by Alice Ward
“I have seen a lot of the country,” James said, careful to keep his tone even for the sake of our parents. “But you can’t exactly fly from town to town when you’ve got a horse with you.”
A cocky grin spread across Bradley’s face and I knew he’d realized James would be on his best behavior as long as Daddy and Renee were around. “I guess traveling with an animal does have its limitations. So this is your first time visiting Kentucky?”
“No… this is my first time flying to Kentucky,” James replied, his patience wearing thin.
“I grew up in Kentucky,” Renee chimed in. “We used to visit my parents at least once a year, until they passed. But we always drove. Flying was a little out of our budget,” she added with a blush of embarrassment.
Bradley ignored her and kept his eyes fixed on James. “Have you been to the Derby then?” he asked, an air of doubt in his tone.
“No,” James replied through his tightened jaw.
Bradley lifted his nose in the air. “This is my sixth time. I’d be happy to help you choose an outfit, give you some pointers on racing etiquette.”
James cleared his throat and I was relieved to see a confident smile spread across his face. “Thank you for the offer, Bradley. But I have never in my life worn an “outfit” and I don’t intend to start now. As for the etiquette pointers, I know how to behave.”
Bradley scowled and it was clear to everyone that the two of them would exchange barbs until someone else took control of the conversation.
“Why don’t we put in a movie?” Daddy suggested. He hit the call button on the arm of his chair and a flight attendant emerged from the cockpit. She was blonde and bubbly, and her name tag read “Kate”.
“Can I help you, Mr. Rogers?” she asked with an eager smile.
“Yes, I brought a copy of Secretariat,” he told her. “I thought it would get us all in the mood for race weekend. I’m afraid I don’t know how all the equipment works, would you mind getting it started for us?”
“I’d be happy to,” she agreed. Renee pulled the DVD from her purse and passed it to Kate. The flight attendant opened a cabinet under the television, fed the disc into the player, and passed the remote to Daddy.
“We’ve been cleared for takeoff,” Kate told us. “If you haven’t already buckled your seatbelts, please do so now. When we reach our desired altitude, I’ll come back and take everyone’s drink orders.”
“Thank you, Kate,” Daddy said as she disappeared back into the cockpit.
The jet taxied down the runway, and I settled in for the longest flight of my life.
***
Early that evening, I was in my hotel room getting ready for the Derby Eve Ball when I was startled by a knock at the door. I threw a glance to the bedside alarm clock.
Daddy and Renee aren’t supposed to be here for another twenty minutes… God, I hope that’s not Bradley.
I walked to the door and peaked out the peep hole. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw James in the hallway.
“Willow… you look amazing,” he said as I swung open the door.
“You clean up pretty nice yourself,” I replied. I took a few steps back and James entered the room. He wore a classic black tuxedo, with a starched white shirt and a black satin vest and tie. Shiny leather shoes adorned his feet, and his face was freshly shaved.
“Seriously, Willow, I can’t take my eyes off of you,” James continued. He held my right hand above my head and I spun in a full circle, showing off my outfit.
I wanted to look elegant, but I also wanted to be taken seriously as a horse woman. I’d chosen a black silk jumpsuit for the night, with a low cut, spaghetti strapped top and wide, flowing legs. I’d cinched a silver belt around my waist and completed the look with silver jewelry and strappy black heels. My long, blonde hair hung in curls around my shoulders.
I completed my circle and came to a stop, facing James. He put his hands on my hips and pulled my body to his.
“This is just cruel, seeing you like this and knowing I won’t be able to touch you all night,” he whispered into my ear. His soft breath tickled my neck. My pulse quickened and my breasts heaved against his chest. I leaned back in James’s arms and gave him my best seductive smile.
“You could always come back here with me tonight,” I suggested. “Or I could pay a visit to your room.”
“Are you sure you don’t have plans with your betrothed?” he teased.
I frowned and gave him a playful slap on the shoulder. “Don’t even joke about that. I hate that Bradley is on this trip and I hate that our fathers keep encouraging his little crush on me. I never have and never will have any interest in Bradley Miller.”
“I know that, Willow,” James assured me. “I was just teasing you. But I have to say, when he put his hand on you back in the hangar, it was all I could do not to rip his arm off.” He sat down on the foot of the bed and pulled me onto his lap.
“Don’t worry about Bradley,” I told him. “He’s annoying, but harmless. I’d rather talk about our plan. Are you sure your mom’s old boyfriend will show up this weekend?”
James nodded. “Clark should be here tonight, actually. He doesn’t have a horse in the race, but one of his partners does. It worked out pretty well. I had nothing to do with him being here, so no one can accuse us of meddling.”
I shifted my weight nervously and James rested his head against my shoulder. “You’re still not sure we’re doing the right thing,” he observed, his voice barely a whisper.
I sighed and shook my head. “Think about it, James. Even if they call off the engagement, the fact that they were ever involved to begin with will make it difficult for us to be together. I know it will be awkward… them getting married and us dating… but maybe it wouldn’t be as bad as we think. At least we’d all be happy.”
James pushed me out of his lap and rose to his feet. “Think about what you’re saying, Willow,” he said as he paced the floors. “If they get married, you’ll be my sister. Not by blood, but by law… and in most people’s eyes, that’s close enough. Can you imagine what they’ll say about us? What they’ll say about our family? We’d never recover from the scandal.”
I didn’t know if he was being paranoid or realistic. “But going behind their back, plotting to break up the engagement… it feels wrong, James.”
He walked back to me and pulled me to my feet. He leaned down and kissed me urgently, his hands moving up and down my body as his mouth covered mine. And then as suddenly as he’d embraced me, he pulled away.
“Did that feel wrong, Willow?” he asked, his arms still loosely wrapped around my waist.
I looked into his frustrated eyes and shook my head. “No,” I whispered.
He lowered his voice. “How will you feel when the world tells us it’s wrong? Because that’s what will happen if our parents get married… no one will accept us, and the judgment will drive us apart.”
A tear rolled down my cheek as I realized he had a point. He wiped it away with his thumb and kissed me on the forehead.
“I don’t want to hurt Mom and Cole any more than you do,” he assured me. “But whatever happens tonight, we’re not responsible for it. For the time being, it’s in fate’s hands.”
A knock at the door made both of us jump. “Willow, are you ready to go?” Renee called out in a sing-song voice.
I grabbed James by the back of the head, pulled his mouth to mine, and gave him one last passionate kiss. “That’ll have to hold you over until we can be alone again.” I winked at him and I pulled away to let Renee into the room.
***
“Willow, have you seen Renee?” Daddy asked, interrupting the conversation I was having with a potential buyer. The formal dinner portion of the evening had ended, and everyone had moved to the large white tent on the perfectly manicured lawn. Some people discussed business while others danced along to the twelve-piece band. No one looked as worried and uptight as my father.
“I haven’t seen her s
ince we finished dessert,” I said, glancing around the crowd. I spotted Dale and Jan on the dance floor, Bradley pouting at our table, and James leaning against the open bar. Renee was nowhere to be found, and I wondered for a moment if she’d actually run off with Clark.
I turned back to Hank Lehmann, the man who’d inquired about our stud fees. “I’m sorry, but will you excuse me for a moment? My dad has lost his fiancé.”
“Of course, Willow,” he said, pulling a card from his breast pocket. “Business can wait until Monday. Why don’t you email me the information, and we can talk later in the week?”
“I’d be happy to, Hank,” I agreed with a polite smile.
He took my hand in his and brought it to his lips. “The pleasure is all mine, Willow. I have fond memories of your mother, and I’m thrilled to see that you’re carrying on her legacy.”
I nodded at him as I fought back tears. I’d received similar comments all evening. It seemed like everyone in the industry remembered my mother, and being compared to her was the most flattering compliment I’d ever received.
“Good luck tomorrow, Willow,” Hank said as he turned away. “And may this be the start of a long, successful career.”
I looped my arm through Daddy’s and let him lead me across the tent. “There’s James,” I pointed out. “Maybe he knows where Renee went.”
Daddy furrowed his brow. “It’s not like her to just disappear. I was talking to Mark Tobin about the Mustang stock. One second Renee was next to me and the next, she was just gone.”
“Hey… need a drink?” James asked as we stepped up to the bar. “I can’t say that I blame you. I’m sorry, Cole.” He took two champagne flutes from a nearby tray and offered them to us. I accepted while Daddy stared back at him in confusion.
“Why would I need a drink?” he demanded. “And what are you sorry for?”
James grimaced and looked towards the corner of the tent. “I’m sorry… I thought you’d seen them already.”
“Seen who?” Daddy asked quickly, his eyes following James’s. His mouth dropped open and the color drained from his face when he finally laid eyes on Renee. She was sitting at a small table, drinking and laughing with a handsome stranger.
Daddy stared at them for a moment and then turned back to James. “Do you have any idea who she’s talking to?”
James hesitated. “I’m not sure what his name is, but I think I recognize him… from Mom’s prom pictures.”
“I see,” Daddy nodded, his face emotionless. We all looked back to the corner just in time to watch Clark pull Renee onto the dance floor. The band launched in to a slow song, and they fell into each other’s arms.
Daddy’s reaction was painful to watch. His face flushed red and beads of sweat formed at his temples. I reached out and touched his arm.
“Daddy… are you okay?” I asked softly. “I’m sure this is no big deal. They probably just ran into each other and wanted to catch up a bit.”
“Willow’s right, Cole,” James agreed. “They’re just dancing… I’m sure it doesn’t mean anything.”
Daddy swallowed hard and cleared his throat. “I’m sure you’re right, kids,” he said, his voice unconvincing. “If you’ll both excuse me, I’m not feeling well. James, will you please let your mother know that I’ve gone back to the hotel?”
“Of course, Cole, if that’s what you want,” James replied.
“I’ll go with you, Daddy,” I offered quickly.
He patted my hand and shook his head. “You don’t have to do that, sweetheart. This is your big night. Stay a little longer, soak up all of this admiration you’re getting.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure? I’d feel better if you stayed too. Why don’t you just go talk to Renee?”
James gave me a swift nudge with his elbow. I glanced up at him and he shook his head ever so slightly. Daddy didn’t notice any of it.
“Honey, Renee shouldn’t have to cut her evening short just because I’m tired,” Daddy told me with a defeated sigh. “Just let her know where I am… once she pulls herself away from whoever that is. I’ll see you both tomorrow.”
I’d never felt so conflicted. I wanted to argue with him, to tell him to go fight for her. But I also knew that if he and Renee broke up, James and I would be free to be together. Daddy turned away quickly, without giving me a chance to speak. I watched him slink out of the tent, his shoulders down and his head lowered. I turned to James with anger in my eyes.
“I told you this was a bad idea,” I hissed.
He took a long sip of champagne and stared off at his mother. “The end will justify the means, Willow. I promise.”
CHAPTER 5
The next day was a blur of nerves and excitement. The race was scheduled for 6:24 p.m., but we arrived at noon for the Derby Luncheon. Daddy and Renee weren’t speaking, Bradley had a permanent sulk on his face, and the Millers were too busy making sure the right people saw them to notice anyone else’s mood. James seemed amused by the whole situation, and I was too excited for anything to bring me down.
I’d been to the Derby twice before, but only as a spectator. The other times, we’d stood in the infield and fought for glimpses of the track. I’d worn simple sundresses and flat shoes and stared enviously at the well dressed women on Millionaire’s Row, the viewing boxes reserved for VIPs. Now it was my turn to sit in one of the boxes.
Daddy presented our passes to the man in the security booth, and he let us pass through the gate. I was happy I’d packed flip flops in my purse for the long trek from the parking lot to the stadium.
Bradley and his parents walked in the lead. Jan was dressed in a flowing white sundress with red silk roses blooming from the skirt. A wide rimmed red straw hat adorned her head and she’d attached red roses to the toes of her white heels. Anywhere else, she’d have looked ridiculous. At the Kentucky Derby, she fit in perfectly.
Renee had also gone all out on her Derby dress. Hers was coral satin, with a sleeveless peplum top and a pencil skirt that hit her just below the knee. Her blonde hair was twisted into an intricate bun, with a jewel and feather fascinator pinned to the top.
Daddy, Dale, and Bradley were dressed in typical, boring men’s attire. All three wore khaki slacks and starched white button-ups. Bradley wore a navy blazer while Daddy and Dale had both opted for seersucker.
James and I stood out among the rest of the group. He was dressed in a grey linen suit that looked like it had been custom made to hug every muscle in his body. Under the jacket, he wore a pale blue pinstriped shirt and left it open at the neck. A grey fedora with a pale blue hat band completed his look. I’d barely taken my eyes off of him since we left the hotel, and I caught him staring back at me more often than not.
Renee had offered to take me shopping for an outfit, but I’d known what I wanted to wear that day for as long as I could remember. I was dressed in a nineteen twenties, drop-waist gown made of cream colored silk and lace. The bodice was embroidered with rhinestones and pearls, as was the satin cloche hat covering my long blonde curls. My mother had worn the vintage outfit to the Derby the year Aces High won the Triple Crown. Wearing it to watch my horses run made me feel closer to her, and I hoped some of her luck would rub off on me.
Renee stumbled on a patch of loose dirt and instinctively reached for Daddy to balance herself. He tensed at her touch and jerked his arm away once she was steady on her feet.
“Cole, please,” she pleaded. “I told you, we just ran into each other. We were talking, that’s all.”
I couldn’t see Daddy’s face, but his tight shoulders told me all I needed to know. “Renee, we’re not talking about this today,” he said sternly. “Today is about Willow.”
James and I were a few feet behind the others. He moved closer to me and whispered from the corner of his mouth as we walked. “Cole’s right about one thing… this is your day. And I’m going to make sure you enjoy every minute of it.”
I nodded towards our parents and raised a skeptical ey
ebrow. “I’m not so sure that’s possible. God, I wish Matt were here.”
James looked down at me with a sly grin. “I’ll try not to take offense to that.”
I slowed my pace and we fell further behind the group. “I also wish that we could be here together,” I confessed softly.
James chuckled and I gave him a playful slap on the shoulder. “We are here together,” he reminded me.
“You know what I mean,” I sighed.
“I know, I know,” he nodded. “It’s all I can do to keep my hands off of you. You look amazing in that dress, Willow.”
I blushed and tilted my head down in embarrassment. “Thank you… you look pretty amazing yourself. And here I was, worried you’d show up in Wranglers and your filthy Stetson.”
James looped my arm through his as we neared our entrance. “Believe me, I’d be much more comfortable in a t-shirt and some dirty boots right now. But like I said, this is your big day. I wanted to dress for the occasion.”
Bradley held open the door and we all filed through the entryway. I tried to pull away from James, but he put his hand over my arm and held me in place. Bradley’s eye’s narrowed as we walked past him, but James and I pretended not to notice. Daddy, Renee, and the Millers lined up in front of the elevators while James guided me towards the staircase.
“Willow and I are going to walk,” James called out to the group. “She’s too restless to stand in line. We’ll meet you up there.”
We turned away without giving anyone a chance to join us.
“Did you see the look on his face?” I hissed as we made our way up the first flight of stairs. “Why didn’t you let go of me? Bradley’s not stupid and he’s a total ass. If he figures out what’s going on between us…”
“Relax, Willow,” James interrupted in a calm, smooth voice. “I’m simply escorting my single, soon to be stepsister on an important day in her career. We’re in the South; this is considered good manners here. Believe me, if I hadn’t gotten to you first, you’d be stuck on Bradley’s arm and he’d be explaining all of this to you.”
