Page 37 of Something Stronger
“Ok.” I continued to stare in the direction they went.
“I can show you where the barn is if you want to go with them, or you can come with me while I pick up our passes. We’re going to head over there in a bit.” He came around the truck and stopped in front of me. “I promise they’re ok, though.” He leaned in and pecked my lips before reaching for my hand.
“It’s ok. I trust you.” I let him lead me inside where owners were turning in all sorts of paperwork. There were multiple lines of people, all for different reasons.
Issac chose a line off to the left. When we reached the front, he handed over a folder full of papers. The gentleman sittingbehind the table handed him a manilla envelope. Issac thanked him, and we walked away.
“That was it?” I was confused.
“I did most of the work ahead of time online. I just had to turn in a few hard copies. These are our passes to get into the owner’s box. You get the good seats with these.” He grinned as he held up the envelope.
We made our way over to the barn and just as we were rounding the corner, the girls came rushing out. “Daddy! Maverick got the end stall. That’s the lucky one, remember?” She turned toward me. “The last time we raced Lucky Star here, she won. She was in the end stall. Daddy said it must be lucky. Can I brush him?” The excitement was pouring off her in waves.
“Just be careful around his withers. You know he’s a bit ticklish there.” She was skipping away through the barn before Issac could finish.
“She’s a little excited today.” I laughed.
“Just a tad.” He held his fingers up, showing a small space between them. “We didn’t race last year. She’s just misses it is all.” He led us down to where Hallie was showing Amy how to run the brush down Maverick’s side and avoid his feet so as not to get kicked. Craig was supervising and a vet was making his way through the barn, checking all the horses out. “Once everyone gets a clean bill of health, it’s just a waiting game.” He sighed. “How about we get settled into the hotel, and then we get some dinner?”
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Issac
“Daddy?” Hallie came over, her hands clasped together. I knew she wanted something, and she was hoping I wouldn’t say no.
“Yes, sweetie.” I leaned down and granted her all of my attention.
“Do you think Amy and I could stay here with Craig tonight? Please?”
“I booked us a suite, and you want to sleep on a cot?” I shook my head and laughed.
“Just for tonight. We can stay at the hotel tomorrow. I wanna help Craig.” She gave a quick nod.
“And this is what you want, too? You can come with us, ya know?” I turned toward Amy. I know Hallie can be bossy at times and I didn’t want Amy to think that she had to sleep in the barn if she didn’t want to.
“I think this is cool. I wanna stay.” She moved over next to Hallie and wrapped her arm around her shoulders. “It’ll be like a camp out.” She grinned.
“I’m fine with it, sir.” Craig motioned to the row of cots lining the aisles outside the stalls.
“If you’re sure. Are you going to eat with the stable hands, too?” I chuckled.
“Sure. It’ll be fun. I need to know how to do all this if I’m going to take over someday.” She crossed her arms over her chest and in that moment, I saw a little bit of her mother.
“Well, ok then.” I tipped my hat and turned to face Lou. “Looks like you and I get a nice quiet dinner together and a huge luxury suite to ourselves. Whatever will we do?” I winked and I thought I saw her blush a little.
“Ew, Daddy. No kissing.” Hallie made a gagging noise.
“You got it. No kissing.” I saluted her before offering my arm to Lou. When she linked hers through it, I led her out of the barn.
We walked over to my truck, and stopped at the passenger side. Before I opened the door, I wrapped my arms around her and planted a deep kiss to her lips. “There will definitely be kissing tonight,” I growled before I opened the door. Lou climbed in and I muttered to myself to behave as I jogged aroundto the driver’s side. Maybe I would just get room service, since it was just us.
I hopped in and cranked the engine. “How do you feel about room service?” I took a quick glance at her before pulling out onto the highway.
“I’ve never had it.” She giggled with a shrug.
“We’ll have to remedy that, then.” I sped up as I made the five-mile drive to our hotel.
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