Kentucky Sunrise by Fern Michaels Page B

the barns and horses go. As you can see, everyone has his or her job, and I’m proud to say we have quite a few women working here. Emmie has developed a smooth-running operation. I’m going to have to hire a few more people because she isn’t going to be able to . . . to . . . work for a while. I’ll be moving back here shortly myself.” She looked around at the interested faces of her family. “If any of you would like to go riding, I can have some riding horses saddled for you. If not, we can go up to the house and settle down on the front porch until the barbecue gets under way.”
    Maggie Coleman Tanaka spoke first. “Would you mind, Nealy, if Cole, Riley, and I just walk around? We won’t touch anything and won’t go near the horses. I’d like to walk barefoot through the bluegrass so I can tell Henry how it felt when I get back to Hawaii.”
    â€œBy all means. Take as long as you like. Sawyer, what about you?”
    â€œI think I’m going to take you up on your offer of the front porch. I want to talk to Emmie and Sunny. Harry, too.”
    â€œNealy, if you don’t mind, Rhy and myself are going to take Sage and Birch over to the stallion cemetery,” Pyne said.
    Nealy nodded as she linked her arm through Fanny’s. “That leaves just the two of us. Let’s sit down over there in the shade. You look tired, Fanny.”
    â€œThat’s because I am tired. Approaching seventy-five might just be a number, but try telling that to this old body. Oh, look, here comes Jake. I love that boy. If Ash were alive, he would be devastated at his grandson’s condition.” A look of sadness settled itself on Fanny’s deeply wrinkled face.
    â€œI want to apply for jockey training,” Jake blurted.
    Nealy looked him over from head to toe. She smiled. “You do, do you?”
    â€œYes, ma’am, I do. I’ve read everything I could get my hands on in regard to Thoroughbreds. I’m sure there is tons more to read, but hands-on should work just as well. I know how to work, Aunt Nealy. I’ll do whatever you say. I’d like to be part of this business. I’d like to work with Emmie’s horse.”
    â€œFirst, you have to get over your fear. I watched you when the horses came up to the fence. You backed away. If you’re afraid, it will never work. We can work on the fear. Did you talk to your family about staying on here and training to be a jockey?”
    â€œI did, and they all think I can do it. Mom thinks it’s a great idea, and so does Harry. Emmie pretty much said the same thing you just did.”
    â€œI’ll be working you like a mule. Can you handle that? We get up at four and are usually in bed by eight if we can keep our eyes open that long. Is your health going to present any problems along the way? I’m not real big on surprises.”
    â€œMy health is good. I just didn’t grow properly. I’m used to working hard on the mountain. I can do it, Aunt Nealy. If I don’t cut it, you send me back home. I think that’s fair.”
    â€œThat’s more than fair, Jake. You might as well get your feet wet right now. Walk along the fence line, whistle for the horses. They’ll come right up to you.” Nealy fished in her pocket for a handful of mints, her secret treasure for the horses. “Let them feel your touch. Talk to them. Don’t get up close and personal with Gadfly, he’s mean as hell. Monday morning we’ll start to work with a vengeance.”
    Jake pocketed the mints. His hand shot out, and Nealy grasped it. She was surprised at his firm, hard handshake.
    â€œYou know the boy better than I do, Fanny. Can he do it? I’d hate to see him fail with everything that’s running against him. It would be devastating to him. I can do just so much, and the rest is up to him. You need to know that going in, Fanny.”
    â€œI do know it, Nealy. Jake