O'Brien's Lady by Marsha Doss Read Free Book Online Page B

Every time there's a new life, there's new hope."
    "Hope for that Triple Crown you're always talking about?"
    "Mostly that, but the breeding of good Thoroughbreds goes on. Without it, they wouldn't be the wonderfully pure animals they are today."
    Sonny opened the gate of the white fence that enclosed the Mead house, and took the final few steps up to the back door. What was the feeling that now held her so tightly, she could barely breathe?
    Sonny had thought her first photo session with Pierre was the most thrilling day of her life…until now. And recalling that, she could not remember wanting to laugh or cry. There was a distinct difference and she knew it.
    "Well, it's been wonderful, Michael. I know it's late but I'm going to call Pierre right away. I can hardly wait to tell him what's happened."
    Sonny was busy inserting the key into the lock, and did not feel Michael's body pull away from her side. She was too busy thinking about the handsome colt she had just witnessed and missed the look of disappointment that came into his eyes.
    "Be ready early tomorrow," he said gruffly. " We have to begin work with Midnight."
    "Michael, why are you being so…" Sonny turned to him and the wonderful aura that had surrounded her until this moment seemed to shatter into a million pieces.
    "And get the stars out of your eyes. It was great, it's over and now its back to work."
    The warmth and compassion Sonny had witnessed in Michael earlier in the evening was all vanishing and his arrogant personality was coming through. Unfortunately, she had hoped it would last. It would have made their partnership so much more bearable.
    "How can you be so callous?" Sonny's blue eyes burned with indignation as she turned to him, her face illuminated by the light of the moon.
    "Because walking with your head in the stars won't get the job done. That colt has to be trained and it must start immediately. Which, incidentally, is how we make our living, in case you hadn't noticed."
    "Michael, is that all you can think about?
    Your precious half in Pinebrook Farm is not going to be threatened because I choose to be terribly moved by that little colt."
    "Sentiment is fine, in its place. But while you're up here feeling all warm and wonderful, there's the practical side of the matter. And I'm not going to have it fall squarely on my shoulders. Unless your friend Pierre would like to come and help us."
    "You leave Pierre out of this."
    "Why? You can't even leave him out."
    Michael's words were harsh.
    "He has more important things to do," Sonny added mockingly.
    Michael loomed before her in the darkness, his face silhouetted against the sky. When he spoke his voice was filled with quiet emphasis. "More important than working with a magnificent animal at the break of dawn, or more enlightening that watching the foaling of a future champion? No, Sonny, Pierre has nothing important to do."
    Before she could answer, Michael had turned and walked away. How dare he be so changeable with her?
    She deserved this time to be happy and Midnight was now as much a part of her as she was of Pinebrook.She could not understand Michael's constant need to criticize Pierre, whom he hadn't even met. It was unfair and unnecessary and she intended to bring a halt to it. Tomorrow.
    Right now, Sonny felt exhausted and she wanted to relax. After soaking in a hot tub, she slipped into her grown and sat cross-legged on her bed. She wanted to call Pierre with the news. He wouldn't mind the early morning interruption when he learned wonderful things had turned out.
    When Sonny heard the tired voice at the other end of the line, she wondered if she had done the right thing. But, when she began to tell Pierre about the colt, she was too excited to stop talking.
    "Pierre, it was the most wonderful experience. You should have been here."
    "No, darling, you should be here!" Pierre's mellow voice was firm and the familiar French accent made her feel as if they were worlds apart.
    "We named