Page 54 of Demons

“I’ll see you in a bit,” Sebastian said.

“Bye,” I replied before ending the call.

Now, I had to call and reschedule and then let Esther know. She was gonna be pissed, but this was work. With no other stables calling me to ride for them and my future races with the Shephard Ranch in question, I needed to do this. The more valuable I made myself to them, the more likely I’d be riding Zephyr in the Bing Crosby Stakes.

I slowed Zephyr as we came around the track one last time. Sebastian was on the other side of the fence, along with Miller. They’d had me take him to warm up, then go full speed. I know it was faster than anything I’d done on Bloodline, but I didn’t know exactly how much faster. My heart was racing from the thrill of the ride.

Leaning down, I patted the side of Zephyr. “That’s a good boy,” I told him. “You were incredible.”

He raised his head and snorted, as if to agree with me. I smiled as I led him over to the fence in front of the other men.

“Sixty-seven-point-three.” Miller was beaming as I came to a stop.

“Are you serious?” I asked, gaping at him.

“That was fucking fire!” Sebastian said, grinning and shaking his head in disbelief.

I ran my hands over Zephyr’s neck. “Did you hear that? You’re lightning, sweet boy.”

Sebastian chuckled. “Please don’t let my brother hear you call his horse sweet boy.”

I glanced up at him. “Zephyr belongs to Thatcher?” I had assumed he’d been a purchase for the stables.

Sebastian nodded. “Yeah. Dad wanted him, but it took Thatcher going to Blaise and convincing him to sell. Thatcher made the deal, paid the money. Zephyr races under Shephard Ranch, but in races, his owner will be stated as Thatcher Shephard. Just like Poseidon’s owner is Storm.”

“Who does Bloodline belong to then?” I asked, curious.

“Shephard Ranch,” he replied, grinning.

“Pharaoh?”

“Shephard Ranch.”

“Nemesis?”

“Shephard Ranch.”

“Do you and King not have a horse?” I asked.

He shrugged. “I’ve not come across one I want to purchase yet. When the day comes, I will. King has had horses in the past, but currently, he has no horses that are racing. He has a former champion who is retired.”

I smiled, then realizing who that was. “King’s Cowboy.”

Sebastian nodded. “That’s him. Nice and spoiled in his own little corner of the stables.”

“What about Georgia Outlaw?” I asked. I knew the colt was under two years old, and I’d seen him being worked with by King and Miller on occasion. His dark brown coloring was almost chocolate.

“I guess he could be considered King’s. King’s Cowboy sired him before he was retired completely. However, King didn’t put his name down as owner. Shephard Ranch is listed.”

I dismounted and gave Zephyr one last bit of love before handing the reins to Miller, who had climbed over the fence.

“We got them all?” I asked Sebastian.

He nodded. “Yeah, I am taking Sword out later, but that will be it. I had Derek take out the boarders earlier. We don’t have any of them racing soon, and when one is, their owners will pay for the exercise riders. We won’t worry about them right now.”

“Okay, well, if that’s it, I’m going to head out,” I told him.

He nodded. “You good with early tomorrow morning?”

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