Looking over my shoulder back to Jon and Scott, I smiled. “Let’s saddle him then.” Scott’s face beamed with pride and I knew this was showing Scott I could step up to any challenge. I wished Lauren had been here though. She would have been able to show her daddy how ready she was to take on more of the business.
Fifteen minutes later I was climbing up onto the back of Mighty Mike. Good name for this horse. He sure was Mighty Mike. Scott checked everything on the saddle once more and shook his head. “You got a feeling, Colt?”
Smiling, I nodded my head with confidence. “Yes, sir. I very much do. Look at how the muscles in his legs are twitching. He wants to be let loose.”
“Be careful, Colt. No telling what this horse is capable of.”
Giving Mighty Mike slight pressure with my legs, he started walking. The closer we got to the track the more I could feel his body reacting. Placing my hand on his neck, I leaned down. “Steady there big boy. I know what you want. Let’s show them what you’ve got.”
Walking the horse onto the track I held him for a few seconds. “You ready, buddy?”
Mighty Mike started bouncing his head up and down as I laughed. “Let’s go.” One small kick and he took off in a full-on run. All I did was hold on and let the horse take control. He needed to get this out of his system and I was gonna let him.
Four and half laps later, he finally slowed down and began trotting. Giving him a good pat on the neck I looked over at Scott. The smile on his face was all I needed to see to know I had just earned respect from him. I couldn’t wait to tell Lauren.
Walking up to Jon and Scott, I couldn’t wipe the smile from my face. Jon shook his head and let out a laugh. “Cocky little bastard, just like your daddy. You proved your point. I want you in on Mighty Mike’s training, if that is all right with you, Scott. I like his instinct with this horse. They seem to have a connection.” Mighty Mike bobbed his head as we all laughed.
Turning to look at me, Scott gave me a grin and said, “I’m more than all right with that, Jon. Colt here is wanting to come on board after college and help with the business.”
Clearing my throat, I said, “Helping alongside, Lauren.” Scott looked at me with a surprised expression before turning back and talking to Jon more about getting Mighty Mike started right away on a training schedule.
I handed the reins off to one of the high school guys Scott had working for him. Scott started walking Jon to his truck. “Give me a couple weeks with him and I’ll put him out to pasture with one of my broodmares and we’ll see if Colt’s theory is correct.”
“If you can make it happen and breed that stubborn ass horse, I’ll let you have a ninety percent control of the racing,” Jon said with a nod and smile before closing his truck door. Scott and I watched as Jon drove down the driveway.
Turning, Scott started laughing. “I want to kiss you right now! Holy shit, Colt. That damn horse ran four hundred forty yards in twenty-one seconds.”
My mouth dropped open. “Shit, I knew he was fast, but I didn’t think he was that fast.”
Scott rubbed the back of his neck as we headed back to the barn. “Could have been a fluke. Just him itching to get it out of his system, but I want you on his back every time that horse takes the track.”
Attempting to hold my excitement back, I played it cool. “Will do.”
“Now go muck out the stalls, Colt. Dinner’s at six. Your parents will be joining us.”
I stopped walking and stared at the back of Scott’s head as he continued to walk on. Once he turned the corner, I fist pumped and did a jump. Pulling out my phone, I sent Lauren a text.
Me: Hey sweetheart! Are you having fun?
Not a minute later, Lauren texted back.
Lauren: I am! I’d have more fun if Grace and Maegan would stop arguing about everything! What are you doing?
Me: About to muck out stalls but your daddy let me get a stallion on the track today. It was amazing. I can’t wait to tell you all about it.
Lauren: Awesome! Can’t wait. Love and miss you.
Me: Love you more! Miss you the most.
Walking into the barn, I grabbed a pitchfork and got to work on the first stall. I couldn’t wait to get started on Mighty Mike. I had a feeling this was going to be the best summer yet.
PULLING UP TO the Strater Hotel, we all let out an “Oh!” The hotel was beautiful. “Nice pick, Libby!”
“Thanks. Wait until you see the rooms.” Libby pulled up to the front of the hotel. “I booked three rooms so we’ll draw names to see who is bunking with who,” Libby said as she parked the Tahoe we rented for the trip. Once we all got out of the car, we started stretching.
