Passion » Max Regnery

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As Blake had predicted, her parents began to do everything in their power to sabotage her relationship with Max Regnery, Pine Hollow Stables' owner.

Unfortunately, when they discovered they no longer, nor had they ever, owned part of Pine Hollow, their first plan failed. Then they had offered to pay him for Pine Hollow, but Max already aware of their antics, refused.

Now a week had gone by, Blake and Max were training their horse, Winchester, when a truck pulling a trailer pulled into the not so busy stables.

"Oh dear God," Blake said when she pulled Winchester along side Max.

"Max," called the elder wild haired woman as she rounded the truck, a wide smile on her face.

Behind her followed the familiar tall, tanned skin blonde and out the driver door popped a large, older man with peppered hair.

"Mrs. Whitmore," he started out strong and then looked up at Blake. She shrugged her shoulders and then dismounted.

"What a beautiful horse,"she marveled as she approached the fence. "New school horse?"

"No," Max said and then looked to his girlfriend. "He belongs to Blake."

Her mother turned to her, astonished she could even afford a horse, let alone a handsome stallion.

"Actually," she ran her fingers along the silk white main. "He was a gift from Max. He's been quite marvelous and I couldn't have asked for a better horse, even if they were trained."

"Yes," the older woman began drily. "Well we are here because we just bought Alex this beautiful thoroughbred stallion and since you refuse to let us pay what we owe you, how about we go about it another way."

Max looked at his girlfriend and then sighed. As much as both hated her family, neither could deny an offer such as this, even if Blake could see past her mother's pile of bull shit.

"Well," he appeared beside Blake, his eyes fixed on the dappled stallion watching everything with much curiosity. "He is a fine looking horse."

"I hate him."

"Blake," Max turned to her with a smile on his face.

"Winchester hates him too. Why did you have to put them so close together? Look at him!" She motioned out toward the palomino trying to break through his stall to fight the other stallion.

"It is only temporary, Blake."

"Max, you know very well two stallions can not coexist."

He pursed his lips but said nothing as he stared down at the girl.

"I'm taking him out, maybe he'll prefer the pasture tonight. I can't bare to think of him going the whole night next to that."

"Normally," Max began, his hands on his hips and eyes fixed on the short brunette marching across the aisle. "You are over the moon when we get a new horse."

"Yes well those horses don't come with motives to steal your boyfriend, now do they?"

Again, he decided it was better to remain quite rather than answer as he watched his girlfriend, fuming with anger, rip the red halter off the wall and then pulled open the stall door.

She then sighed deeply and turned toward him. "I don't mean to take it out on you," she said as she started to lead the palomino out the stall. "It's just..." Blake turned her head to look at the dappled grey poking it head out.

"I understand," Max said when she said nothing else. "But you shouldn't let them get to you."

"Just sucks, you know?" She bit her lower lip and blinked back her tears, her gaze still on the stallion. "Everything I ever wanted, they gave to the one person who could care less."

Max moved to pull her into his arms but instead she tugged the lead to Winchester's halter and started to walk him out the barn.

He was now running around freely, stopping to greet the horses in the pasture next to his and then taking off again.

Blake placed one foot on the fence she was leaning against and looked up at the dark sky speckled with stars and a full moon visible just beyond a thin layer of clouds.

She had been outside for a good twenty minutes crying to herself. How could parents hate their child so much? What did she ever do to make them despise her? Had she not been the perfect loving and understanding child? It was Alex who had always whined when she didn't get her way.

And then there was her other family. Why did they all hate her too? Did her parents spread lies to make them turn against her? Why? Why didn't they just get rid of her? Granted, foster care might not have been any better but it was better than being lied to. Right?

"Blake."

Blake lifted her head and turned around to see Red approaching her with a halter hanging off his shoulder.

"Surprised to see you here," he said, now leaning against the fence and looking at her.

"I know," she admitted softly. "Just that horse... and then my parents," she shook her head. "I was just too riled up to go home." 

"I don't really understand it," he said. "Why don't you like you family?"

For some odd reason, Blake began to smile. "Red, you should really pay attention to stable gossip."

"I do," he replied with a grin. "And I'm sorry," said Red a little more softly. "It's gotta suck."

"It does, but I have Max and Winchester."

She noticed the hurt look on his face. Then, Red placed a hand to his heart. "That hurts."

Blake began to laugh and lightly bumped his shoulder. "And of course you and the stables. This is my home too," and then her smile faded and her facial expression turned sour. "I hate that I have to share it with her now."

"Technically-"

"Who's side are you on Red O'Malley!" She interrupted.

"Must I pick one?" Whether he was joking or being serious, Blake couldn't tell. And then the question repeated in her head and she realized she was being very immature about the whole situation.

"You're right," she whispered. "Well, Winnie is in the pasture for the night. I'm gonna go see if Max is done and then we'll head out. See you tomorrow?"

"Of course," he replied with a warm smile.