Once Upon a Misty Bluegrass Hill by Rebecca Bernadette Mance Page B

chuckled softly.  " I don ' t like so much action me-self. "   Bernie looked at them with dark solemn eyes .  " He needs another round. "   Patrick nodded and Bernie took Big Storm on another turn around the paddock. 
    " I need to go talk to those important people , " Patrick said quietly, patted her shoulder and walked to the center of the paddock where large groups of people mingled and took photos. 
    Jolene was too focused on Bernie and Storm to think much about Patrick and the fancy people.  She was lost in a dream as she watched them walk the paddock .  She heard thunder and l ooked up at the darkening sky.   Storm tried to rear up but Bernie skillfully handled him.
    The white spires towered to the left and there were so many people pressing into the paddock fence .  They were staring intently .  There was so much noise and too much activity.  She wanted to scream to Bernie to bring Storm back to her.  He was tossing his head and his eyes were rolling as he attempted to turn to the individual sounds of the crowd as he passed. 
    The dark clouds had followed them from Paris and they came in on a hard wind.  Storm reared up again but Bernie kept his feet from leaving the ground. 
    When Storm and Bernie returned , Bernie was limping.  "Your leg okay Bernie?"  Jolene asked quietly.  "Did Storm kick you?"  Bernie didn't like people paying attention to his missing leg.  "Oh no, just a little sore is all.  I am starting the long trainin g process to get ready to run the marathon." 
    T hey backed Storm into the stall and held his head facing out . Bernie brushed Storm and adjusted his tack speaking low and soft in his deep baritone voice.
    In the center of the paddock Patrick smiled for pho tographs for several moments w ith other people and by himself.  He seemed to know everyone.
    He wore a white silk suit with a red shirt underneath and a bow tie of white to match his suit .  He had his family coat of arms on a pin tacked to his lapel.  He was chatting and animated.  He was so … elegant and beautiful standing there. 
    As if he felt her scrutiny, Patrick caught her eye then and he made apologies and walked toward her with power, grace and purpose .
    Patrick was well-designed and more handsome than ever .    She had seen him in his jeans so much on the farm.  Of course he always looked beautiful there…even in jeans.  But Patrick knew how to walk so that he looked just like a prince. Or an Earl.   In this unlikely moment dressed as he was, he took her breath away.
    " Y er sure yer okay Red ? Ya know it isn ' t too late to change yer mind….I ' d not be mad at you .   It is too late to get Calvin, he has a horse, but we can just take Storm home and make him a stud. "
    Jolene tore her eyes away from his and looked up at the dark clouds that sat behind the white spires that defined Churchill Downs.  " I will not be changing my mind and neither will Storm. "
    Time stood still for a few seconds.  The wind blew hard.
    Then it was time. 
    Patrick helped her up on Storm .  Bernie mounted his own horse and road next to her along with the assistant horse and rider. 
    Patrick looked up at her with grave purple-blue eyes.  " Now don ' t you be taking any risks do yer hear me?  Yer hang on tight and don ' t worry a bout winn ing if anything goes wrong. "
    Jolene was looking at Patrick through a long tunnel.  Nothing seemed real.  She patted Storm who pranced under the darkening windy sky.
    " I ' ll hold on tight Patrick . "
    Patrick looked up at the clouds.  " He ' s never liked the rain, guess he never will.   I don ' t like sending yer out with the rain coming in .  Don ' t you take any risks, yer hear me? "
    " You have already said that too many times.  Don ' t worry about me Patrick . "
    For once she was not completely distracted by Patrick .  His beautiful eyes with thick black lashes were worried.  H is hand shook as he adjusted Storm ' s strap and patted her leg .  But Jolene was