“It’s not that simple, Mrs. Clay,” the attorney said. “You can say whatever you want, but until Miss Emmie tells me that’s what she wants, the will stands.”
“Yes, Mr. Hollister, it is that simple. My daughter doesn’t want the farm. I’ll call her to come over here right now. Did you ever hear that old saying, too much, too little, too late? This applies. My brothers worked their asses off from sunup to sundown, seven days a week, all their lives. They deserve that farm, and you’re going to see that they get it all nice and legal-like. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll call my daughter and we can wrap this up right now.”
In the kitchen, Nealy gaped at Smitty. “Did you hear all that?”
“I sure did. I’ll call Emmie. Are you sure she’s going to want to do this?”
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. Tell her to hurry. Smitty, why do you suppose he did that?”
“Guilt! Remorse. I guess it was the only way he knew of to try to make it right. She’ll be doing the right thing if she deeds it back to her uncles.”
Back in the dining room, Nealy looked at her brothers. “Emmie will be here in about ten minutes. I’d like it if you stayed on for a visit, boys,” she said, suddenly shy.
“We need to get back to the farm, Nealy, but I know I speak for Pyne when I say we’d like to come back without any baggage trailing us.”
“My door will always be open to you both. I’ll have my attorneys take care of the lien.”
Pyne found his tongue. “You’d do that for us!”
“You’re my brothers. I would do anything for you. You should know that without asking.”
“Anything, Nealy?”
A chill ran up Nealy’s spine at the word. “Well almost anything. What do you have in mind?”
“Ride Sharpshooter at the Belmont for us.”
“Pyne, I’m out of shape. I was younger when I rode Flyby to his win, and I worked with him for three solid years. I don’t know your horse. He doesn’t know me. I don’t know . . . I don’t think . . . I was going to start this new life I’ve been promising myself. I was going to plant flowers, go to the beauty shop, start looking for some handsome guy to take me dancing, that kind of thing.” Nealy looked away so she wouldn’t have to see the disappointment on her brothers’ faces. “Besides, I wouldn’t be comfortable back there. What’s wrong with Ricky Vee?”
“He’s booked. You’d be riding against him at the Belmont.”
“Three weeks isn’t much time, Pyne. Okay, okay, but you bring the horse here. Just because I ride him doesn’t mean he can win. This is a big gamble for you to take.”
“You know Belmont. You rode it. I watched you win that race a thousand times. So did Rhy. Of course we didn’t know who you were back then. You were the best!”
Nealy felt her chest puff out. In a million years she never expected to hear her brother say she was the best at anything. “Pyne, that was a long time ago. I’m forty-eight years old now. How would you feel about Emmie riding for you? She’s her mother’s daughter. I think she’s as good, maybe better than I was back then. When can you have the horse here?”
“By tomorrow night. We want you, Nealy. I’m not saying your daughter isn’t as good as you. Win, lose, or draw, we want you riding Sharpshooter.”
Nealy’s head whirled. “Then let’s do it!”
Emmie breezed into the room, her face wreathed in a wide smile. “Where do I sign off on this?” she said, enunciating each word carefully.
Ten minutes later, Hollister closed his briefcase.
“I’m going to stay here with Nealy if she doesn’t mind having me for a guest,” Ruby said to her husband.
“Are you kidding? I would love it! Stay as long as you like.”
“I’d like to see you work with the horse, and, Metaxas, I want to go to the Belmont.”
“Sweet baby,” Metaxas boomed, “we’ll have the best seats in the clubhouse. I have a little business to take care of. Can you ladies survive without me for a few days?”
“Two at the most,” Ruby quipped.
“Nealy . . .” Rhy struggled for words, his boots scuffing the carpet.
“Shhh. This is a new day. For all of us. We’re family. If it’s in my power to give you a Triple Crown, I’ll do it. I don’t think I’ve ever been happier.”
Nealy’s eyes were moist as she watched the foursome make their way to the car that waited for them.
“We have one day for you to give me a crash course in horse racing,” Ruby said. “That’s so when you’re working with the horse I don’t ask all kinds of dumb questions.”
“This is so strange,” Nealy said, reaching for Ruby’s hand. “I feel like I’ve known you all my life. Isn’t having family wonderful?”
“Yes, honey, it is. For a long time I didn’t have one. I know what you’re feeling. Now, let’s go sit on that wonderful front porch of yours and talk.”
20
The sun rode high in the sky, bathing the landscape in a warm yellow glow, when Ruby and Nealy settled down on the front porch to talk. When the shadows lengthened and the light spring breeze ruffled the trees, the two occupants on the front porch barely noticed. Nor did they notice when sandwiches and fresh coffee were set down on the small table between the twin rockers as darkness fell. As the stars peeped into the velvety night, the two women continued to talk, hardly aware that daylight had turned into darkness. They were still talking when the sun rose on what Nealy referred to as the first day of her new life.
Nealy flexed her shoulders and stretched her neck. “I can’t believe I’m not talked out. Do you realize, Ruby, we’ve been talking nonstop since eleven o’clock yesterday morning? And I have so much more to tell you, and I know you have things to tell me. But right now, I think we both need a shower and some breakfast. We have some of those things you pop into a toaster. We don’t cook much around here.”
“Then, honey, I have a cook for you. I pensioned her off when Metaxas and I moved to our island. I heard from her a month or so ago, and she said she’s climbing the walls with nothing to do. She’ll come here in a heartbeat if I call her. Metaxas will fly her here if you want.”
“I want. I want. Smitty will be so happy. My son will be forever in your debt.” Nealy turned suddenly shy. “There’s something about you, Ruby Parish. I told you things I’ve never told another soul. You’re the mother I never had. The sister I always wanted. You’re my favorite aunt. Smitty is right up there, but it’s a different kind of relationship. Maybe it’s the family thing, blood ties. I don’t know what it is or why I was drawn to you so instantly. It had nothing to do with . . . with your condition. I loved Maud Diamond with all my heart, but as much as I wanted and yearned for her to be a mother figure to me, it didn’t happen. There was always something missing. Smitty is a friend. A wonderful friend. When you get to know her, you’ll feel the same way. I wouldn’t have made it this far without her help. I’m so glad you decided to stay on for a few days. Am I doing the right thing, Ruby?”
“Absolutely,” Ruby grinned. “Believe it or not, the best thing that ever happened to you was when you left home.”
“I keep telling myself the same thing. Most times it works. There’s always that little part of you that says, what if. What I’m doing does feel . . . right.”
“Always go with your feelings, Nealy. If it feels right, then it’s right. It boggles my mind that you can race a horse. You’re just this little bit of a thing. Those horses are huge. I can’t wait to meet the horse responsible for all those winning colts. Do you know anything about your brothers’ horse?”
“Everything I need to know. He’s Flyby’s progeny. I’ve kept up on each and every one of Flyby’s colts. We have a chart in the office. I have airtight contracts and bills of sale. One wrong move, one wrong word, and a horse will come back to me at the speed of light. We drill that into the buyers from the git-go. They sign off on it willingly. I’m pretty good with horses. I’ll know in a few days if he’ll work with me
. I cannot tell you how thrilled and delighted I was when my brothers asked me to take him on. Me! Me, Ruby! At that precise moment, I think I could have flown if I had flapped my arms. I’ve waited all my life for a moment like that. Come on, let’s get you fixed up. You’re going to need some coveralls and boots. Smitty can fix you up with a shirt and underwear. You’re about the same size. For all I know she has a whole shopping bag of stuff for you in the kitchen. She anticipates. Three weeks isn’t a lot of time.”
“Three weeks can be a lifetime for someone like me. Each day, each minute is one to be tasted, savored, and held dear. Before you can ask, maybe three years if I’m lucky. It could be two. It could be four. Let’s not talk about this, Nealy. I just want to enjoy being here without any worries. Metaxas is on top of everything. Is he not the wonder in wonderful? That man built an entire mountain for Fanny Thornton. I want to take you there, Nealy. I want you to see it all, and I’d like to be the one to show it to you. And we’re going to get Billie Thornton to dress you up. When we’re done with you, you are going to be one stylin’ lady. I guess you can say I’m partial to the Thorntons considering, like you, I was born on the wrong side of the blanket. I don’t know too much about the Colemans in Texas. They seem nice enough. I think it’s one of those, if you need me, you can count on me, kind of things. Everyone is busy with their own lives. Sometimes they forget just how important family is. Unless you didn’t have one like you and me, you can’t really appreciate it. That’s just my opinion.” Nealy nodded.
They walked in companionable silence into the kitchen. Nealy burst out laughing. “See, I told you there would be a shopping bag out here. Betcha there are enough clothes for four days.”
Ruby grinned as she pawed through the bag. “I’m going to help you and Smitty arrange that ball you were telling me about after the race. We’ll put Metaxas in charge of the guest list. I swear, honey, that man knows everyone in the world. He calls the president George. The president, Nealy. Your eyes would pop out of your head at the famous people who have come to our island to get away from the world. You ride a horse to the Triple Crown for the second time and that world is yours, honey! You’ll be one of the most famous women in the world!”
Nealy laughed. The sound was so contagious Ruby hooted right along with her.
“Ma! What’s so funny? I never heard you laugh like that in my whole life. Come on, share,” Nick said, opening the refrigerator.
Nealy continued to laugh. “I’m going to throw a party, and the president of the United States is coming.”
“Oh. Do we have any of those pop-up things with the frosting on top? Do I need a date? I heard you’re going to ride the Belmont, Ma. Smitty told me last night. She said you never went to bed. Is that true? You need eight hours of sleep, Ma. You better get that gray out of your hair before that race, or they’ll be calling you the old lady riding Sharpshooter. The press will kill you.”
“Go!” Nealy thundered as she tossed her son a banana.
Nealy watched as Ruby fished around in her handbag. “I want you to read this, Nealy. It was written by a woman named Teresa M. Walker. It’s a poem titled, ‘A Mother’s Love.’ I was so lonely when they sent me away to school. I know now that my mother loved me, and sending me away was the best thing for me, but I didn’t see it that way at the time. This poem helped me. I know it by heart.”
Nealy unfolded the wrinkled paper that was torn in several spots. She rather imagined the spots on the single sheet of paper were Ruby’s tears. She read it, her own eyes moist.
A Mother’s Love
A Mother’s Love is important,
For every child to see,
To hold, to touch, to kiss their cheeks,
Her way for them to be.
A love that is so gentle,
A love that is so pure,
A love that only A Mother’s Love,
Is felt and will endure.
She knows your every weakness,
She knows your every pain.
She knows A Mother’s Love for you,
Has everything to gain.
You see her will to do what’s right,
And hope you don’t do wrong,
But if you do, A Mother’s Love,
Forgives and just goes on.
Nealy dabbed at her eyes as she imagined Ruby as a young girl, cuddled in her bed with only a poem to comfort her. She held it out.
“No, you keep it. I don’t need it anymore.”
“Thank you, Ruby. I’ll treasure this.”
“You go ahead and shower. I want to call our old cook and make arrangements. You are going to love her, Nealy. I swear, she is the best cook in the whole world.”
“Okay, your room is the first door on the left. It has its own bath. Take your time, and I’ll make us some coffee when I come down.”
“I’ll make the coffee, Nealy.”
One of the five richest women in the world was going to make coffee for her. Life is certainly strange, Nealy thought. Wonderful, but strange.
They looked tired, Nealy thought as she stared at her brothers. Sharpshooter, however, was full of spit and vinegar as he backed out of the horse trailer.
“My God, he’s a monster!” Ruby quivered as she hid behind Nealy.
“He is a big boy. He’s awesome, isn’t he?”
“He’s got a good temperament, Nealy, but I have to tell you, he can pitch a fit with the best of them. Call us if you have any problems. We have to turn around and head back,” Rhy said.
“I’ll take good care of him. He’s going into the barn and paddock I used when I trained Flyby. Have a safe trip home.” She waited, not quite knowing what she was waiting for. When her brothers hugged her, she knew. “You’re getting gray hair, sis,” Rhy said.
Sis. Rhy couldn’t have said anything more endearing. “The two of you gave me these gray hairs.”
Pyne guffawed as he unhitched the trailer. “See you at Belmont, Nealy.”
“Yeah, see you,” Nealy said wistfully.
“They’re so different now,” Nealy told Ruby. “I can’t believe they hugged me. Rhy called me sis and teased me about my gray hair. I think I hate that old man more for what he did to them than for what he did to me.”
“Let it go, Nealy. Life is too short for hatred and bitterness. You’re out of the darkness now and into the sunlight. Stay there. You are not that bitter, vindictive person any longer. Now what are you going to do with this giant?”
“I’m going to walk him to his new home, then I’m going to talk to him for a long time. I’ll sleep in the next stall. We don’t have a lot of window room here. Three weeks isn’t much, Ruby. I want him to know I’m always there, right next to him. People say you can’t bond with a horse, and that’s pure horse shit. Pardon the pun. You can bond with a horse. Flyby and I are the perfect example. You just have to know how to do it. Watch this.” Nealy extended her hand with a wintergreen mint in the middle. Sharpshooter took it, whinnied, and waited for more. She gave him a second one before she took his bridle and started for the barn. “You ever sleep in a barn, Ruby?”
“No, but damn close. I hung out in the chicken coops when the chickens got restless way back when. Metaxas is going to be lost . . . later on. I was wondering, Nealy, do you think you could see your way clear to selling us one of Flyby’s colts? Metaxas has a birthday in January, and I’d like to give it to him for a present. We could board him here and you could train him. Oh, Nealy, wouldn’t it be wonderful if I could give him a winner? It’s about the only thing he doesn’t have. All he does is good things for people and never asks for anything in return. He’s one person you can count on no matter what. So, will you sell us one?”
“I don’t think so, Ruby.” Nealy smiled to take the sting from her refusal. “However, since we’re family, I could give you one. Give, Ruby. Not sell. It would be my pleasure.”
“Lady, you are one hell of a horse trader. I accept. Can I stay for the whole three weeks and go on to Belmont with you?”
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Ruby Thornton Parish, one of the five richest women in the world, wanted to sleep in her barn and make coffee for her. “Ruby, you can stay forever. Metaxas, too. We’re family now.”
Twenty minutes later Ruby climbed the steps to the second floor. She was tired, but she wasn’t exhausted, which was strange since she hadn’t slept at all. She wondered if she should read something into it.
She looked around the small room. It was warm, cozy, and comfortable, all done up in soft, subdued colors. The rocker beckoned her. She’d noticed other rocking chairs in the house and couldn’t help but wonder if Nealy or her predecessor was the one who liked to rock. She smiled at the huge yellow daffodil appliqué in the middle of the bedspread. Everything about these two families reflected either sun, stars, or the color yellow. Perhaps one day she would try to figure it out but not now. Now she wanted to think about Nealy and the instant rapport they’d found on the front porch.
She leaned her head back and closed her eyes as she tried to picture the opulent island home Metaxas had lavished on her. She’d never been able to make him understand she didn’t want or need all the costly things he gave her. In the end she’d just given up because it gave him such pleasure to do things for her. Once she’d tried to tell him she got more pleasure out of rescuing animals from the pound so they wouldn’t be put to sleep. The very next day the wheels were in motion to build and set up a five-thousand-acre animal sanctuary. He had the simple sign made before the architect finished the plans. It was plain, the way she was, the words just as simple, The Ruby Thornton Parish Home for Animals. She felt like crying.
“Are you going to start to blubber, Ruby? You and Fanny are just alike. She blubbers, too. For good things. I was never able to understand that.”
Kentucky Rich Page 25
