Kentucky Sunrise by Fern Michaels Page A

Grandma Fanny talks about all of you a lot.” He smiled.
    Emmie looked into the boy’s eyes and smiled back. He was the right height, the right weight, and his touch was as gentle as a feather. “Training to be a jockey is a lot of hard work. It’s also dangerous and scary at times. Did you meet Hifly?” she asked wistfully.
    â€œYes, and he came right up to me. I think he liked me. I don’t know anything about horses, but I sure would like to learn.” He turned to look at his mother. She nodded. “I want to apply for the job. The training. Whatever you call it.”
    â€œSit here,” Emmie said, motioning to a small stool next to her wheelchair. “I wasn’t kidding when I said the training is a lot of hard work. You have to love the animals first. Hifly is easy to love. The funny thing is, no one wanted him but me. I think he can be trained to race. Unfortunately, I’m not going to be able to do that training. I don’t know if Mom has the stamina anymore. We have other trainers, but Mom is the best. With the right jockey and the right trainer, I think Hifly could make a run for the Derby. If you think you’d like to be part of that, then I’d say we have an even better chance of making it happen. The most important thing of all is the fear factor. If you even think you’re going to be afraid, then it isn’t the right profession for you. It’s a lot to think about, Jake. You’ve never been on a horse, have you?” His negative shake of his head made Emmie smile. “We have a couple of horses that can carry you up and down the track so you can get the feel of being on a horse’s back. You’re pretty high off the ground, believe it or not. Once you feel comfortable, then it’s on to bigger and better things. I’ll talk to Mom later today to see what we can arrange.”
    Sunny’s eyes filled with tears and thanks as she stared across the porch at Emmie.
    â€œMom, did you hear that? Harry, do you think I can do it?”
    â€œJake, you can do whatever you set your mind to doing. Emmie is right, it won’t be easy, and you have to give a hundred percent. What did your aunt Nealy say?”
    â€œNothing. I didn’t ask her, Harry. I wanted to run it by Mom before I said anything. You know I never make a decision on anything unless Mom approves. Grandma Fanny thinks it’s a wonderful idea. I think she’s going to talk to Aunt Nealy. Uncle Sage thinks I can do it, too. What about you, Emmie?”
    He is a handsome youngster, Emmie thought as she reached for his hand. He has unruly blond curls just like his mother and the same bright blue eyes. It’s obvious he loves his mother, and her handicap doesn’t bother him at all. “I think your grandmother and Sage could be right. I think you would make a great jockey.”
    The boy let his breath out in a long explosive sigh. “I’m going back down to the barn. Mom, can I get you anything before I go?”
    â€œNo, honey, go ahead. Maybe later we’ll take a spin down there to see what’s going on.”
    Sunny waited until Jake was out of earshot. “See, Emmie, that’s what I mean. I am his mother. He’s never forgotten that even though Iris and Sage raised him. He’s my son. I’m his mother. It will always be like that for us. Thanks for what you did just now. I’m sure your mother told you Jake’s story, about how he wanted to be a navy pilot from the time he was five years old. It was the most crushing blow when he finally had to accept that it could never be. But,” Sunny said philosophically, “when one door closes, another one opens.”
    Emmie stared off into the distance. Would she ever be able to accept a less than normal life the way Sunny appeared to accept it? She didn’t know.
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    Nealy looked around at her entourage and smiled. “That’s pretty much it as far as