“We won,” she said. Her hands shook fiercely, and shock crawled over her body, making the entire scene feel like a dream. “We’re going to the Breeders’ Cup. On their dime.”
Aidan looked down at her, grinning, then threw back his head and shouted with triumph. He seemed to soak up the spotlight, charming reporters and smiling for the camera while she hid on the sidelines. Watching him take command with a sense of pride etched in his features made her realize he was born for the winner’s circle.
Just like Phoenix.
“So the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile is in November at Churchill Downs,” Ophelia said, handing Aidan his bowl filled to the brim with Irish beef stew.
He almost wept but didn’t want to do it in front of Kyle and Ethan. The chunks of flavorful meat mixed in the perfect broth and set off the crisp potatoes and carrots, and dear God, was that stout?
“Yes, we’ll need to be in Kentucky in about three weeks,” Harper said, grabbing a chunk of French bread and dipping it in the broth.
“How did it feel watching him cross the finish line?” Mia asked in wonderment.
Pride and joy shone from Harper’s face. “It felt like Mom was right there smiling and cheering with us. It felt like Phoenix was telling his previous owners a big fuck you. It felt damn amazing.”
“Amen to that,” Mia said, raising her glass of wine. “You may be going to the Derby, guys!”
Aidan smiled. “We plan on it,” he said. “But the next hurdle is crucial. We want him to make a decent showing to keep focused on the road to the Derby. I’m mostly concerned with the amount of travel for this race. We’ve been racing him in New York, but out of state may be a challenge.”
“We need to get Captain Hoof a passport,” Ophelia said with a laugh. “Damn, we wish we could go with you.”
“I know, but it’s so important you stay to handle things here,” Harper said. “I appreciate you all doing so much to allow us to get this far.”
“What do you need to do with Phoenix next?” Kyle asked curiously.
Aidan managed to lay down his spoon for a moment. “Keep him engaged and fit, but he needs a lot of rest. He just turned three, and it’s a delicate balance when racing at this age. My goal is to keep him healthy and happy. So less iced oatmeal cookies for a while.”
Harper lifted a brow. “Like Rocky in training, huh? Are raw eggs next?”
Mia groaned. “Ugh, gross!”
Elmo frowned. “What is Rocky? They make movies I never heard of.”
The women at the table shared a dangerous look. Then they shrieked all together in perfect unison. “Movie night!”
Kyle and Ethan groaned. “Not again. We watched Coco with Chloe, and I couldn’t stop singing that song,” Ethan grumbled. “Plus, she cried. I hate when she cries.”
“‘Remember Me.’” Ophelia sighed, her eyes a dreamy blue. “So beautiful. It won the Academy Award, you know?”
“I loved Coco!” Mia said. “Crying at Disney movies cleanses a woman’s soul. It’s like a purity ritual, and we come out stronger.”
“Count me out, too,” Kyle said.
“Guys! Elmo and Aidan need to see one of the newest Disney movies. It’s our responsibility to introduce them to greatness,” Harper said.
Aidan stared at her, amused at her passion over these cartoon movies. Sure, he’d seen the classic Peter Pan and various Mickey Mouse, but weren’t they for children? Why was his fierce warrior woman so enchanted with Disney? Was it all those cute, cuddly animals?
“I will do it,” Elmo announced. “Pick a good one.”
Kyle and Ethan shot Aidan a look. But once he registered the excitement on Harper’s face, he was doomed. “Okay, I’m in,” he agreed.
“Shit,” Kyle said glumly. “There goes Road House.”
“Again?” Ophelia squeaked. “I love Patrick Swayze and Sam Elliott, but I just don’t get the appeal of that movie. The plot is lame.”
“Great movie,” Aidan said.
Kyle and Ethan glared at him, still unforgiving for the Disney fail.
Harper practically jumped in her seat, and it was worth being out of the men’s club for a while. “I vote for Moana,” she said.
“Yes, it’s perfect,” Ophelia agreed. “They can see Hei Hei’s namesake.”
Mia nodded, and just like that, movie night was official.
“Ophelia, this stew is amazing,” Aidan said. “Is the recipe from your mom?”
“Close. We had to make a few changes,” she said, her eyes flashing with mischief.
Harper frowned. “What changes? Tastes just as good as Mom’s. Better, even. What’d you do?”
Ophelia sighed. “Well, the original recipe calls for kid goat, but I swapped it out for beef. Now if we can only give up eating chicken, we may be okay around here.”
Harper’s jaw dropped. “Mom used goat?” she whispered in horror.
“I’m sure she didn’t,” her sister rushed on. “It was written down in the original recipe, but Mom used the grass-fed beef from Kiernan Farm. It was just a bit startling when I riffled through her recipes and found it.”
The table fell silent. “Poor Captain Hoof,” Mia said mournfully. “Can you imagine?”
And then it happened. Ethan broke first, a tiny grin cracking the corner of his mouth. Kyle pressed his lips together, hard. Mirth danced in Ophelia’s eyes. But one by one, the grins won out, and everyone burst into laughter.
“You’re all sick,” Harper announced, but Aidan caught the humor in her sea-green eyes before she was able to hide it, and he ended up laughing harder.
A few hours later, after the dishes were washed and the table cleared, they settled in the rear sitting room with the giant flat-screen television and a comfortable, large sectional to accommodate everyone. Shoes were kicked off, blankets were passed around, buttered-popcorn buckets distributed, and Aidan held an ice-cold IPA in his hand. The women drank Prosecco in delicate glasses of colored crystal. He had no idea an at-home movie night could feel like a red-carpet premiere.
Settled into the cushion, with his arm slung around Harper’s shoulder and her head resting on his chest, a sense of contentment and peace rippled through him. The night she’d confessed her intention to commit suicide, something had changed between them. It had gone beyond sex into an almost soulful connection. She’d spilled her innermost secret, trusting him to keep it safe, and the gift only made him want to share more of himself. He’d finally met a woman strong enough not only to match him, but challenge him to push harder, take chances, and do more.
Be more.
For both of them.
Temporarily.
The warning voice inside told him not to get too comfortable or settled or happy, because at the end of the road, he was leaving. His journey had only one good ending for both of them: win the Triple Crown. That’s it.
But he had eight months left. Eight months could be an entire lifetime to enjoy Harper Bishop. He didn’t intend to miss a moment.
Usually, he heeded the voice. It kept him sharp and focused. It kept him on task and protected.
Tonight, he’d shut it down, lock it up, and watch Moana.