid behind her back and strut directly towards Mike.
“Would you mind walking me out to get Isis? I see she's already eaten.”
Mike removed his cap and scratched his shaggy hair. “Uh, sure.”
“I came out early to ride 'cause I have to go to my sister's tap recital this afternoon. The rest of the family’s occupied so I’m going to support her,” Gretchen said, piercing me with a glare.
Unsure of what I had to do with her family’s plans, I mumbled, “That’s nice of you to go watch her. I’m sure she appreciates it.” Completely ignoring me, Gretchen grabbed Mike by the arm and escorted him through the arena. I wanted to scoop up a shovelful of manure and sling it at her back.
“Did you like the movie we saw last night? I thought it was pretty good. Sidney and Kristi were happy to see you…”
I bit my lower lip, suddenly battling the urge to cry. What are you doing? I scolded myself. You were never interested in boys before. You like horses. Horses! I was about to sit down next to my change of clothes and sack lunch when Danika entered.
“Darling. Are you ready?” Six on the nose.
“Yep,” I answered excitedly. Even Gretchen couldn't keep me down today. I was embarking on my quest to find my veritable Holy Grail—a horse to call my very own.
“Let's get going then, shall we? Ms. Diederich is already in the car and is anxious to depart.”
I grabbed my riding clothes and lunch and trotted after Danika. Greg darted out from under the stairs and ran out the door in front of me. Clenched in his jaw, a lifeless mouse dangled pathetically. He rubbed up against Danika's boot and purred loudly.
“Oh, Greg,” she bent over and tickled along his spine, “What a good hunter you are.” I smiled at his achievement. One less rodent around to cause trouble.
George was huffing a little as he packed the back with a cooler and a tote of snacks. “Have an enjoyable time, ladies.” Danika smiled broadly at him and even Ms. Diederich's lips curled slightly. George was most possibly the kindest man alive.
With one last breath of crisp morning air, I climbed in the back seat of Danika's Jeep and we headed south on I-74.
* * *
Over the course of the day, the three of us visited six barns, each more ornate than the last. The horses I sat atop were the horses that had galloped through my wildest dreams. Their pedigree was impeccable, as were their manners and grooming. It felt like such an honor just to sit on their backs.
Ms. Diederich remained mostly silent, taking obvious mental notes of each horse. She closely examined each as it was brought to us, scrutinizing their conformation and gaits with a professional eye perfected by years of experience.
Sweaty, dusty and worn-out from riding, I was in heaven. There was no way I’d be able to choose just one horse on my own and was grateful for Danika and Ms. Diederich’s to make the final call.
“One more stop,” Danika said. Her tone was a bit weary but she seemed to have been enjoying herself as well. Ms. Diederich barely cracked a smile but she seemed to have softened a bit. I was thoroughly convinced horses had the ability to make everyone a tiny bit kinder just by being in their presence.
The sun set with a final show of bright pinks and purples that meshed together, succumbing to a pale, dimmed blue. By the time we pulled in the last driveway, pitch black had cloaked the night sky.
The road was long and wooded with a steep hill right from the entrance. On either side was a rundown pasture, overcrowded with cedar saplings. The fence was in disrepair and at places was held together with strings of rusty barbed wire. I crinkled my nose as I peered out the window. How could there be anything worth looking at here? The other barns rivaled Danika's. This place looked like it should be condemned.
I caught Ms. Diederich staring at me from a corner of the rearview mirror. I blushed and simpered, trying to hide my obvious distaste. She shifted in her seat and turned away, resting her chin on her strong fist.
The barn had a single light glowing on the outside, attracting a cloud of flitting bugs. They bumbled around in the small patch of light and repeatedly rammed themselves into the bulb.
Inside, a cowboy raked the dirt aisle to round up the loose hay that had fallen. He wore a pair of faded blue jeans and a flannel shirt that he left mostly unbuttoned at the top, showing the beads of sweat that clung to his chest. A disoriented old cochin rooster woke and crowed loudly, heralding our arrival. When he finished, he shook his feathery legs and slipped right back to sleep.
“Chuck!” cried Danika. She walked over to the cowboy and placed her hand in his. The two must have been more than acquaintances, the way they smiled and laughed with each other.
Ms. Diederich stopped next to me and answered the swarm of questions in my mind.
“Mr. Fitzgerald is a close friend from high school. He used to go riding all of the time with her and Helena.”
“Helena?” I asked.
“One of Danika's oldest friends who was also one of my top students.”
I looked at her earnestly, pressing for more.
“The pair hated one another for years, while Danika was my stable hand. Helena softened up a bit after a few hundred trail rides with her and Mr. Fitzgerald. I'm sure consistently losing to Danika was part of it too. They were inseparable ever since.”
“How did they get introduced to Chuck?”
“He worked at my facilities like Mr. Hughes works at Danika's.”
I raised my eyebrow. “Mr. Hughes?”
“Michael. He repaired machinery, baled hay, did most of the heavy work Danika couldn't do. He was quite handsome in his youth. I think Danika and Helena may have been jealous over him. They all turned out to be friends though.”
An image of Mike and Gretchen flashed in my mind, making my cheeks blush. I couldn't see Gretchen and me as anything but mortal enemies.
“In the end, Chuck married Helena and introduced Danika to her husband, George.”
“Oh,” I said, not entirely listening. I was busy comparing my situation to Danika's, wondering how it would pan out. I blurted out, “Are he and Helena still together?”
“Helena's dead,” Ms. Diederich said frankly.
“Oh. I'm terribly sorry to hear that.”
“She died doing what she loved: riding. Mr. Fitzgerald took it hard and it almost destroyed him and his family. He can be quite the blockhead when he is drunk. He is making a comeback,
though.”
The conversation broke and Chuck approached, hand extended. “Hello, Ms. Diederich.” He had kind, laughing eyes and deep smile lines etched in his sun-worn skin. “It's been far too long.”
“Mr. Fitzgerald, it is good to see you again.” She shook his hand and introduced me. “This young lady is Nadia Wells. She is my newest investment.”
Chuck smiled at me, acknowledging my talent. His face was handsome, though not in a youthful way. It was a rugged, mature masculinity, like a mustached cowboy version of Harrison Ford.
“Nadia, pleasure's all mine.” Timidly, I placed my hand in his and studied his well-used boots. “You must be quite the rider if Ms. Diederich here thinks you're worth investing in.”
“Thank you,” was all I could manage. A moth fluttered by and tickled my ear. I quickly batted it away.
“No time to waste,” Danika said with renewed vigor.
Grabbing a dusty leather halter, Chuck said, “Stay here. She's outside enjoying the weather.”
Danika, Ms. Diederich and I stood silently while waiting for Chuck to reappear. I kicked my toe in the dirt and peeked in the freshly cleaned stalls, banked with mounds of shavings. The property may have been run down but Chuck did an excellent job keeping it tidy and comfortable for his animals.
The clomp of heavy horse steps pricked my attention. Appearing from under the deep shadows of night strolled the horse that was destined to fulfill my dreams.
Chapter Six
A big bay Holsteiner mare slipped into the hazy warm light of the barn. Her eyes gleamed with a hint of wild distrust though she behaved herself perfectly. Chuck clipped the halter to the cross ties and patted her on her rump.
“She ain't much to look at right now,” he scratched away some of the mud caked on her fiery coat, “but she's quite the mover.”
Ms. Diederich and Danika thoughtfully studied the mare, picking up her hooves, smoothing their hands along her joints.
“She's gorgeous. Haven't seen too many blood red bays with three white stockings around,” Danika complimented Chuck on his find. “Where did you purchase her?” She carefully grabbed the horse's lips and opened her mouth for a dental examination. Her mouth was a healthy pink with a row of evenly worn incisors.
Chuck pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and moped the sweat from his face. “Found her at an auction. She'd been some lady's mount but she decided she was through with her.” He shook his head. “Just lucky I could outbid the man that was buying up all the horses. Pretty sure he's shipping them for slaughter.”
I gasped. A perfectly sound animal being made into dog food because some spoiled brat got tired of her? Shameful.
“Come and meet her, Nadia,” Ms. Diederich impatiently called. “We're here to find out if you two have a connection or not.”
I eyed the mare, watching her body signals as I extended my hand. She was a bit guarded but slowly sniffed. “Hey, girl. It's alright,” I cooed.
“Name's 'Headed for the Win,' but we call her 'Winny' 'round here.”
“Winny,” I repeated, entranced. I flipped her forelock out of the way and found a sharp white star hiding beneath her tangle of hair. I circled around her, patting her body, feeling the warmth radiate from her thick hide. Her withers were above eye level—at least sixteen hands—the perfect size for my long legs.
On her left hip, the crowned shield of the Holsteiner breed was clearly branded but a line of white hairs and rumpled skin interrupted it. I reached my fingers up to touch it, brushing gently along her flank.
Winny flattened her ears and threatened me with a sharp stomp of her hoof. I jumped back, startled.
“Whoa, there girl,” Chuck grabbed her by the halter and pet her on the forehead. “She's a bit sensitive about her flank being touched. Figure whoever had her last gave her a good whipping a few times too often. She'll soften up.”
Ms. Diederich pursed her lips and shook her head at the stupidity of the previous owners. She muttered, “The whip is an aid, not a tool for beating.”
“Is it all right if we try her out?” Danika smoothed her hand along Winny's elegant neckline. “I bet she has excellent gaits, judging by her conformation.”
“Yup, be my guest,” gestured Chuck.
I watched with awe as Danika put Winny through her paces and took her over a few low verticals. The suspension between each step was amazing. She naturally lifted each hoof and carefully placed it precisely where Danika asked her to. The mare was obviously talented and though she'd been neglected and was a bit out of shape, even my untrained eye could see her apparent potential.
“Nadia,” Danika panted lightly, “your turn, my dear.”
My legs trembled slightly, either from nervousness or exhaustion from exercising my muscles on several other mounts throughout the day. I buckled my helmet under my chin and grabbed the reins from Danika. She gave me a leg up and I slipped tentatively into the saddle, feeling the steady breathing of Winny's barreled midsection.
Using my calf, I turned her from our tiny audience and gave her a free walk around the arena.
“Go ahead and pick up the trot, Nadia. Don't be nervous,” Danika called from the far end. Asking her to move forward, Winny anticipated my move and sprung lightly into an even-tempoed trot. I posted, feeling my seat fly out of the saddle and lightly touch back down. Though she pranced with each footstep, it was not overly buoyant. I glanced at our reflection in the mirror hanging on the arena wall. Winny regally held her head and neck round and solid.
She tucked her hind end under herself and propelled into a canter. The wind blew by my face and I closed my eyes for a moment, imagining I was on my victory lap at the Rolex three-day event. But why stop there? I expanded my vision to the Olympics, to World Cups. I could almost smell the blanket of roses on my horse's neck and feel the weight of my newly earned gold medal hanging from my neck.
I don't know how long I rode, weaving in and out of circles and serpentines, flying down the long side in extended strides, moving along in half passes. Time seemed completely relative atop the mare and I felt as though I could easily ride forever.
After a few more moments, I crossed the diagonal and with a squeeze of my inner thigh and rein, Winny squarely halted in front of Danika, Ms. Diederich and Chuck.
“She has potential,” Ms. Diederich noted. “Marvelous potential.”
“She's a great ride,” I commented as I slipped belly-down from the saddle. By far, she was my favorite, but with Ms. Diederich picking up the tab, I didn't want to start getting picky so I did my best to remain neutral. Winny was a far cry from the three-legged, one-eyed, colicky horse I would have been satisfied with.
I was careful to slap Winny on her shoulder to show my affection rather than her sensitive flanks. The last thing I wanted to do was ruin a great ride with a kick to my shin. She cocked her head and stared, unsure of what to make of me.
“Darling, could you rub her down? She's had quite the workout,” Danika pointed out. She had frothy white sweat under the girth.
“Sure,” I turned, leading Winny out through the gate, past the snoozing rooster and back to the cross ties. A gust of night air bit through my sweatshirt and I shivered. Lifting off Winny's saddle, swirling steam rose from her back. I grabbed a raggedy towel off the saddle rack and massaged her in small circles. When I finished, her coat was gleaming, relative to the dull rust color it'd been when she came in.
The three adults conversed in hushed tones in the arena. I kept myself busy with Winny, trying to ignore what they were saying but every phrase echoed, pricking my attention.
“…excellent match…” whispered Danika.
“I don't know…too much horse…” added Chuck.
“…she has the talent…” pointed out Ms. Diederich.
With Winny cooled and groomed to perfection, the clique approached and made their announcement.
“This here mare is a lot of horse,” Chuck began. “She ain't just tall, she's got a bit of an attitude, what wit
h only being near six, I figure. Don‘t want ya gettin‘ hurt.”
Danika said, “I'll be working with you the usual three times a week and will keep an eye on you when you train on your own. Ms. Diederich will be assisting as well. Like she told you, you are an investment. I think that—”
Ms. Diederich butted in, “This is the horse for you.” Her face was firm but pleased, her eyes giving away satisfaction. I smirked at her decisive nature. And I couldn't have agreed more.
“Well, then,” sighed Danika. “It's settled. Chuck, thank you very much for keeping an eye out for me. I'll have you ship her up this next week so we can get started on her training as soon as possible.”
Chuck smiled and tipped his hat to each of us with a quiet, “Ma'am. Ma’am. Miss.”
The time approached midnight as we wearily climbed into the Jeep. Chuck waved again as we backed and gunned up the hill, the headlights slicing through the thick darkness.
I leaned my head on the cool glass and smiled at my faint reflection. My head throbbed, my eyes burned and my muscles felt as useless as a newborn baby's, but I was happy. Ecstatic. Even in my most far-fetched fantasy I could not have conjured up such a happy ending to the quest for my Holy Grail.
“Wonderful man,” Danika thought aloud, turning onto the gravel road that would guide us to the interstate.
Ms. Diederich hummed her agreement but added, “When he is sober.”.
Trying to stay awake, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind. “When did Helena pass away?”
After an awkwardly long interlude to our conversation, Danika cleared her throat and answered, shifting uneasily in her seat. “Helena always enjoyed a challenge, which occasionally meant taking a risk. About three years ago, we were in Maryland, competing in the Four Seasons combined training event. I took Calypso and Helena had brought Honeydew, a mare she'd been working with.” Danika's voice wavered a little and she paused.
Headed for the Win (Nadia and Winny Book 1) Page 4
