Chapter Thirteen
Thirteen
The day couldn’t be more perfect. God had painted a beautiful setting with the sun high in the sky and the temperature an ideal sixty degrees. The stage was set for Tessa to win the Preakness and take the second step toward the Triple Crown.
But no matter the weather, the thrill that always slid through Cassie at each race had to do with the stomp of the hooves in the stalls as the horses eagerly awaited their shining moment, the thick aroma of straw, the colorful silks adorning each horse, the tangible excitement of the jockeys as they shared last-minute talks with their trainers.
Which was exactly what Cassie and Tessa had just finished doing. Cassie had the utmost confidence that this race would go in their favor, but strange things always happened and they both knew better than to get cocky—especially at this point.
The first third of the Triple Crown was theirs, but this was a new day, a new race and a whole other level of adrenaline rushes.
Cassie followed behind as Tessa rode Don Pedro from the stables through the paddock and entered the track. No matter the outcome, Cassie was proud of her sister, of what they’d accomplished in their years together.
Soon their racing season would come to an end and Cassie would move on with her goal of opening a riding camp for handicapped children. Training a Triple Crown winner would put her in high demand in the horse-breeding world, but she hoped to use that reputation as a launching point for her school.
And beyond the school worries, her father was getting offers from his most heated rival, Jake Mason, to buy the prizewinning horses. Their season wasn’t even over yet, for heaven’s sake.
But those thoughts would have to wait until after the competition.
As would her thoughts of a certain Hollywood agent who had stayed behind on the estate to get some work done without distractions.
The majority of the film crew had accompanied the Barringtons to Baltimore, Maryland, but today they were spectators, enjoying the race.
They’d gotten many great shots from Louisville a couple of weeks ago, so now they were able to relax.
..somewhat. Cassie knew they were still taking still shots for the ad campaign, but not as many as at the derby.
As Tessa rode onto the track, Cassie couldn’t help but smile. There was so much to be thankful for right now in her life. One chapter of her career was coming to an end. Another was going to begin in a few months. Her daughter was happy and healthy and nearing her first birthday.
And, delicious icing on the cake, Ian Shaffer had entered her life.
For how long she didn’t know. But she did know that, for now, they were together and he had admitted his feelings were strong.
But did that mean he’d want to try something long distance?
Or would he stay around a little longer after the film was finished?
So many questions and none of them would be answered today. She needed to concentrate and be there for Tessa. All else could wait until this race was over.
In no time the horses were in their places and Cassie felt her father’s presence beside her.
His arm snaked around her waist, the silent support a welcome comfort.
Each race had nerves balling up in her stomach, but nothing could be done now.
The training for the Preakness was complete and now they waited for the fastest, most exciting moment in sports.
Cassie glanced toward the grandstands, and the colorful array of hats and suits had her smile widening. Excitement settled heavily over the track as everyone’s gaze was drawn to the starting gate.
“You’re trembling,” her father whispered into her ear.
Cassie let out a shaky laugh. “I think that’s you.”
His arm tightened around her waist as a robust chuckle escaped. “I believe you’re right, my dear.”
The gun sounded and Cassie had no time for nerves. She couldn’t keep her eyes off the places switching, the colored numbers on the board swapping out as horses passed each other and inched toward the lead.
Don Pedro was in forth. Cassie fisted her hands so tight, her short nails bit into her palms.
“Come on. Come on,” she muttered.
Tessa eased past third and into second on the last turn.
The announcer’s tone raised in excitement as Tessa inched even farther toward the head of the race. Cassie wanted to close her eyes to pray, but she couldn’t take her gaze off the board.
Just as the first two horses headed to the finish line, Cassie started jumping up and down. Excitement, fear, nerves... They all had her unable to stand still.
And when the announcer blared that the winner was Don Pedro by a nose, Cassie jumped even higher, wrapped her arms around her father’s neck and squealed like a little girl.
“We did it,” he yelled, embracing her. “My girls did it!”
Damon jerked back, gripped her hand and tugged her toward the winner’s circle, where Tessa met them. Her radiant smile, the mass of people surrounding her and the flash of cameras all announced there was a new winner.
Grant was right there in the throng of people, his grin so wide there was no way to hide the pride beaming off him.
Cassie’s heart lurched. She loved that Tessa had found the man of her dreams, couldn’t be happier for the couple. But, for the first time, Cassie was not the first one Tessa turned to after a race.
And that was not jealousy talking.... Cassie loved seeing Tessa and Grant so happy, and sharing Tessa’s affection was fine. It was the fact that Cassie still felt empty when monumental things happened. Whom did she turn to to celebrate or for a shoulder to cry on?
Tessa turned her head, caught Cassie’s eye and winked down at her. Returning the wink, Cassie smiled to hide her sad thoughts.
Soon reporters were thrusting microphones in her face, as well. Very few ever won the Triple Crown, and a team of females was practically unheard of. History was definitely in the making.
The Barrington sisters had done it again, and with only one more race to go to round out the season and secure the coveted Triple Crown, Cassie knew she needed to focus now more than ever on training for the Belmont.
Which meant keeping her heart shielded from Ian, because if he penetrated too much more, she feared she’d never be able to recover if it all fell apart.
They were gone for days, weeks.
Okay, maybe it wasn’t weeks, but Ian felt as if he hadn’t seen Cassie forever. Which told him he was going to be in trouble when it came time for him to head back to L.A.
She’d arrived home late last night and he’d known she’d be tired, so he had stayed away to let her rest and spend time with Emily. But knowing she was so close was hard.
As he headed toward the stables just as the sun peeked overtop the hilltops, Ian wanted to spend some time with her.
He’d actually ached for her while she’d been away.
Like most of the nation, he’d watched with eyes glued to the television during the Preakness and he’d jumped out of his seat and cheered when Don Pedro crossed the finish line for the win.
The familiar smell of hay greeted him before he even hit the entrance. As soon as he crossed the threshold, Ian spotted Nash cleaning out a stall.
“Morning,” Ian greeted him.
Nash nodded a good-morning and continued raking old hay. “Cassie isn’t here yet,” he said without looking up.
Ian grinned. Apparently he and Cassie weren’t very discreet...not that they’d tried to be, but they also hadn’t been blatant about their relationship, either.
“Hey, Ian.”
He turned to see Tessa striding into the stables, all smiles with her hair pulled back.
“Congrats on the win.” Ian couldn’t help but offer a quick hug with a pat on her back. “That was one intense race.”
Tessa laughed. “You should’ve seen it from my point of view.”
Her eyes darted to Nash, then back to Ian. “What brings you out this early?”
Ian shrugged, sliding his hands into his pockets. “Just looking for Cassie.”
Tessa’s grin went into that all-knowing mode as she quirked a brow. “She actually was up most of the night with Emily. Poor baby is teething and nobody is getting any sleep.”
“But Cassie has to be exhausted. You just got back late last night,” he argued, realizing he was stating nothing new to Tessa.
Shrugging, Tessa sighed. “I know. I offered to take Emily for the night, but Cassie wouldn’t hear of it.”
Probably because the last time Cassie had been without her child, she had been locked in the attic with him.
“She’s spreading herself too thin,” Ian muttered.
Nash walked around them and pulled a bale of hay from the stack against the wall, then moved back into the stall. Ian shifted closer to the doorway to get out of the quiet groom’s way.
“Follow me,” Tessa said with a nod.
Intrigued, Ian fell into step behind the famous jockey. She stopped just outside the stables, but away from where Nash could overhear.
“This isn’t where you tell me if I hurt your sister you’ll kill me, is it?” he asked with a smile.
Tessa laughed and shook her head, eyes sparkling with amusement. “You’re smart enough to know that goes without saying. I wanted to discuss something else, actually.”
“And what’s that?”
“Did Cassie ever tell you about the little getaway she and Grant came up with for me? Grant felt I was pushing myself too hard, never taking time for myself to regroup and recharge.”
Ian grinned. “Must run in the family.”
“Yeah, we Barringtons are all made of the same stubborn stuff.”
Ian had no doubt the almighty Damon Barrington had instilled all his work ethic into his girls and that hard work and determination were paying off in spades.
“I’d like to return the favor,” Tessa went on. “Are you up for taking a few days away from here?”
Was he? Did he want to leave Lily when they were still negotiating a contract? He didn’t mind leaving Max. The actor could handle anything and Ian was very confident with their working relationship.
It was Lily that worried him. But he couldn’t be in her face all the time. He’d spoken with her a few times since their dinner meeting. She’d promised a decision once she realized which agency would offer her the most and which one she’d feel most at home with.
He had to believe she’d see that his company was hands down the front-runner.
And a few days away with Cassie? He had deals and meetings to get back to, but after days without her, how could he not want to jump at that chance?
“Should I take that smile to mean you’re going to take me up on this offer?”
Ian nodded. “I think I will. What did you have in mind?”