Bluegrass State of Mind (33 page)

Kenna was whirling from all the names
of the people she was meeting. She sighed in relief as she saw Mo
and Ahmed approaching with Cole and Paige not far behind. She
smiled from ear to ear as she watched Paige and Cole treat each
other like two cats about to be thrown into a bag
together.

“
Well, we have some more
news we thought we should share now that we have everyone
together,” Mo said. “Go ahead, Ahmed. Fill them in on what you
found out.”

“
I took Chad’s champagne
glass from the party and ran his prints through my software. It
triggered nineteen names. Chad has had a long history of identity
theft and fraud in his life. Every time a warrant is issued under a
name, he tosses it out and starts all over again. He has pulled
jobs all over the world and is wanted by numerous countries,
including England, France, Spain, and Russia. He is wanted for
embezzlement, rape, suspicion of murder of a lovely young girl in
France, and much more.”

“
Since I am not acting in
official capacity at the moment, I am not even going to think about
how many laws your software broke running criminal checks through
all those countries’ databases. I am guessing they didn’t give you
permission.” Cole pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his
eyes.

“
As you said, you’re not
going to ask. Now, the real question: What are we going to do to
catch him?”

Cole filled Ahmed in on his activities
off the record and agreed that Ahmed should keep digging to see
what he could find on Chad and his patterns. “Now that we know Cole
and Ahmed have a loosely based game plan, let’s try to enjoy the
rest of the day. Is everyone ready to head up to the
Derby?”

“
I guess that is my cue to
head on home and crank up the TV. Smile and wave to me if you’re on
camera,” Paige said as she hugged Kenna goodbye.

“
You’re not going?” Cole
blurted. Everyone turned to stare at him. “What?”

Will cleared his throat and stared off
in the distance. Mo and Ahmed stared at their feet as Paige flushed
red.

“
My dear, I would be
honored if you allowed me to escort you. You look splendid. It
would be a shame not to get you on TV as well.” Mo gave an elegant
bow that had Paige giggling.

“
Really?! Here I design
Derby hats and I have never even been before! Thanks Mo!” Paige
squealed as she jumped over and gave Mo a big smacking kiss on the
cheek.

“
Okay, we’ll see you at
the red carpet,” Will said as he took Kenna’s hand. They started to
make their way to their limo.

“
They were supposed to
move my things into your limo when we got here. I hope they did.”
She opened the back door and leaned in, “Oh good! It’s all
here.”

“
What did you have moved
into our car?” Will slid in behind her and started at the hat box,
makeup case, shoe boxes, two hanging bags, and a duffle
bag.

“
You didn’t think I was
going to wear this same dress to the Derby and to the Derby Ball,
did you?”

“
Well, no. But...” He
waved his arm to all the items.

“
Stop complaining. Help me
get out of this dress so I can change.”

Will grinned ear to ear, his dimples
coming out. “Now that is something I am happy to do.”

* * *

“
Stop it,” Kenna laughed
as she smacked his hand away from the hemline of her dress. “We’re
about to get out of the car and I see photographers. I do not want
a picture of you with your hand up my skirt.”

“
I can’t help it. It’s
those sleeves that look like little bows on your arms. They make me
think of you as a present. I just can’t wait to unwrap you… again.”
He kissed above the little bow on her arm and she felt his lips lay
seductive kisses along her clavicle.

She felt her eyes close and her head
lull to one side, allowing him better access. He nibbled his way
from the hollow point of her neck up to her ear.

“
We’re here.” Then she
felt him pull away suddenly and saw the door open. As the cameras
flashed, Will stepped out and held out his hand for her with a huge
smile on his face. That little... she’d get him back.

She placed her hand in his and stood
up. She looked back and saw Mo’s limo coming to a stop where theirs
had just left. Will put her hand on his arm and angled her into the
crowd of photographers lined up on both sides of the red carpet
leading to Millionaires’ Row.

With a smile, he leaned over and
whispered in her ear, “Relax and just smile.”

She took a deep breath and took in the
feel of the place. Cheers went up from the end of a race, the
crowds milled around looking at horses, and people tried to get
their favorite celebrity’s autograph. People were shouting to Will
and he obliged every single person with an autograph. He even
stopped for pictures with any kid who asked. They reached the
television coverage line and started answering questions from the
reporters.

“
Will Ashton, Mr. Ashton!
Over here,” A young man shouted and waved. Will led her to the
young man. “It’s so cool to see you again. Your tip earned me a ton
of money last year. You think you can make it two for
two?”

“
I don’t know, Justin, but
I sure hope so.”

“
She’s interviewing John
Wall right now, but you’ll be next.” Justin turned and waved down
another person walking the chute.

“
Who are you doing the
interview with and who’s John Wall?” She tried to read the initials
on the microphone, but could only see the back of a pretty lady’s
hat and a tall, athletic man.

“
It’s for Sports Network.
They want me to do an interview since I am a sports guy. John Wall
also went to UK, but played basketball. He’s now in the NBA playing
for Washington. Good kid,” Will said, and then put on a coy smile.
“And, it’s not just me, you’re going in, too.” Before she could
refuse, he was pulling her toward the smiling lady.

“
Will, it’s so nice to see
you again. How is retirement?” She asked as make-up artist powdered
her nose a little.

“
Good, Stacy, thanks.
Stacy, this is McKenna Mason. Kenna, this is Stacy
Hartford.”

“
Nice to meet you. Will
doesn’t bring women around very often, you must be special. Okay,
ready?” Not waiting for a response, she smiled into the camera,
“We’re here with Will Ashton, owner of last year’s Derby winner,
Spires Landing. You also know him from his years as the starting
quarterback for Washington. He retired to take over Ashton Farm
just two years ago. I’m sure all football fans will be cheering on
his horse in the Derby this year.” She paused and turned toward
them and smiled. “Do you think Naked Boot Leg can fool the field
and come out in the lead at the end of most exciting two minutes in
sports?”

“
I think so. He’s nothing
like Spires Landing, but has a whole lot of heart and spunk. We’ll
see, it’s a field of twenty great horses this year.” She couldn’t
believe how calm he was. His hands weren’t sweaty, and she couldn’t
feel any nervousness in the arm he had around her.

“
Will, who is this lovely
lady you have with you today?”

He smiled and tightened his grasp on
her waist. She was pretty sure he thought she was going to bolt.
“This is my beautiful and talented girlfriend, McKenna
Mason.”

“
Girlfriend? My, my, you
heard it first on Sports Nation,” she said smiling into the camera.
“Is it serious?”

“
It sure is,” Will said as
he smiled down into Kenna’s face.

Turning to Kenna now, Stacy continued,
“That is a terrific hat. Who designed it?”

Kenna was expecting that question and
relaxed, “Paige Davies, owner of Southern Charms, in Keeneston made
it. She’s the best designer I have ever seen. Actually, she’s right
behind me, being escorted by Sheik Mohtadi Ali Rahman.” She pointed
out Paige. The information that Paige was being escorted by one of
the world’s most eligible bachelors drew all attention away from
Kenna. Stacy practically knocked her over to get to Mo and
Paige.

“
That was cheating,” Will
whispered in her ear as they made their way easily down the rest of
the red carpet.

They went through the open double
doors and into a private elevator. An operating assistant pushed
the top button and they rode in silence to Millionaire’s Row
6.

Will explained that Millionaire’s Row
was broken down into Row 4 and Row 6. Millionaire’s Row took up two
stories and was the calm amid the frenzy of Derby Day. The elevator
doors swooshed open and she stepped out onto thick, luxurious
carpet.

She looked around and was almost
blinded by the bright colors worn by celebrities of all sorts.
Women were in bright dresses and brighter hats. Men dressed in
pink, white, and blue shirts with outrageous bowties quietly
mingled around with each other.

“
This isn’t the real
Derby. But, I needed to stop by to see some friends.” Will remained
calm and in control, “I’ll take you downstairs to get the true feel
of the day in a minute.”

She nodded as he led her down the row,
past the private betting stands and bars. Through the tables where
some people sat studying the racing program and others sat talking
over drinks. People nodded politely in greeting instead of running
for autographs. She saw actors, actresses, singers, models, and
political celebrities ranging from royalty down to
governors.

She looked out the wall of windows and
past the balcony to see the track and a massive infield filled with
tents and people. She slowed to look out the window as Will started
waving to a friend nearby.

The elevator opened as Paige, Mo,
Ahmed, and Cole stepped out. Lots of nods were sent Mo’s way, and
soon the gossip began as people put their heads together to figure
out who Paige was. Then there were a couple of women licking their
lips and blatantly inviting Cole to their table. Cole grinned and
gave them a wink, causing Paige to narrow her eyes at
him.

“
Isn't this unbelievable?
Do you know I was asked about my hats?” Paige said excitedly as she
greeting Kenna with a hug. “This is so amazing!”

They made their way to the balcony to
watch the third race of the day. The warm breeze greeted her as she
took a spot at the rail. Paige had grabbed a program and scanned
the horses when the trumpet called the horses to post.

“
Who are you going to root
for in this race?” Will asked as he slid his arm around her
shoulders.

“
I have no idea. How do
you even pick one?”

“
Well, there’s the odds on
favorite, which is currently the number five horse, Good Luck Girl.
Or you can go with a favorite jockey, trainer, horse farm, color
silks they wear, or lucky numbers. Some people try to guess based
on the weather, speed of the horse, or breeding.”

“
Well, I like number
three’s name, Special Kind of Justice.”

“
Okay, this is a one and
one sixteenth mile race. They’ll enter the gates way over there and
cross the finish line here.” Will pointed to a little straight lane
where the horses here entering the gate off of the final
turn.

“
And they’re set!” The
announcer said. A bell rang, the gates flew open, and the field of
ten horses shot out. The people started cheering and yelling for
their favorite horses. Some called them by name, and some by
number. The hooves of the horses were pounding in the dirt as they
flew past the grandstand. Kenna could feel the vibration in her
feet and the sound of forty hooves eating up the track resonated in
her chest.

She gripped the rail and leaned
forward. The sun hit her face and the wind blew her hair back as
she tried to see where her horse was. They were now on the far side
of the track and the cheers continued to get louder and louder as
the horses pounded their way into the corner.

As the horses rounded the corner
heading for home, the pounding of their hooves started off as a
quiet rumble. The vibrations of over a hundred and fifty thousand
people jumping up and down while yelling encouragement drowned it
out. But as the horses neared the finish lines, the stampede
produced an overwhelming sound and feeling.

Kenna held her breath as ten half-ton
thoroughbreds pushed, wove, and barreled for the finish line. Neck
and neck, the two horses in front were battling with each other. A
third was darting toward the front on the rail. “That’s my horse!
Oh Will, that’s my horse. Go Justice!” She jumped up and down,
screaming as Special Kind of Justice pushed closer to the front two
horses.

The thundering of their hooves grew
louder and louder as they reached the grandstand. The jockey’s all
rode low on their saddles, using every muscle in their body to push
their horse faster and faster. The third horse started to fade,
leaving Good Luck Girl and Special Kind of Justice battling it out
as they approached the finish line.

The tension and excitement from the
spectators rolled through the grandstand. Every muscle in Kenna
tightened as she willed her horse to go just a little faster. And
then suddenly, the horses crossed the finish line. Good Luck Girl
won by a head.