As they stroll through the fields of tents and stalls, Anika can't help but feel like part of this family. Glenn is attentive and true to his word. Daisy and Savannah purchase various items from bread to preserves and even an oil painting for Savannah's room.
The boys wake up and start fussing, luckily Anika thought to bring two glass bottles of juice for them. Now that they are stronger, they can handle some watered-down juice in between feedings.
Allen and Glen wonder towards the stalls set up for the livestock to be judged. From chickens, pigs, hogs, and sheep to beautiful race quality horses. Anika, Daisy, and Savannah take Delaney to see the animals. Anika is laughing at Delaney and the piglets when a familiar voice calls to her.
Dayton Patrick hurries to her side and grabs her hand, pressing a quick kiss to the back of it. He is dressed in denims and a hat with riding boots and looking quite dashing.
“Dayton, it’s nice to see you,” Anika says smiling at him. Though surprised at his forwardness, she makes note that his nearness doesn’t affect her like Glenn.
“I was hoping to see you. You’re in time for the horse race.” Dayton keeps her hand for the moment until she pulls away to look behind them at Glenn and Allen making their way through the crowd.
“Horse race? Do you have a horse in the race?”
“You could say that?” He grins down at her, “I saved you and Delaney a seat up front.”
“Dayton,” Glenn says walking up behind him. “Anika and Delaney will be sitting with my family, where they belong.”
Anika bites back a smile and tucks an arm through Glenn’s surprising everyone. “Thank you for thinking of us Dayton, but Glenn is right. Though we’d love to cheer for you.”
Dayton tips his hat back on his dark hair and stares back at them with a grin. “I don’t know about that, Anika.” His dark eyes tease Glenn, “You didn’t tell her you were racing me?”
“What?” All three women say in unison.
Dayton laughs out loud and slaps Glenn on the shoulder, “Good luck, Ward, you’ll need it to beat me. Excuse me, ladies.” He turns and hurries to his stall.
“Thanks for that, Dayton,” Glenn calls to his back. Facing his family, he grins, “We should get you to your seats, I have to check on my horse. Dad will show you the way.”
“Follow me,” Allen says pushing the pram and guides, Daisy, Savannah, and Delaney to the make-shift stands.
Anika glares open-mouthed at everyone as they walk away, before racing after Glenn. She catches up to him at his stall. “Glenn, you don’t have to race him. This is ridiculous.”
“Are you worried for me or Dayton?” he demands pulling her close to his chest.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Glenn. He doesn’t stand a chance against you,” she says patting his firm chest.
Glenn lifts her chin, “That’s right.” He kisses her firmly on the mouth and pushes her gently towards the stands. “Now go enjoy the race.”
Anika stares at him, “Wait, Glenn,” he turns to look at her, and she grabs a fistful of his shirt and pulls him towards her. “I need to give you a good luck kiss.” Her hand wraps around the back of his neck, and she tugs him gently towards her. She waits for a heartbeat, savoring the manly scent and sharp inhale of his breath before capturing his lips. It begins softly, before gathering heat, causing Glenn to rumble with pleasure. His groan echoes in the stall, and she grins against his mouth, satisfied. She pushes back and snaps, “Now, go win me a blue ribbon.”
His laughter follows her from the stall. “Yes, ma’am.”
Anika joins them at a row of wooden benches and sits next to Savannah and Delaney. “This is a half mile race, called the Harness race. Don’t worry, Glenn has been riding since he was three,” Allen explains.
“Yes, but Dayton is racing on Survivor, Allen. He’s the fastest horse in all of Kentucky and Virginia,” Anika glances at the racers lining up on the grassy field. It is an oval track of sorts, with people and wooden benches forming the barrier.
“Where do you think Survivor came from?” Savannah smiles at the shock on Anika’s face.
“Surely you don’t mean that he bought her from Glenn?” Anika gasps.
“Not quite.” Allen points at Glenn's horse, “His horse, Samson, and Survivor are from the same broodmare.”
“I bet five dollars on Glenn,” Savannah says munching on a bag of toasted walnuts. Delaney giggles and sticks her hand in the bag when offered.
“Savannah!” Daisy starts to reprimand her only to be nudged by Allen.
“Tell them, wife,” he orders. Daisy sniffs, “I bet ten.” They all start laughing at the shock on Anika’s face.
“You’re all pirates,” she says with a smothered grin.
Anika glances around the field and stares in awe at the over four hundred people in attendance. Things are about to get loud. Savannah whispers to Delaney who quickly covers her ears.
Well-muscled horses line up in the grassy fields. From fillies to stallions no two are the same, and all are striking animals. The twenty animals line up, snorting, stomping the ground and raring to go. Anika is surprised to see the youngest jockey is just eighteen. Her eyes are drawn to Glenn and Dayton. Both men are striking, but Anika's heart and hands tremble as she watches the change come over Glenn.
One minute he is smiling and relaxed and the next second, he leans low over Samson and murmurs in his ear. The instant the gun goes off they erupt in an explosion of energy. Anika watches with her hands
