Ten
As soon as Piper left the room, Jackie McKinney faced Tuck and stared him down. He resisted the very strong urge to swallow.
“Tell me the truth. How’d she handle the news?”
Huh. Not what he thought she’d ask. Would answering be violating best friend codes? Finally, Tuck settled for “Not well.”
She shook her head. “Life hits Piper harder than it does most of us.” Mrs. McKinney assessed him. “Then again, I suppose you know that.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He always knew Piper hid some of her feelings. Oh, she wasn’t afraid to cry in front of someone, displaying some measure of how much something affected her. But hearing the words, her actual thoughts? That was an entirely different story. Often an untold one, so Tuck had to ask God to help fill in the blanks.
“Please watch over her, Tuck.”
He wanted to ask if the headlines were true, but he didn’t. Instead, he nodded to let her know he was still listening. “I’ll always support her.”
Her lips wisped up into a smile. “I know. Anything you want to tell me in that arena?”
“No, ma’am.” If he was going to confess, it wouldn’t be to Mrs. McKinney first.
“You know, we’ve always had big dreams for her.”
“She knows that.”
Now her lips pursed. “But does she understand it? Sometimes I feel like I failed her as a mom.”
“I think most parents feel that way, Mrs. McKinney.” At least, Tuck’s mom had expressed that to him a few times.
“That’s true.” She paused. “I don’t want to get in the way of her dreams, but I also don’t know how best to support them.”
“I know she appreciates it when you attend the races.”
“That’s such a small thing.” She waved it off like an invisible gnat had entered her orbit.
“Not when presence is the one thing she craves.” He grimaced inwardly. That felt like breaking the friend code. He probably should have kept that tidbit to himself.
“Piper needs more friends.”
“She made one in Nevaeh.” At her blank stare, he explained. “Lamont Booker’s girlfriend.”
“How on earth does she know her?”
“Uh ... Lamont’s my friend.”
Tuck appreciated his friendship with Lamont and Chris. At times, he forgot Lamont was a famous actor and Chris had his own fans as a YouTube influencer. Though they both lived outside Kentucky, Tuck knew they were only a text or FaceTime away. In fact, maybe the time had come to finally share his feelings about Piper with them.
Hearing Mrs. McKinney ask him to look after her reminded Tuck he’d been doing that ever since he became Piper’s friend. He’d always be in her corner. He just wanted the right to be more.
“I didn’t know you knew him.” She looked at him as if remeasuring his worth.
That was the thing about Mrs. McKinney. She’d never treated Tuck badly per se, but he had a feeling she judged him nevertheless. Considering he came from horse trainer stock and the McKinneys came from Millionaires’ Row, the two weren’t destined to meet. But horse racing had changed, and the millionaires weren’t always the owners. Famous trainers had accrued as much thanks to the rise in stakes.
At least Chris and Lamont had never belittled him for being “just a horse trainer.” In fact, Lamont saw enough value in his occupation to pick Tuck’s brain for a movie role Lamont played. Could Mrs. McKinney look at Tuck and see his true worth?
I know your worth.
Chills pricked the back of his neck, and Tuck almost looked up toward the ceiling. It wasn’t an audible voice so much as an inner stirring that sounded very much like God’s still, small voice.
Thank You, Lord.
“Maybe you can help Piper make friends with someone local.”
“Why do you want her to have more friends?” Or is it just me you don’t want her to hang around?
Mrs. McKinney sighed. “I want her to have a community around her. They’ll be there for her when the time gets rough ... like today.” She’d whispered the last part.
“Isn’t it better to have true friends than ones who merely live nearby and might be around only because of your net worth?”
“Maybe.” She met Tuck’s gaze. “But dressing the part, surrounding yourself with influential people ... it all helps. I want Piper to settle down, have children. I want to plan a wedding so lavish others will be jealous. I want the world for my daughter.”
“What about what she wants?” he asked softly.
“I’m sure having a family of her own is a dream of hers.”
“Is it?” He hoped the same, but that was neither here nor there. He had a point to prove. “Seems like she moved out because you weren’t willing to listen to her dreams or help put them in motion.”
She drew back. “Oh, and you did?”
“It’s why I’m training a horse for her, and that’s why she can practically reach for the fruition of her dreams now.”
“It’s her trust fund that gave her the leg up to begin with.”
Why was it always money with Mrs. McKinney? “Maybe so. But what she needs is your understanding, not your credit card. She wants you cheering in her corner.”
“I’ll always cheer for my daughter.”
“Then make sure she knows that.”
“Of course Piper knows that.”
Was he talking in circles? He rubbed his chin, searching for the words. Then the sound of footsteps had him looking over his shoulder.
“Dad’s hungry,” Piper chimed cheerily as she entered the room.
Seeing the happy look on her face told him she’d had a good conversation with her father. She was such a daddy’s girl, but in the way that had Tuck hoping he’d be just as good of a father to any children he and Piper had.
Hold on, man. You have to date her, then marry her before you can talk about those 2.5 kids.
“Oh good. Lunch is ready,” Mrs. McKinney said. She wiped her hand on a dish towel, eyeing Tuck out of her peripherals.
He wasn’t sure if that look meant I’m not done talking or Say nothing about this conversation. Regardless, Tuck was done with their talk. He’d said his piece, tried to get Mrs. McKinney to consider Piper’s wants. It was up to her and God to do the rest of the work.
As Tuck sat at the kitchen table, he watched Piper as inconspicuously as possible. He searched for anything that would give him a hint of her feelings. Lord God, could You show me something?
What if Piper cared for him the way he cared for her? Could he skip some of the steps in his plan, make a play for her heart, and still come out smelling like roses? Or was it better to show Mrs. McKinney and anyone else watching that he could make something of himself and provide for her?
“What were y’all talking about in here?” Mr. McKinney asked when he came in. “Looks like it was a serious conversation.”
“Tuck was just expressing his concern over the news.” Mrs. McKinney waved a hand. “I told him your lawyers have everything under control.”
Okay, so the look had meant Say nothing about this conversation.
“You have lawyers?” Piper asked.
“Of course we do. The same ones we use for business are helping us out with these ridiculous accusations,” Mr. McKinney said.
Tuck studied his former employer. Ian McKinney had aged overnight. Deep grooves lined his mouth and creased his forehead. Not to mention it looked like his hair had become more salt than pepper since the last time he’d seen the man.
For the first time since Tuck read the news article, he wondered how it would affect Piper if Bolt Brook was actually found guilty of using blood-doping agents. Trying to increase the number of red blood cells in a horse was a huge no-no. Yeah, the drugs could possibly increase the horse’s oxygen capacity and performance, but they could also increase the risk of stroke and heart attack.
This wasn’t just about the legalities of horse racing but the humanity of raising horses. Piper loved the sport, but she loved horses more. If her dad had any hand in this, she would be crushed. Not to mention the impact it would have on her own reputation.
Lord, what’s the truth? I pray it’s revealed sooner than later so I can help in whatever way I need to.
Tuck kept quiet as Piper chatted with her folks. He took a bite of his tuna melt and prayed right there. Everyone was trying to act normal, but the unknown had his shoulders rising toward his ears and his pulse drumming way too quickly. Because even though it was quiet, almost serene, inside the house, Tuck couldn’t forget those cameras stationed outside.
“How’s the training going for your colt?” Mr. McKinney looked to Piper for an answer.
“Dream is just that. A dream. Don’t you think, Tuck?”
He swallowed. This was not a conversation he wanted to have in front of her parents. Like it or not, Mr. McKinney had a couple of horses going up against them in the next race. That is, if the racing commission allowed him to. Tuck didn’t see him as the enemy, but he certainly wouldn’t give away any trade secrets.
“Maybe we should talk about something else?” he said.
Piper’s eyes roamed his face as if trying to read his thoughts. He arched his eyebrow.
“Right. We should probably talk about something else.” She looked hesitantly at her father.
“That’s okay, sweetheart. If Tuck thinks my integrity holds no weight, we can certainly change the subject for him.” Ian McKinney gave him a hardened stare.
“Now, Mr. McKinney, that’s not what I’m suggesting at all.” Tuck dropped his fork. “You have two colts in the next race. No one talks about how their horses are doing with their fellow racers. It has nothing to do with today’s headlines. Nothing.” He couldn’t stress that enough. He didn’t want his future in-laws—Lord, please let that be true—upset with him or thinking he didn’t believe in them. He just wanted to make sure Dream had a fair run.
Mr. McKinney scoffed. “Sure, it has nothing to do with our name being plastered all over the papers and across the internet for all to speculate on our principles.”
“Dad, you know Tuck thinks highly of you. I’m sure being wrongly accused is tough, but don’t take it out on your support system.”
Mr. McKinney’s jaw bulged.
“Dear...” Mrs. McKinney said, cajoling him.
The man blew out a breath. “I apologize.”
Tuck nodded.
Mrs. McKinney looked at him, then toward her husband. “I think your point about changing the conversation is warranted.”
If the tension in the room wasn’t so thick that it felt like he’d walked into a sauna, he’d laugh. Instead, Tuck searched for the right response. “Yes, ma’am.”
The conversation went smoothly then, but the antsy feeling crawling through his middle didn’t leave until Tuck was back in his house ... alone.
All the way home, he’d thought about Piper. How she allowed him to comfort her, how she knew he was in her corner. If the world was gonna start hurling insults and tarnish her reputation, Tuck wanted her to know just why he was always in her corner.
He stared at the text message that sat waiting for him to hit the send button. For some reason, telling the guys the whole truth felt like a big deal. Like once he let it out, Tuck wouldn’t be able to contain his feelings. Surely that wasn’t right, right?
First saying a quick prayer, Tuck hit the button and waited to see what his friends would say.
Tuck
I’m in love with Piper.
He had a reply in no time.
Chris
’Bout time you admit that!
Lamont
Hallelujah. I think the angels are rejoicing. Had to be the most denied feelings in the history of man.
Tuck
So glad y’all are amused.
Chris
More like happy for you.
Lamont
What he said.
Tuck
I’ve got a plan.
Chris
You and your plans. Just tell her.
Lamont
Again—what he said.
Tuck
Not sure I’m good enough for her. Shouldn’t she want more than a horse trainer?
Lamont
There’s a new show for farmers who want to find wives. They seem to be a hot commodity.
Tuck
I train horses.
Lamont
On a farm.
Chris
Lamont: 1 Tucker: 0