Sullivan’s Trace
Published by Ali Spooner at Smashwords
Copyright 2010 Ali Spooner
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Sullivan’s Trace
Chapter One
Camille Graves sat on the front porch staring out across the railing at the approaching swirls of dust. For the better part of the sixty years she had been alive she had worked for Doc Barton and his family. She watched as a large red truck approached. The two year drought showed no signs of letting up in the near future and the image of the truck shimmered in the heat waves as she squinted against the sun’s brightness.
“That would be Miss Bryn,” Camille said to herself, as the truck slowed and turned into the drive a few hundred yards away.
Miss Bryn would be Bryn Barton, the Doc’s granddaughter, who was expected to arrive today. Camille had not seen her for almost five years and she was as excited to see the young woman as her Grandfather.
Doc Barton had been the areas veterinarian for over forty years and had built a reputation as the best large animal specialist in the south. He had brought some of the finest American Quarter horses and thoroughbreds into this world, but would soon be passing on his practice to his granddaughter, Bryn, to finally go into full retirement. Since his wife’s passing five years ago, he found he had lost a step or two and just was not able to put in the long hours and late nights like he used to. As he aged, it seemed like more often a prized foal or calf would choose to be born between the hours of two and five in the morning, frequently after many hours of painful labor.
The flash of the hot sun reflected off the truck, catching the attention of Micah Sullivan, Sully to her friends, as she climbed up to sit on the top rail of the corral fence. “Damn Glen, go easy on his mouth will ya?” she barked from her perch.
“Sorry Sully,” Glen said, as he eased up on the reins.
“He’s got the instinct, so just sit back, hold on and let him do the work,” Sully shouted.
It was never easy for Sully to train a new rider. The horses she bred were born with the instinct to herd cattle, but to compete and establish their reputation, they still needed a rider. Sully’s back injury a few years earlier prevented her from competing as much as she liked, hence the need of a quality trained rider. Glen was talented and she had been working with him for over a year, but she still had to remind him to give the horse free rein to make the instinctive sharp movements of a cutting horse. All the rider had to do was point out the animal they wanted cut and separated from the herd and then sit back and let the animal do the work.
Sully watched as the truck stirred up a cloud of dust as the owner maneuvered the hulking machine down the drive. Doc Barton had stopped by the previous day and informed Sully that his granddaughter would be arriving today to begin orienting to his practice in anticipation of his retirement. Even though Sully had joked with Doc, she knew the portly old man was weary and ready to retire. Still, Doc Barton was the best vet for hundreds of miles and Sully would miss the comfort of knowing he would be available at the drop of a hat. He did his best to assure Sully that Bryn was very competent and had gained valuable experience working at some of the country’s premier racetracks.
She watched as the truck slowed as it approached Doc’s house.
Sully had taken over the management of Sullivan’s Trace three years earlier, after the sudden death of her father. She was named after her grandfather Micah Sullivan, an immigrant from Ireland who found work as a cowboy in Texas before relocating his small family to Florida.
Micah had an eye for quality horseflesh and began breeding some of the best American Quarter horses in the states. His experience with driving cattle in Texas also helped him train cutting horses and his talents quickly became well known across the southern states. His first grand champion, Sullivan’s Sun Dancer became the root of his stock and had sired numerous champions over the years. With the birth of artificial insemination, the bloodlines would last for many generations in the future.
Doc Barton had been out to complete a pre-birthing check on one of the mares that was carrying a foal of the famed Sun Dancer. Much to Sully’s delight, Doc had informed her that the foal would be a colt, and a rather large one that had him worried about the birthing process.
“He’s going to come out half grown at this rate,” Doc had said, as he finished his examination. “I will give her two to three weeks left at the most,” he said as he removed the disposable gloves from his hands. “Bryn will be here just in time to help bring him into the world,” he said with a proud smile.
“Are you sure she is ready to take on your practice?” Sully asked curiously.
Doc chuckled which made his bright eyes sparkle brighter. “She is young, but her education is the best money can buy. Besides that, she still practices some of the timeless methods I taught her when she first graduated,” he added.
“I know you wouldn’t turn the practice over to just anyone,” Sully said.
“Just wait until you meet Bryn before you make a judgment based on youth. She is only two years younger than you,” Doc said with a mischievous grin.
“Point taken,” Sully said, as she returned his smile. In a male dominated world, she remembered the constant doubters who challenged her management of the farm when she first returned to take over.
Doc had been the farm’s vet as long as Sully could remember and it would take some getting used to having anyone else provide medical care to her stock. With a thousand acres and several hundred horses in her breeding stock, Sullivan’s Trace was a large account for Doc Barton and had proven an invaluable member of her team. Sully planned to send him into retirement with style as she planned to expand her annual Fourth of July cookout with a surprise retirement celebration for Doc. She would still serve up the best BBQ and steaks in the county and would add a fireworks display as well. There was also a very special gift she had ordered for Doc which would be delivered later this week. With Camille’s help it would be a very special celebration.
Bryn slowed as she approached the house. Other than a fresh coat of paint it didn’t look any different than the last time she had been here. That was nearly five years ago when her grandmother had ended her year- long battle with cancer that had eroded her body from the inside out. She could still feel the pain in her grandfather’s eyes as the casket was lowered into the ground and he said his final goodbye to the love of his life. Bryn knew the pain would never leave him completely, but she hoped the spark of life had returned to her grandfather’s eyes.
She smiled when she saw a small figure rise from a rocking chair on the front porch and walk slowly toward the front steps. Camille had been a part of the family forever and had been a rock of support for Doc when his beloved had passed.
Bryn put the truck in park and switched the ignition off. She stepped out of the truck and walked toward the house, a huge smile playing across her face.
“It is so good to see you again, Camille,” she said as she reached to take the small woman in her arms.
Camille welcomed the embrace saying, “I thought this day would never come. Your grandfather has been eagerly awaiting your arrival, but got called away on an emergency a few hours ago.”
“How is he doing?”
“He has slowed down a bit, but still tries to work from dawn until dusk,” Camille said with a chuckle. “I think deep down though, he is very tired and ready to meet the challenge of retirement.”
“I hope my presence here will allow him the confidence to do just that,” Bryn said, as her arm slipped around Camille’s waist as they walked onto the porch.
“Can I pour you some iced tea?” Camille asked as Bryn sat in one of the rockers.
“That would be fantastic. I have found nothing better to beat this summer heat than a glass of your sweet tea.”
Camille chuckled as she handed Bryn the cool glass. “Just as smooth talker as your grandfather, I see.”
“It must be a family trait,” Bryn said as she smiled and took a long drink.
When she lowered her glass, she looked across the lawn at the heat waves radiating up from the ground. “How long has it been since it has rained?”
“Six weeks and counting,” Camille said. “Every now and then dark clouds form giving us hope of at least a shower, but just as quickly as they form, they disappear without a drop of rain.”
“That must be really tough on the farmers in the area.”
“The corn’s bone dry and the beans are wilting in the heat. Lake levels have dropped dangerously low, so the farmers can’t use the water to irrigate like they have in the past.”
Bryn gazed at the dancing heat waves until the metal clanking sound of a gate rang in her ears in the silence and she looked off to the right.
“Is that still Sullivan’s Trace?” she asked.
“Yes it is. Old man Sullivan died a few years back and Micah returned home to take over the running of the farm and the breeding and training program,” Camille said as she watched Bryn closely.
“I still remember the summer I spent here as a kid when Micah and I became friends only to dissolve once the summer ended and I went home,” Bryn said.
“That was the year your father had surgery wasn’t it?” Camille asked.
“Yes, right after his heart attack. I was twelve years old and my parents brought me here to live with my grandparents while dad recuperated from open heart surgery.”
Bryn squinted against the bright sun and could make out a figure sitting atop the corral fence, leaving her wondering what Micah would be like now. Micah was two years older than she and Bryn had worshipped her that summer. Camille would pack her a lunch and Bryn and Micah would ride horses or swim during the day and darkness would fall before she returned home for dinner.
“How is Micah doing?” Bryn asked curiously.
“She’s doing fine as far as I can tell,” Camille said. “She had an accident a few years ago which left her unable to ride as much as she would like, but she immerses herself in the management of the farm.”
Bryn could tell that Camille too was impressed with Micah.
“Too much so, sometimes I fear,” Camille added.
“Why do you say that?”
“She has a waiting list for her horses a mile long and she doesn’t take time out for herself at all, it’s just work, work, work,” Camille chided. “Just like someone else I know will probably do.”
Bryn smiled, knowing that at least at first she would work long hours until she had fully assessed her grandfathers’ practice to determine their needs. “Once I get into the swing of things, I promise I will try to take it easy.”
“Boy, have I heard that song and dance before,” Camille said, with a deep chuckle.
“Is Sullivan’s Trace still the major customer for grandfather?” she asked.
“Most definitely, he spends a large majority of his time over there,” she said as she looked toward the neighboring farm.
“Good, at least I will be close to home.”
“That you will,” Camille said. “Why don’t you bring your bags in while I tend to dinner,” she suggested. “I expect your grandfather home in an hour or so and I usually try to have dinner ready for him.”
“No wonder he’s so spoiled if you treat him like that,” Bryn teased.
“Your family has been very good to me. After my Herbert passed and I moved out here, they have treated me like family,” she said with a tone of appreciation in her voice.
“You have always been family,” Bryn said as she stood and hugged Camille. “As soon as I finish unpacking I will come down to check on you,” she promised.
“Child, I have been cooking for that old man since before you were born,” Camille said with a laugh. “I know exactly how he likes his food, but you can come and keep me company.”
“As long as I stay out of your way in the kitchen, is that what you are saying?” Bryn asked with a grin.
“Exactly,” Camille answered and disappeared into the house.
Bryn walked out to the truck and filled her arms with luggage to carry into the house. It was a two story home, much too large for such a small family, but her grandfather would not even discuss moving into something smaller. He could not bear to leave the home of so many beautiful memories behind. Bryn climbed the steps and pushed open the door to her old room.
Camille had placed fresh linens on the bed and Bryn walked across the room to place the luggage down at the foot of the bed. She looked at the double French doors and walked over to them. With a quick twist of the knobs she opened the door to a small private balcony that looked out toward the Trace. Just as she had remembered, Bryn smiled to herself. So many mornings were spent sitting in the rocker waiting until the sun rose so she could begin the next grand adventure with Micah.
The thought of her old friend sent a strange sensation of warmth through her body. Surprised by her body’s reaction she shook her shoulders and returned inside to start putting away her clothing.
Sully stepped gingerly off the fence and followed Glen into the stables. “Be sure to give him a good rubdown after you remove his tack,” she said, as she turned to leave the barn.
“Yes ma’am,” he said as he walked the young stallion into the stables.
Sully stopped and turned back toward Glen. “You did a good job today, Glen.”
“Thanks, Sully, that means a lot coming from you,” he said with pride.
Sully returned his smile as she started for the house.
Chapter Two
Bryn finished putting her clothes away and joined Camille in the kitchen.
“Is that your fried chicken I smell?” she asked as she stepped back into the kitchen.
“Fried chicken, rice, gravy fresh tomatoes and corn I picked just today,” Camille said.
“Dear Lord, how will I keep from gaining a ton of weight eating your cooking?” Bryn joked.
“You will be so busy you will burn every calorie off I can feed you,” Camille promised. “Somehow I still don’t think you realize just how large your grandfather’s practice really is,” she said with a grin, as she shook her head from side to side.
“You are beginning to scare me,” Bryn said. “I wonder now if I have bitten off more than I can chew,” she said, a worried frown furrowing her brow.
Camille chuckled softly. “If your grandfather can handle it at his age, I am sure you will be just fine, Bryn, so don’t let my prattling worry you.”
Bryn settled into a stool at the breakfast bar and picked up a fresh glass of tea. She was lost in her thoughts and did not hear her grandfather’s approach up the drive.
Sully stepped onto her front porch just as she heard Doc Barton’s old truck turn into his drive. Camille would have dinner waiting for him and he would spend this night getting reacquainted with Bryn. She felt a twinge of jealousy as she stepped through her front door and walked to the kitchen to find it cold and empty. How nice it would be to have someone to cook for her, she thought for a brief moment then shook a painful memory from her mind.
Sully and Alisa had been lovers for three years before her father got sick and she was called back home to run the family business. Alisa had been born and raised a city girl and three months after Sully’s father passed, Alisa decided she needed the city to be happy. Sully walked into the house one afternoon to find Alisa’s bags packed and her lover sitting down at the desk to write her a note. When Sully realized what was happening, her anger rose quickly.
“Were you going to leave just like that, with nothing more than a note?” she demanded to know.
“I didn’t know how or what to say to you Sully,” Alisa said with tears in her eyes. “I am withering away out here and I must leave. I know you have responsibilities here, so I won’t ask you to join me,” she said as she balled the paper in her fist and dropped it into the trash.
Sully felt betrayed by Alisa after all they had shared together. “I thought all you wanted was to be with me,” she said, her anger forcing the words from her throat.
“I’ve changed. I just cannot live with the isolation out here,” Alisa said. “My heart yearns for the sounds of traffic and the rumble of train cars.”
“Let me help you with your bags and you can be out of my life then,” Sully said with venom.
“Sully, please don’t make this any harder than what it is for me already,” Alisa begged.
“It can’t be too hard, if you can just walk out like this with no discussion and no chance of a compromise,” Sully spat at her. Even as the words left her lips, Sully realized there would be no compromise. She would not leave the farm, even for a woman as beautiful as Alisa. She grabbed up the last two bags and strode angrily out to Alisa’s car and tossed them into the back seat.
Alisa had followed Sully outside and stood frozen, her jaw hanging slack as Sully stormed past her without another word and slammed the front door behind her. She turned for a final look, then walked to her car and drove away.
For several months, Sully had sunk into a well of bitterness and self pity at the betrayal she felt. After she had drowned her sorrows in enough single malt scotch, Sully decided her life would go on and she would never allow a woman to hurt her again like Alisa had. She focused all her energy on the management of the farm and did her best to fight off the loneliness that some nights was almost unbearable.
Sully walked to the fridge and made a sandwich for her meal and pulled a cold beer from the shelf. She sat at the small kitchen table and watched as the sun disappeared beneath the horizon. She finished her sandwich and took her beer to the front porch to sit in one of the heavy rockers by the front door. She sipped her beer and watched as the shore of the small lake came to life with the dancing of fireflies.
Glittering bright green and yellow, the small insects floated across the warm night as they danced to entice their mates. Sully could not resist joining them on the lake’s shore and she walked down to take a seat at the edge of the water. She had not thought of Alisa in months and shook her head trying to erase the memories from her mind. The hurt stung anew as she thought back to the last day.
Alisa had taken her breath away the first time they had met with her amazing beauty. Sully had been instantly smitten with her and gave her heart away so easily, the same heart Alisa crushed when she left so abruptly. It had always come down to Alisa’s needs over Sully’s and up until that point, Sully had always compromised her needs for Alisa’s, but when Sully took a stand for her needs, Alisa took the opportunity to flee.
Sully shook her head again. “Get a hold of your heart girl,” she spoke out loud. “She is gone and you are better off without her dominating your life,” she said weakly to herself.
Sully drained the beer and sat back into the deep chair. The moon had risen, full and shone brightly down upon the rippling water. A slight breeze had come up in the early evening, but did little to ease the oppressive heat. A sudden flash of lightning in the distance caught Sully’s attention. Mother Nature would tease them with a distant electrical storm, but refused to send them the rain they desperately needed. Crops would continue to whither, while animals and humans alike wilted in the deadly heat.
Sully closed her eyes and laid her head back against the chair, her ears full of the sounds of the night.
After sharing a delicious meal with Bryn and Camille, Doc suggested he and Bryn step out to the porch for a chat.
“It is so good to finally have you here,” he said, as they took seats in two rockers on the porch.
“It feels good to be here,” Bryn replied. “I look forward to beginning to work with you,” she added.
“There is so much to share with you in the next few weeks,” Doc said. “If you are ready, we will get a start at the office tomorrow morning and check the schedule.”
“That sounds great,” Bryn said as she studied her grandfather’s weathered face.
Doc stared out across the lawn at the lightning flashing in the distance. “Damn, I wish we could get some rain around here.”
“Should I go out and dance a rain dance?” Bryn teased.
“I am almost to the point where I would be willing to do one myself,” Doc answered. “Even the lakes are beginning to dry up around here,” he said as his eyes stretched across the darkness toward Sullivan’s Trace.
“We should make a visit to see Sully tomorrow,” Doc said.
“Sully,” Bryn asked?
“Micah hasn’t been called by her first name in years. She was nicknamed Sully late in high school and the name has stuck,” her grandfather explained.
“That is good information to know. What else should I be aware of?”
Doc cocked his head at his granddaughter. “Well, I guess that depends. Sullivan’s Trace is still my largest client, giving me at least seventy-five percent of my business,” he said.
“What’s she like. That summer of our friendship was so many years ago, I can hardly remember what she looks like,” Bryn said.
Doc’s eyes glistened as he spoke of Sully and Bryn quickly picked up on the admiration her grandfather had for Sully. “She is incredible with the horses and her steeds are the most desired cutting horses in North America,” he explained. “She learned well of breeding and training from her father and has lifted the farm beyond what her father had ever dreamed it would be.”
“Married? Children?” Bryn asked.
Doc looked directly into Bryn’s eyes. “No, she has never married. There was a woman with her when she first moved back, but her longing for city life got the better of her,” he said with a grin. “I can’t honestly say, I was sad to see her go,” he admitted.
Bryn sat quietly as she waited for her grandfather to expand on his comment, but Doc remained quiet. She found her eyes drifting over to the large barn which blocked the house where Sully lived apparently alone now.
“Funny though,” Doc said. “When I told Sully you were coming out to take over, she asked the same questions about you.”
Bryn was stunned by her grandfather’s revelation. She had doubted that Sully would even remember her after all these years. She had assumed Sully, who was several years older would have easily forgotten the long legged, pony tailed girl who worshipped her that summer.
“So, what did you tell her?” she asked curiously.
“Oh, I just said you were concentrating on work and waiting for your soul mate,” Doc said with a grin.
Bryn felt her cheeks flush under the dim porch light. She had never shared her brief, limited experience with Rose right after she finished college, but she knew he was very perceptive and read her expressions perfectly. Was her sly fox of a grandfather attempting to play matchmaker here? Bryn wondered. He did appear to think very highly of Sully, but how could he really know both women were attracted to other women?
“Nice answer,” Bryn said, as the clock in the foyer chimed loudly.
Doc glanced at the watch on his wrist. “We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow and you must be tired from your travels,” he said. “Why don’t we call it a night and get an early start in the morning,” he suggested.
“That sounds like a good plan,” Bryn said as she stood and stretched before she reached to pick up their glasses.
“I’ll get those,” Doc said.”Go on up and I will see you in the morning.”
Bryn leaned over and kissed her grandfather on the cheek. “It’s good to be home,” she said.
“It’s great to have you here,” he said as he picked up the glasses and moved to hold the door open for his granddaughter. “Camille has breakfast ready by six,” he said as Bryn walked passed him.
“I will see you in the morning then,” Bryn said as she started up the stairs.
“Goodnight,” Doc said, before he watched her disappear up the stairway.
Camille had turned on a small lamp beside the bed in Bryn’s room and she was met by a cool breeze as she closed the door behind her. The door to the balcony was open and a breeze was flowing softly into the bedroom. Bryn felt herself drawn to the balcony which faced Sullivan’s Trace. The moon had risen fully and was shining down onto the small lake.
Sully had drifted off to sleep sitting at the lake and the cool breeze that had come up chilled her awake. She stood and stretched before turning toward the house. A hot shower and clean sheets would be a welcome to her body, she thought as she made her way to the house.
Bryn strained her eyes in the darkness. Maybe it was her imagination, but she thought she saw a figure moving through the dark at the edge of the lake. She relaxed and allowed her eyes to adjust to the darkness. They confirmed that someone, presumably Sully was walking from the lake toward the house. She was excited to meet Sully again tomorrow and watched her until she was hidden by the barn.
Sully’s eyes were drawn to Doc’s house and she saw the silhouette of a figure standing on the second floor balcony. That was Bryn’s room during the summer of her visit and Sully wondered what it would be like to meet her as an adult. She took that thought with her as she climbed the steps to the house in search of a hot shower.
Bryn changed into a light pair of pajamas and selected clothing for the next day before climbing into the bed and turning out the light. She was asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow and her dreams were quick to arrive.
Sully lingered in the hot shower, enjoying the water against her skin as it erased the weariness of the day from her muscles. She dried her body and slipped into a light robe as she walked through the house to turn off the lights. In her bedroom, she pulled the covers back on her king sized bed and draped her robe over the foot of the bed. Her naked skin welcomed the feel of cool sheets as she lowered her body onto the bed. The soft thumping of the ceiling fan lulled her into sleep with her mind still thinking of Bryn and a smile playing on her face.
Chapter Three
Sully woke with the first rays of sunlight peeking through her window. She dressed and went to the kitchen to fix a light breakfast before walking out to the barn where her four- wheeler sat waiting. She picked up a small bag of dry dog food and dropped it into the passenger seat then climbed behind the wheel. She pulled out of the barn and drove past the corral down a path that would lead to a back pasture where the mares and young foals were kept. She turned off the trail into a wooded section of land and followed the path for several minutes before it opened into a clearing. She pulled the vehicle next to an ancient oak stump, took the bag of dog food and dumped it into a small metal tub. She stepped back into the vehicle, drove forward a hundred feet and parked beneath a tree to wait.
As anticipated, her wait was not long. Sully propped her feet on the dash as she listened for the slight sound of tiny feet on the dry sticks of the forest floor. The morning breeze was still cool and the sounds of the forest were carried along the air. She smiled with delight as she watched the mother fox appear in the clearing, her nose lifted in the air, to smell the offering Sully had left for her. She cautiously left the protection of the forest and was quickly followed by a pair of fox pups, jostling along behind her. She quickly trotted to the tub and began to eat the food Sully had left for her.
Sully had spotted the female fox nearly a year before and after seeing her on numerous occasions began to supplement her diet with the dry dog food. Slowly, the fox became used to seeing Sully and would allow her to remain in the area while she came out to feed. Several months ago, the female was nowhere to be seen when Sully came out to feed, but each time she visited the food had disappeared. Sully breathed a sigh of relief once she saw the fox, carefully herding two small pups ahead of her. She had grown thin the strain of the feeding pups draining her strength, so Sully began bringing a larger bag of food for her more often.
The mother ate greedily while the pups romped around the stump. Sully enjoyed watching them play and was amazed at how quickly they were growing. She leaned forward and her foot slipped on the dash creating a sound the pups heard. They stopped dead in their tracks, their bodies falling flat to the ground and the mother lifted her head to look at the source of the sound. She spotted Sully sitting quietly again in the small vehicle and made a soft woofing sound to her pups. They were reassured by their mother’s communication and resumed their playing.
Sully smiled. The mother fox had made her day by giving her the sign that she trusted her caretaker enough to not send her pups scrambling for safety. Sully watched the fox eat her fill and then lift her head to look directly at her and for a moment she locked gazes with the animal who appeared to smile at Sully. With another quick bark to her pups, the fox spun on her hind legs and trotted back into the woods.
She stuffed the sack into a pocket in the dash and turned the key to start the engine. She drove back down the small trail and continued on to the foal pasture. Sully pulled into the middle of the field and parked as a herd of golden animals approached. Two dozen mares with foals of varying ages circled the vehicle and Sully admired the beautiful animals that surrounded her. The sun playing on their golden coats brightened the morning as Sully reached into her pocket and drew out a knife. She walked to the rear of the vehicle and cut open a bag of apples and began slicing the ripened fruit to indulge the young horses with a sweet treat. The foals surrounded her as they crowded in close for a sampling of the gifts she had to offer. Sully found great joy in working with the animals from birth to mold their temperament and to bond them to human touch. She fed them sliced apples and then ran her hands over their shoulders, down their legs and for the older foals, Sully began leaning across their backs to get them used to bearing a humans weight. She quickly found herself lost in the midst of the horses.
Bryn joined her grandfather and Camille in the kitchen for breakfast as promised. Doc looked up and smiled when she entered the room.
“Good morning. I hope you slept well,” he said.
Bryn returned his smile. “I haven’t slept that well in ages,” she admitted.
“There is nothing like fresh country air to help you sleep at night,” Camille added. “Would you like coffee?”
“I would love a cup.”
“I’ll take a refill too,” Doc said.
Camille picked up his empty cup and shook her head. “It’s a good thing you got here when you did or he would have drained the pot,” she said.
“I am just a one cup person, sometimes two and then I switch over to juice,” Bryn said.
“Is apple still your favorite?” Camille asked.
Bryn smiled at the thought of Camille remembering that fact. “Yes it is,” she said, sharing her smile with Camille.
“What would you like for breakfast? I think there a few slices of bacon left and I can have toast and eggs ready in a few minutes,” Camille offered.
“Some toast and bacon will be just fine,” Bryn said.
“You better eat up, it will be a long time until lunch,” Doc said.
“Very well, I will have some soft scrambled eggs,” Bryn said, much to Camille’s delight.
“That’s better. I thought we would stop over for you to meet Sully and check on her mare before heading off to make other rounds today,” Doc said.
Bryn sipped her coffee as her grandfather spoke. “That sounds like a good start.”
Camille delivered a plate of eggs, toast and bacon with a glass of chilled apple juice.
“Thanks Camille,” she said.
“You are very welcome,” Camille said as she took a seat at the table.
“Are we still headed to the office this morning?” Bryn asked.
“I thought we would run by and check to see if we have appointments and then drop by next door to check on Sully’s mare and the rest of the stock.” Bryn noticed a scowl on Doc’s brow. “That colt she is expecting has me worried.”
“Why is that?”
“Because he is going to be large at birth, especially if the mare goes full term in another few weeks,” Doc said.
“Will he be too large for a natural birth?” Bryn asked.
“That’s what I am not sure of. The mare is from good breeding stock and this will be her third foal, but I still can’t help but worry.”
Bryn took the last bite of breakfast and washed it down with juice. “Well lets go to the office and then we can check on the mare,” she said, as she rose to carry her dishes to the sink.
“Leave those and I will get them,” Camille said.
“Thanks for a great breakfast. Let me brush my teeth and I will be ready to go,” she said, as she moved passed her grandfather.
“I will get the truck warmed up,” Doc said, as he walked toward the front door.
Doc and Bryn made a quick stop at the office to check the calendar to find no appointments for the day which would allow them to spend time acquainting Bryn with customers. She smiled as they turned down the drive to Sullivan’s Trace.
Her excitement faded quickly when no one was present to meet them as they drove up to the barn. Doc parked and stepped out of the truck. “Let’s go check on the mare and then we can track down Sully.”
Bryn followed him inside a large open barn, filled with stalls kept immaculately prepared. They passed stalls filled with beautiful golden palominos that lifted their heads to watch her and Doc pass by. The stall at the end was the largest by far. Occupied by a bright eyed mare, Bryn breathed in the clean smell of fresh wood shavings used to line the floor of the stall. Doc stepped into the stall, closely followed by Bryn and ran his hand down the mare’s neck.
“How are you feeling today, my beauty?” he asked softly.
The mare turned to look at Doc and watched him curiously as he inspected her expansive belly and swollen udder. He softly pinched a teat and a warm stream of milk oozed from the nipple. His hand smoothed down her rear haunch and pushed her tail aside.
“She hasn’t begun to dilate yet, but her time is growing close,” he instructed.
Bryn had placed her hand on the mare’s swollen belly and she could feel the colt’s movement deep inside. “He seems anxious to come out,” she said as her fingers traced the movement.
They turned at the sound of footprints approaching from behind them. Bryn turned around and was again disappointed. She was hoping that Sully was joining them in the barn, but when she turned, a young man approached.
“Good morning, Glen,” Doc said.
“Morning Doc, is this your granddaughter?” Glen asked, eyeing Bryn closely.
“That would be Dr. Bryn Barton,” he said proudly.
Bryn smiled and offered the man her hand, “Nice to meet you Glen.”
“Likewise ma’am,” Glen said, as he softly shook her hand.
“Where is the boss lady this morning?”
Glen looked back to the front of the barn. “One of the gators is gone, so I would assume she is paying a visit to the foal pasture,” he said. “She can’t seem to get enough of the young ones,” he said with a chuckle.
“Let’s take a ride out and visit Sully in her haven then,” Doc said to Bryn.
“The keys are in the other gator,” Glen said as he began filling buckets with sweet feed for the horses in the barn. “You know the way don’t you Doc?”
“I have been there a few times,” Doc said with a wry smile.
“You can drive,” Doc said, as he slipped onto the passenger seat.
Bryn walked around and climbed in behind the wheel then turned the key to start the engine. She pulled out of the barn and headed in the direction Doc was pointing. They passed field after field of clover and other grasses that would soon be turned into hay for winter feeding. Bryn sighed softly as she looked across fields of verdant green that seemed to go on forever. They drove for another five minutes before a tree line came into view and the path came to a junction and Doc waved her to the right. The trees were dense for several minutes and then suddenly a golden clearing came to view. The sun had risen a few hours earlier, but the glow coming from the clearing was amplified by the sun gleaming off the golden coats of several dozen horses.
Bryn’s foot slipped off the gas pedal as she took in the sight in front of her. There, encircled by foals and their mother’s was Sully, oblivious to anything other than the animals she loved. It was obvious by the way the animals nuzzled into her and crowded near, that the animals adored her just as much. Bryn found the gas once more and drove closer to the small herd.
Sully heard the approach of the gator and turned to find Doc and Bryn approaching. She turned and began walking toward the approaching vehicle. Bryn stopped short of the herd and followed Doc from the vehicle.
Doc was speaking to Sully which gave Bryn a few seconds to examine Sully. Long legs were covered by dark jeans and a navy pull over shirt revealed strong, tanned arms and as her eyes travelled up Sully’s body she met the stare of crystal blue eyes as Sully looked at her.
“I think you remember Bryn,” she heard her grandfather say.
Sully smiled at her as she reached her hand out. “It has been too many years, but she has grown into a beautiful woman,” Sully said, as her eyes smiled at Bryn.
Bryn felt her cheeks flushing as she slipped her hand into Sully’s. “It is good to see you again,” Bryn said. “From what grandfather says, we should be spending a bit of time together,” Bryn managed to speak.
“I look forward to that,” Sully said with a firm squeeze to Bryn’s hand.
A comfortable silence fell between them as their eyes were locked in an embrace. Doc suppressed a chuckle as he spoke to break the silence. “We checked on the mare before coming out.”
Sully realized Doc was speaking and released Bryn’s hand and turned back to face him. “What was that Doc?”
“I said we examined the mare before coming out,” he repeated. “She doesn’t look like she will make it to full term.”
“I didn’t think so either,” Sully said. “We should keep a very close eye on her for the next week,” she said, as she turned to look at Bryn again.
Bryn was speechless as the blue eyes held her transfixed as they searched deep into her soul. She felt a shiver of pleasure pass her through her body as Sully’s eyes devoured her completely.
Doc carefully viewed the exchange and walked into the gathering herd to give the two women a moment of privacy. He couldn’t help but smile at how well the two women interacted together. Even an old man of his age could feel the spark of electricity in the air that connected the two women. He busied himself, examining the animals gathered around him. They were beautifully bred and would turn into prime animals both for breeding and working stock under Sully’s guidance and training.
Bryn forced herself to tear away from Sully’s gaze and looked after her grandfather. “It looks like you have built quite a herd,” she said.
“She has bred some of the best stock I have ever seen,” Doc said, as he slid his hand down one of the foal’s backs. “Strong and sure footed with excellent temperament to boot,” he said as he turned and shot a grin at the two women.
“They are incredible animals. I hate letting go of even one of them,” she admitted.
“Well at least you are very selective of your buyers,” Doc said. “Too many breeders don’t bother to check into potential buyers and good animals are ruined.”
“That is sad, but all too true,” Bryn said. “I saw that all too often at the tracks.”
“I can only imagine the abuses you saw in the racing business,” Sully said, as she shook her head. “I swear some of those owners should be taken out and shot for what they do to their animals.”
“Unlike you, who treats her animals like family too many owners just look at their horses as another piece of investment property and not a living breathing creature,” Bryn said, with a note of sadness in her voice.
Sully turned toward an approaching colt and dug her hand into her pocket to pull out her knife. The colt stopped in front of her and waited patiently as she sliced a portion of the apple she had been hiding and placed it in the palm of Bryn’s hand.
“He can’t get enough of apples,” she said with a grin.
“Looks like you have him spoiled,” Bryn said as she watched the colt gently take the apple from her hand with soft lips that tickled the palm of her hand.
“Every chance I get,” Sully said.
Doc’s cell phone rang. He answered the call and then turned back to Bryn and Sully. Bryn was disappointed that a call came in that would pull her away from Sully so soon.
“I forgot I was supposed to drop some supplies off to Darren Green,” Doc said.
Much to Bryn’s delight, Doc suggested she stay with Sully and they meet up for lunch.
“I think I can handle the delivery. Why don’t you and Sully discuss the herd and then meet me in town for lunch?” he suggested.
Bryn looked at Sully. “Do you have plans?”
“I do now,” Sully answered with a smile.
“Meet me at the café at noon then,” Doc said.
“We will be there,” Sully promised.
“I will see you there,” Doc said, and walked back to the gator and drove away.
“Have you kept up with your riding?” Sully asked.
“Not as often as I should.”
“We will have to change that then,” Sully said. “If Doc finishes with you early today, why don’t you come over for a ride,” she suggested.
“I would like that,” Bryn said.
“Good,” Sully said, as she turned her attention back to the horses.
“They really are beautiful,” Bryn said. “I know you must really hate to sell any of them.”
“I do, but they are born to work and I can’t keep them all busy here.”
“Do you still do most of the training?”
“No, unfortunately I had an accident a few years ago and the injury to my back doesn’t allow me to ride as much as I would like, so I supervise the training. Glen is currently the rider I use to train.”
“Yes, I met him back at the barn,” Bryn stated.
“He is a good rider, but still needs some work,” she said, as she checked a halter on one of the mares.
“I know you will teach him well.”
“I love the confidence you have in me,” Sully said as they walked among the horses.
“I doubt you have ever lacked for confidence,” Bryn said boldly, causing Sully to look at her.
“Not often, but I have had my moments,” she said.
Bryn saw a flicker of sadness pass over Sully’s face and she could kick herself for making that comment.
“I have a half dozen, two and three year olds that Glen is training and hopefully this fall several will be ready for competition,” she said.
“So, you do still show?”
“Just enough to keep the name of the farm in the limelight and to market the horses to the best possible buyers,” Sully said. “I am usually gone for three to six weeks over the fall months.”
“That isn’t too bad,” Bryn said.
“No, not at all and with the reputation the farm has developed over the years, I usually have every available horse sold after the first couple of shows,” she said with great pride.
“High quality horses are hard to come by,” Bryn said. “You have much to be proud of from what I have seen so far.”
“If everything Doc is proposing comes true with the birth of the next colt, we will have a bloodline that will be even better than the original Sun Dancer,” she says.
“Have you picked out a name yet?” Bryn asked.
“No, I usually wait until the foal starts showing off personality traits before I name them,” Sully said.
“That makes sense,” Bryn said as a filly nuzzled into her side.
“This sweet little girl,” Sully said as she stroked the filly’s neck, “is going to be called Sun Dancer’s Jewel.” Sully planted a kiss on an upturned face. “She has a heart of gold and has the confirmation to be a great breeder.”
“She is beautiful.”
“So, how do you feel about being back after so many years?” Sully asked.
“I always hoped I could take over for grandfather,” Bryn said. “Life in the city and working the race tracks just wasn’t my cup of tea. I miss the peacefulness and genuine people who live in farm country.”
“We are a breed apart from city folk,” Sully said with a smirk. “You aren’t afraid of getting bored or not being challenged enough?”
“I think you will be challenging enough for me,” Bryn said without thinking. She felt her face instantly heat up as she realized the sexual undertone of her comment.
Sully looked at her curiously, a smile playing on her lips. “I am not quite sure how to interpret that statement,” she said.
Her smile broadened as Bryn fidgeted as she tried to come up with an explanation that would allow her to wiggle out of the uncomfortable situation she had caused.
“Grandfather says that Sullivan’s Trace accounts for three quarters of his business,” Bryn said, without looking up at Sully. Had she looked into Sully’s eyes she would have seen the amused gleam in her eyes.
“Well, I hope then that I will provide enough challenge for you,” Sully said, as she turned to walk deeper into the midst of the herd.
It was Bryn’s turn to ponder an interpretation and she stayed back from the group for a moment to collect her thoughts.
Chapter Four
Bryn took a deep breath and followed Sully into the middle of the herd of horses. She immediately noted a frown on Sully’s face as she looked over the herd.
“Is there something wrong?”
“Someone is missing,” Sully replied as she silently counted the herd.
Without speaking, Sully took off at a brisk pace across the field toward a small expanse of woods. Bryn hurried to catch up to her. “Have you figured out who it is yet?”
“A mare and a filly of about three weeks old,” Sully said, as her eyes scanned the distance in front of her.
As they approached the tree line, Bryn could hear a loud crashing sound and a muffled growl. Sully took off at a full run, stopping only long enough to grab a tree limb as a weapon. Bryn tried her best, but could not keep up with Sully as she raced toward the sound. She watched as Sully jumped a small creek, her booted foot splashing in the water. The sounds grew louder and fiercer as they approached. Bryn’s heart raced as she realized the growling emanated from some type of canine beast and the crashing sound was soon discovered to be the mare’s attempt to protect her foal from attack from a pair of wild dogs.
Sully screamed at the dogs and fearlessly began to swing the limb at the attacking animals, striking one in the chest as he lunged after the foal. The wild dog yelped and shrunk back from Sully. She chased the second animal, swinging wildly as her rage burned through her muscles. Intimidated by the human, the animals turned away and ran quickly into the woods.
Bryn stood motionless in shock at the site of the foal. The beautiful golden coat was hidden by a layer of freshly spilt blood and the mare did not look much different. She quickly assessed the mare and found there was no life threatening injuries to her, but the foal was a much different story. The majority of the muscles in her chest had been torn to shreds and her wounds were bleeding profusely.
“We have got to get her back to the barn immediately,” Bryn said.
“Run back to the field and get the gator, please Bryn,” Sully said with tears running down her cheeks.
The sadness and distress in Sully’s voice broke Bryn’s heart. She pushed away her desire to wrap Sully in her arms and raced back to retrieve the vehicle. She used her cell phone to call her grandfather.
Breathlessly, she spoke to her grandfather. “There has been an accident and I need you to bring my medical bag back to Sully’s,” she told him. “A foal has been attacked and is going to take a large amount of stitching to sew her up,” she told him.
“I will be there in ten minutes,” Doc said.
“Please hurry, grandfather,” Bryn pleaded.
Doc easily identified the worry in Bryn’s voice and slammed the brakes to perform a U turn and head back to Sully’s.
Sully took off her shirt and placed it against the foal’s bleeding chest as she tried to squelch the bleeding. With each rapid beat of the terrified animal’s heart, precious blood soaked Sully’s shirt and she knew if the foal was to survive she had to act quickly. As gently as she could, she lifted the animal in her arms and began walking out of the woods. She ignored the throbbing in her back and allowed her adrenalin to push her forward.
She had cleared the woods by ten yards by the time Bryn arrived with the gator. The mare followed closely as Sully stepped into the gator with the foal still in her arms and trotted beside them as they began the journey back to the barn.
“Doc is on his way with supplies,” Bryn said, trying to comfort Sully.
Sully looked up at her and the fear of the foal’s eminent death was written all over her face.
“We will do everything we can to help her survive,” Bryn promised, as she looked away from the pain in Sully’s eyes.
The small animal no longer had the strength to struggle and she lay quietly in Sully’s arms. As they approached the herd, the smell of blood reached the horse’s nostrils and the mare’s called wildly to their foals to collect them in a defensive grouping.
When they reached the path, Bryn was able to drive faster and they raced toward the barn, praying they would arrive in time to save the foal. She looked over at Sully who was now covered in the foal’s blood. “Is the bleeding slowing at all?”
Sully carefully peeled the soaked shirt back from the major chest wound and was slightly relieved to see the blood beginning to clot. “I think it is stopping,” she croaked, her voice full of emotion.
As the barn came into sight, Bryn could see Doc’s truck barreling down the drive way which filled her with relief. It would take both their efforts to save the small foal. Doc parked the truck and ran into the barn to find Glen.
“There has been an accident and Bryn and Sully are bringing in a filly. Make us a soft pallet of whatever you can find and make it fast,” he said to Glen.
Glen immediately began making a pallet of winter blankets they used to provide comfort from the elements during cold weather while Doc began to set out medical supplies on a small table. He quickly realized he would not have enough cat gut to stitch up the foal and sent Glen scrambling from the barn to drive to his office for more supplies.
Glen was flying down the drive in Doc’s truck when Sully and Bryn arrived.
Doc could tell how serious the injury was by the look of semi-panic on Sully’s face. Normally a very strong person, he could see the heavy sense of worry on her face as she stepped out of the vehicle carrying the foal.
“Glen has made us a pallet. Place her there and let’s get a good look at her,” he said.
Sully carried the foal into the barn and knelt down to place her on the soft pile of blankets and stepped away to make room. Doc and Bryn knelt down and carefully removed the shirt from the foal’s chest. The raw flesh was laid open in a mixture of pink and red.
The mare who had caught up with them nudged into Sully with a muffled sound. Doc looked up at the mare. “Why don’t you see if you can clean her up and inspect her for injuries while we work on the foal,” he suggested. “I sent Glen for supplies,” he said.
“I will start cleaning her wounds if you will get an IV started so we can get some fluids and some pain medications into her,” Bryn said.
Doc nodded his head and rose to start his project while Sully led the mare from the stall and began to gently clean the blood from her coat. She found a few gashes and bites in her skin, from her efforts to protect her foal, but nothing that would require immediate attention.
“You did your best girl,” Sully softly spoke to the mare as she stroked her coat. “We will do everything we can for your baby,” she promised, as she looked the mare straight in the eyes.