Giving Chase (A Racing Romance) (Aspen Valley Series #2) Read Online Free PDF

who boasted the Grand National favourite, Frankie marvelled at the huge leap she’d taken towards her ambition.
    Pippa smiled at Frankie’s awe and patted her hand.
    ‘Someone once told me that you don’t become a jockey without wanting to win the Grand National. Is it the same for you?’
    Frankie thought about the question for a moment. Her reasons for wanting to win the National weren’t exactly straight forward. They went deeper than just ambition.
    ‘I t hink although we all have a common goal,’ she began hesitantly, ‘we all have different reasons for wanting to win it. For me, it’s not about personal conquest, about being the best—or in my case, the first lady—jockey. My father rode in the National a few times during his career, but he never won it and I know it bugged him long after his retirement that he never quite reached his goal.’ She looked up at Pippa who was listening with interest. ‘I’d love to win the National for him.’ Or even just get a ride in the National , she added silently. Anything to make him proud.
    Pippa’s eyes sparkled and she blinked rapidly.
    ‘That’s a lovely reason. Did you know the only reason Peace Offering ran in it last season was to fulfil my uncle—his late owner’s—wish? Jack didn’t think he had a hope in hell.’
    ‘He’ll have changed his tune since then,’ Frankie grinned. ‘He’ll ha ve a strong chance this season—’ A stab of jealousy punctured her dreams. ‘—Especially with Rhys Bradford back on board.’
    Pippa gave a mirthless laugh.
    ‘Yes,’ she replied drily. ‘If Peace Offering were to win the National, then it’d all be down to Rhys’s blinding talent.’
    Frankie laughed, but cautiously. Was he really that much of a bastard? Despite exaggerating massively to Jack earlier at the Golden Miller about their fall, he’d otherwise been courteous and amicable towards Pippa.
    Frankie was trying to decide whether her boss’s fiancée and Rhys had a history when the door to the birthing suite was flung open. It bounced off the wall and hit the entrant sideways.
    Franki e and Pippa popped up from their seats like toast.
    B illy stood immobile, only his Golden Miller napkin rising and falling with his heaving chest. His cheeks were wet with tears.
    ‘Billy?’ Pippa prompted gently. ‘Is Emmie okay?’
    His lower lip trembled then his face crumpled. Pippa rushed to his side and hugged him. Jack entered from outside with a whoosh of the automatic doors.
    ‘What’s happened, Billy?’ he said.
    Billy looked at his boss with weak watery eyes. Frankie held her breath.
    ‘Emmie–Emmie– Emmie’s had a baby,’ he gulped.

Chapter 4
     
    As far as first impressions went, Aspen Valley Stables was up there with the best of them, thought Frankie come Monday morning. Snuggled at the base of a wide rolling hillside, the red brick stables were sheltered from the blustery southwest winds.
    Not so much from the rain though, she thought, turning her collar up against the misty drizzle. She was greeted by the ricocheting sounds of horses banging their stable doors, keen to get out and stretch their muscles on the gallops. It seemed her enthusiasm to start her new job had made her early. There was relatively few staff wandering around.
    Passing along the E-shaped yard, Frankie stopped outside the opposing row of offices and knocked on the Reception door. The windows were dark and she listened dubiously.
    ‘Frankie!’
    The welcoming voice didn’t come from within but from behind . Jack advanced from further down the yard. A nervous flutter pre-empted her greeting.
    ‘Morning,’ he said as he reached her. ‘Ready to rock and roll?’
    Frankie filled her lungs with damp straw-scented air and smiled.
    ‘I think so. After Friday night I’d say I was ready for anything.’
    ‘Tell me about it. Thank God you were there. Both mother and son are doing well, you’ll be glad to know. Although Billy, I’m not so sure about. He’s too afraid