The Super Filly

Chapter 6

We decided to stay in California a couple of extra day.It was beautiful here. I decided to visit my cousin who was going to college in San Diego. 

I meet him at a little cafe on the out skirts of town. I walk into the cafe and see him already sitting a table.

" Hey Tyler! How are you? " I say as I sit down.

" Good,  I barley recognized you! " He says. I just smile. " How's that Thoroughbred of yours doing? "

" She's kicking butt! " I say.

" That sounds good. I heard rumors about a match race happening soon between you and that super filly Emily the First. I heard she won horse of the year. "

" Yeah, it's true.  It was supposed to be held next Saturday. "

" So a week from now. "

" Yes-" I was interrupted by my phone ringing. I flipped over to see it was Nathan. " Excuse me for a second. I have to take this. " I get up and walk outside.

" Hello? "

" hey, Caitlyn. So we have a little problem about the match race taking place next week. "

" What's wrong? "

" Emily has coliced, and won't be racing again till April. "

" I'm sorry to hear that. "

" Yeah, well it is what it is. I guess you can get Duchess's-" 

" Wait! " 

" What? "

" How about we do the match race after the Oaks and Susan's! "

" Are you going to enter Duchess in the Oaks and Susan's? "

" Of course! "

" But if one of our mares win, what is the point of the match race? " 

" Just because one wins, doesn't mean the other can't beat her. And if my mare wins, everyone will want to see a match race because she's the underdog and they'll want to see if yours could make a come back. "

" Very good point. Well, nice talking to you. "

" You too. " I say and hang up. I take a deep breath and walk back into the cafe.

" What was that about? " My cousin says.

" Oh just a talk with Nathan, Emily's owner. "

" About what? "

" It's between me and Mr. Nathan. " I say smiling as I sit down.

" Well okay then. " He says.

" Well I hope to see you again. I need to check on the preparations on getting my horse back to NC. "

" Good seeing you. Love ya. " He says giving me a hug.

" Love you too. " I say and walk towards the door.

" Oh, and tell the family I said ' hi ' " He calls to me.

" Okay. " I say and walk out the door. I make the 30 minute journey back to Del Mar. When I get there everyone was busying themselves.

" Pablo! " I shout to him from across the barn. He comes running over.

" Yes. " He says.

" Our match race competitor Emily the First has sadly coliced and won't be returning till April.  We are planning to have the match race after the Oaks and Susan's. " 

" Okay, thanks for the update. Know if you would excuse me I have to finish up before the transport. " I just smile and nod my head, and he goes back to work. 

I walk over to Duchess's stall. 

" Hey beautiful. " I say as I open her stall door and walk in. She perks her ears forward and nickers. I smile at this. " You sure do know how to make someone's day! I feel like the worst mom ever! I haven't spent quality time with you since we've been here, but I promise I'll make it up to you. " I give her a big rub down. Then my sister comes in.

" Mike's ready for her. " She says.

" Okay, I'll take her. " I grab her leather cotton lined halter which included a name plate and slip it over her head. Then I hook her lead line up to the halter. This lead line was special. I only allowed it to be used on Duchess and if she were to be led, you would have to lead her with this lead line in particular. Why? You ask. Well, because woven with the leather braids, is her mothers hair, and my lucky pedant that I wore all the time sat on my wrist which was also made from Ice's hair. The only time I took it off was when I was sleeping or in any kind of water ( shower, pool, ect. ). I walk her over to the wash bay where Mike waited. " Her is the Duchess you've been waiting for. " I say.

" Soon you'll have to change her name to Queen of Winter. " He says with a smile ear to ear. I let out a light laugh.

" Very, very true. " I say. We start to groom her head to toe. We actually groomed her till it was time for Duchess and everyone else that was head back to little ole' NC to catch their flight.

* The next day *

Knock, knock, knock. The knocking sound on my door was frantic and firm.

" Yes. " I moan buried under 2 sheets and a comforter. We were back in North Carolina and I planned to sleep in since we got back so late last night, but of course that didn't happen. 

" May I come in? " It was the voice of our housekeeper Mrs. May.

" Why of course Mrs. May. " I say unbarring myself. She comes bursting through the door.

" It's your parents. " She breaths heavily and in panic.