Crown Prince (18 page)

Relieved to be free of Gus, Sarah finished dishing up the grain. She stepped out of the feed room, locked the door, and carefully put the key deep in her jeans pocket. What if she lost it? Maybe she'd put the key on a sturdy chain—she had one at home—so she could wear it around her neck when she came to the barn.

Feeding hay was next. Sarah made her way down the aisle and climbed the stairs to the loft. After cutting the wire on several bales and tossing two flakes into each stall, she began to sweep the loose hay toward the opening above the closest stall, McDuff's. From the vantage point of the loft's second-story window, she could see the O'Briens' bungalow and the outlines of the mares and foals in the pasture.

Something unusual caught her eye, and she moved closer to the window to get a better look. In addition to Jack's pickup, two cars were parked in the narrow driveway. She recognized Mr. DeWitt's red Blazer, but she had never seen the other vehicle. Even from this distance she could tell it was a late model sports car, shiny and black. She couldn't see if it had out-of-state plates, but her stomach tightened. Was something going on that might involve Crown Prince?

Sarah went back to the hay detail, while considering what to do next. She should get the bill of sale to the DeWitts right away. She looked at her watch. It was early, so Mrs. DeWitt would probably still be at home. Sarah had never had any occasion to go to the rambling farmhouse that looked down on the farm from atop a low hill, but it would only take a few minutes to walk there. Maybe she should drop off the bill of sale while Prince ate his hay.

The light mist had stopped when Sarah started up the sloped driveway. She caught glimpses of the white farmhouse with its wraparound porch through the large shade trees that surrounded it. As she got closer, shrill barking erupted, and Taco and Spin came streaking ferociously down the driveway toward her. As they got closer, the terriers recognized the would-be intruder. They stopped barking and ran even faster, their short tails wagging furiously. Sarah laughed as she reached down to pet the little dogs. “Did you think I was public enemy number one?”

Hearing the commotion, Mrs. DeWitt appeared on the porch, standing next to the pots of red geraniums that lined the steps. She waved to Sarah, beckoning her to hurry. There was no sign of her usual sunny smile. Her mouth was drawn, and her brow was creased by worry lines.

“I'm glad you're here, Sarah,” she said. “Chandler just called me.” There was an edge to her voice. “We've had some unexpected company. Hank Bolton is meeting with Chandler at Jack's bungalow right now. And I'll bet you can guess what they're talking about.”

Sarah stiffened. “He wants Prince back, doesn't he?”

“I'm sure that's being proposed. Chandler asked me to get the sales receipt that Rudy Dominic signed and bring it to him right away. I hope and pray that after our discussion yesterday you brought it with you this morning.” She looked expectantly at Sarah, and appeared relieved when the girl fumbled in her sweatshirt pocket and came up with the envelope.

“My dad had filed it. When he heard what happened with the vet yesterday, he thought I should bring it to you.” She handed the envelope to Mrs. DeWitt.

“You precious girl,” Mrs. DeWitt exclaimed. “I'll take it right over to Chandler.” She started toward the garage, but suddenly stopped and turned back to Sarah. “I have an idea. I think Hank should probably meet the girl who is now the proud owner of Crown Prince. Yes, I think that would be an excellent move.”

Sarah was taken aback. What would she say to the wealthy man who had once owned her horse and now wanted to take him away?

Seeing the hesitant look on her face, Mrs. DeWitt put her hand on Sarah's shoulder. “Now, now, it will be fine. I think you should come along. We need to show Hank that the horse is in good hands.”

“But he didn't come here to see me,” Sarah protested. “I really don't want to butt in.”

Mrs. DeWitt's voice took on a more serious tone. “I know you're prepared to do everything you can to keep Crown Prince. I think you should come with me.” She called to Taco and Spin, as she started toward the garage. “The boys think so, too.”

A few minutes later Sarah and the terriers were in Mrs. DeWitt's Mercedes for the short drive to the O'Brien's bungalow. As anxious as she felt, a nervous laugh escaped Sarah when Taco crawled into her lap and lapped her cheek. But her heart raced faster as they got closer. With Hank Bolton's Porsche filling the driveway, Mrs. DeWitt parked on the side of the gravel roadway, finally rut-free after the road crew had done their work the day before.

“You boys can wait out here,” Mrs. DeWitt said to her dogs as she lowered the windows a few inches. “On a cool day with no sunshine, they'll be fine,” she said to Sarah, and together they walked to the entrance.

Kathleen must have been looking for them, because she opened the door before they could ring the bell. “Come in,” she said in a hushed tone. She ushered them into the O'Brien's cozy living room, where Jack, Chandler DeWitt, and Hank Bolton talked as they drank from steaming mugs of coffee. Mr. Bolton sat his mug down and rose from an overstuffed chair when they entered. After exchanging pleasantries with Mrs. DeWitt, he was introduced to Sarah. He smiled broadly as he shook her hand.

“So you're the little lady who wants to ride the big horse.” A stocky man with expensively cut gray hair and heavy dark eyebrows, he had the easy confidence and self-assured manner of a man of privilege who was accustomed to calling the shots. He observed her closely, causing Sarah to shift self-consciously under his gaze. She smiled shyly, feeling her cheeks growing warm in the presence of this powerful man.

“Thank you for Crown Prince,” Sarah said.” He's awesome.”

“Yes, I must agree with you on that, Sarah,” Mr. Bolton replied in a voice designed to reassure her.

After they were seated, Mrs. DeWitt gave the envelope to her husband, who opened it immediately. After reading the contents, Mr. DeWitt handed it to his friend. “Hank, I think this sale contract that I wrote is pretty clear that acting on your behalf, Rudy accepted one dollar as payment in full for the horse,” Mr. DeWitt said.

The room was quiet as Mr. Bolton took his time reading the document. At last he looked up to their expectant faces, taking a moment to choose his words carefully. “I'm not an attorney, but I can recognize an open-and-shut case when I see one. There's no doubt in my mind that this is a sales receipt, which legally transferred the horse's ownership with a one-dollar binder.”

The DeWitts, Jack, and Sarah sank back in their chairs, all seeming to breathe a sigh of relief. It appeared there would be no legal battle over Crown Prince.

But Mr. Bolton hadn't finished. “I, of course, am disappointed that a horse with Crown Prince's breeding won't have a chance to be tried on the racetrack to see what he can do, especially when he showed so much promise. I'm particularly disappointed that our track vet never discovered the cause of the problem, which I understand is an overgrown wolf tooth. The fact that neither the veterinarian nor my trainer ever checked the horse's mouth is appalling.” Mr. Bolton rose and walked a few paces, pausing to look out the window, momentarily lost in his own thoughts. Turning back, he looked at them again. “I'm also saddened that there will be no more foals from Northern Princess. We lost her and the filly she was carrying in a difficult foaling when Crown Prince was a yearling. So he is her last foal.”

Mr. Bolton stopped to look intently at Sarah. “I have a proposal for you to consider, Sarah, one that might work out for everyone concerned. I'm going to offer you what I think is an extremely good deal. You'll be needing money for college in a few years, and I have a way you can fund your education: If you return Crown Prince to me so I can put him back in training, I'll split any earnings he might realize right down the middle with you.”

There were gasps in unison heard around the room, as everyone considered this extraordinary offer.

“Furthermore,” Mr. Bolton continued, “should the horse, for whatever reason, have no earnings in purses in excess of this amount, I will pledge that for each year he's in training I will deposit $40,000 into a college savings account for you. And I also promise that when Crown Prince's racing days are over, he will come back to you, Sarah.” Mr. Bolton paused to let all he had said sink in, waiting a few moments before launching one more piece of what he hoped would be an irresistible offer that couldn't possibly be refused.

“In the meantime, I'll provide you with another horse, Code of Honor, as a free lease until Crown Prince retires from the track. Cody is a wonderful horse, and I know you'll come to love him dearly.” Mr. Bolton stooped to open his briefcase. He removed an embossed white envelope and presented it to Sarah. “This is a serious offer, one I've put in writing so you can understand the terms precisely. I'd like you to discuss this with your parents, Sarah, and let me know your decision as soon as possible.”

Everyone in the room was shocked by the enormity of Mr. Bolton's proposal. Sarah sat in stunned silence, the blood drained from her face. She knew immediately that this savvy businessman had played the ace card in his strategy to get Crown Prince back. She silently took the envelope Mr. Bolton offered.

Chandler DeWitt cleared his throat and commented on his friend's generosity in what was, for everyone, a difficult situation. “I can only speculate on how the Wagner family will respond to this. The decision is theirs.”

Later Sarah wouldn't remember leaving the bungalow. She wouldn't remember riding with Mrs. DeWitt back to the barn, and she wouldn't remember going immediately to Crown Prince in his stall. The only thought that filled her mind was Mr. DeWitt's parting words: …the Wagner family—
the decision will be theirs.
Prince was finishing his hay, and he raised his head when Sarah entered the stall. She flung her arms around his neck while she fought back tears. He stood quietly, seeming to understand her sadness.

Why was Mr. Bolton doing this? She wouldn't give up Crown Prince for any amount of money, but she knew it would be a different story for her parents. Would they think she'd lost her mind to even consider passing up an opportunity for a free ticket to a college education? And all for a horse she had known for less than a week? Mr. Bolton's offer would create a huge wedge between them, she just knew it. She would have to give them the letter Mr. Bolton had prepared, and there would be a terrible argument. Her father would use logic to try to convince her to accept the offer, and her mother would be angry, ranting about money. Abby would be on the sidelines, wide-eyed as she took it all in.

Sarah pressed her face against Prince's broad cheek. “They can never love you the way I do,” she whispered. She stood by her horse for a long time, trying to collect her thoughts, and jumped when her cell phone rang. It was Kayla.

“My Mom's going out to do errands and will drop me off at the barn, if you have time to hang. Does that work?”

“Sure. How soon can you come?” she answered, her voice breaking.

“Sarah, what's the matter?” Kayla asked. “I can tell something's wrong. Are you okay?”

“Just get here,” was all she could say. As Sarah closed her phone, she saw Mrs. DeWitt and the terriers making their way toward Prince's stall. Mrs. DeWitt had changed into jodhpurs and paddock boots, but the serious expression on her face said she had something besides riding Medina on her mind.

“Let's go sit down outside,” Mrs. DeWitt said, as she neared Sarah. “I'd like to talk to you.” Sarah followed her out the side door to the wrought-iron bench under the maple tree where she usually ate her lunch. They sat in silence for a few moments. Finally Mrs. DeWitt spoke. “Sarah, my dear, what do you think of all this?”

Sarah held back a moment, not sure she should unload her feelings on Mrs. DeWitt. She clenched her fists, obviously angry and upset. Then it all spilled out, her words coming fast. “Mr. Bolton is used to getting whatever he wants with his money. He must think that everything has a price. But I've waited a long time for this horse, and I won't give him back, not for a free college education or all the horses in the world!”

“What about your parents?” Mrs. DeWitt asked, her voice low and measured.

“I don't know if I can make them understand.” Sarah paused to wipe a tear starting down her cheek. “The worst part is they'll probably decide I'm selfish, thinking only of myself.” She lowered her head into hands, and a sob escaped through a gush of tears. “Maybe I am.”

Mrs. DeWitt offered a tissue from her pocket as she slipped an arm around the girl's shoulders. She spoke softly. “There, there. Your parents won't be one-sided. They know how much Crown Prince means to you. But they also care about you deeply and want what's best for you. That would include having the money to pay for a college education.”

Sarah wiped her eyes as she turned to face Mrs. DeWitt. “But going to college isn't the only thing in this world that matters. For as long as I can remember I've wanted a horse more than anything, and now I have Crown Prince, and he's wonderful.” Her voice broke, and she lowered her head again, weeping quietly.

Mrs. DeWitt waited a few minutes before speaking. “Sarah, there's something you might not be aware of, and you should have it in the back of your mind. I understand your Dad teaches at the community college in Bromont. If that's the case, you may be able to go there tuition-free. Did you know that?”

Sarah's head snapped up, and she stared at Mrs. DeWitt. She thought for a moment. Yes, now she remembered her mother saying that no matter how great their medical debt, the girls would always be able to attend Bromont Community College.

“You're right. But my parents will still want me to have a choice, to be able to attend an even better school.” Sarah wiped her eyes. Would she be able to persuade her parents to let her turn down Mr. Bolton's money because there was always the option to attend her father's college after high school? She didn't know if it was possible.