Road to the Regalia (Nadia and Winny Book 2)

by Rachael Eliker

  “You looked like you were expecting someone,” he whispered, still grinning at the press.

  “Car trouble,” was all I said.

  Harvey looked at me and matter-of-factly said, “Sucks to be him.” He gave me another heart-stopping wink.

  The moment we stepped inside, our little group dissipated, leaving me to fend for myself. I mingled with other riders at the buffet and waved to Katie who was leading a group in a revamped version of the electric slide. I almost snorted punch through my nose when I spied Kally shimmying across the dance floor with a groom I’d seen her hanging out with from another barn. Mostly, I stuck to the wall and enjoyed people-watching.

  The gala wasn’t as bad as I’d imagined it would be. The food was delicious and I probably ate too much but didn’t care—I’d be lucky if I got to eat something other than energy bars and Gatorade during the competition. The music was rhythmic and only stopped when Carlos Rodriguez stepped to the microphone to fulfill one of his roles as the show manager. He began by graciously welcoming the competitors, grooms, trainers and esteemed guests.

  “I’d especially like to honor a few present here tonight,” Carlos continued, looking down at a notecard he’d pulled from his tux pocket. “Ms. Ida Diederich, for her tireless work in equestrian sports and a career riding and training probably half of us in this room over the last five decades. Let’s give this wonderful lady a round of applause.”

  A spotlight landed on Ms. Diederich, making her smooth white hair—pulled into a neat bun as always—look like a shining halo. Danika stood next to her and beamed. Ms. Diederich’s small but strong hand lifted off her cane and waved nobly and the slightest smile touched the corner of her lips. I always knew I was fortunate to associate with Ms. Diederich, but I felt a sudden swell of pride and gratitude. Gretchen and Madeline wove their way through the crowd and rushed to their grandmother to give her a hug.

  “We’d also like to thank Jason Cutter, Mack Heaton, the late Mrs. Hendricks and the Godfrey Equine Charitable Foundation for their generous contributions to the Regalia Horse Park,” Carlos gushed. “We couldn’t do it without the generosity of our patrons.”

  A voice from behind startled me. “You know Gloria’s family started the Godfrey Equine Charitable Foundation? Some distant cousin or something, but family nonetheless.” It was Harvey, sipping a fruity beverage. He’d come back for more. “She doesn’t want anyone to know, of course. All about keeping up appearances, wanting everything to seem fair. But I think we all know nothing can be totally fair when people can be swayed.”

  I scanned the room for Gloria while the attendees clapped enthusiastically and spotted her, flanked by her groom. Skylar wore a sparkling blue dress that matched her eyes and caught the light, regardless of the angle. I did my best to suppress any admiration of her style and looked to Gloria. The satisfied smirk on her face during the applause certainly added fuel to the fire. No wonder Carlos had been so quick to defend her.

  “Isn’t that a conflict of interest?” I grumbled, sipping my punch.

  “Heads of organizations can be pretty blind when someone’s waving money in their face,” Harvey shrugged. “It’s not all bad. The cross country course was redesigned for this year from people’s donations. No amount of money will help when riding a difficult course.”

  Carlos gave a few closing remarks and the pulsing music resumed.

  “Don’t tell me you couldn’t find another date,” Harvey said, his pale green eyes twinkling from the light of a crystalline chandelier. Unlike Mike, who’d had another growth spurt after we met and was now a head taller than me, Harvey barely had an inch on me and in heels. We were eye to eye.

  “I wasn’t looking.”

  “That’s unfortunate,” Harvey commented. “You look stunning.”

  I stared at the floor, then the DJ, the mountainous cheese tray at the buffet, then back to the floor. I hoped he wouldn’t notice in the dimmed lighting that my cheeks were burning at his compliment. “Thanks,” I managed.

  Flattered that Harvey, handsome as he was, was paying me any attention but horrified that every answer I gave was socially inept, I was surprised he persisted. Asking question after question, we covered family, riding career, Winny and whether or not I was eyeing Olympic competition.

  Reluctantly, I answered, “Yes, I am.”

  “I figured as much,” Harvey slipped a hand into his pocket and contemplated. “There are a few people here that are going to be real competition.”

  “Like who?” I asked before tossing a grape in my mouth.

  Harvey’s eyes twinkled and he said, “I’m not gonna tell. But, I’ll give you some advice—knowing who to watch is part of competitive riding. You’re one of them.”

  I felt honored to be considered ‘real competition.’ “I’ll take that as a compliment then,” I raised my eyebrows.

  “Speaking of real competition, we’d better head out. Big day tomorrow. Only one more day for final prep.”

  I pulled out my phone, checked the time and about died. “Is it really two in the morning? Oh, no. I wasn’t planning on staying up this late!”

  “At least we know you aren’t Cinderella,” Harvey joked. “If it makes you feel any better, you can sleep in a bit. First vet check isn’t until one.”

  I calmed a bit, thinking he was right while still rushing to collect my things. “Hey, thanks for keeping me company, Harvey. It was a lot of fun.”

  “Anytime,” he said, showing off his handsome grin.

  I inhaled sharply as I stepped outside. If it was cool earlier, now it was frigid. I had about a half a mile to walk back to the hotel, but before I moved ten feet, I heard the faintest shrill whinny pierce the night air.

  I’ll just check Winny and Isis really quick, I thought, hoping it was nothing but dreading it wasn’t.

  Instead of my normal beeline across the yard to the barns, I stuck to the sidewalks so my heels wouldn’t sink into the ground. Getting lost a couple of times, I yanked the heels off and ran the rest of the way on the cold, dewy grass.

  At the barn, I heard the distinct sound of a coarse dandy brush being swept over a horse’s coat. I peered in, breathless and flighty only to see Harvey working flecks of dust out of Stoney’s hair by light of his phone.

  “Psst!” I signaled Harvey.

  He turned around and smirked, saying, “I thought you might end up here. Did you hear someone neighing too?”

  “Yeah. Is everything okay?”

  He unclipped Stoney’s halter and the showy gelding obediently clomped back into his stall. Harvey reached out and patted his rump before swinging the door shut. I peered in Winny’s stall and she looked back at me wild-eyed and frantic.

  I sighed and pinched at the bridge of my nose. “Looks like my mare was the culprit. I wonder what’s spooking her.”

  I turned around and came face to face with Harvey. Stepping back out of surprise, Harvey pretended not to notice. “You want me to stick around and walk you back? You’re staying at the Charlotte Hotel, too, aren’t you?”

  I could feel his warm breath on my neck and it made my skin prickle with goose bumps. “Uh, no. Thanks, though. I appreciate it,” I stuttered. “I’m just going to check her over. Maybe throw her a flake of hay.”

  Mike popped into my head and suddenly, I felt incredibly guilty for noticing how cute Harvey was. He leaned in and gave me a kiss on the cheek, his scratchy stubble tickling as our skin made contact. “Had a fun evening, Nadia.”

  Unable to find my voice, Harvey smiled and tucked his hands in his pockets. He whistled as he strolled away into the night.

  Once I knew he was gone and my wildly racing thoughts slowed enough for me to think clearly, I turned to Winny. “What’s the matter?” I asked, opening her stall. “What’s got you so worked up?”

  I placed a hand on her chest and though she was warm, she wasn’t breaking a sweat. I could see by the track in her shavings that she’d been pacing and pawi
ng but she’d since simmered down.

  I pulled a key from my handbag and unlocked the feed and tack room next to her stall to grab a flake of soft, sweet brome and tossed it to her.

  Satisfied she and Isis were comfortable, I quietly closed the stall door, wincing as it squeaked. I wasn’t in the mood to be discovered by the ground’s security guards and have to explain why I was visiting my horse in the wee hours of the morning, decked out in a dress and heels.

  “See you later, Winny,” I sighed. She stopped her slow, grinding chewing and looked up at me. I could have sworn she had something to tell me.

  The last time I wished I could better understand my horse was at Gallant Meadows. Winny had bucked me off in front of a crowd of my peers, and between a mystical story Chuck told me and a birthday wish made at midnight with Mike, I magically ended up swapping places with Winny.

  With my birthday weeks away, no new folklores from Chuck and any wishing stars drowned out by the thousands of regular, old non-wishing stars, I quietly murmured, “I wish Winny could tell me what’s bothering her.”

  Out of the corner of my eye, a shooting star blazed across the blackened sky.

  Oh, crap.

  Chapter Nine

  A male voice humming a sporadic tune woke me. My initial reaction was to panic, thinking there shouldn’t be anyone else, let alone a man, in my hotel room. When I cracked open my left eye and it focused, I was staring straight at wooden rafters while a few dusty-colored pigeons bobbed and cooed as they balanced on the beams. I knew exactly where I was.

  I’d switched places with Winny. Again.

  I scrambled to heave my heavy body up and get four legs situated underneath me. Trembling, I tried my best not to freak out, taking deep, slow breaths.

  “It’s alright, Winny,” Mike appeared and slid my door open. “It’s just me.” He stroked the crest of my neck and looked into my eyes. The sight of him was comforting. I noticed his hair had been cropped short and he was freshly shaven. True to his word, he’d been all ready for the gala. I hooked my chin around his shoulder and pulled him in as best I could for a hug.

  “Mike?” Kally inquired, strolling into the walkway, looking bleary-eyed. “When did you get here?”

  “About half an hour ago. I slept a bit in the car on the way over since I knew I’d missed the party anyway.” Eyeing Kally who looked like she could fall asleep on her feet any moment, he said, “I’m glad I got here in time to help.”

  Kally stretched her arms above her head and yawned. “I think I got about twenty minutes of shut-eye. That was some night,” she said, a dreamy look passing over her face.

  “Well, let’s get these mares fed and I’ll help clean stalls.”

  “Isis?” I nickered, looking between the bars into her stall.

  Isis had been snoozing on her feet and her glassy brown eyes opened, blinking a few times. She cocked her head, took deep, sniffing breaths and asked, “Nadia?”

  Suddenly, I felt relieved even though I was far from out of my predicament. “How’d you know it was me?”

  “Your scent. I remember it from the last time you and Winny switched places.”

  “What am I going to do?” I asked, feeling another wave of panic coming on.

  Isis pursed her lips, thought a moment and said, “You’ll have to remember how to be a horse. Don’t expect me to take it easier on you though. I still plan on winning.” Her eyes danced with mischief.

  “Incoming!” Mike said, tossing an armful of hay in through the feed door. It hit the floor and sprang open from its compact flakes into a fluffy pile with an aroma so welcoming, I didn’t hesitate to stick my nose in. Relishing a breath, I ripped out a chunk from the center.

  “I forgot how hungry horses always are,” I said to Isis, grinding a mouthful of hay. “I wonder where Winny ended up with my body,” I pricked my ears and stuck my head out through the still-open feed door. Looking left and right, I let out a shrill neigh, calling for her.

  “Chill out, Winny. The grain’s right here,” Kally complained and pushed me back in by my nose. “Some of us are nursing headaches from last night.” She portioned out my feed and stirred in supplements before handing it over.

  Taking a mouthful, I almost gagged. The supplements—for joint health, deworming, a shiny coat and whatever else Danika had decided to throw into the mix—gave the already unsweetened grain a bitter taste. “Remind me when I’m back in human form to put you guys on sweet feed again.”

  “No arguments from me,” Isis dribbled grain. “You think you’ll switch back?”

  My heart sunk. “Why? Do you think we won’t?”

  “I don’t know. I’m not exactly sure what’s supposed to happen. Horses and their humans switching places doesn’t happen every day.”

  We ate in silence, watching the rest of the grooms show up to do the chores, making sure we stepped out of Mike and Kally’s way as they tidied up the stalls and dumped in a pile of fresh shavings.

  I smelled her before I could see her. “Winny?” I shouted with another piercing neigh.

  Winny heard and came running. In my pale pink gown, hair tousled but still fixed in the up do and wearing a pair of old paddock boots instead of my strappy heels, Winny tumbled into the barn. I was taken aback looking at myself while disembodied. I’d matured so much since the last time I’d swapped places with Winny that in some ways, I was unrecognizable. When did I grow up?

  Watching the other grooms carefully, she slipped her fingers around the bars and rested her forehead on them. “We’ve switched places again, haven’t we?” she whispered.

  I pawed enthusiastically, hoping she’d understand that indeed, I was Nadia.

  Winny sighed and confessed, “This is partly my fault. I was hoping I’d get a chance to speak with you. I should have figured this was what would come of it, given our track record. But I needed to tell you, there’s some—“

  “Nadia!” Mike called out, jogging back from the muck pile with an empty wheelbarrow. Without hesitation, he grabbed Winny and dipped her in a long kiss. With Winny’s bewildered expression and her arms stiff at her side, it was almost comical.

  Mike pulled his face away and asked, “Is something wrong?”

  “N-no,” Winny answered. “I wasn’t expecting you, that’s all.” She smiled and gave him a genuine but purely platonic hug. “It’s so nice to see you.”

  He stood her back on her feet and looked her up and down. “If this is what I missed last night, I’m definitely sorrier than I already was.”

  “Thanks,” Winny grinned, putting on a wide smile. “I look pretty good in this body, don’t I?”

  Mike laughed, “I’d have to agree.”

  “What day is this?” asked Winny.

  “It’s Tuesday,” Kally huffed, one eyebrow cocked in an unmistakably confused expression. “Why are your still in your dress?”

  Winny looked down and herself then back to Kally and said with a shrug, “I like it.”

  “You fell asleep in the trailer after the gala, didn’t you?” Kally burst out laughing at what she assumed was a joke. “I’ll call Gretchen and have her bring some clothes for you. Then I need to start braiding these horses for the vet check.”

  “Geez, that’s right,” said Winny. “The dressage tests start tomorrow? But ours isn’t until the second day, after lunch?” Kally nodded. “That only gives me a couple of rides in the saddle,” Winny muttered to herself. “I’d better get to work.”

  Winny hiked up the gown and darted for the exit, leaving me screaming for her to come back. “Hey, wait up!” Mike called and took off after her.

  “C’mon, Mike. You can drive me to the cross country course on one of those golf carts,” Winny said, sticking her head around the corner. “And Kally? I’ll be back in an hour to help. I’d say start with Isis. Gretchen should be here soon.”

  “Wait!” I screeched unfruitfully.

  Winny spun around, told Mike to hang on and
sprinted back into the barn. “I’ll finish what I was going to tell you when we get a minute alone,” she hissed quietly. With that promise, she left.

  Though there were lots of things I loved about being a horse—the power, the speed, feeling innately beautiful—there were things I didn’t enjoy, like standing in a stall. After I finished breakfast and caught up with Isis, I napped as the sun streamed in just right and warmed our coats. I did my best to ignore the twittering butterflies in my stomach but there was little I could do to squelch them since I couldn’t run and buck to get rid of some of my jitters.

  Winny and I had about as much time together in our swapped spots as we did before the Gallant Meadows show but there was one additional problem at the Regalia: there were people everywhere. There were no secret meadows to ride in, no quiet times of the day with fewer prying eyes, and at night, it’d be nearly impossible to sneak out with Winny for a midnight ride with a half dozen security guards patrolling the grounds.

  If I couldn’t prepare by practicing, I at least wanted to get to know the competition.

  “So,” I woke Isis, who dozed as Kally sectioned and plaited her thick mane, “what do you think of the other horses? Any serious competitors we’ve got to look out for?”

  “Other than me?” Isis snorted playfully.

  “Yes, other than you,” I chuckled.

  “Stoney’s the one everyone’s talking about. He’s got an enormous stride and can power over jumps even from the most awkward spots, which is probably why he’s already won here a few times. Bullet is a regular Don Juan and he’s got some wicked speed in those little haunches. The mare on the end has been a crab all week, which might be an advantage to everyone else and there’s a rumor that a big bay in the stallion barn is almost sure to win the dressage phase. He’s a pretty flat jumper from what I understand. I think Chaos is probably underestimated because of how quiet she is. Other than that, I’m not too worried. Most of the horses are fairly new to this level too. This is a great event to evaluate horses before more serious competitions, like the Olympics and World Games.”