by Allen, Jewel
Talia patted Eula’s withers to calm her down. All the noise and crowds were enough to freak a horse out, especially a three-year-old thoroughbred.
“You’ll do great, little girl,” Talia said, reassuring the filly. “Just do what you’re good at, and you will finish awesome. And when you win, well, that’ll be icing on the cake.”
“Pretty confident, are you?” Larry said as he approached the stall.
“It’s all mental,” she said, tapping her helmet.
“When you were making your way here,” he said, “I thought Eula was limping.”
The news hit Talia like a ton of bricks. “Seriously?”
“I wish I could tell you differently. Of course, my eyes could be playing tricks.”
“I’m sure that’s what it is,” she said.
“Walk a few paces with her, and I’ll look again.”
Talia walked off and then turned. “Well?”
“I can’t tell. It might just be nerves on my part.” He smiled weakly.
“I hope so.”
But even as she tacked up Eula, she couldn’t help but think of other disasters that had befallen the horse racing industry in recent years. A filly breaking her leg. Barbaro fracturing his.
Was it worth the risk for the possible glory?
She pressed her face against Eula’s neck. “What do you want to do, Eula?”
The horse gave Talia a sidelong glance and nickered.
Talia’s eyes met Larry’s. “I guess that means she wants to race.”
Larry smiled. “I guess. You both are tough ladies.”
It was time to get Eula ready for the chute. Talia peeled back her sheet and face mask and mounted her. Groom hands from the Royal Estates came along to help guide Eula in place.
“Talia,” a male voice said.
When she turned, Talia’s heart skipped a beat. Standing nearby with his heart in his eyes was Jay, looking positively divine in his cream suit. Underneath the jacket he wore a vest, pink like his boutonniere. He looked like a gent from the turn of the century.
“Good luck,” he said.
She grinned. “Thank you.”
“And I just wanted to say I think you’re the bravest, most infuriating, beautiful jockey I have ever met.” He tapped first her helmet and then her nose.
She smiled and turned back to the race, her cheeks warming at his sweetness in coming to see her off.
The chutes were a scene of mayhem. Several horses had to be shoved inside and the door slammed shut so they would stay in place. Eula balked at going into the chute. She neighed and crashed against the wall, pinning Talia.
“Settle, little girl,” Talia said, even as pain shot up her leg.
“Best of luck…finishing last.”
She turned.
Anton, her nemesis, was walking toward her, a malicious smile on his face. He stopped right behind her, making Talia nervous. But other than backing Eula into him, there wasn’t much she could do, stuck as she was in the chute.
She focused ahead and waited, listening for the slamming of the last few gates.
No sooner had the last chute slammed shut, when all of the gates sprang open. Talia didn’t have to nudge Eula forward. The horse collected her energy to burst out, but couldn’t.
Anton was holding Eula back while Jimmy sprang forward on his mount. It only took a moment, but it was enough to jeopardize her start.
Talia swung her crop and beat Anton back.
As soon as he released her, Eula bound out, quickly getting into her stride. She had some ground to recover, but she wasn’t that far behind the front-runners. She easily caught up with them.
Talia lowered her head and jockeyed Eula forward until the filly caught the caboose of the top runners. Talia gave her her head, even as the breakneck speed exceeded more than what Talia had counted on expending that early on.
Talia ran her race, regardless of the horses ahead closing up on her as she tried to pass them. She passed a jockey in purple, belatedly realizing it was Jimmy. He tried pushing his horse harder, but the horse didn’t have the same oomph as Eula.
Soon, she came abreast of him. He swung his arm and tapped Talia, not enough to hurt but enough to get her out of synch. Talia struggled to maintain her speed and lead over others, but she hung on and kept riding.
This time, Jimmy made no secret of his cheating. He swung his crop so it hit Talia on the arm. She was nearly jolted off her seat but kept it. She just needed to outrun Jimmy and get to the front of the others…
Jimmy lashed out again at her, but Talia knew better than to lash back. Aside from the fact that it was cheating, any other unnecessary movement was detrimental to her goal. A dull ache spread in her arm, and a tear on her sleeve flapped.
Still, Talia kept on, looking neither left nor right. She leaned forward, speaking to Eula. “Show ‘em, Eula,” she shouted into the wind.
Talia collected Eula and let her go. Soon, Jimmy was behind her, eating dust and not able to catch up. There were three horses and riders ahead. Within a few furlongs, Eula caught them. They ran neck and neck for first place.
Talia let her horse rip. She raised her arms and leaned forward, moving as one with Eula, not letting fear or that bully Jimmy get the best of her. As though in slow motion, Eula eased into several powerful strides with her long limbs, her hooves striking the ground like pounding thunder.
They reached the final stretch. Talia couldn’t shake the competitors away from her. She just focused with all her might on the finish line, looking neither right nor left. The noise faded until she could only hear voices. Voices of her mother and father, telling her how proud they were. Jay’s, wishing her good luck.
The crowds cheered. She heard the voices from above and below, swirling like a mass that propelled Eula forward. Talia let her go, trusting now, not even looking because her arms were extended above her bent head. She was no longer the jockey but rather a passenger to this amazing animal.
When they crossed the line, Talia looked back. Eula had left the nearest competitor in the dust, a good dozen horse lengths behind. Talia’s heart burst with pride as she reigned back Eula―this mighty horse, this angel with wings.
They won. They won!
***
Jay’s section erupted with celebration. His mother looked stunned. Jay felt the same way, but he suspected for a different reason. Relief washed over him in waves. He couldn’t tell what exactly was happening on the track, but he knew something wasn’t right between Talia and the jockey in purple. But Talia prevailed and finished first. Like she’d always wanted.
He swallowed, sadness mingling with happiness. Talia was aiming for the big leagues. This win would be her ticket. She would move on. What was keeping her here?
Certainly not Jay.
Which was just as well. After the debacle with Bruce, he’d decided selling the stables would be better for his sanity. He could go back to Mondragon and rule as he ought. And all this would be a fond memory.
Even as he told himself that, his heart knew it was a big lie.
Jay touched his mother’s elbow. “I’m going to tell her congratulations.”
“I’ll come too,” she said, to his surprise.
The crowds poured from the stands to the winner’s circle where Eula received her wreath of lilies―
Lilies for the Fillies―and was now parading back and forth with her rider, to the delight of the crowds.
Jay stood at the end with the others, and Talia came to him, grinning from ear to ear.
“Did you see that?” She beamed. “Did you?”
“Yes.” He couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was beautiful. Such a talent. It would be a shame to take her away from all this. This was where she belonged. He knew it would kill her to leave horse racing behind.
Perhaps now he was beginning to understand.
“That fellow jockey,” Jay said. “In the purple outfit. He was leaning into you so much.”
“Yes,” she said cheerfully.
“He hit me with his crop. He works for the Greens.”
“I’ll have a word with him.”
“No, that’s not necessary. I punched him in the nose.” She grinned.
“You what?” Jay laughed as he spied the jockey in purple being led away by medics.
“Congratulations,” Nina told Talia.
“Actually, the congratulations are owed you,” Talia said.
“Oh?”
“I just won enough in this run that I can pay Jay back for Eula.” She cast a glance at Jay to make sure he was listening. “She’s mine, free and clear.”
“She was always yours,” Jay said, “even before today.”
“Yes.” She drew herself up on the saddle. Her eyes glinted as she stared down Jay’s mother. “Let it be known that I can now date whomever I please.”
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Jay approached the paddock with trepidation. Was he welcome there? Talia was untacking and brushing down Eula.
“Hey,” he said.
She looked his way and smiled. “Hey.” The paddock smelled of horse sweat, hay, and her fabulous bouquet of lilies, hanging on a hook out of Eula’s reach.
“I’ve been thinking,” he said.
“That sounds dangerous.” But she was smiling.
“As I see it, we have one of two options. First, you can continue as a jockey.”
“How?” she said, challenging him with her stare. “Are you going to manage this place by phone call from Boston? Or Mondragón?”
“What’s the horse racing season? Until the fall?”
“All year,” she said. “But, yes, the bulk is in the spring, summer, and fall.”
“You can race here to your heart’s content, or…”
“Or what?”
“Or you can help manage the wild horse program of Mondragón.”
“Those beautiful wild horses?” she breathed.
“Yes. We are working with neighboring countries to start a preserve and rehabilitation facility.”
“But what about racing?” she mused.
“Racing’s big in Mondragon too. With your help, maybe we can build it even bigger.”
Her hand, brushing Eula, stilled. “What are you saying, Jay?”
He reached into his pocket and produced a red velvet box.
She covered her mouth with her hand.
“I’m asking you,” Jay said, “you amazing, beautiful, infuriating, talented, wonderful woman, to marry me.”
He flipped open the box to reveal a diamond solitaire with a pinkish cast. “This comes straight from Mondragón. The highlights are supposed to match your hair,” he said.
“Wow.” Her forehead crinkled. “But your mother…?”
“Gives her blessing. Your victory impressed her. She’s begun telling people that her future daughter-in-law is a great jockey. I think she’s also realized she can stop our romance about like she could stop a runaway horse.”
“As a matter of fact, you can stop a runaway―”
He gave her a sweet peck on the lips. Then he tried again. “What’s your answer, darling?”
Talia gave him a lopsided smile that tugged at his heart. “Yes, darling.”
He beamed. Taking the ring out of the box, he slipped it on her finger. It fit perfectly.
As she did in his arms.
Jay reveled in the feel of Talia’s fingers in his hair…until his scalp hurt from the pressure.
He opened his eyes and discovered Talia’s “fingers” were actually Eula’s lips. Why, the horse was chewing on his hair!
Talia laughed and hugged Eula.
***
“Well, well,” a male voice said. “I guess congratulations are in order?”
Larry approached them. His demeanor was friendly, but his eyes were cold toward Jay. “And not just for the race win,” Larry continued.
She held up the ring on her finger. “Thanks.”
“So,” Larry told Talia, “you’re moving away.”
“Looks like it.”
Larry glanced at Jay. “Since you’ll be gone a lot, if you need a new manager, I’m happy to fill Bruce’s shoes.”
“I’m sure you would,” Jay said in a clipped tone.
Larry’s eyes narrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Jay returned his cold stare. “I mean, you will embezzle just as well as Bruce.”
Larry turned red. “Take that insult back, Prince.”
“Drop the façade, Larry,” Jay said. “Betty confessed to everything.”
Larry froze.
“The detectives and I had an interesting conversation with her this morning,” Jay said, “after she left the betting line. The lady wanted to win enough to shore up her husband’s gambling losses.”
Detectives Fields and Allred arrived then, as Jay had arranged. They blocked Larry’s exit from the building.
Larry’s face went slack. “That weasel―”
“Is my heroine,” Jay said. “She told us how you masterminded the whole thing with her. Burning their barns so they could get the insurance money and split it with you. Timing the arson for when you knew Talia was visiting Eula so the video footage would throw off investigators.”
Talia pursed her lips and shook her head.
Jay continued. “Burning down Talia’s pasture so you could save her and be the hero, except I got there first. Rigging the start of the race so that Talia would lose and your favored horse would win. I could go on and on.”
Larry stood stone-faced.
“You grained Eula so she would founder, Larry?” Talia’s eyes searched his.
Larry averted his eyes. “It wasn’t supposed to end like this.”
After the detectives took Larry into custody, Talia came out of the paddock and allowed Jay to envelop her in his embrace.
“You’ve been busy,” she said.
He kissed her temple. “Just a little.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“For what?”
“For being amazing.” She tipped her head up for a proper kiss.
Epilogue
A year later, in Mondragón
Jay waited nervously at the edge of the plateau overlooking the valley of wild horses. A small, intimate crowd buzzed in conversation. There would be a bigger, grander wedding with heads of state later in the week, but they wanted to exchange vows here, too, for family and a few friends.
If someone would have told Jay a year ago that he’d be waiting to wed his bride-to-be on this spot overlooking his beloved Mondragón, he would’ve been surprised. The past year certainly hadn’t been easy-going. Talia was a tough fish to land. Even after their post-race reconciliation, she still had moments when she read too much into his actions and reverted to her old self, suspicious of relationships. He learned to reassure her that he was committed to their love and that she filled his deepest needs as no one had ever filled him before.
With a nod, Jay greeted those seated in the audience.
By sheer miracle, four of his brothers made it back to Mondragón for the occasion. There was Armando, his mane long and wild from his Mongolian trek, winking at Talia. For once, Diego was sitting still and not kicking around a soccer ball. Felipe was drawing, presumably Talia, on a sketch pad. His twin Alvaro was shaking his leg to the music.
Mateo hadn’t come even though Jay did send an invitation to him through some channels.
Beside them, their mother sat with a stylish cream veil. Jay thought for sure she would wear black, but she appeared reconciled to having a jockey for her daughter-in-law. She smiled at Talia, then Jay, and he knew she loved him in her own way. He noted with interest that her chauffeur was wearing a tux and sitting next to her.
Katy, who had become better friends with Talia in the past year, sat on the row behind Jay’s family. She had rubbed off on Talia and Jay. They were going to Guatemala for their honeymoon, and she’d arranged for them to complete a service project.
George sat in the second row, tearing up from the
wedding or hay fever, Jay wasn’t sure.
A harpist began to play Pachelbel Canon, and the group stood. From off in the distance, riding up on a rise like a dream vision, was Talia on Eula. Talia’s dress covered Eula’s back half, with a train that trailed halfway down the horse’s legs. Talia sat side-saddle, her face beaming with happiness.
Jay’s heart squeezed with love for this woman and her passion for horses. She’d already done so much toward Mondragón’s wild horse program, even suggesting they set up a foundation to help other European nations with theirs.
Now, here she was, like a dream, coming toward him. Eula, as horse-of- honor, bore Talia to Jay.
With shining eyes, Talia leaned down and allowed him to lift her off the saddle by the waist, to audible swoons in the audience.
Jay and Talia held hands during the ceremony, their gazes often meeting in happiness and gratitude. They had taken a difficult path to get here, but because they did, they were the stronger for it.
Talia attempted to keep Eula from eating the floral decorations before finally giving up. What did it matter if Eula did grab a blossom or two? Or the bride’s entire bouquet?
After the couple got misty-eyed while saying their vows, Jay took Talia in his arms and kissed her like he never, ever, wanted to let her go. When he finally did, Eula’s whinny rose above the applause.
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A clean, standalone romance in Her Billionaire CEO Series. These billionaires are good at what they do. Can they succeed at love, too?
