Chapter Text
Ashleigh leaned her head against Megara's soft neck and ran her fingers through the mare's soft black mane and let out a sigh. A few minutes later Megara craned her neck around to nudge Ashleigh out of her daydream. She smiled lovingly and kissed the dark bay mare on the moon-shaped star on her forehead. A sweet smell of hay, dust and musk entered her nostrils and Ashleigh couldn't help closing her eyes. It's the best scent in the world.
"Daydreaming again?" Mike said from outside the stall. His blue eyes sparkled teasingly. "What were you dreaming about this time?"
Ashleigh chuckled before giving Megara a final pat on the shoulder and let herself out of the stall. "Oh, you know. Just the usual. Becoming the first female jockey to win an Eclipse Award, winning the Triple Crown, winning the Grand Slam. Nothing completely far-fetched or out of reach," Ashleigh said, her tone dripping with irony.
"That's it?" Mike snorted. "Piece of cake. You should aim higher. It's healthy to be ambitious and have some goals in life."
Ashleigh laughed and pushed him playfully. Mike grabbed her arm, pinned her against the wall and began to tickle her. "Stop baby! You're scaring the horses!" Ashleigh said, through uncontrollable laughter. The horses were eyeing them with curiosity and Ashleigh knew that she was being over-dramatic by saying that they were scared. They were munching on mouthfuls of hay looking very calm. Bored even.
"You're scaring the horses. Laughing like that," Mike said, but he stopped tickling her and Ashleigh took a moment to get her breathing under control.
"What's going on out here?" Gene came out of the office looking at Ashleigh and Mike with a raised eyebrow. He was looking extremely professional in a dark blue suit, freshly ironed white shirt and tie.
"Nothing Dad," Mike answered quickly. "When are we heading into town for that meeting?" he added.
Ashleigh shot him a look of amusement. Mike seemed very quick to change the subject.
Gene glanced at his watch and said, "Meet me out front in fifteen minutes. You're going like that?" He eyed Mike up and down with a touch of disapproval. Ashleigh couldn't help stifling a grin.
Mike glanced down at his sweatshirt, faded jeans and sneakers and gave his father a puzzled stare. "I was going to, but I can catch a hint," he said slowly. His eyes ran over his father's attire.
"Great. You look like a frat kid," Gene said. "You almost made me think you're still in college," he teased as he turned to walk away.
Mike scoffed, "So I'll put on my suit and look like a fifty-year-old like you?"
"I'm forty-five! Not fifty!" Gene called from down the barn aisle.
Ashleigh met Mike's sparkling eyes and they both laughed. "Do you want me to help you change?" Ashleigh asked, taking his hand.
"I'd love that," Mike said, flashing her a bright white smile.
Ashleigh didn't mind the frat boy look and. At twenty-three, Mike was just as drop-dead gorgeous to her as he had been when they were teenagers. His blond hair was shorter than it had been in high school, except for that one summer where he had lost a bet to his friend Tyler right before graduation and had to cut everything off, but everything else had almost stayed the same. As Mike undressed before her, throwing the clothes in a messy stack on his desk chair, Ashleigh eyed his figure appreciatively. Mike's body was one of perfection–lean, sculpted shoulders, well-defined arms, broad chest and a mouth-watering six-pack across the abs. Mike turned around to look in his closet and Ashleigh was able to admire him from the back too.
"Blue or black?" Mike said, holding up a dark blue suit in one hand and a black one in the other.
"Blue," Ashleigh said with a confident smile. "Isn't black for funerals?"
Mike chuckled, "Depends, I think. Fine I'll wear the blue even though I probably would have chosen the black one." He found a nice white shirt which looked slightly wrinkled and Ashleigh darted into the hallway to the spare bedroom and grabbed the iron and ironing board.
"Here, let me help you, baby," Ashleigh offered, reaching out for the shirt.
"Thanks babe. You're the best," Mike said.
"I know. Don't you forget it," Ashleigh grinned teasingly.
Mike pulled on the dress pants and changed his socks to a pair of black ones. Ashleigh ironed his shirt and helped him put it on along with his suit jacket.
"How do I look?" Mike asked.
"Very handsome," Ashleigh said. "For a frat boy anyway," she teased.
"Ashleigh," Gene called from downstairs.
"Yes?" Ashleigh asked him, stepping out into the hallway and meeting his gaze.
"Tell Michael to wear a tie," Gene said.
"I will!" Ashleigh said.
"And one more thing," Gene said. "No two actually. Can you make sure he irons his shirt correctly and tell him to wear the blue suit. Black is for funerals."
"I already did!" Ashleigh called, giving him a thumbs-up sign.
"You're a lifesaver. What would he do without you?" Gene said, sending her a thankful smile that warmed her whole heart.
"You dad wants you to wear a–," Ashleigh's eyes rested on the tie around Mike's neck. "Tie."
"Yeah, thanks. I heard all that. I'm pretty sure he wanted me to hear," Mike said, pretending to be offended.
"He just wants to make sure that his only son looks presentable for the meeting," Ashleigh said, squeezing his hand lovingly.
Mike mumbled something as they headed down the stairs. Ashleigh wished him and Gene good luck and waved them off. Gene occasionally had important meetings in Lexington or Louisville and ever since Mike had graduated college, his father had brought him along for almost every single one. Some were less important than others but this particular meeting was a very important one with the bank about a larger expansion of the farm.
Ashleigh walked across the graveled driveway and toward the stables, eyeing everything like it was the first time she had set eyes on Whitebrook. Behind her was Mike and Gene's cottage and across from that was Len's smaller cottage which he had shared with Charlie for the past year. To the left lay the cottage that Samantha and her father Ian McLean shared. Down the graveled driveway the eye met three barns–one housing the stallions, another one the broodmares and the last one the horses in training. The two of the barns were newer than the one to the right but the old one had just been renovated the year before and only the experienced eye could tell the difference. The barns overlooked the mile-long training oval and lush green pastures and trails surrounded the property. Whitebrook was much larger now than when she and Mike had first started dating, but it was just as charming and beautiful.
Well at least almost everything is, Ashleigh thought as her eyes caught sight of a shed and a smaller guest cottage which stood at the farther end of the property. It wasn't used for anything but storage and Ashleigh had always thought it was a shame. The cottage had the farm's best view. It was on higher ground and you could see everything from that spot. Unfortunately it was very run-down and needed a lot of TLC for it to even be livable.
Three years ago when she had started college, it had been convenient for her to stay at Whitebrook with Mike on the weekdays so that they could drive to school together every day. Convenience had only been part of it–she and Mike had been crazy in love and wanted to spend every minute of every day together. Mike had graduated college a little over a year ago and not once had any of them questioned Ashleigh still living at Whitebrook. It was the most natural thing in the world and she couldn't imagine living anywhere else.
Ashleigh headed back to the stables and found Charlie, Len and Hero outside the training barn. The small black and brown Yorkie was getting more gray hair on his nose and around his eyes for every passing year but he was still the happiest dog in the world. When he spotted Ashleigh he barked with joy and ran to her like he hadn't seen her for weeks.
"Hi boy! What have you been up to? Did you help Len?" Ashleigh asked, kneeling down to pet the over-excited dog who was jumping up on her knees and trying to lick her face.
Len laughed at the sight and said, "He sure did. He helped taste the water in all the buckets to make sure that it was fresh and had the correct temperature before we gave it to the horses." He looked down at the Yorkie with a loving expression on his face. Ashleigh knew that Len loved the happy dog just as much as she and Mike did. Charlie stuffed his hands in his pockets but his eyes were sparkling happily.
Ashleigh laughed as she stroked Hero on his small head. "What a good boy, Hero! You are such a good little helper!" The dog waved his tail at the praise and looked very pleased with himself. "Do you need help with anything?" Ashleigh asked Len and Charlie as she stood up and brushed the small dirt paws off her jeans.
"We just finished up here," Len said. "You can join us on our coffee break if you have time?"
"Sure, I'd love to!" Ashleigh said, smiling at the groom.
The three of them went to the small coffee room beside Gene's office and made themselves a cup of coffee each. Charlie and Len drank black coffee and Ashleigh poured a good portion of milk in hers. Over the last six years she had progressed from ice lattes with caramel syrup, which mostly contained sugar, to black coffee with milk. She still couldn't imagine drinking espresso and fortunately she didn't have to. They perched themselves on a picnic bench overlooking the pastures. Frank, one of the pleasure horses, looked up and pricked his ears in their direction before returning to grazing. Hero lay down to rest in the soft grass by Ashleigh's feet.
"It's gonna be interesting about the expansion," Charlie said.
"Yes, very! I can't believe what Mike and his father have done in just six years," Ashleigh said, taking a sip of her coffee.
"Yup. They've sure been working hard and it's paying off. And they've been blessed with some really good horses to bring in some cash flow. Jazzman's three- and four-year-old campaign, Indigo had some decent races, Moondrone, Rilla, Megs..." Len said.
"Paloma," Ashleigh pitched in.
"Yes, Paloma," Len said, chuckling. "She definitely tested everyone's patience but what racehorse she became."
Ashleigh nodded with a smile on her face. Paloma had been quite a handful as a two-year-old and every time they thought she was ready to settle down and get down to business she found some new quirks to try out. Many trainers would probably have given up on her long before Mike, Gene and Ashleigh did, but patience had paid off in the end and the filly had broken her maiden in the third quarter of her three-year-old year and gone on to win multiple stakes races. She had been retired after her five-year-old season with a record of 14-6-4-1. She was in foal to Jazzman and was expecting her first foal in the spring. Everyone was so excited. Ashleigh knew the foal was going to be so special.
"And we still have Megs, Sixty and Rilla racing this year." Ashleigh said. We. As soon as the words had escaped her mouth she glanced at Charlie and Len to see if they had noticed. She had meant to say "they" as in Mike and Gene. But neither Charlie or Len seemed to notice. Sometimes Ashleigh got so caught up in Whitebrook that it felt like the horses were just as much hers as they were Mike and Gene's.
"They are all three very good horses. You and Mike have done wonders with Megs. And Ian's expertise has certainly helped in conditioning Rilla," Len said.
Ashleigh nodded, "Yeah, he's a great trainer."
"Yup," Charlie agreed.
"And having Pride here has surely given the farm a lot of publicity too," Len said with a smile.
"Yup! I still wish I could have Wonderstruck here too!" Ashleigh said, thinking about Wonder's two-year-old colt.
Wonderstruck was sired by Magnetic, one of Townsend Acres top stallions. He was an eye-catching honey-colored chestnut colt with a lively personality. He had broken his maiden at Saratoga in July against some of the country's best looking maidens. Everyone had high hopes for him. Ashleigh had wanted Wonderstruck to train at Whitebrook but Mr. Townsend had been very firm about having the colt train under Maddock at Townsend Acres. He had reminded Ashleigh that she had Pride at Whitebrook and she had reluctantly agreed. Her disappointed look had not gone unnoticed by Mr. Townsend and he had promised her that Wonder's next foal would go to Whitebrook. Ashleigh couldn't wait. In February, Wonder gave birth to a gorgeous coal-black filly with no other markings than Wonder's signature blaze. The filly was sired by Eclipsonite, who was Brad's horse and a very good one. He had run third in the Kentucky Derby before winning both the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes. Ashleigh had named the filly Still So Wondrous. Wonder had been bred to Smart Nation that spring, also known around Townsend Acres as Smarty. Smarty had always held a special place in Ashleigh's heart and she was so excited for that foal too.
Ashleigh wished that she had Wonder and all of Wonder's offspring at Whitebrook, but she knew that Wonder was well-taken care of in April and Jesse's care and she trusted Maddock and Rachel completely with Wonderstruck's training. She had requested that Philip would be assigned as his groom when the colt had been transferred to the training barn and she knew that Wonder's son was in good hands.
"I'll see you later!" Ashleigh said cheerfully as she got up to leave.
"What are you up to?" Charlie asked.
"I think I'll go give Saxo some kisses!" Ashleigh said with a grin.
Charlie and Len chuckled to themselves and Ashleigh didn't stay around to hear them teasing her. Kissing the horses was definitely not Charlie's thing and Ashleigh could count on one hand how many times she had seen Len drop a quick kiss on one of the horses.
Saxo Fleet was the product of Ashleigh's dream breeding: Fleet Goddess and Jazzman. He was a yearling colt with beautiful confirmation and a sweet personality much like his dam and sire. Saxo Fleet, who just went by the name Saxo, had inherited Jazzman's stunning black coat and Fleet Goddess' triangle-shaped star. The yearling was bright and eager to learn and Ashleigh and Mike were very happy with how well he was coming along.
"Hi Saxo, beautiful boy!" Ashleigh greeted the black colt who pricked his ears to the sound of her voice and bobbed his head in excitement. Ashleigh dropped a kiss on his nose and rubbed the white triangle on his forehead. The yearling stood quietly as Ashleigh let herself into his stall and began to go over his coat with a soft brush. "Are you the most beautiful yearling Whitebrook's ever seen?" she crooned.
"I'll say!" Sammy said from outside the stall, grinning happily at Ashleigh. "Hey Saxo," she reached out to the yearling who huffed softly into her hand.
"Sammy! When did you get back?" Ashleigh said, flashing the younger girl a bright smile.
"Just now! My dad's outside talking to Charlie and Len," Sammy said. Her red hair looked radiant as always and her green eyes sparkled. "Where's Mike and his dad?"
"They're in town for a meeting about the expansion," Ashleigh answered.
"Oooh, it's so exciting! I hope everything turns out the way they hope for," Sammy said, smiling nervously.
"Yeah, me too," Ashleigh said, feeling as nervous as Sammy looked. "So how was the sale? Did you and your dad see any horses you liked?" Ian had taken Sammy to a smaller bankruptcy sale on the other side of Lexington. Mostly to spend some time alone with his daughter but also to show her a different side of the industry.
"Nah, not really," Sammy said with a wrinkled nose. "It was fine, the horses were sweet but there didn't really seem to be anything special. Not that we were interested in buying any in the first place," she added.
"Sure," Ashleigh said. "But you never know. You might have bypassed the next Triple Crown winner," she grinned teasingly.
Sammy laughed and stroked Saxo on the neck. "I highly doubt it. If you'd seen their stock you would agree," she said. "But we might have the next Triple Crown winner right here already." She eyed Saxo with appreciation.
Ashleigh gazed at the black beauty beside her with a dreamy look in her eyes. No number was high enough to describe how many times she had dreamt about Saxo winning the Triple Crown. Or Wonderstruck or Still So Wondrous. They were even a year apart so they didn't even have to race against each other. They could all win it–three years in a row. How's that for aiming high, she thought, thinking about how Mike had teased her earlier about being ambitious and setting goals. She chuckled to herself, feeling incredibly foolish. Keep dreaming, Ashleigh. There's a higher chance that you'll win the lottery.
Mike and his father returned to Whitebrook a few hours later with good news. The business plan had been approved by the bank and Gene had invited everyone to a nice restaurant in Lexington that evening to celebrate. Mike had seemed especially overjoyed and Ashleigh thought it was a long time since she had seen him so excited about anything. She was so thrilled for him, Gene and Whitebrook and so excited for what the expansion would bring of new successes for the farm.
"Congratulations baby. I'm so happy for you and your dad. And for Whitebrook. I'm really proud of you," Ashleigh said when they were alone in Mike's car, driving home from the restaurant later that evening. She leaned over to kiss him on the cheek.
Mike flashed her a stunning smile and he looked beyond happy with the praise. He reached over to squeeze her thigh lovingly and said, "Thanks so much, baby. I love you to the moon and back a billion times."
"I love you more than all the stars in the sky," Ashleigh said, gazing at him with nothing but love in her eyes.
"Wow, that's a lot," Mike said. "I'll have to look up how many stars are actually in the sky." He winked and Ashleigh laughed.
***
Ashleigh loved Sundays. Every Sunday morning she would go to Townsend Acres to watch Wonderstruck's workout and to visit Wonder and her foal. Maddock had been incredibly thoughtful to schedule the colt's workouts so that Ashleigh could follow his progress every week and Ashleigh had told him multiple times how grateful she was.
Sometimes Mike would go with her to Townsend Acres, sometimes Charlie and sometimes Sammy. She had yet to experience going alone, someone was always eager to come with her. Today, Sammy and Charlie joined her. Gene needed Mike's help with some of the stallions since Len was occupied with the mares.
When they arrived at Townsend Acres, Ashleigh was surprised to see that there was a security guard on duty at the end of the driveway. The uniformed security guard held up his hand and she rolled down the window and stopped the car. He was black-haired with a graying top and sides and he had a deep tan. He looked like he had been fit thirty years ago but would have trouble catching a ten-year-old now.
"Name?" the security guard asked without emotion. He seemed to enjoy having the authority to stop her as his look condescending read "I have the authority to give you the green light or tell you to fuck off".
"Uh, Ashleigh Griffen," Ashleigh replied, doing her best to smile politely.
"What's your errand here?" the security guard asked, his eyes dropping to the clipboard in his hand.
"I co-own a couple of horses with Mr. Townsend. I'm here to see them," Ashleigh answered with confidence.
The security guard didn't seem the least bit impressed. His eyes scrolled the list slowly while he shook his head ever so slightly. "Nope," he said.
"What do you mean–nope? I can call Mr. Townsend right now and I'm sure he will tell you to let me in," Ashleigh said, her cheeks beginning to heat up with annoyance.
"Mr. Townsend made this list himself. He will not be pleased to be contacted–," the security guard started to say, but Ashleigh cut him off.
"Can you please reach Mr. Townsend–Clay Townsend and sort out this misunderstanding?" Ashleigh asked as politely as she was able to even though she had already lost her patience at his "Nope".
The security guard looked surprised. "Clay Townsend? No, not him. Brad Townsend made the list. Mr. Clay is out of town on a business trip."
"Enough of this," Ashleigh said, taking out her phone and dialed Brad's number. Brad hardly had time to say hello, before she said impatiently, "Brad, can you tell your new security personnel that I'm allowed to go see my own horses, please?"
"Good morning to you too, Ashleigh. I'm pretty sure you're on the list," Brad said.
"I'd like to think so too, but apparently I'm not. So if you don't mind..." Ashleigh said.
"Yeah, hold on," Brad said, hanging up.
Ten seconds later the security guard received a text on his phone and he nodded his head and said, "It's all sorted out. You're allowed to enter."
"Thanks," Ashleigh mumbled, stepping on the gas. Thanks for allowing me to enter to see my own damn horses, she thought with a deep frown.
"What was up with that?" Sammy asked, looking back at the security guard with a quizzical expression on her face.
"Brad flashing his importance. What a waste of everyone's time," Charlie said. Ashleigh couldn't agree more.
Townsend Acres was a huge operation and Ashleigh felt that something new had been installed or built every month she set foot on the property. As they drove down the long tree-lined driveway she counted at least five groundskeepers and another four as they entered the large newly tiled guest parking lot. Every branch on every tree was perfectly cut, no bush was taller than the other and colorful flowers which looked fine to Ashleigh's eye were being replaced by brighter and bigger flowers. It's just never enough, Ashleigh thought as she eyed the surroundings. Townsend Acres was beautiful, no doubt about it, but it wasn't charming or filled with personality as it once had been.
Ashleigh had to admit that the new flowers smelled amazing and she inhaled the floral scent as the three of them headed across the busy stable yard and toward the training barn, greeting some of the familiar stable hands on the way. They spotted Philip and Wonderstruck at the end of the aisle. Philip was throwing a saddle and saddle cloth over the colt's back and tightened the girth. Ashleigh felt so proud every time she laid her eyes on Wonder's two-year-old son and she instantly forgot about the encounter with the security guard and how Brad seemed to have "forgotten" to put her name on the list.
Wonderstruck was tall and handsome. His honey-colored chestnut coat was a couple of shades lighter than Wonder's and Ashleigh thought it was absolutely stunning. He had four white stockings and was blessed with Wonder's signature blaze.
"Good morning, Wonderstruck! It's so good to see you, boy," Ashleigh said, as she greeted the colt with a good rub on his blaze. Wonderstruck nudged her shoulder affectionately and nibbled on her hand. "Sorry, boy, I don't have anything for you. After your workout you can have a carrot, I promise." Wonderstruck snorted as if not completely satisfied. "Hi Philip," she greeted her old friend.
"Hey Ashleigh, typical of you to greet the horse before the people," Philip said with a teasing grin.
"Are you surprised?" Sammy asked him with a laugh.
"Not really," Philip said with a grin. He checked the girth one last time before leading Wonderstruck down toward the training oval. Ashleigh, Sammy and Charlie followed them.
"What's up with that uniformed bouncer out front?" Charlie asked Philip in a low voice.
Philip snorted and replied, "Oh, you met Fabrizio? Downright dipshit that's what he is. I drive in and out of here close to four times a day and he still stops me, checks my licence plate, looks for my name on that fucking clipboard. Sometimes the whole ordeal creates a line of over ten cars and he just stands there looking important, taking his time. Moron."
Sammy and Philip continued sharing their observations on Fabrizio the Farm Bouncer. Charlie found Hank by the rail and went to stand beside him. Ashleigh greeted Maddock and Rachel by the gap. Rachel had passed the written and practical trainer's exam the year before and Maddock had fully installed her as his assistant trainer. Ashleigh had been thrilled for her. Even though they had never been close friends, Ashleigh knew that Rachel was a hard worker and she had loads of respect for her.
Milo greeted Ashleigh with a quick nod and a small smile and Maddock gave him a leg up into Wonderstruck's saddle. Ashleigh listened as Maddock gave the seasoned rider instructions. Milo nodded in understanding and without a word he guided Wonderstruck onto the training oval.
For years Ashleigh had misinterpreted Milo's quiet demeanor with arrogance but ever since Maddock had paired him with Wonderstruck, Ashleigh had gotten to know him a lot better. Milo was anything but arrogant. He was a quiet type and never said anything that wasn't necessary. He took his job very seriously and he rode all his horses with professionalism and dedication. Ashleigh had had her doubts about Milo riding the colt at first but Maddock had almost guaranteed her that Milo would be a good match for Wonderstruck. It didn't take more than two workouts for Ashleigh to be convinced and she had to admit that she had been impressed with the trainer's abilities in matching riders with horses.
Wonderstruck was pulling impatiently on the reins throughout the warm-up but Milo had him well in hand and finally the colt seemed to settle down. He lifted his feet elegantly and with a spring in his step as if to show off to the audience standing by the rail. Ashleigh couldn't help smiling as she watched the colt.
She heard footsteps beside her and before she even had to look, she could smell Brad's cologne. Or aftershave. Or both. She didn't break her gaze from her colt, but she felt Brad's eyes on her.
"Sorry about that earlier," Brad said, sounding anything but sorry.
"I would believe you if you actually made an attempt to say it like you mean it," Ashleigh said. "I know you left out my name on that list on purpose."
Brad pretended to be shocked as he replied, "That would be highly unprofessional of me. If you must know, your name was on the list. Just at the very bottom. In very small letters. Or it couldn't fit on one page. Oh, and in a light gray color. The ink was running out on the printer."
Ashleigh narrowed her eyes and she felt her whole body tensing with annoyance. She knew exactly the expression that marred Brad's face. She just knew him too well. Refusing to give him the satisfaction of her attention that he so desperately yearned for, she imagined how he was grinning at her with that well-known satisfied smirk of his. The son of a bitch is amused. "As long as I won't be held back by Fabrizio again you can spare me your explanations," she said. "Now, I'd like to watch my horse breeze."
Ashleigh could sense Brad turning his attention to Wonderstruck and he said, "Now that's a good looking colt. His breeding screams the classic distance."
Finally something we agree on, Ashleigh thought.
Milo checked his surroundings and guided Wonderstruck closer to the inside rail where he asked the colt to gallop. The flashy two-year-old sprang into the faster gait but Milo still hadn't let him out all the way. Wonderstruck galloped strongly, his long strides effortlessly eating up the ground. The pair flashed by the quarter pole and Milo let him out all the way. Wonderstruck shot forward and left Ashleigh in complete awe as he kept picking up his speed. All too soon he and Milo flashed by the gap and Rachel, Maddock and Charlie simultaneously clicked their stopwatches. Ashleigh didn't need a stopwatch to tell that Wonderstruck had put in a bullet workout and done it effortlessly.
"Twenty-two and three-fifths seconds," Maddock said, trying his best to hide his excitement.
Brad expressed a low whistle beside Ashleigh and she couldn't help breaking into a huge grin herself. Wonderstruck was amazing! Everyone watching by the rail watched the golden colt in complete awe. Milo jogged him back to the gap while patting him on the neck and Wonderstruck pranced and shook his head, knowing he had done a good job.
Ashleigh took the reins and dropped a kiss on Wonderstruck's nose. "What a breeze, boy! You are amazing!" She glanced at Milo and added, "Great ride, Milo!"
"Thanks," Milo said, but he looked stoked as he dismounted and Maddock told him the clocked time for the breeze.
Rachel looked at the colt with an admiring gaze and rubbed his blaze while praising him. She turned her attention back to the track to get ready to clock another two-year-old who was being ridden by Tony.
Ashleigh and Sammy patted the colt generously a few more times before Philip led him away for his cool-down. The colt nudged him playfully. Ashleigh didn't have the same strong bond with Wonderstruck that she and Sammy had with Pride. It was impossible to build a bond like that when they only saw the horse for half an hour once a week. It hurt Ashleigh whenever she thought too much about it but she was happy that Philip took such good care of the colt.
"I've got another hour of workouts," Maddock told Ashleigh. "Are you heading back right away? I'd like to discuss Wonderstruck's next start."
"No, not right away. We wanted to see Wonder and the foal, but I can stop by your office in an hour?" Ashleigh said.
"Perfect," Maddock said with a satisfied nod of his head. His attention was already on DC, another long-time rider for Townsend Acres, who was getting a leg-up into the saddle of a big-boned four-year-old bay horse.
Ashleigh and Sammy went to the pastures to see Wonder and her foal. Still So Wondrous was a gorgeous black filly. Her only marking was Wonder's signature blaze. She would be weaned soon and Ashleigh knew that April and Jesse had gradually begun to get the foals used to be more independent so that the weaning process wouldn't be as scary.
Wonder whinnied loudly when she spotted Ashleigh and Sammy. She cantered gracefully up to the fence with her foal right behind her and demanded affection immediately. The foal threw her head over the fence copying the behavior of her dam. Ashleigh and Sammy took turns giving Wonder and her foal pets and head rubs. Still So Wondrous was a long name and April had begun calling her Stilly and that had stuck.
"Hi Stilly girl. You're sooo adorable," Sammy crooned to the foal. The foal nibbled on Sammy's red curls making her laugh.
Miami Rain, one of the other broodmares, whinnied in the neighboring pasture and Ashleigh looked her way. The gray broodmare recognized her and she didn't look happy to be left out. Ashleigh went to her immediately and scratched her ears.
"Hi Rain, pretty girl. Did you really think I wouldn't come and say hello?" Ashleigh asked, dropping a kiss on her nose. Rain's foal, a playful bay filly by Townsend Prince was standing behind her dam and kicking up her heels. She did it again and eyed Ashleigh and Sammy as if she was showing off her antics.
"She's going to be gray like Rain," Ashleigh said, laughing at the playful foal.
"Yeah, you can already begin to see it around her eyes," Sammy said with a smile on her face. "What do you think they will name her?"
"I don't know. She might not have a name for a long time," Ashleigh said. She might not even stay on the farm, Ashleigh thought. She knew that there was a possibility that Rain's foal would be sold at auction. Only the most promising yearlings stayed at Townsend Acres. The rest would be sold at auction and with Townsend Prince's bloodlines, the filly would most likely bring in a lot of money. Ashleigh pushed the thought out of her mind. The thought of selling horses and offspring of horses that she cared for, ached her heart. She glanced at Wonder and her foal and her heart instantly melted again. At least no one is selling Stilly. And she's coming to Whitebrook when she's old enough to begin her training! she thought excitedly.
Ashleigh glanced at her watch and said, "I'd better go find Maddock. It shouldn't take long." Sammy nodded and waved her off with a smile.
Ashleigh went to the newly built office structure between the training barns and the training oval. Maddock and Rachel each had an office there and the hallway from the offices led to a brand-new staff lounge with several comfortable seating areas, a small kitchen and a TV.
The door to Maddock's office was open and he looked up and motioned for her to come in when he noticed her. His office was lightly furnished with a large mahogany desk and comfortable chairs on either side. A dozen photos hung on the wall–photos of his accomplishments as a trainer. There were photos of him in the winner's circle with Townsend Astor, who was Wonder's Pride's sire, Townsend Prince, Smarty, Pretty Poison, Magnetic, who was Wonderstruck's sire and Eclipsonite, who was Still So Wondrous' sire and some of winners from before Ashleigh was even born.
"Just leave the door open," Maddock said and Ashleigh did just that.
"Wonderstruck is really coming along nicely," Ashleigh said with a smile.
"I'm very pleased with how he's bounced back after his maiden race," Maddock said. "I believe he belongs in stakes competition and I'd like to point him toward the Breeder's Futurity Stakes at Keeneland in early October. Townsend Acres has another possible entry in that race–Street Knight, though it depends on how he runs this Saturday. I don't have to tell you that the race is a 'win and you're in' for the Breeder's Cup Juvenile. Personally, I think that Wonderstruck is a better colt than Street Knight and I believe he has a good shot at winning considering how well he's been training."
Ashleigh's eyes widened with delight, "Wow, that's a big step up after he's only won one race, but I too believe that he belongs in stakes competition after what he showed in that race and due to his breeding. What does Mr. Townsend say? I heard he's away on business?"
"He's overseas. But that's exactly what he said to be honest," Maddock said, chuckling. "He's all in for giving the colt a step up in class and if we're wrong, we'll make a decision for his next start upon that. But I've trained a heck of a lot of young horses in my lifetime and I don't think I'm wrong in thinking that Wonderstruck belongs in stakes competition."
"I don't think you're wrong either. I believe he's special too," Ashleigh said with excitement. She tried to contain herself and stay professional in front of Maddock but she couldn't hold back the huge grin playing across her face if she tried.
"That's settled then. Mr. Townsend will return next week, but I'll let him know when I speak with him either tonight or tomorrow," Maddock said.
"Sounds great, Maddock. Thank you!" Ashleigh said as she got up from the chair.
Ashleigh was so excited. She couldn't wait to tell Sammy and Charlie and she almost ran into Brad, who rounded the corner of the office building.
"Whoa, watch it!" Brad said as he jumped to the left, trying to avoid her. "What's the rush?"
"Oh! Excuse me, I didn't see you." Ashleigh's hand flew to her pounding heart in shock.
Brad frowned in annoyance but his gaze fell to her hand on her chest. He stared at her fourth finger with disgust and Ashleigh quickly looked at it on both sides wondering if there was something wrong with it. She didn't see anything.
"What?" she asked him with a furrowed brow.
"Your patience is remarkable," Brad said with an expression she had difficulty reading.
"What do you mean?" Ashleigh shot him a sharp look.
Brad seemed eager to want to explain, "You and Mike have been together for what, five years? Six? Most women would have demanded an engagement ring by now."
"I guess I'm not 'most women'," Ashleigh said, feeling the heat rising to her cheeks. "What's the rush anyway? I haven't even graduated college."
Brad didn't seem to have heard her and carried on with a mystified look on his face. "Of course there was that one break in your relationship a couple of years ago. Maybe Mike thinks you're too unpredictable to want to marry you."
"Oh, please. Go to hell, Brad," Ashleigh said with a sigh of exasperation. "At least neither of us are going back and forth between exes. Who's the lucky one this week? Or did they both finally wake up and realize that there are much better men out there?"
Brad's jaw tightened and his whole body language changed. He looked absolutely livid and Ashleigh felt a burst of satisfaction. He's so angry he doesn't know what to say, she thought triumphantly.
"Let me guess, is it Lavinia? Or did Sophia take you back? Must be the latter. If Lavinia was here she would be clinging on to your arm like her life depended on it. Tell me, are you allowed to go to the bathroom alone or is that not well received by the lady," Ashleigh taunted him.
"Get the fuck off my property, Ashleigh," Brad said coldly. Several grooms and riders glanced nervously their way and quickly disappeared into the training barn. Ashleigh knew that nobody really wanted to be near Brad when he was in a bad mood.
"Gladly," Ashleigh said as she wandered off to find Sammy and Charlie. She found them waiting by her car in the parking lot. They seemed eager to get going too. On the way back to Whitebrook Ashleigh told them about her talk with Maddock. Sammy seemed super excited and even though Charlie didn't show it, Ashleigh could tell that the old trainer was too.
"Good plan. Exactly the route I would have taken for the colt," Charlie said with a nod of his head. "He should definitely have the opportunity. Time will tell if he's good enough."
Sammy looked at him with surprise and said, "Of course he's good enough. Did you see his breeze?"
"I've seen hundreds of horses breeze black-type works and once they need to fire in a race, they don't," Charlie said.
Ashleigh met Sammy's eye in the rear view mirror and they both stifled a look of amusement. Charlie was being the most typical version of himself and even though his demeanor could come off as pessimistic, Ashleigh always respected his views and opinions. She loved him just the way he was and never wanted him to change.