“I see. I guess I never thought about my colt leaving.”
“They leave, Maizie. That’s all part of it, just like Thunder here.”
“Just like people, I guess. Can’t get too attached, ’cause they just pick up and leave you hangin’.” The hurt in her eyes was plain to see. The tears were now flowing freely.
“That yearling wasn’t yours,” Capp replied. “Why you crying?”
“I was feeling like he was mine, so I am sad.” Maizie wiped her eyes with her sleeve. “He was the first living thing I ever named.”
“You got to grow up,” Capp said, his head turned away from her.
Maizie stood up and straightened her shoulders. “And what about you? Do you have to grow up?” Maizie looked up at him, her eyes challenging him for the very first time.
Capp looked at her long and hard. He mounted Thunder, pulled the reins to the left and signaled to the horse it was time to move.
Maizie moved toward him in a posture of desperation. “I will grow up, Capp. And then what? Are you sayin’ that then I’ll understand how things work?”
Capp hesitated for a moment, but then tipped his old Stetson and rode away, leaving Maizie standing alone, crying on the dirt lane.
Later that day Maizie was in the office working at her desk when James entered. “Maizie, will you take these ledgers to Capp? He needs to take them with him to Louisville.”
“I’d prefer not.”
“Well, I sure would appreciate it.”
Maizie looked at James and realized he probably didn’t have the time to be looking for Capp.
“Maizie, please. You should find him around. Just ask. Someone will know where he is.”
Holding the leather-bound books, she walked reluctantly along the lane in search of Capp. Hearing an engine behind her, she turned. It was Capp in the flatbed loaded with hay. Maizie waved him down; Capp came to a stop and rolled down the window.
“What you need?”
“Mr. Glidewell asked me to give these to you. He said you’d know what they are for.”
“Writin’ I’m afraid.”
“Capp, you leavin’ tomorrow?”
“Sure am. Leavin’ early.”
“You gonna see that girl Matilda?”
“She’s a smart gal. Saved my ass in the Sunday races. I might look her up. I’m thinking she and I could be something.”
“Something?”
“Yeh, a team. We talked about it.”
“About what?”
“Raising thoroughbreds together, like a team.”
“You can do that here, Capp.”
“Not the same. If I was a partner with Matilda, I’d be the owner. Now that is something.”
Maizie did not respond but instead stepped back from the truck and waved Capp through. He put his foot on the accelerator and continued on to the barn. Maizie watched as the truck slid around the bend and for the second time in one day she cried.
The next morning, Leon ran the Packard down to the Wembley cabin and picked up Capp to take him to the train station. The boy was so excited he couldn’t think. Horses and Kentucky were on his mind. There was a suitcase filled with work clothes and one nice suit for dinners. As he was about to leave, Wil noticed the blank journal and a ledger sitting on the table. “Now son, you almost forgot these. James and I want you to write down everything you learn, so you can share it with us and keep track of your expenses in this ledger.” Capp quickly grabbed both books. Giving his father an awkward hug, he placed his Stetson on his head and joined Leon in the Packard.
“Leon, take me up to the ranch house first. I want to say good-bye to the Glidewells.” As Leon turned into the circular drive in front of the limestone steps, Capp placed his leather books on the floor and ran up to the door. His good-bye to James was filled with gratitude and reassurance that he was going there to work and learn. James shook his hand, seeming to seal a deal. Mary walked into the office and offered her support as well. “We are depending on you Capp. Serve us well in Louisville.”
Capp made ready to leave but not before checking on Maizie, in Mary’s office. “I’m leaving, Maizie. Just want to say good-bye,” he said, standing in the doorway.
Maizie looked up from her work and rose to greet him. She saw before her a handsome rancher—her friend, she had thought, but now she wasn’t sure. Maizie took some envelopes off her desk and handed them to Capp—twelve of them. Capp looked confused. Each one was addressed to the Glidewell Ranch in Maizie’s careful calligraphy.
“What’s this?”
“Mrs. Glidewell wants you to write and let us know how you’re doing,” said Maizie. “I’ve been working on them all morning. I was going to run them down, but now that you’re here…”
“I don’t write letters. Not sure I know how,” Capp admitted.
“Would you try, Capp? Others will be aching to hear about what you’re doing.”
“But I’ll be back for Christmas.”
“Please, Capp.”
“Geesh, this is all gettin’ to be complicated. All I want to do is learn how to train and breed racehorses.”
Maizie tried to smile. She could only think of one thing to say. “Good-bye, Capp.” There was a strange mix of emotion bubbling up. She felt sad, but she was still angry at Capp.
“You’ll miss me. Won’t you?” teased Capp.
“Maybe not. I’ll be busy working.”
“You work hard. I’ll work hard. Got to get going.”
“Don’t lose your Stetson.”
Capp laughed. “I’ll try to keep it firmly planted on my head.” He turned to go, hesitating. Maizie waited, hoping he would say something reassuring, but he left without saying a word. Moving to the window she waited and finally saw Leon turn the car toward the road. She had a view of the Packard as it made its way along the lane to the highway. She waved, knowing Capp could not see the angry tears rolling down her cheeks. Her heartbeat quickened when she thought of Matilda, Capp’s new friend.
Chapter 52
The
