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the track tonight.” Adam glanced at his watch. “We’d be better off just checking in to the hotel and getting something to eat.”
    “I really wanted to see Spitfire first.” Trish couldn’t help voicing her desire.
    “I know. We’re still on Pacific time, but it’s later here. Can you wait till morning?” Trish nodded. Nothing ever seemed to go right anymore. “You hungry?”
    “I don’t think so.” She did a body check. Food just didn’t seem necessary.
    “You didn’t eat on the plane.” Adam tapped his brakes again when the taillights in front of them flashed red.
    “I know.” Will this drive never end? Trish knew she was being rude, but she couldn’t seem to think of anything to say. It was easier to retreat to the other end of her telescope.
    By the time she fell onto her hotel bed, the pounding headache had returned. She dug in her case for some pain pills and slugged two of them down. The face in the mirror seemed to have lost all life and color. The circles under her eyes were getting blacker. She poured a glass of water to leave on the nightstand and flicked off the light. If only it were that easy to flick off all that had happened.

    In the morning, Trish braided her hair and brushed her teeth without looking in the mirror. Who needed reminders of how bad she looked?
    “The horse van will be ready at seven,” Adam said when he knocked on her door. “I’m checking out now. I’ll meet you downstairs.”
    “Okay.” Trish finished stuffing her things into the bag and checked the bathroom again. She switched off the lights as she left the room.
    The sun was just pinking the eastern sky as they approached gate six at Belmont Park. The guard waved them through when Adam flashed his identification. The huge elm trees were still the same. Early morning track sounds hadn’t changed. Horses whinnied. Someone was whistling as he walked a horse across the road. Someone else laughed. Only Trish’s world had changed. She clamped down on the thought. No, her father wouldn’t be back. The old litany started again. Just get through!
    She greeted Patrick and sidestepped the hug he offered. Hugs were off limits. Spitfire was nearly her undoing. His familiar nicker and bobbing black head revealed his joy at seeing her. Trish wrapped both arms around the horse’s neck and buried her face in his mane. One tear forced its way through her clenched eyelids. She hung on for dear life.
    Spitfire raised his head and nibbled on her braid. When that didn’t get her attention, he blew in her ear. Trish reached up to scratch behind his ears and down his cheek. His silent whuffle thanked her.
    “How you been?” Trish whispered in his ear. Spitfire nodded and nosed her pocket for his carrot. “You miss me?” The black colt nodded again and rubbed his forehead against her chest. “Hasn’t Patrick been treating you right?” Spitfire snorted.
    “Sounds to me like you two carry on a pretty good conversation.”
    Trish spun around at the sound of the familiar voice. “Red!” She flung herself into his arms before she had time to think. Red held her close and pressed a kiss on her hair.
    “How you doin’?” His whisper brushed the wisps of hair around her ear.
    Trish just shook her head. She knew she had to get away from him before the tears started, but for a moment longer she clung to his embrace. Reluctantly, she pushed back and ducked under Spitfire’s neck. If she bit her lip hard enough the tears retreated. Forced back by sheer force of will, again. She was getting better at this.
    “You want to take Sarah’s Pride while I ride Spitfire? I’m sure she’s ready for a run.” She reached for the bridle Patrick handed to her. “How’s she been doing?”
    She could feel Red’s stare boring holes into her back. How could she tell him that hugs and kind words were too much, even from him?

Chapter
05
    T rish felt as if she were caught in a time warp.
    Red whistled a popular tune as he rode beside her