During Jessica’s recitation, Michael had not once taken his hand from hers, nor had he stopped gazing at her downcast face. Now, as she unselfishly offered to remove herself from his life in the very mistaken belief that he would be disgusted with her for her very normal behavior, he found that he loved her even more, if that was possible. He stood and walked to where she was standing, took her by the shoulders and turned her around to face him. He took her hands, squeezed them, and drew them to his mouth, kissing them both before he spoke. “Sweetheart, what you’ve told me changes nothing. If anything, I love you even more for your courage and compassion in taking on the responsibility of raising Hailey and caring for her after everything you both have been through.
“What happened to your parents and Hailey was not your fault. There is no way you can be certain that your presence at the picnic would have changed the outcome. Your mother was accustomed to your father’s propensities and could have done things to prevent the accident even before they got in that car, but she didn’t. Please rest assured that I don’t think badly of you for what happened, and I want you to work on forgiving yourself. I’m sure Hailey has forgiven you, if she ever even believed you at fault to begin with.”
Jessica looked at Michael and couldn’t conceal her shock at what she heard. She searched his eyes for any sign of prevarication, and saw only truth. He still loved her, even knowing what really happened to cause the accident. He was right about Hailey, that she had always assured Jessica she didn’t blame her for the accident, but Jessica had rationalized her forgiveness by thinking that she may not have understood the whole story, so Jessica didn’t believe herself truly forgiven. Somehow, though, she knew deep down that Hailey understood more than she let on, and that she believed there would not have been anything Jessica could have done to prevent the accident, even if she were there with them.
She smiled brilliantly at Michael, her heart free and unburdened for the first time in years. They stood together and embraced. It felt so good to be held in his strong, protective arms. She knew she would never be able to leave this dear, sweet, and very sexy man.
Michael, for his part, felt lighter than air, his heart free of the mistrust and insecurity that he had been living with since his broken engagement. He stepped out of their embrace and looked down at Jessica. “Now, love, what do you say about taking on Tempest? I was serious when I said I intend to take myself out of the competition and let you ride him. He’s yours if you want him. I think you’ll do great with him, and I’m willing to tell Mendelssohn that if he balks at the idea.”
Jessica refused to meet Michael’s gaze, and started to fidget and wring her hands.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart? Don’t you want to compete with Tempest?”
“I do, Michael, but there’s something you should know.” Jessica reached for Michael’s hands and looked into his eyes. “When I was admitted to the hospital after my fall, they ran a series of blood tests, and discovered that I’m pregnant. You’re going to be a father.” She looked hesitantly at Michael to gauge his reaction. She wouldn’t blame him if he were angry with her for withholding the information and waiting until now to tell him, but knowing everything, maybe he would be willing to overlook the delay.
Michael’s face paled for a few seconds, then he cleared his throat, trying to overcome the lump that had suddenly appeared there. A child; conceived in love, a hope for a shared future and a family with the woman he loved. How could he not be thrilled at the thought? His mouth cracked into a huge grin, and he hugged Jessica, picking her up off the floor, and carefully so as not to disturb her broken collar bone, spun her in a circle. By the time they were finished, both were laughing. “This is fantastic!” he cried. “I couldn’t be happier.” He set Jessica gently back down and flashed her a stern look. “I hope that means that you’ll be marrying me sooner rather than later. Maybe even in a few days. As soon as I can get a license.”
Jessica was crying with him, and agreed that they should marry in all haste. Then a worried look crossed Jessica’s face, and Michael was immediately reaching for her hand. “What’s wrong, love? I hope you’re not having second thoughts.
“No, it’s not that at all,” Jessica replied. “It’s just that with the pregnancy I won’t be able to train Tempest or compete with him in the months leading up to the World Cup. You should be his rider, Michael. You know you have a rapport with him that I never had.”
“No, love. I’m not going to spend the entirety of your pregnancy gallivanting all over the world spending all my time riding when I want only to be with you. I’ll be distracted, and won’t ride my best. Tempest deserves better.” He thought for a second. “You know, Liz has been doing great things with Tempest since your injury. Maybe we can convince Mendelssohn that we both agree she should be his rider going forward, at least during the next year leading up to the World Cup.”
Michael further explained to Jessica that during the days that Liz had taken over riding Tempest after Jessica’s fall, he had noticed that Liz and Tempest had arrived at an understanding, and that the two of them performed admirably together. Occasionally, Michael would, at Liz’s request, offer some advice since Liz had little experience riding stallions. Liz had grown to trust Michael’s inputs, and with his help, forged a good working partnership with Tempest. For his part, the stallion had grown to respect Liz, and behaved admirably, eventually showing her the same brilliance under saddle that he had shown Michael.
It didn’t take long for Jessica to come to the same conclusion that Michael had. Liz would be the perfect partner for Tempest going forward. Now, to convince Liz, then Mendelssohn they were right. As it happened, it wasn’t difficult at all to convince Liz that she and Tempest would be great competition partners. The only complicating factor was Liz’s husband, who might have balked at maintaining shared custody of their daughter Amy with Liz’s demanding competition schedule. However, Liz determined that if she could have Tempest at home in Ohio, and compete for most of the year in the U.S., then a few competition dates in Europe wouldn’t be a problem. When consulted, Amy agreed, insisting that everything would be fine, and that between her parents and her aunt Cynthia, all would be well. The icing on the cake had been when Amy had reminded Rick that in Ohio, children have the right to choose which parent they wish to have custody of them, and the older the child is when they make that choice, the more weight the court gives to their preference. At the age of twelve, Amy was old enough to make that decision for herself without much court interference. Rick ultimately had to agree.
Herr Mendelssohn was surprisingly open to the idea, and since Blake McMillan was no longer willing to purchase Tempest, Mendelssohn and the USET agreed that his sponsorship of Liz as Tempest’s rider was the best solution under the circumstances. Both Mendelssohn and Liz agreed that Michael should stay with them as their trainer, and he agreed, subject to Jessica’s needs as her pregnancy advanced.
Unfortunately, Jessica and Michael were not able to marry quite as quickly as they had hoped, due to British customs and immigration laws. However, since Jessica had already obtained a visitor visa for the two months she planned to stay in the UK, through some strings thankfully pulled by the US Equestrian Team, Michael was able to obtain a marriage license relatively quickly. Still, the law in the UK required a twenty-eight day wait from the date the license was issued until they could marry.
On the first day they could legally do it, Jessica and Michael were married. Liz, Hailey, Ian, and Lionel were present to celebrate with them, as were Michael’s parents.
The couple held a quiet wedding reception for a few friends and family at the manor later that day. After initial toasts and ribald comments were made, and the cake was cut, Lionel drew Michael aside for a private conversation. “First, congratulations, man. Jessica is a fantastic woman; beautiful inside and out. You’re a lucky man.”
“Thanks Lionel. I agree
with you one hundred percent. You’ve been a great friend to me over the years, Lionel. I really appreciate it.”
Lionel began fidgeting, and looked everywhere but at Michael. “That’s what I need to talk to you about, Mike. I have a confession to make,” Lionel began. “I’ve not been the friend you thought I was. In fact, I’ve done several things over the past few months deliberately intended to make your life miserable.”
Michael at first thought Lionel was joking, but when he saw Lionel’s serious, even shameful expression, he took note. “Tell me, Lionel. What have you done?”
“I’m the person responsible for Emma breaking your engagement,” Lionel confessed. “I led her to believe, through the planting of forged love notes and false receipts, that you were having affairs with many of your female clients. I also was the person who tampered with Tempest’s stall and left the grain room door open.”
“You what?!” Michael’s raised voice gained the attention of others standing nearby, so he modulated his tone so others wouldn’t overhear. “That can’t be true, Lionel. You’re my friend, have been since we were kids.”
“Unfortunately, it’s true. After you turned me in for cheating at the Olympic trials, I hated you. I blamed you for my disgrace and the misfortune that followed me after that, and even for Nigel’s death. I vowed to have my revenge by making your life as miserable as you made mine. The rub was, and I didn’t realize it until I started working with Rocky, that I and only I was responsible for my lapse in judgment at the trials. I was the one who let my deeply held feelings of insecurity and inadequacy lead me to think that the only way I could win a spot on the team was to cheat.”
“The irony,” Michael added, “was that you were, and still are, a talented rider in your own right, and probably would have made the team if you hadn’t resorted to cheating.”
“We’ll never know for sure, but you’re probably right. In any event, I wanted to tell you how sorry I am that I caused you so much pain. I deeply regret my actions. If there’s anything I can do to make it up to you, I am happy to do it.”
Michael looked up from their conversation and searched the room for Jessica. His eyes were unerringly drawn to her tall, lithe figure across the room, speaking with his brother Ian. She immediately sensed his gaze, and interrupted her conversation to return it and flashed him a joyful smile. Michael winked at her and grinned, even now feeling the electricity flow between them, then returned his attention to Lionel. “Li, if you hadn’t interfered and caused Emma to leave me, I never would have met Jessica, whose presence in my life has made me the happiest of men, so I can’t bear a grudge. You did me a tremendous favor in that regard. For that I can only be grateful. However, if you still want to do something that will make me happy, continue your work with an emphasis on abused and neglected horses. You have a gift for it, and can truly make a difference.”
Lionel nodded in agreement, grateful that Michael was so forgiving. It would be no hardship for him to focus his business on rehabilitating abused and neglected horses and finding new homes for them. In fact, he looked forward to the challenge. A new life awaited him, and he was eager to step into it.
Time was growing late, and Michael was impatient to spend his wedding night with his new wife. Over the course of the reception, he and Jessica had exchanged heated glances several times, so he knew she felt the same. Finally, the night was drawing near, and their guests were taking their leave. As a courtesy to the fact that this was to be Michael and Jessica’s wedding night, Liz and Hailey had offered to spend the night in an Inn in Guildford, so the couple could have the manor house to themselves for the night. They had gratefully accepted the offer. As they sent Hailey and Liz off for the evening, Michael wrapped his arm around Jessica’s waist, and started up to what was once his, but was now their bedroom. Jessica halted their progress, however, and flashed a worried look at Michael. He frowned in response.
“What’s the matter, love?” he asked. “Why are you troubled?”
“Shouldn’t we check on the horses, especially Tempest, before we go to bed?”
“I’m sure Tiffany covered night check, but if you insist, we can go out to the barn and make sure the horses are all right.” Although impatient to get Jessica alone in his bed, Michael guessed that there was more to Jessica’s request than just making sure the horses were settled for the night.
She smiled warmly at him in thanks, and they turned from the stairs to make their way to the barn. Michael removed his arm from Jessica’s waist, and grasped her hand, intertwining their fingers as they progressed out the door and out to the peacefully quiet stable.
Once in the stable, Jessica went directly to Tempest’s stall. The stallion’s head was hanging out over the stall door as if he had been waiting for them to come. He saw the couple and nickered softly to them. Jessica approached him first, and reached up to stroke his forehead. “Somehow I knew you would be waiting for us,” Jessica murmured to the stallion fondly. “You think yourself a matchmaker, don’t you?” To Michael’s surprise, the stallion nodded his head emphatically, then gently rested his forehead against Jessica’s chest, sighing with contentment. She laughed and stoked his cheeks, and throatlatch. “You do, you scoundrel. Well, in a way, I think you’re right.” She looked mischievously at Michael.
Michael heaved an exaggeratedly heavy sigh and rolled his eyes, although Jessica could see the mischievous glint shining from them. “Yes, I suppose he is ultimately responsible. If he had not been available from the beginning, we most likely would never have met, and his misbehavior at critical times, did lead us toward each other.” He stroked the stallion’s neck fondly, and the horse sighed in response. Michael continued speaking to the stallion, but his patience was nearing an end, “Now that we’ve gotten that established, I know you’ll understand if I take my wife home and consummate this marriage as soon as possible.” The stallion nodded again in apparent approval, and the couple left, walking arm in arm, back to their home and the rest of their lives together.
Epilogue
One Year Later
This year’s FEI Dressage World Cup Finals were held again in Las Vegas, Nevada, in the MGM Grand Garden Arena, located in the MGM Grand Hotel on the Las Vegas strip. The United States was represented most prominently by Ms. Elizabeth Randall, riding the spectacular Hanoverian stallion, Tempest. The pair were favored to place in the top three, but were expected to have significant competition from riders representing Great Britain and Germany. The competition was fierce, but Liz and Tempest showed their mettle and performed spectacularly, executing flawless tests and amazing the crowd with their brilliance, ultimately winning the championship.
Jessica Warren Stafford and her husband, Michael Stafford, familiar faces to the international competitors and acknowledged training partners with the USDF in support of Elizabeth Randall and Tempest, strode through the aisles of stalls housing the most talented and expensive dressage horses in the world and their riders, grooms and trainers, looking for Liz. Michael carried their three-month-old son, Trevor, in a sling cradled against his chest. The baby, who had his father’s black hair and clear blue eyes, was fast asleep cradled comfortably in his father’s arms.
“There she is!” Jessica exclaimed. “I see Amy in her wheelchair and Cynthia is there with her. I also see Herr Mendelssohn, the sweet man, basking in Tempest’s glory. Liz is there right behind them, talking with her groom.” They showed the security guard their identity badges, then approached Liz.
Liz spotted them right away and waved, sporting a huge grin on her face. “Jess! Michael! I’m so glad you’re here. I could not have done this without you, and wanted to make sure you were here to be acknowledged before the international press.”
Jessica moved over to Michael and took the sling and sleeping infant from him. “You were the trainer here, Michael. I’ll take the baby and stay on the sidelines while you and Liz talk
to the press.” Michael looked chagrined, but allowed Jessica to stand to the side with Trevor while he and Liz talked to the press. Michael didn’t like Jessica being relegated to the sidelines, but in the past few months, she had been confined due to complications that developed late in her pregnancy, then required a cesarean delivery that necessitated her recuperating at home rather than accompanying him on his trips to the US to help Liz train Tempest. At least Michael had ensured he was home for Jessica’s labor and delivery, and was there in person to welcome his son into the world.
Liz was well aware of Jessica’s situation, so before talking to the press, she approached Jessica and peered at the sleeping infant. “He’s beautiful, Jess. You’re so lucky.” Jessica beamed with pride, then she and Michael exchanged a look of such love and devotion that the sight made Liz’s heart constrict. These two truly loved each other wholeheartedly.
“I hate to do this, Jess,” Liz said, “but I have to steal Michael away for a few minutes to help me deal with these reporters.”
“Sure, Liz, no problem.” Jessica smiled. “Just make sure you return him when you’re done.”
Liz and Michael joined the press corps and Jessica looked on.
Seeing Jessica standing alone with the baby on the sidelines, Herr Mendelssohn approached her and filled her in on their latest collaboration. Without Michael’s knowledge, Jessica and Mendelssohn had been talking, and Mendelssohn had learned through his dressage breeding connections that Michael’s former mount, Romeo, had sired a colt, now nearly three years old, that looked extremely promising. Mendelssohn, at Jessica’s urging, had been quietly making inquiries about the colt, and was encouraged by what he was hearing. Based upon Mendelssohn’s assurances, Jessica was exploring establishing a syndicate of buyers that could help her purchase the colt for Michael. If Jessica was successful and Michael was as successful with the colt as he was with Romeo, they could use his success to establish their own breeding farm, which would support them and their family out into the future.
Dressage Dreaming (Horses Heal Hearts Book 1) Page 20
