Chapter 36

Chapter Thirty-Six

LETTIE

Dane: Morning, baby. Today is your day, Lettie Scott.

Me: I think you mean Elizabeth.

Dane: Maybe Elizabeth can be your alter ego… a good girl.

Me: Ha. I love it when you call me your bad girl.

Dane: You're the best thing that has ever happened to me, Elizabeth. Wow, that felt weird typing. But I love you no matter what they call you on television. Go get ‘em, Bug. I'll be watching.

Me: So, you're not going to surprise me and be outside my door ?

H e calls me. "Not this time, but if there's any way possible, I would be there for you cheering you on."

"Thanks for calling. I love our morning texts, but I needed to hear your voice." I get a little choked up, overwhelmed by the weight of today's competition.

"Baby, imagine my hands are on your face," he says, and the sound of his voice soothes me. "Now listen to me. You're going to kick ass today. You can only control yourself and your horse. You'll get the points because when Lettie Scott puts her mind to something, she achieves it. I love you."

"I don't deserve you. You've always been my saving grace."

"One day you'll understand that it's you that has held me together. Now go get in competition mode before Jasper comes in and drags you down there," he half-jokes. I wouldn't put it past Jasper to haul me away.

We hang up with I love yous. I slip my phone into my cross-body purse and begin my competition day routine. A light breakfast consisting of a bagel and a banana as I walk to the stables to meet Jasper.

He's sitting in a chair by the coffee and pastries, carrots and apples provided by the event, but coffee is one thing I can't do before a competition.

"Ready?"

Flipping the leather straps over my head, I lay my purse on a small table by Jasper and grab a couple of carrots. "Yep. Time to wake Diamond Mine for a walk."

As I open the stall door, Diamond Mine steps toward me, wanting his morning carrot. The soft whiskers tickle my palm, and his teeth chomp it into tiny pieces. I run my hand over his nose, bringing it down, placing a kiss between his eyes.

"I'm putting the lead rope on you and we're gonna get some fresh air. And when we get back, you're going to rest, and we'll feed you lunch. After that, you are going to become the unstoppable horse I know you can be. Got it?" I mumble only audible to Diamond Mine.

He lifts his head as if he's nodding in agreement.

"Good. We're on the same page."

The morning blends into the afternoon and it's time to go to the locker room to change. When I say locker room, think of what they show on television when you're watching Wimbledon. Honestly, the Olympics won't be as lavish as this place, so I take my time, enjoying each moment. Some of these grand prix events are extraordinary.

I smooth the lotion over my hands, grab a few mints, also a favorite of Diamond Mine. When I go back to meet Jasper, he's going over a map of the terrain. We huddle together.

"You look… pretty."

It seems an odd thing for him to say. Dane, or any of our family and friends, yes, but it makes me shift my weight, uncomfortably. I'm wearing a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt and I've put on my protective vest and my fawn-colored breeches. I hate that word; I sound so country when I say it. Where people with British accents sound polished and intelligent.

"Thanks." Without looking at him, I grab my purse, pull the zipper, and take out my copper coin, the one I gave Dane, and he gave to me. Maybe we'll swap it back and forth when each of us needs a good luck charm. I kiss it and then shove it into my tight pants pocket, while Jasper prepares my horse.

The three of us walk to the holding area and wait for the horses and riders in front of us. This event is tightly organized, and everything has gone off without a hitch. Diamond Mine and I make our way into the start box and watch the countdown timer and begin the course.

We clear the first vertical jump then another straightforward obstacle and from there it becomes more difficult. The spreaders and the six-foot fence. Horses can get spooked easily so sometimes clearing obstacles with water is more difficult.

Diamond Mine and I generate more speed leading up to the three jumps that I worry about, but I know better than to knock him out of his rhythm. At least he doesn't refuse and stop. We've worked on this pole jump with water underneath it all week, but water disturbs him. Horses can have poor depth perception and get nervous.

Diamond Mine makes up ground in the last half of the course, jumping everything with ease, and we cross the finish line in record time for me with zero faults. We've beaten the optimum time, but now we wait for all of the other horse and rider tandems to compete. All we can d o is wait.

I pace back and forth a few post times a few seconds faster than mine.

Subconsciously, I pull out my copper coin, holding it between my palms like I'm in prayer. Calm comes over me and I feel like someone is staring at me. I swear if Dane is here, I'm going to jump his bones in front of everyone. But he better not be. He has his goals and we're going to reach them together. I can't help but smile when I hear my name, as if I concocted it in my head.

Jasper kisses my cheek. "You did it."

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes. "Did they really say my name?"

The event worker asks me to follow her. But first, Diamond Mine gets the mint from my pocket. "Good boy. You're such a good boy."

I give an interview then run back to the stables to call Dane. And when I do, I cry. He asks me to change to video and he has the entire basketball team as well as many of our football and hockey friends. They're yelling jumping up and down, for me.

They're yelling, "Go Lettie. Go Lettie. Go, go, go Lettie."

Each one of them screams congratulations of some sort. I'm so overcome with emotion, I almost forget to ask Dane who's picking me up from the airport.

"Congratu lations. I knew you could do it. And I admit, Jasper has made you into a jumping machine."

I nod in agreement. "He has. But I can't wait to jump your bones."

"We've got weeks to make up for. Get ready, Lettie." He laughs. "I wish I could pick you up at the airport, but Mom will be there."

My flight gets in at nine in the morning, and Dane will be at the team shoot-around before the game.

"I'll be ready. It seems like we always have something to celebrate." He winks, and my panties melt every time he does it. It's a wonder he doesn't wink at me fifty times a day.