“Those questions aren’t my concern.”
“I guess not. If we solve this problem, you’ll be out of a job, won’t you?”
Tilting his many chins upward, the official asked, “Who are these men?”
“Never saw them in my life.”
“He’s good.” Spike chuckled.
“Lies without batting an eye,” Pewter agreed.
“I found them at the end of your barn just outside. One was pushing a wheelbarrow.”
“So?”
“They don’t work for you?” His voice carried doubt.
“They don’t work for me. But you do. My taxes pay your salary. If you want to stand here,” he handed him a pitchfork, which the INS man handed back with disdain, “work.”
On that note, the roly-poly man left, glad to be out of the barn unharmed.
The dogs moved closer to the stall as the cats nimbly walked overhead in time to hear with their incredible ears Charly, under his breath, hiss to Carlos, “Double cross.”
T he disruption caused by the INS agents delayed the ensuing classes, many of them junior classes, which outraged many people, not just Joan. They could have come in the daytime or after the last class. Some of the young competitors were crying.
Larry, arms crossed over his chest, said, “I’m going over to Ward’s to congratulate him. Nothing I can do about this damned mess.”
“I’ll stay here.” Joan sank into a director’s chair. “This feels like the longest day of my life.” She waited a moment. “Told Mom about the pin and, well, it’s been a long day.”
Larry leaned over to kiss her on the cheek. “Some days you get the bear, some days the bear gets you.”
Harry said, “Joan, do you mind if I tag along with Larry?”
“No, go ahead.”
“In that case, I’ll keep this beautiful lady company.” Fair smiled as he walked to the bar to fix Joan a gin rickey.
As Harry and Larry left the barn, Joan glanced up. “Are you plying me with alcohol?”
“Made it light. I know you’re not a drinker, but, Joan, a little relaxation at this moment is good for you.” He handed her the tall glass, the bubbles rising upward promising to pop on her tongue. “I’m fixing you a sandwich and one for me. How about turkey? High protein, low fat, not that you need to worry.”
She took a sip, feeling better instantly, part of that being psychological. “I ruin the low-cal benefit by smearing mayo over everything.”
He beamed. “You will always be beautiful, so if you want mayo, mayo it is.”
“Fair, you’re so sweet. I’m glad Harry saw the light.”
“I had to see it first.” He put crisp lettuce on the dark bread. “When I slipped out of the box, I managed to get to the jeweler without her knowing, and I bought the horseshoe ring she liked. She’ll be forty in a heartbeat. She should have a big present.” He grinned.
“That is a gorgeous ring. You know, I had a bad moment when I turned forty, and then it vanished. I really don’t care, do you?”
“Yes and no.” He held the knife aloft for a moment, the large mayo jar below. “I fear not being able to pull out foals if they need it or not being able to lift sixty-pound bales of rich alfalfa. I do worry about that. But you know, you do what you can, and if I can’t physically perform, I hope I can still serve. As long as the brain works.”
“Mine has shut off.” She laughed.
“Been a hell of a couple of days.” He handed her a plate, then sat next to her. “At least it’s quiet right now. No one’s here, they’re back on the rail or running away from INS.”
Joan bit into the succulent turkey sandwich, then put it on the plate. “Mmm.” She swallowed. “Hey, where’s Cookie and the gang?”
“I don’t know, but if they’re not back by the time we finish our sandwiches, I’ll go look. They’re Americats. Don’t need a green card.” He winked.
“Cookie will jump in any open car. She loves her rides. One time a customer came to the barn, called a half hour after he left. Cookie was asleep in the backseat of his car and he didn’t know it until she woke up. Had to drive to the Louisville airport to pick her up from Hertz since he was in a rented car.”
They both laughed.
As they visited, relishing the bit of peace they had, Harry and Larry walked into Ward’s barn, where a congregation had gathered to congratulate him.
Ward easily saw Larry, since Larry was tall. “Hey, drinks on the tack trunk.”
“Great ride, Ward. Om wanted it tonight. She’s a terrific mare. Hope you breed her someday.” Larry pushed through and shook Ward’s hand.
Harry, in his wake, also offered her congratulations.
“I guess all this commotion stole some of my thunder.” Ward smiled. “Glad all I have is Benny, and he’s red, white, and blue.” Ward made it a special point to note he hired no Mexicans. No one much thought about it at the time.
Benny, leaning against a stall, raised his beer. “Sometimes I’m Confederate gray.”
They laughed, since Benny would whip out his Confederate Zippo lighter if he thought someone was touchy, which meant Yankee.
Charly Trackwell came into the barn. Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, Tucker, and Cookie followed. Given what they’d witnessed, they thought they’d tail Charly. He was so wrapped up in things he didn’t notice the posse behind him.
Harry exclaimed, “Where have you been?”
Charly thought she spoke to him. “In the barn dealing with a goddamned idiot INS agent.”
Harry smiled at him. “I’m sorry.” She figured it better not to say she was greeting the animals, all of whom ran to her.
“I’m tired. Pick me up,” Pewter whined.
“Pewter.” Harry sighed but bent over to pick up the solid cat. Pewter was overweight, but she had a lot of muscle, too.
“Oh, I love seeing from this height.” Pewter purred.
Mrs. Murphy climbed a stall post. “I’ve got a better angle.”
“Who cares.” Pewter put her paws around Harry’s neck.
The dogs decided to keep out of it.
“Let’s see if Ward has Bag Balm,” Tucker whispered to Cookie. “Seems to be the standard for rubbing on little cuts and irritated skin.” They had observed a young rider surreptitiously open her little green Bag Balm tin. The small tin was a good place to hide things once the heavy balm had been washed from it. Fortunately, most folks kept their drinking and other treats in check—at least until after the last class of the night.
Cookie, being a Jack Russell, scooted to the grooming bucket, since she’d heard all about this stuff.
However, the dogs couldn’t get their noses in because Benny shooed them away.
Charly paid his compliments to Ward, then edged away from the small crowd. Larry, too, turned to go.
“Larry, you son of a bitch, you called INS, didn’t you?”
Startled at this off-the-wall accusation, Larry laughed it off. “Have another drink, Charly.”
Harry kept a few steps back. She didn’t trust Charly’s temper.
“I’d say it’s damned convenient for you, Hodge,” Charly snarled. “Your men have their green cards on them, too. And by the way, where’s Renata? You kept her out of this because of the bad publicity?”
“Charly, you’re out of your mind. She doesn’t have a class tonight.”
“Oh, bullshit. With that massive ego, you think she’d pass on everyone fawning on her tonight because Queen Esther showed up? You bet she showed up. You took her in the first place.”
Larry’s face, beet red, betrayed his own rising anger. “You know what it is, Trackwell? You can’t stand losing. You cut me off in the ring tonight to make Golden Parachute break. Didn’t work. And you aren’t going to win the five-gaited stake, either, so who are you going to blame Saturday night? Think ahead. Has to be someone else’s fault.”