| Two days later a package arrived for Brian. He found the shopping bag from a very expensive boutique propped against the front door. He picked up the bag as he entered the house and noticed that inside were a ribbon-adorned box and two envelopes. The larger envelope with the charity race logo contained his registration forms for the July 4th races. But the smaller one was of a more personal nature. Brian put the box on the kitchen table and opened the small envelope. There in neat script Moire sent her apologies for ruining his shirt and hoped that the enclosed gift would be an adequate replacement. He shook his head and let out a chuckle as he slipped the ribbon from the box. The shirt, a blue silk, was a far cry from the oxford cloth one it had replaced. She definitely had a penchant for labels and designer tastes. She stirred him in ways he hadn�t felt in a long time. If only she wasn�t Fitzgerald�s daughter. He placed the shirt back in the box. Best to leave well enough alone. He proceeded to prepare himself some dinner and all thoughts of Moire were pushed out of his mind. The days leading up to the races were busy with workouts and getting the horses ready for Keeneland. Every morning Brian was up and out early to watch as the trainers took each horse through their paces. He had a small 5/8-mile track that gave him the flexibility of keeping the horses stabled in their familiar surroundings until it was race time. He would only have to transport the two colts the evening before the race. With stop watch in hand he leaned on the fence as Lyric�s Dream came down the stretch. He was taking a risk letting him run but Brian wanted to see how he would fare. Lyric�s Dream was his gold ring. His Derby hopeful and the more race exposure as a two-year old would prepare him for the race of his life. Gabe had been training him since he was a yearling. Taking him out and leading him with only a rope around his neck. Teaching him to listen and feel the pull of the rope. He knew the horse well and gave him reign when necessary and a look at the whip to keep his speed steady. His times were good, but Brian knew more work was needed. As the horse and trainer came to the fence Brian told Gabe to have him brushed down good and give him his special feed. A little pampering wouldn�t hurt. At the thought of pampering Moire came to mind. He had been so busy lately that he had little time to think of her although every time he went to his closet and saw that blue silk shirt he remembered her standing on the porch in his shirt looking so alluring. But as much as she set his heart racing, it was probably for the best that he neither thought about her nor attempted to see her. Nothing good could come from an association with her, so the fleeting desires that did pulse through him, he banked quickly. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ It didn�t take Colin long to find out that Moire had been �rescued� by Brian and that she had spent time with him at his house. He pressured her to tell him everything they talked about in the hopes that he could gain some inside information. Moire related their conversation but omitted Brian�s admission of the loan and security system. She knew her father well enough to know that he would find out anyway. He again encouraged her to get closer and do whatever was necessary to gain his trust. They argued again and Moire swore to herself that she would not be used for her father�s gain. But the day before the race Moire overheard part of a conversation that only confirmed for her that Colin had people spying on Brian and the other owners. She had spent the morning going over the last minute details for the races the following day. The track officials had taken over all the racing details once she had secured the entrants but the little extras needed her attention. As she walked by her father�s study she could hear the heated conversation. �Well find out.� Her father barked angrily into the phone. �How hard can it be? There aren�t that many in town.� He drummed his fingers on the desk. He had a bunch of incompetents working for him. �Fine. Let me know as soon as you find out. I want details. The type of system, if it�s silent or active, everything. You keep me posted.� He slammed the phone down and noticed Moire at the door. �Well it seems Littrell is installing some kind of security system around his property. That means we�ll have to be a bit more careful.� He seemed pleased with this piece of news and Moire could feel her body tense at the pleasure he derived from hurting others. �Daddy,� she walked into the office, he didn�t look up but continued to leaf through some papers. �What is it Moire?� �Why is this so important?� The room was his domain all leather and wood. Pictures of their prized colts and fillies lined the walls along with numerous citations and awards. There was even a cabinet in the foyer filled with cups and medals from all the races they had won. And yet it didn�t seem to make her father happy. �We�ve been through this already, sweetheart,� he gave her a half smile. �It�s business, pure and simple.� He went back to the paper work on his desk. �But how can you be happy over someone else�s demise?� He looked up as he heard her question. �It�s called survival baby. The strong always overtake the weak and win. Like I said it�s business. Don�t worry your pretty head over it.� He looked back down again. �But you expect me to help you, so it is my business. What have you got against these people?� She was trying to understand his logic behind his ruthless behavior. �Nothing. I want their land and eventually they will sell. They will get tired of the small inconveniences and verbal sparring and they will take the money.� �So you just want to own more land?� He nodded. �Basically, yes. This will all be yours some day and I want to leave you a fine legacy.� �But daddy, so do those owners. They have families too. What will they have if you take away their homes and incomes.� �A big fat check, that�s what they will have.� He could see she wasn�t going to let this drop. Colin got up and came around the desk and stood in front of her. �Listen Moire, you just cozy up to Littrell. Be sure and wear something pretty tomorrow. Show off your legs and maybe a little cleavage. He likes the ladies and I�m sure you can turn his head. You leave the rest to me and the boys.� He kissed her forehead and went back to the desk. She had been dismissed as if she were a hired hand. Moire turned and left him to his work. Cozy up to Littrell! He made her feel like nothing more than a prostitute. Well, it was too high a price to pay for some land. She had feelings and as much as Brian was attractive she wouldn�t play the game. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ A few minutes later Colin heard the front door slam. He got up and went to the window to see Moire headed towards the stables. She was too smart. He couldn�t deceive her like he could when she was younger. She had always been bright, first in her class. But now it was working against him. He needed her help but didn�t want her asking too many questions. All he wanted was for her to get close to Littrell. There was no doubt in his mind that she could turn his head. She would see it was worth it in the end. He was doing this for her. He went back to his office and called down to the stables. He told Sims to follow her. Many a deal had been won or lost over pillow talk. Now all Moire had to do was get into the bedroom. With Moire covered he picked up the contracts he had been working on. She was seething. She saddled up Giselle and tore through the gate, giving her free reign to run. Once she cleared the stables and outer buildings Moire slowed down a bit. She just wanted to run, leave, get away as far as possible and not come back. She could feel the horse begging to run again, so she picked up the pace and like the horse enjoyed the freedom of the open road. She rode for a while until they came to the ridge overlooking the creek below. Moire got off the horse and tied her to the nearest tree and sat down. It was so beautiful, all of it. And to think the Fitzgerald�s had started out small just like the others. There was a time when the competition only took place on the racetrack and everyone looked out for each other�s well fare. Moire�s grandfather started with only 50 acres and a couple of horses. He and Moire�s grandmother lived in a simple one-story house. He worked along side the two hands he hired and they built a business. Moire�s father was born in that simple house along with his sister. And from the time they were both old enough to stand, they were riding horses. Moire remembered her grandfather telling her how Colin actually could ride before he could walk and that her grandmother would watch with worry written all over her face that her small son would fall off. But he never did and at the age of eight he was working with the trainers learning all he could about the art of thoroughbred racehorses. And as the years progressed Colin became one of the premiere breeders in the area. He took over the running of the farm but eventually the business side of the operation consumed him. Gone were the days when he could be found in the corral training new colts, or staying up all night for the birth of a new foal. Now it was all about the ledger. Yet he had nurtured Moire�s love of the land and the horses. Like his father, Colin had her on a horse at a very early age and she had followed him all over the farm learning all she could. But those days were a thing of the past, now her father had only the best trainers and jockeys working for him. Winning was the optimum result and he worked his staff to achieve that goal, including her. He had practically demanded that she sell herself for the price of a few acres. Moire looked down over the ridge. She wished there was a way she could stop her father and his quest for total dominion. She loved him but right now she didn�t like him very much. She wanted to bring back the man who delighted in the birth of a new filly or colt and who could talk a horse into cooperation by the simple manipulation of a lariat. Realizing she couldn�t sulk forever, Moire mounted Giselle and started for home. A cluster of clouds had formed off to the west and threatened a storm. She gave the filly a tap on the hindquarters. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~ It was hot. Moire removed the jacket to her dress and draped it over the back of the chair. Six races had been run and the proceeds for the various charities had already surpassed the previous years. All bets placed were done with the understanding that half of the purse of the winning horse would go to charity. But it never failed that most winners would turn over their winnings to one of the designated charities anyway. So each year the gross profits continued to rise. And over the years these races had become a big social event too. What had started as a simple July 4th gathering became a summer gala. Gone were the shorts and shirts. Now it was elegant summer linen and silk. The seventh race was coming up next. This was the big race of the day. Moire had seen Brian earlier in the day but since the third race he had been obviously absent. She knew he had an entrant in this race and so she wandered down to the paddock area. She found him talking with his jockey giving him last minute instructions. Moire held back. She knew how high strung these animals were and before a race you wanted them to stay as calm as possible. He continually stroked the colt�s face and flanks. Moire noticed how he seemed to whisper in the animal�s ear to soothe and comfort him. With the call for the horses to proceed to the gate Brian turned the horse over to the trainer and rider and stepped back. The jockey mounted and Brian shook his hand and they started, along with the other entrants, to the track. He turned to follow when he saw Moire standing with the other spectators. �Have you come to stake out the competition,� he said as his eyes raked over her body. Moire felt her flesh warm at his perusal. �Maybe,� she replied sticking her chin out and giving him a smirk. The crowd had moved on to the stands and Brian and Moire fell in step with the rest. At one point she felt his hand on the small of her back as they moved through the crowd. Once they reached the stands Moire started up to the reserved section, but Brian stopped. She turned. �Aren�t you coming?� �No. I always watch them from the rail. It�s habit. You go on.� Moire hesitated for a minute and then came back down the few steps. �Mind if I join you?� He was dressed impeccably. The linen suit and blue shirt only set off his tan and blonde hair. He extended his hand as an invitation. They found an empty spot and watched as the field passed in front of the on their way down the stretch to the starting gate. When Colin found out that Brian had entered Lyric�s Dream in this race he pulled his initial entry and substituted Dragon�s Mist. The gelding was his best and even though it was a charity event he was determined to win. Brian knew that the match up between the two would be a dress rehearsal for next year�s Derby. Moire saw Brian�s face tense and his hands grip the railing as the Claddagh Farms entry went by. Even though the horse had been stripped of his sex, the gelding was still high strung as he pranced down the track eager to run as fast as he could. They stood silently as the horses passed. �Brian!� The voice cut the silence. Brian and Moire turned to see Marguerite Lawson coming along the rail. �Where have you been hiding?� She kissed his cheek causing his cheeks to blush and latched her hand onto his forearm. �I�ve been asking all over if anyone has seen you.� She was tall, leggy and her blonde hair hung wild around her face. Moire didn�t flinch as the woman staked out her territory and clutched Brian�s arm. �Marguerite,� Brian croaked, �Moire Fitzgerald.� Moire gave her a smile. �Oh Brian, you are so cute. Moire and I go way back. Don�t we dear.� Moire nodded as the little green monster started to grow inside her. Marguerite was a little gold digger, even though her father owned a farm nearly as big as the Fitzgerald�s. In her mid thirties, she had pursued Colin but without much luck. He was a hard-nosed businessman but he was still devoted to Moire�s mother even though she had been gone for years. Moire often wondered if he ever sought out female companionship. And now it looked like Marguerite was out to conquer a younger victim. Marguerite turned her gaze back to Brian. �I thought you said you were coming alone.� She pouted at the thought of him and Moire together. �I did. Well, actually my family is here. They are up in the grandstand.� He nodded his head in the general direction. �Oh good, then you can walk me back to my seat.� �Sorry. I�m staying right here to watch the race.� Marguerite turned up her nose and Moire smirked at her disappointment. �Well, all right then. Moire are you coming?� �No, I believe I�ll catch this one at the rail too!� She pursed her lips to keep from smiling in triumph. �Well,� Marguerite turned on her heel, �if you two prefer to breathe in the dust and gather with the commoners, be my guest.� She started towards the stairs. But Moire was determined to have the last word. �A little dust never hurt anyone Marguerite. You should try it sometime.� Moire turned back to watch as the last horse was put in the gate and the race was announced. Brian looked at her, her face reserved and her eyes in full concentration on the horses. �Your claws are showing,� he said as the horses broke. �Never liked her,� Moire said blandly keeping her eyes on the horses. �I gathered as much.� They both dropped the subject as their full attention was now centered on the field at the top of the stretch. The race was one mile, a good yardstick for the Derby. Lyric�s Dream held the second post position and continued to hold the rail about a half-length behind Reverse Behavior. Brian could feel his heart pounding as the thunderous sound of the field came towards the finish line. If he could hold on and keep the pace maybe, just maybe. But Dragon�s Mist came up on the outside and flew past them both, finishing the race in record time. Reverse Behavior was second and Lyric�s Dream a close third. The light went out of Brian�s eyes as he watched the jockey bring the colt to a slow canter and walk him out. He hit his hand on the rail. �Damn.� �He ran a good race Brian,� Moire tried to console him. �But not good enough.� The words were uttered through gritted teeth. Why did she care? �He placed in the money.� She tried again. Brian started towards the paddocks. He still needed to offer congratulations to the jockey. Like she said, they did place in the money. �Guess you�re off to the winner�s circle.� He said flippantly wanting to put some distance between him and anything to do with Claddagh Farms. �No. I�m going to go collect my winnings.� She waved her tickets at him. �Congratulations,� he said with a tinge of anger. �Daddy will be so happy.� �Actually not. I bet on Lyric�s Dream.� She gave him a devilish grin and showed him the tickets. �It�s a nice piece of change don�t you think.� Brian looked at the toteboard to see that indeed his horse showed a decent payoff. �And I�ll give it all back to the pediatrics unit at St. Joe�s.� Her chest seemed to puff out a bit and Brian felt a bit foolish. She had wagered against her father. Suddenly placing third didn�t seem so bad. Of course he wondered what Colin Fitzgerald would think about his daughter putting her money on his biggest competitor. |