Kentucky Sunrise

by Fern Michaels

  Dillon rubbed at his temples. “She’s stubborn, Nealy. I’m sure it’s just the jitters. She’s ready for this, but of course I’ll talk to her. And, you don’t have to tell me how dangerous it is out there. Are you okay, Nealy?”

  “No, Dillon, I’m not okay. I’m worried about Emmie. I think she has it in her head that she has to show off for certain people who came here today just to see her ride. If that is her attitude, it’s all wrong. Look, I tried, now it’s your turn. She sees me as a jealous mother who doesn’t want her to succeed. I don’t want her getting killed out there. Sometimes, like just now, she’s spacey. When she’s out there on that track, there are no buffers, no one to help her the way we’ve all helped her. It’s just her and Hifly. If she’s off her stride, if she isn’t one with him, it’s all over.”

  “You make it sound ominous, Nealy.”

  “That’s because it is ominous, Dillon. I know what I’m talking about. Will you please do what you can?”

  Seventy-five minutes before post time, Hatch arrived with a black, shiny garment bag—his wife’s Derby attire. He found her pacing the breezeway, her eyes on an ambulance at the entrance to Churchill Downs. It was always in readiness. The moment she saw her husband approaching, she ran to him.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I’ll tell you what’s wrong. I have two horses here scheduled to run in the Kentucky Derby and I have no jockeys. No jockeys, Hatch.” The wail of the siren went unnoticed as her eyes raked the barn for a sign of Lee and Emmie.

  “Calm down, honey, they’re probably getting dressed. You used to wait till the last minute to put on your silks. Where’s Jake?”

  “Maybe with his mother. I haven’t seen him either.”

  “They’re right over there, and there’s Jake. Uh-oh, something’s wrong.”

  Jake skidded to a stop in front of Nealy. He struggled to get the words out of his mouth. For the first time, Nealy saw the silks he was holding in his hands. Her eyes widened in alarm.

  Jake’s arm shot out, pointing to the ambulance leaving the grounds. “It’s Lee. He doubled over. The EMS guys said they think his appendix ruptured.”

  “Oh, my God! Hatch, we have to scratch Gadfly.”

  “No! No, don’t do that, Aunt Nealy. I’ll ride him.”

  “Jake, no. He’s way too much horse for you at this point in your career. We have to scratch him.”

  “Please, Aunt Nealy, I can do it. I’m not scared. I’ve ridden him before. He knows me. Not as well as Lee, but he does know me. I can do it. Please. I don’t know if I can win, but I’d like to try.”

  “Your mother . . .”

  “She’s right over there, Aunt Nealy. Talk to her.”

  “Mom?”

  Nealy whirled around to see Emmie and her father standing behind her. “What is it, Emmie? I kind of have my hands full right now. What?” she said, her eyes going from her daughter to her father.

  “I can’t do it,” Emmie said, bursting into tears.

  “What?” Nealy all but screamed.

  Emmie held out her shaking hands. “I thought . . . I can’t . . . Dad . . .”

  “She can’t do it, Nealy.”

  “Damn it, Emmie, you waited till one hour till post time to tell me. See, this is what I mean about you and how irresponsible you are. We talked after dawn. It’s now almost post time. You said you could do it. You swore you could do it. You told me to mind my own damn business when I questioned you. What is it with you, Emmie?”

  Emmie drew herself up tall. “I don’t want all of them to see me fail. I’d rather not ride than go through that.”

  Nealy threw her hands high in the air. Sixty minutes. She had sixty minutes to make decisions. She ran over to Sunny and dropped to her knees. “Listen to me, Sunny, Emmie isn’t going to race. Lee Liu has been taken to the hospital. They think his appendix ruptured. I can scratch both horses or I can let Jake ride Hifly. Tell me what to do, Sunny. I need to hear you tell me it’s okay.”

  Sunny strained to see her son over the heads of the people milling about her. She smiled when he waved at her. She looked Nealy directly in the eyes. “Is he good enough to ride, to come out whole? I’m not talking about winning.”

  Nealy reached for Sunny’s hands. “He’s way better than good, Sunny. He’s damn near perfect.”

  “Then tell him I said to go for it.”

  Nealy smiled. “I’ll tell him.”

  Nealy sprinted back to the barn. “Get ready, Jake. You’re riding Hifly. There’s no time for modesty here, strip down,” she said, as she grabbed the silks from Dillon Roland’s hands. “We only have fifty minutes. What did you do with Lee’s silks?” she asked, peeling off her blouse.

  “Nealy, what the hell are you doing?” Hatch thundered.

  “What’s it look like I’m doing? I’m changing my clothes. Everybody, turn around, I’m bashful.”

  “Mom . . .”

  “Be quiet, Emmie. I don’t want to hear another word out of your mouth. Know this, young woman, it’s going to be a cold day in hell before I ever believe anything you tell me again.”

  “Mom . . .”

  Nealy turned around, one leg in and one out of her jeans. “Yes, Nick?”

  He blinked. “I guess this isn’t a good time to introduce Annabel Lee. Kick some ass, Mom. We’ll meet you in the winner’s circle.”

  Nealy paused to stare at her son for a few precious seconds. “I’ll meet you later, but that’s the guy who will be in the winner’s circle,” she said, pointing to Jake.

  “Hatch, quick, go make the changes. Cordell, get your butt over here!” Nealy shouted. She could hear Emmie sobbing in the background. She turned to look at her daughter just in time to see Dillon Roland take a step away from her. Later, she would think about what that meant, if anything.

  She was finally dressed. She looked over at Jake, who gave her a thumbs-up. All she could do was nod. I’m not doing this. This is somebody else in my body. Some stupid person who keeps forgetting how old she is. Her adrenaline kicked in when she heard her name over the loudspeaker and the roar from the crowd. It kicked in a second time when the announcer called Jake’s name. An ear-piercing whistle sounded over the roar from the crowd when the announcer shouted that both horses were from Blue Diamond Farms and sired by Triple Crown winner Shufly.

  “That was me!” Sunny shouted. “I can still do that!” Nealy threw back her head and laughed. Age is a number. You can overcome anything and everything if you try hard enough. Just look at Sunny! She pep talked herself.

  “Hurry, everyone. Get to the box. They’re going to call for Riders Up, and I want you to see Jake ride out into the sunshine.”

  “Nealy.”

  Nealy leaned down. “Just wish me luck, Hatch. You can still make a bet.” She jerked her head sideways. “Bet it all on the kid, okay?”

  “You got it. How about two bucks on you. You okay, honey?”

  “I’m okay, Hatch. If you get a minute, call the hospital and see how Lee is. What is he doing?” she said, pointing to Jake.

  “This is just a guess on my part, but I think he’s pinning those gold wings he carries with him all the time on Hifly’s tail.”

  The call came for Riders Up.

  “You okay, Jake?”

  “I’m okay.”

  “Then let’s do it!”

  When she rode out into the sunshine, Nealy looked up at the crowd, who roared and chanted her name over and over. She smiled from ear to ear. She suddenly felt like she’d come home again after a long absence. Almost sixty years old, almost, and she was riding in the Kentucky Derby. It was the stuff dreams were made of.

  She half turned to see Jake ride into the sunshine. The crowd went silent for five full seconds as they tried to absorb what they were seeing. A pity that they couldn’t see that Hifly’s heart was as big as he was. Then they stood and roared their approval. Maybe they did see it after all.

  Her mind raced as she listened to the playing of “My Old Kentucky Home.�
�� When the last note sounded, she drew a deep breath and blessed herself.

  “Room for one more, Nealy?”

  “Hunt? God, yes. Hop on. You sure you’re up for this?”

  “Yep. The kid’s looking good.”

  “He could use a friendly spirit to spur him on.”

  “He’s got one, Nealy. His grandfather is his wingman.”

  “You mean he’s riding on Hifly’s tail?”

  “In the Navy they call it his six, but yep, that’s where he is.”

  “That makes me feel a lot better. Does Jake know he’s there?”

  “I don’t think so. It doesn’t matter, Nealy, he’ll keep him safe. Trust me on that.”

  “I do, Hunt. I do.”

  “Nealy, good luck,” Ricky Vee shouted from her right. “Feels like old-home week.”

  “Yeah, it does. Same to you, Ricky.”

  The gates clanged open.

  “And they’re off in the Kentucky Derby!” the announcer blared.

  “Alpha Omega comes out in stride from the outside and on the inside it’s Gadfly and not two strides behind is Hifly ridden by first-time jockey Jake Thornton. Matrix is there and not far behind is Furlong Freddie and here comes Small Change on the far outside. Dark Star for the first time moves up and it is Gadfly who leads the way as Alpha Omega drops one length behind but Hifly moves up and is right there with Gadfly. Furlong Freddie is along the outside and is running in third place. Alpha Omega is there right behind but in fourth position now. Small Change is fifth. It’s Furlong Freddie on the outside heading for the clubhouse turn and racing into position. Sundown has moved up and is racing between horses now while Gumbo is closing in on Small Change and five lengths behind. Up front it is Gadfly and Hifly five lengths in the lead while Down and Dirty is ninth and on the outside, Kid Flash is tenth and Lord Dallas is lumbering behind in position twelve. Then it’s a break to Wild Boy and Dark Star followed by Mandola on the inside and here comes Temptation also on the inside and then a break of six to the running long shots, but they are twenty lengths from the lead.

  “This opening half mile, ladies and gentlemen, is the fastest in Derby history,” the announcer screamed. “We’re at forty-four and four-fifths seconds. Gadfly’s pace is blistering down the backstretch, but Hifly’s pace is scorching with four and one-half furlongs remaining. Gadfly is leading by two lengths over Hifly, but what’s this!” the announcer shouted to be heard over the roar of the crowd. “Look at that horse! He’s got wings on his feet and what’s that shining off his tail! I don’t know, but he’s up a length and now he’s running neck and neck with his barn buddy Gadfly, who is burning up that track. I can see the smoke from here.

  “Alpha Omega is now third and on the inside, but Matrix is in striking position as Hifly continues to fly down this red-hot track and is now neck and neck with Gadfly. Furlong Freddie is five lengths behind, and he’s smoking, but he can’t make up the time. Alpha Omega is starting to advance and Matrix is right there with him at the field’s far turn. Thundering along on the outside is Furlong Freddie, who’s now in striking position. They’re all surging now, belching fire and moving at the speed of light as they reach the top of the stretch. Gadfly takes the lead but look out, there goes Hifly to match it, and on the outside is Alpha Omega at the top of the stretch.

  “Those horses are flying, not running, and it’s Gadfly and Hifly and Alpha Omega in second or is it third. It’s Gadfly and Hifly and they’re running neck and neck in a dead-even heat. Listen to that crowd!” he shouted.

  “It’s Gadfly and Hifly and Alpha Omega with four furlongs to go. It’s a dead heat at three, at two and there they go, straight across the finish line in a dead heat with Alpha Omega coming in third. It looks to me like a double win in the Kentucky Derby! What we call a photo finish.” The crowd roared and chanted, drowning out the announcer’s words.

  “Photo finish! Photo finish!” they chanted.

  Down on the track, Jake looked over at Nealy. “Who won?”

  Nealy gasped for breath. “I think you did! Looked like it to me.”

  “It wasn’t me, that’s for sure.” Ricky Vee laughed. “Great race, Nealy. I should have known I couldn’t win against you. Good race, kid. See you around.”

  “I think I’m gonna be sick!” Jake said.

  “No, you are not going to be sick. Not in front of the whole world. Just sit there and wait for the judge’s call. Your mom must be so proud! Give her a high sign, Jake.”

  Jake turned in his seat, waved both his arms, and whistled between his teeth, two sharp, shrill sounds that ripped through the air. “Mom used to whistle like that for me when it was time to come in for supper.” He cocked his head and listened when two more sharp, shrill whistles blasted through the air. “Good, she heard me. What’s taking so long?”

  “They’re going to announce it now, Jake. Remember, be gracious and humble.”

  “Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention please. We have here today, for the first time in Kentucky Derby history, a tie. It was a photo finish all the way, stride for stride, nose to nose. The winners of the Kentucky Derby are Gadfly and Hifly. Once again Cornelia Diamond Clay Littletree takes home not one but two wins to Blue Diamond Farms. You have just witnessed history being made, ladies and gentlemen,” the announcer roared, his voice hoarse.

  Stunned, Nealy could only stare at Jake as half the blanket of roses was placed over Gadfly’s back, the other half on Hifly’s.

  “If you faint now, Jake, I’ll fire you,” Nealy hissed.

  Jake sat up straighter. “We won! We both won! We did it, Aunt Nealy! We did it! I felt like I was flying. I felt like my grandfather was in front of me the whole way.”

  “Wrong, Jake. He was on your six all the way.”

  “Yeah, yeah, I think he was. I felt like he was there. That’s where I pinned his wings.”

  And then it was over, the speeches, the comments, the handshaking, and the purse, double this race. She’d made history.

  She smiled when she saw her family descend on her and Jake. In her life she’d never seen such happiness. She stared into the gaggle of people, looking for her daughter, who was nowhere to be seen.

  “I aged ten years watching that race,” Hatch said.

  “That kid is good. He was right there with you on that little runt. Man, can that horse run. Emmie was right, he’s all heart.”

  “Have you seen her, Hatch?”

  “No. She didn’t come to the box. I haven’t seen Dillon either. I’m sure she’s here somewhere. Nealy, could she have run the race Jake did?”

  “No, Hatch. I hate to say that, but no. She’s good, don’t get me wrong. In fact, she’s real good. She was fearless and determined in the beginning. Jake was fearful and unsure. Isn’t it strange how things turned around? I’m just glad I was able to help him find his way.”

  “What about Emmie?”

  “I don’t know, Hatch. I just don’t know. All I want to do is get these guys settled so we can head back home. I’m going to ask Ricky Vee if he’ll ride Gadfly in the Preakness and the Belmont if he gets that far. Jake’s okay if Emmie agrees to let him run. I’m thinking that she’s thinking a win would be secondhand. This is just a guess on my part, but I don’t think she’ll run Hifly again. It’s a shame, too. He’s a great horse. I didn’t think so in the beginning until I saw what he could do. When I’m wrong, I admit it. Boy am I hungry.”

  “We’re all going out to dinner so we can hash, rehash, and talk this race to death.”

  “Oh, good. That means I get to wear all those fancy duds Maggie brought for me. I’ll see you in a bit, Hatch. I have things to do right now.”

  In the barn, Nealy held up her hand, palm out. Jake smacked it. “You’re the man, Jake! Enjoy every single minute of it. You deserve it!”

  Jake held his grandfather’s wings in his hand. A lone tear gathered in the corner of his eye. “I hope you were proud of me, Grandpa,” he whispered.

  “How touching,”
Emmie snapped. “If you don’t mind, I’d like my horse back.”

  Jake nodded. He walked away, knowing Emmie’s eyes were boring into his back. He stopped a moment when he heard his aunt’s voice. “Grow up and get over it, Emmie. Who are you going to blame for this? Life goes on.

  “Hey, Jake, wait up!” she called to her nephew.

  The sun was just creeping over the horizon on a hot, sultry day in late June when Nealy walked out onto the front porch, coffee cup in hand, the way she’d done thousands of times before. Today was different. Today was her last day at Blue Diamond Farms. Sitting near the top step were four suitcases. A slim envelope lay on top of the bags.

  She waited until the eighteen-wheeler carrying the remains of StarDancer, Flyby, and her first husband Hunt passed out of her sight. She smiled. “I’m taking you guys home with me.”

  She finished the coffee and walked back into the house. “I’m ready, Hatch.”

  “Me, too. Let’s get this show on the road then.”

  “I have to go down to the barn to see Emmie before we leave. You can come if you like.”

  “No, I think I’ll wait here.”

  Nealy walked slowly, her gaze taking in everything. She didn’t feel sad at all, only a sense of relief.

  In the barn she called out to her daughter.

  “I’m over here, Mom. What is it? I’m kind of busy right now.”

  “I know that. This will just take a moment. I have something to give you. It’s the deed to my half of Blue Diamond Farms. It’s all yours now. I was never meant to have this place. Maud and Jess wanted me to build it up so you would have a safe haven. I did that. They wanted you to have it. I hope you have a wonderful life here. Give Gabby my love.”

  “Where . . . where are you going?”

  “Back to the beginning. I’m going back the same way I came here, with that old blue truck and my bucket of dirt in the back. I’m going back where I belong.” She stepped forward to hug her daughter, but Emmie stepped back. Nealy’s arms dropped to her side. She would not cry. She absolutely would not cry. She turned to walk away. She was halfway down the breezeway when Jake called out to her.