Page 4 of Loving Kai

He stood up. “Are you staying here?”

“No.” She got to her feet, took the two empty bottles to the kitchen, and then handed Abe the bank deposit. “Don’t forget this.”

They went out the front door, and Abe walked Maggie to her car. “Why are you being so nice to me?”

“Sorry. I won’t do it again.” He backed up a few steps. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Be careful on the horse.”

“I will.”

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Maggie.”

Abe circled around the thoroughbred and ran a hand down its leg. “So, she’s an actual racehorse?”

Elias tightened the cinch on the racing saddle. “She was bred to race. She never competed, though. I moved her here before she had a chance to.”

“She’s a beauty.”

“She’s a handful. Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

Abe nodded. “If Justin can ride her. I can ride her. Luke and I spent a lot of time racing around the backcountry when we were a little younger. We still ride, but not as much as we used to.”

“Okay. I’m trusting you to take care of the horse and not get yourself killed.”

“I can do that.” Abe motioned toward the other horse. “And who do you have there?”

Elias patted the horse’s neck. “This is Leonidas, ex polo pony, that Lucia introduced cross-country steeplechase to, and now that’s all he wants to do.”

Abe studied the small saddle with no horn and high, narrow stirrups. “This will take some getting used to.” He approached the saddle from the horse’s front shoulder instead of her rear, put his foot into the stirrup, tightened the reins, and grabbed Sally’s Girl’s mane. He then pushed off the ground and leaped into the saddle, just like he knew what he was doing.

“Son of a bitch.”

Elias laughed. “Good job.”

Elias mounted Leonidas much the same way, but with a little more confidence, then pointed down the road. “This road follows the property line for five miles before we reach the Forest Service gate. When you see the aspens, start slowing down. The gate is a hundred yards past the trees. She’s liable to jump the gate and keep going if you don’t stop her.”

“And we don’t want to do that?”

“No. Not the first time out, anyway.”

“Got it. Are we going to put some money on this?”

Elias shook his head. “Let’s keep it friendly.” He moved Leonidas next to Sally’s Girl. “Go on three.”

Elias counted down, and on three, both men kicked their horses into a run. Sally’s Girl’s muscles were like coiled springs, and her raw power and speed were exhilarating. Abe leaned forward, putting his head over her neck, moving in sync as they raced down the road. Dirt flew up from her hooves, and her breathing was deep and almost mechanical.

Abe glanced back to check on Elias. Leonidas’ nose was at Sally’s Girl’s shoulder. He squeezed a little tighter, and the horse’s speed increased, leaving Leonidas behind. The aspens came too soon, and Abe was reluctant to stop, but he began reining the horse in. She was at a trot when the green iron gate appeared in front of them. He turned her away from the fence and Leonidas and brought her to a stop.

Elias came up next to him. “Damn, man.”

Abe grinned, then shouted. “Holy crap, that was fun.” He yelled again, then patted Sally’s Girl’s shoulder. “A hell of a horse.”

Elias laughed. “You are fearless.”

“Fifteen years of racing motorcycles. Can we race back?”