The work was never done; Maria joined in on the cleaning frenzy and surprisingly so did a couple the hands that Cody could spare, even Grant and Trace got in on the action. While the girls were sweeping and mopping the floors in the two bedrooms, she noted the outdated appliances in the kitchen and had the men carry them out.
She’d caught Deanna as she was leaving the little house and asked if she could help on another emergency. Deanna could assemble a crew faster than anyone she knew. She sent two of her men to Home Depot, to get a new washer and dryer, fridge, stove and dishwasher.
She said she’d work with the brother and sister for their taste on the rest of the rooms just as Harold her grandfather’s friend who owned the furniture outlet arrived with the things, she’d asked him for. Deanna herself showed the men where to place everything.
Angel was beyond tired, is this what taking time off did to a person you did everything you didn’t have time for on your time off. They had accomplished more in two hours than most could in one day. They were hooking up the dishwasher when Enrique and Louisa were led in. It was nice and warm at least thanks to the central air and heating unit. Both bedrooms had fully furnished bedroom sets; the bathroom was thankfully current enough nothing would have to be reworked.
Angel turned to them and said, “This will be your new home.” She knew that look; she’d had it herself less than a month ago. “That oh my God look!” That you wanted someone to pinch you to see if it was all real. It was Louisa who said it “We’re going to live here?” She looked at Enrique and asked, “We won’t have to move again?” Enrique said, simply “No more moving, Miss. Angel she’s giving me a job and this place for us to live. I’m going to work here and she’s going to find you a good private school, but you got to work hard Louisa.” Louisa stared at Angel in shock and asked, “Why would you do this?” Angel smiled and said, “Someone did it for me.” Louisa angled her head and asked “Really?” Angel smiled sadly and said “Yes, really.
My birth mother gave me to a woman when I was born without ever telling my father I was alive. That woman did drugs and drank a lot, there were a lot of men in and out. It wasn’t a safe place, Louisa. I found a letter four weeks ago it said the woman I called mother wasn’t my mom.
I came here for answers, and I found all of this. I found a family, and most of all I learned that you can, have more than just your blood family, a family can be one you create with good friends as well.” Louisa couldn’t believe all she’d heard what kind of mother would do that to her child. She was angry for Angel, that her mother could hurt her that way.
She asked hesitantly “I’m really going to private school?” Angel nodded “As long as you keep your, grades up I’ll continue to pay for private schooling, but you have to promise no matter what school comes first.” Louisa knew what she was getting at, she meant boys. But she did not have to worry about that Louisa had a plan, a goal. She was going to be rich one day and she’d take care of her brother like he was her. She’d make a good life and she would never forget what Angel had done for them.
Angel decided she deserved a prolonged soak in her tub with the Jacuzzi jets going. After thirty minutes soaking in the scented water the aches were starting to go away and the tension in her muscles ease.
So, Kingsley thought he could try and ruin her. She’d never backed down from a fight, but she didn’t go about things the way this man did. Fighting dirty is okay when you are in a street fight but otherwise, she fought a fair fight. When she climbed from the tub and checked her watch, she realized it was still early.
She dressed in some track pants a tank top and one of her velour track jackets, she slid her slippers on her feet and walked out on her balcony to watch the sun setting on the horizon. This was the most beautiful place in the world. She was so lost in thought she missed her dad and Damon pulling up. But they didn’t miss seeing her staring off into the distance as if the weight of the world, was on her shoulders.
Hunter found Grant and asked, “What happened?” At his arched brow he said, “Something did, Angel puts on a face for the world to see, but she looks lost right now.” Grant sighed and said “Ah, she hired someone new; he has a 13yr. old sister. Think she reminds Angel of herself at that age. That and we found out Kingsley is how the guy found us to begin with. He sent the boy here to mess around with the place. But Angel called him on it; he was straight up honest about it. So, she gave him a job and a place for him and his sister to live.” Hunter swore inventively then said, “Kingsley is going to become a problem I can see.”
Grant said, “It’s not only that, she’s still looking for exercise riders and a full time Jockey she wants one who will be loyal to this place and the horses not riding someone else’s animals every day.” He paused and said, “It’s been hell, all of the Jockey’s they’ve interviewed have such attitude they talk down to Cody and Angel, you know she won’t stand for that.”
He paused then looked at Hunter and said, “She needs help man; she just has never had anyone to ask before, so she thinks she has to do it all alone, or if she asks it’s giving in.” Hunter nodded and assured Grant he’d do something, he wasn’t sure what yet, but he’d figure it out.
Damon nudged Hunter and said, “Suppose, I could help you out with your Jockey problem.” At Hunter’s curious glance he said, “I know a bit about horses and racing, as you know my mother’s family are from Kentucky and they have been in the racing business for years.” When Hunter gave him a get on with it look, he said “Suppose I have a cousin, who runs horses for our family, merely to exercise them because it would be a travesty if she did it for real. So, the family says they refuse to give her a shot. She’s been trained by the best, the man who rides for my grandfather. Do you think Angel and Cody would at least give her a shot?”
Hunter said simply “Why don’t we discuss it with Cody, before we mention it to Angel.” Twenty minutes later Damon had given Cody the full story. Cody said “And your cousin would go against your family? Don’t get me wrong I’m not looking a gift horse in the mouth here, but we want someone who will remain loyal to Wild Creek Ranch, not someone who will get home sick and run home.” Damon replied simply “Not a problem since her home isn’t in Kentucky her home is in Houston.” Cody said simply “We will give her a try and we’ll be straight up honest with her.” Damon nodded and replied, “It’s all she needs, and she knows horses, loves them.”
Cody smiled and said, “Speaking of horses guess what thoroughbred that won the Derby Angel picked up today?” at their curious glances he led them to where he’d stalled Heartbreaker. Damon’s mouth was opening and closing slowly, and no sound was emerging. Hunter laughed and said, “I take it this is a good horse?” Damon scoffed and said “Good is a relative term, oh my God! Hunter your daughter bought Heartbreaker; he’s won so many races. He’s retired now. How did she pick him up?” Cody looked like he had a secret and Damon wanted to know it in the worst way. Hunter found them amusing; he said, “Get on with it.” Cody sighed and said “Okay, Okay, she bought him, from the man she got the quarter horses from.
Turns out when Tim’s Uncle died all he left him was a horse. Albeit Tim knows Heartbreaker is worth a mint, but Heartbreakers been a naughty boy and covering Tim’s mares, so he sold Heartbreaker to the first Thoroughbred breeder he came across, which would be Angel, for twenty thousand dollars.” Damon’s jaw was on the ground, he said “You’re shitting me!” Cody shook his head and said, “The irony is that I got a lead on one of Heartbreaks son’s this morning and mentioned him to Angel, on her way home she checked the horse’s registration and sure enough it was Heartbreaker, she called me and I bout passed out.”
Damon couldn’t believe this; his grandfather would have paid five even six times that just for studding him out with his mares. He told him “Cody, you’ve got a fortune on your hands there, considering Heartbreakers first son that my grandfather owns has won every race he’s run, Heartbreaker breeds true.” Damon paused and asked, “How are the munchkins?” Cody led them to the twins, stall and they were snuggled down next to one another. Cody said, “We fixed up a schedule and the boys seem to be doing well with it.”
Damon laughed and said “I told my grandfather about them, even sent him the picture that Hunter here took. He said if you ever want to sell one, he wants first offer.” Cody laughed and said, “I don’t think that’ll be a problem, with most racing is about making a living, with Angel she loves these animals and for a girl who doesn’t know how to ride they love her. That quarter horse she brought home today will literally follow her anywhere she goes. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.”
Damon held up his hand for a minute and said “Whoa, wait! She doesn’t know how to ride?” they didn’t hear Kyle come in, but he was suddenly there and said, “She will though We’re starting her lessons tomorrow, figure she should know before the center opens.” Kyle paused then smiled and said “I got a feeling our Angel’s going to be a natural at riding. I haven’t found anything she can’t do yet.”
Enrique made his way in a few minutes later looking for Cody, when he saw the group, he said “Excuse me I didn’t mean to interrupt.” Cody laughed and said “No, come in let me introduce you. This is Hunter, he is Angel’s dad.” They saw Enrique’s eyes widen, and then Cody continued and said, “This is Hunter’s friend Damon Huntington, and this fella over here is Kyle, he’s going to run the center everyone keeps talking about.” Enrique smiled and said, “It’s nice to meet you all.”
He turned to Cody and asked, “I was hoping I could get a ride into the store to get some food.” Cody glanced at his watch and asked “Brady hasn’t made it back yet? He was supposed to bring you a supply of groceries by the barn.” As if on cue they saw headlights coming up the driveway. Cody greeted Brady saying, “What took you so long?” Brady looked haggard and tired he said “It’s the damnedest thing, when I went in the store the tires were fine, when I came out, I had a flat. There was no puncture or anything. I called roadside assistance, he aired it back up and it was good to go, it was like someone just let the air out.”
Hunter swore under his breath and said, “I know a man who needs to get himself in check.” It was Angel’s voice behind him that said “Dad you’re a better man than Kingsley will ever be, he wants to be immature, and petty. Let, him we’re taking the high road and we’ll come out better for it in the end. No fighting dirty.” She paused and then asked, “Now why is everyone in my barn?” She glanced at Cody and corrected saying “our barn.”
Damon said, “Cody was telling me about heartbreaker.” Angel smiled so brightly at the mention of the horse she said “He is a randy fella for sure. But, beautiful, I’ve never seen a more beautiful animal.” Damon looked at Cody and said, “You know Gambler and Heartbreaker have the same Sire.” She heard Cody sigh, but he said “Yes, I knew. It’s the culmination of a man’s life’s dream to own a horse like that.”
Angel watched Damon nod and agreed she asked, “You know horse’s Damon?” Damon said honestly “I told your dad and Cody earlier my grandfather is from Kentucky he races in the derby.” He paused and looked to Cody who nodded and said “I have a cousin, she’s never run an actual race, but she’s trained, and she wants to. But my family they’re of the don’t embarrass us with such a menial task frame of mind, they think Jada should just conform and follow their rules. Jada threw out that book a long time ago. But I know this, she would kill to be able to ride, I asked Cody if you guys would give her a chance let her run one of your horses, see how she does.” At Cody’s nod Angel said simply “Bring her by first thing in the morning. If she’s any later than seven I can’t promise, I’ll have time to watch.”
She saw Enrique was here and asked, “Did you and Louisa get settled in?” At his nod she said “Good, I’ll look into schools first thing tomorrow morning after I see Damon’s cousin.” Hunter asked “Schools?” Angel nodded and said, “Turns out Enrique’s sister is a straight A student and was attending a bad school, I am going to provide a scholarship of a sort to a private academy for her.” Hunter glanced at Damon who nodded, and Hunter said “The best would still be Huntington Academy; it was founded over a hundred years ago by Damon’s relatives. He should be able to get you in to see the Dean at least.” Angel turned to Damon and said, “Thank you I’d appreciate it.”
Just then Louisa came walking in; she said, “I thought you got lost Enrique.” Angel laughed and said “No, he was just here chatting with us all.” She turned and saw the groceries in the back of the truck and said, “Do you need help getting the food to your apartment?” Enrique shook his head and said “No Angel, we can manage, but thank you very much.” That said he and his sister began to carry their groceries up the flight of stairs to their apartment. She knew they’d have to make several trips before they were done. It was then she realized they might not have any cooking utensils at all. She excused herself and went to her house, she still had a few things in their original boxes, like the cheaper pots and pans she’d bought, and cooking utensils, as well as some silverware since her grandmother had replaced hers with real silver. She also grabbed a box of the dishes that were extra. She walked into her garage and began placing the box in one of the UTV’s they used around the ranch, before she climbed in and drove over to the barn apartment.
When Louisa answered she said, “I forgot to bring some things earlier, and there will be more things to come in the next few days.” She handed Enrique the box with the cookware in it and the utensils since there were knives in it. Then handed Louisa the plates and glasses. Louisa had tears in her eyes as she said thank you very much, Angel shrugged and said, “You are welcome, I’ve been there, kid.” To which Louisa nodded. When Angel returned to the barn the men were still standing around talking about horses. Kyle had come to check on his and feed them, making sure they were bedded down for the night.
Angel asked, “How are you settling into the house?” Kyle looked at her and said “You really made Meredith’s day. She was very tired of that camper trailer. Thank you for letting us use the house.” She smiled and replied “You’re more than welcome. I just figured it had to be tight in that camper and we had the house sitting empty.”
Hunter glanced at his watch and said, “We came to see if you felt like a night on the town with your old man and Damon here?” Angel looked at her dad and Damon they were dressed for partying. She asked, “They have night clubs in Houston eighteen and up?” to which her father nodded. She laughed and said “Sure, give me a few minutes to get ready.” Hunter smiled after his daughter she truly was beautiful. He and Stacia might not have been much of a couple but they created a beautiful daughter.
Grant arched a brow at Hunter and Hunter smiled and said “Yes, you can come. I’d suggest at least three of you.” Grant nodded and headed towards the house to alert his men to get dressed they were apparently going out for the night. He wouldn’t complain though this was the first time Angel hadn’t gone anywhere to just relax and be herself. The kid needed an outlet for all of that.