Cowgirl Up Read Online Free PDF Page B

her first foal was stillborn.”
    “That’s
tough.” His lips thinned.
    “Mom
signed her up as a nurse mare immediately and one of the thoroughbred farms
responded in just a couple of hours. They had a sick mare needing surgery from
foaling complications and a very expensive colt needing a mom. We agreed
immediately, not just for the bit of money, but because Star was so depressed
and upset. She needed a baby to care for.”
    “Then
what happened?” He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees.
    “We
took Star to the farm, met with the manager and the foal’s owner. She offered a
generous rental fee, but the manager also included a stud fee, as is typical
with nurse mare contracts. They had a couple of quarter horse studs and could
also work with other local stallion owners for that matter.” Trinity flashed
back, remembering the expressions on people’s faces at her next words with
satisfaction. “I tossed out the name Another Victory Gallop.”
    Cody’s
eyebrow arched. “Gutsy.”
    “I
recognized the woman after everyone was introduced. She owned not only the mare
and baby, but Victory as well. Something told me the match would pay off, if I
could get her to accept.”
    “How
did you do that? His stud fee had to be astronomical.”
    Trinity
smiled proudly. “One-hundred grand at the time, to be exact. It was his first
breeding season after retiring as a three-year-old and nearly pulling off the
Triple Crown.” She glanced up at her horse, then back to Cody. “She asked what
I’d do with the colt. I told her, ‘ride him to victory at the barrel racing
national championships’. She looked at me for a long time then agreed.”
    “Damn.
I knew it had to be a good story.” He rubbed his chin with his index finger.
“You trained him yourself, I take it?”
    “Yeah.
He’s only known Mom and me in his life, which is another reason he’s not a
social butterfly. Men aren’t his favorite because the only ones he’s ever seen
are the farrier and the vet.”
    Cody
smiled openly. “Understandable.” His expression softened considerably. “I
didn’t know about your mother until today. I’m sorry.”
    Trinity
soaked up his sympathy, but couldn’t suppress the pain in her chest, like a
mule kick. Though Lora passed four months ago, she still had trouble speaking
about her without choking up. “Thanks,” she managed to croak out as she forced
the nearly overwhelming grief back down by staring at her feet and pulling on
her stubbornness. Now wasn’t the time for a pity party.
    Out of
the corner of her eye, she caught Cody moving with fluid grace and ease from
the chair in order to kneel before her. He used his finger under her chin to
lift until she met his gaze. “You shouldn’t be alone.”
    She
swallowed and puffed out some air, gathering her wits about her and bristling
the slightest. While she might want to curl up in Cody’s arms and let him keep
the dreams and heartbreak at bay, pride refused to relent to such pampering.
“I’m not. I have Legacy.”
    He
shook his head. “That’s not what I meant.”
    Turning
her head, Trinity pulled away from his touch, his words pricking her
independent nature, setting loose a barrage of anger. Her emotions, in such
turmoil, proved volatile more often than not. Now wasn’t an exception. “I can
take care of myself and my horse. He’s all I need. Period.”
    For a
long time Cody didn’t move, just remained there frozen. Finally, he gained his
feet, folded up the lawn chair, and returned it. He studied her for a long
moment.
    Trinity
refused to look away, her pride demanded she meet his gaze and hold steady,
proving her strength and determination.
    “I used
to think that same thing.” After softly offering up those words, he brushed
past her, walking down the aisle, then out of sight.
    Perplexed,
Trinity sat for a long time trying to understand the prophetic statement before
tucking it away in lieu of much needed sleep. She stretched back out,