| Moire sat alone in the pew, absently singing the words to the hymn, while she asked for help in trying to make sense of her father�s behavior. She had returned home the day before to an empty house, which alleviated the need to explain her whereabouts the night before. Still nursing a headache she spent the rest of day quietly not venturing any further than the sunroom or the den. When her father did return he didn�t mention their fight of the night before and Moire didn�t either. He was cordial to her and she acted civilly to him. She went to bed early and left her father at his desk working. And now here she sat, like any other Sunday, alone. Colin hadn�t set foot inside a church since the day he buried his wife, and even then it had been the first time in years. Fiona had tried for years to have him accompany her and Moire but he would only laugh it off and tell them to pray for him. He was more than generous with his money, but found no need to offer praise and thanksgiving to his maker. Moire had hoped that after her mother died he would find his way back to the church but it never happened. Moire on the other hand, though not overly religious, found a strong need to attend mass regularly. She often wondered if he could find a place for God in his life, maybe he wouldn�t be so bent on the destruction of others. Colin sat staring out the window thoughtlessly tapping his fingers on the desk. The flare-ups with Moire were becoming a regular occurrence. He knew she hadn�t come home Friday night and had been concerned but at 26 she had every right to live her own life. She had never taken such an interest in his business before and this sudden concern for the welfare of a group of old, worn out breeders just didn�t make any sense. If he could only get Littrell the others would concede. Colin knew that they were looking to Brian for advice and as long as he held on, so would they. Moire wasn�t cooperating and he was going to have to find another way to bring the man down. The uproar over Wilson�s mare caused a setback in his plans. What a fiasco that had turned out to be. He had only meant to scare Wilson, shake him up a bit but some overzealous member of his staff had let things get out of hand. He had nothing but incompetents working for him and in his anger Friday evening he admitted his knowledge of the incident to Moire, which had caused the chasm between them to widen. He saw her car pull up and he watched as she walked up the steps. He loved her and he wasn�t sure she knew how much it hurt to look on her face and see his beloved Fiona come alive again. There wasn�t a day that went by that he didn�t miss her. Moire was in the middle of lunch when Colin joined her. They ate in silence, Moire not even acknowledging his presence when he sat down. She had already made up her mind to go out. She couldn�t bear to spend any more time than necessary with him. Colin felt the chill in the air as he sat down and but decided to take a chance with his idea anyway. �Moire honey,� she continued to eat her salad ignoring him. �I thought that maybe today we could take a drive up to the river and eat in that little restaurant that overlooks the gorge.� She put her fork down and wiped her mouth on her napkin. �I�ve made plans, sorry.� Her words were curt and she wouldn�t look at him. For as long as she could remember they always spent Sunday afternoons together either riding or taking a drive and finding a quaint place for dinner. Moire had always looked forward to their outings, but there was no way she could now. He had to realize that she wasn�t twelve any more and a day in the country and dinner out wouldn�t mend the broken feelings between them. She stood to leave when he grabbed her arm. �Princess listen,� he begged. �No daddy, you listen. I can�t abide the sight of you right now. I�m angry and disappointed. I don�t know you any more and you can�t fix things with dinner and spending the day with me. I won�t work any more.� She wrenched herself from his grasp and walked back into the house. A few minutes later he heard her car wheels spin as she took off down the drive. She just didn�t understand. It was business, pure and simple. Colin played with the food on his plate. I�ll just give her a few days, she�ll come around and we will be fine again. He pushed the plate away, not feeling hungry any more. With his afternoon wide open, he went back to the office. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ There was no such thing as a true day of rest when you owned a horse farm. The stock still needed to be fed, watered and exercised but all additional chores were put on hold for Monday. Brian was up early as usual to attend to the needs of the animals and then like Moire he attended church services. He was planning on a nice quiet day when he noticed the familiar red sports car come down the drive. He put down the racing journal and came to the head of the steps. His pulse quickened a bit as Moire looked up at him. �Feel like going for a drive,� she called out as Brian came down the steps. �It all depends who�s doing the driving and where we are going.� He rested his arm on the front windshield. With the weather having turned hot again, Moire had on a simple linen sundress. The square neckline enhanced the swell of her breasts as it dipped just low enough to tease. There was no getting around that he enjoyed the view. And there was really no decision to make. Spending a Sunday afternoon with Moire was hands down more appealing than reading through racing journals. �I�m driving and as to where, I don�t know. Let�s just see where the road takes us.� Brian pondered her response. He sensed her need to get away for a while. He nodded in agreement. �Just give me a few minutes to settle things here.� �Okay.� Brian turned towards the house and then back again. �You want to come in?� �No, I�ll wait here. Take your time. I�m in no hurry.� With that Brian headed into the house. Moire got out of the car and walked around a bit until she finally settled on the small bench under the large pin oak at the corner of the house. It was quiet here, even though there was some activity down at the stables; there was no urgency. The pace was slower unlike at home. In no time Brian reappeared and joined her. �It�s so peaceful here.� She rested her head back against the tree and closed her eyes. �Sundays are usually quiet. I have a couple of guys who just work weekends. They care for the animals but that�s about it. They have my cell number if they need me.� �You can�t tell it�s Sunday at home. Nothing stops. Daddy�s always going at full tilt. But here,� her voice trailed off. �We don�t have to go anywhere if you want. We can stay here.� She opened her eyes and sat up straight. �No, I invited you to go for a drive, so let�s go.� She took him by the hand and they went to the car. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Brian sensed this outing was a form of therapy for her. The extent of the rift between Moire and her father was evident in her necessity to get as far away from him as possible. They drove in silence for a while as they traveled through the countryside and then Moire turned onto I-64 heading west. �Why me, Moire?� Brian finally asked as they cruised down the highway. �You�re surprised I showed up at your place today, aren�t you?� Moire glanced at Brian and then continued to watch the road. �Yes. I thought you would want some time alone to sort out your feelings.� �I thought so too, but then I didn�t want to be alone and I couldn�t stay home.� She looked at him and a small smile spread across her face. �And you couldn�t think of anyone else?� He was very curious as to why she sought him out. �I could have called a half dozen friends but they don�t really understand why I�m so angry. They�ve grown up with as much or more than I have and feel it�s all part of who they are. They aren�t concerned how the money is made, just that it�s there.� She stared straight ahead and continued. �You,� she let out a breath, �you know the importance of what it�s all about. The beauty and agility of the horses, how you get that adrenaline rush when one crosses the finish line or the birth of a foal. And how to give it all up would be like dying.� �That�s true, but surely Moire you do realize the tenuous situation we are in.� She nodded. �I know. I don�t care about myself but I should worry about you and what your association with me could do.� Her thoughts went back to her father�s numerous attempts to use Moire against Brian. She would have to keep their meeting a secret. �But the truth of the matter is I like you. You�ve come to my assistance twice and with the exception of a few insensitive comments,� Brian chuckled, �I can talk to you. So I guess that makes you a friend,� she sneaked a look and saw surprise on his face, �or at least a close acquaintance.� �Well whatever it is, we seem to be drawn to each other.� They had passed the Frankfort exit and Moire continued west. He wondered whether she was taking him all the way to Indiana! �So he has no idea you came to my place?� �He only knows I went out.� Brian went to clarify his question when she beat him to it. �You mean on Friday?� He nodded. �No. I never told him.� �Okay.� Nothing more was said. As Moire concentrated on driving she spent the time justifying to herself why her father had no right to question her actions or whereabouts. If he was willing to sell her for a piece of land then he had lost the right to any parental concern a long time ago.� As they approached the Louisville City limits Brian noted that Moire knew exactly where she was going as she made her way through the maze of streets until they pulled up at the gates to Churchill Downs. The track was closed but Moire honked the horn and a man came from the back of the guardhouse. �Well, well,� the man said as a large smile lit up his face. �Moire, girl, it�s been a while.� Moire got out of the car and gave the man a hug and kiss on the cheek. �Is everything okay?� Moire just shrugged. Brian had gotten out of the car and watched the exchange between them. The intimacy of their embrace told him that Moire had a confidant in this man. When the man saw Brian he extended his hand, �Don�t believe I�ve had the pleasure.� �Hank,� Moire said, �this is Brian Littrell. He owns a small horse farm outside Lexington.� Brian shook his hand. �Littrell? Name sounds familiar. You related to a Harold Littrell? Had a Derby entry but was scratched the morning of the race?� �Yes, that was my grandfather.� �I remember the day. It was quite sad. He had to put him down, didn�t he?� �Yes and he wouldn�t let anyone else do it either. We haven�t had a Derby entry since, but I�m hoping to change all that next year.� He eyed Moire. His loss back in July to her father was still evident. He knew her father was grooming Dragon�s Mist for the Triple Crown and that would be the proving ground for their showdown. Hank saw the exchange between the two young people. There was a tug of war going on here. He knew of Colin�s quest to acquire the small farms surrounding him and he wondered what Moire�s part was in all of it. He would find out soon enough. Moire felt the tension rise a bit and changed the subject. �Hank you don�t mind if Brian and I wander around a bit?� �Of course not, but let me get you some passes.� He walked back to the guardhouse and Moire followed him. Once inside he questioned her. �Moire, what are you doing?� He opened the drawer and pulled out two visitor passes. �He owns one of the farms doesn�t he?� �Yes, and I know what you are thinking, but like you I�m not in favor of what daddy wants.� �But to socialize with young Littrell, Moire, use your head. What if your father finds out.� �He would probably be pleased. He wanted me to do a whole lot more than just socialize with Brian, if you get my drift.� She took the two passes he handed her. He raised his eyebrows and shook his head. He�d known her father since college and although Colin had shown killer instincts for business he never thought he would resort to using his own daughter. �I figured you two had argued again. Just be careful.� He put his arm around her. �If you need to talk,� he said as he kissed the top of her head. �Thanks, Hank.� She hugged him and walked back to the car waving the passes at Brian. They both got in the car and drove down to the reserved lot. |