“Have you given Butch your notice?” I ask.
“No, I want to get through the races without any distractions and if I do it now, he’ll tell me to leave and that’s not fair to Voltaire.”
I nod. “Don’t quit. You’ve made a name for yourself there and mom loves it. It’s her home.”
“You’re more important than a job, son.”
“I’m not going anywhere, Dad. I may not come there to see you, but you’re welcome at Lucky Seven anytime. Besides, there are times when I need to talk to you, and I’d like to be able to do that again.”
“I’ll be there.”
“Me too, and hey, good luck today. Maybe Voltaire is your next winner.”
My dad shakes his head and smiles. “We’ll see. If I’m honest, I’d really like to see my son in the winner’s circle today. Oh, I also wanted to say, you have a good woman in Brielle, and your mom and I would like to do dinner before we leave for Baltimore.” Dad pats me on the arm, winks, and walks away. It takes me a second to get my feet moving but when I finally do, I head toward our booth, without stopping.
I find Brielle, Baker, and his family, along with Kendrick’s family gathering around. When Bri spots me, she holds up her mint julep. “How are you feeling?” she asks as my hand finds the sweet spot on her waist. I kiss her and smile which makes her beam. “I take it you’re feeling great.”
“I am because of you. Why didn’t you tell me you went and saw my dad?” She tries to look away, but I don’t let her. “I’m not mad. Neither is my dad. In fact, he and my mom want us to have dinner this coming week. He’s happy for me and I believe I have you to thank.”
She smiles and looks into my eyes. “I just asked him to not take my dad for his word and reminded him that you were still his son.”
I caress her cheek. “I love you, Brielle.”
Her hand closes over mine. “And I love you, Colby.” She presses her lips to mine.
“Okay, love birds, it’s time.” Baker points toward the track. Immediately my eyes land on Kendrick and Maximus. The colt is trotting next to a crew member and Kendrick’s face is on the jumbo screen with the announcer talking about his family, the ranch, and me. I try not to listen, but when mine and Brielle’s faces are on the screen, I have no choice but to smile. That is, until they pan over to Butch Armstrong and he’s glaring at us. Brielle, not caring, lifts her drink toward her father and takes a sip.
“Savage,” I whisper.
“He deserves it,” she says with such snark it reminds me to never get on her bad side. I turn my attention toward the track, watching Maximus the entire time. I look for any signs that he may be in distress or anxious.
He looks perfect.
He looks poised.
He looks like a winner.
Brielle clasps her hand with mine as the horses prepare to enter the gates. I strain to see Kendrick, to see if he’s struggling with Maximus, but everything is a blur. Before I can even register what’s going on the gates are open and the field of twenty-one horses are barreling toward turn one. The crowd roars as the thundering sound of hooves rushes past everyone. Brielle is beside me, jumping up and down, yelling for Maximus, but she’s calling Max and I like it. I can’t bring myself to join in the fun, not until they come around the last turn. Maximus and Voltaire are neck and neck, and I imagine the announcers are going crazy—father and son are in the lead.
My freehand grips the railing and I lean forward, needing to be as close as I can get. I want to be in the infield, timing his run. Coaching him through the turns. I know Kendrick can do it, this what we’ve been training for. All the wins up to this point mean nothing.
And then, they’re there, coming full speed at us. The field turns the last corner and Kendrick pushes Maximus out in front. His arms are pushing and pulling the reins as dirt and clumps of earth spray the jockey’s behind them.
“Faster,” I mutter.
But it’s Brielle’s words that really reach me. “Oh, my God, he’s going to do it.”
I don’t know what she means until everyone around me erupts. Baker’s arms are around me and Brielle is kissing me. The people in front of us are touching my hand, my arm, whatever they can, and my horse, the colt I helped birth is on the jumbo screen, trotting with an official while Kendrick pats him on his neck.
“What just happened?”
“Oh, sweetie, you just won the Kentucky Derby! Come on, we gotta go.” Brielle takes my hand and follows behind Baker. He’s the true winner, along with Maximus’ owner. I’m just the guy who showed him how to be his best.