Around the Bend.. [Ripley/Brooks/Mal/Nick/Adele]

[Cavallo]

<sub>Nick had watched Ripley stalk out of her office with a determined looking Brooks hot on her heels. His eyebrows raised. He knew that look on his face, knew it because what hot-blooded male didn't wear that mask more than once? He smirked knowingly and quickly decided to catch Adele before she got too far. He'd asked to use her shower while she was busy and she had willingly accommodated her boss, giving him her apartment key. I won't take too long. She had shook her head and told him not to worry about it. She too had seen Brooks and Ripley stalk off towards the house and she didn't blame Nick for wanting to give those two some space. Nick thanked her and moved quickly to his truck and grabbed a clean shirt and a pair of jeans, jogging back to the apartment with the directions Adele had given him. He slipped in and jumped into the shower. The hot water turned on and soon had the bathroom steamed into a foggy dream world, where troubles didn't exist.

He stepped into the shower and allowed the hot water to knead his tense shoulders. He braced both hands on the wall under the shower head and let the water caressing his tired frame, easing away the unwanted tension he'd been carrying in his taunt muscles. He allowed himself to stay in until the water began to turn cold, taking it as his cue to get out of the shower and go face what was left of this day. He was already thinking about crashing hard into the bed Ripley was going to provide for him, but first things first. He quickly toweled off and got dressed in his fresher clothes. He walked out of Adele's apartment, old clothes in hand. He walked back to his truck, placing his old worn clothes in the cab and walked back to Ripley's office. He checked his watch on his wrist. He'd arrived three minutes before their scheduled rendezvous time, but with the look that had been on Brooks face, he wouldn't be surprised if she arrived a little bit later...

He'd texted Amber and let her know the details of what had happened. The last thing he needed was for Amber to take his staying here the wrong way. He'd worked to hard to get back into her good graces and he wasn't about to botch it up now. He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall outside of Ripley's office. There was a lot on his mind. He closed his eyes, lost in thought. He almost couldn't wait to hit a pillow and let his mind shut off for a few blissful hours.</sub>

[Ripley]

If ever there was a most important trait to Ripley Marsh, it was her need to be punctual all of the time. Even lost in her dream world that had come with Brook's unexpected kiss, Ripley was determined to be on time. She'd marched straight to the shower, ignoring Brooks as he made himself at home on her laptop, locked the door and proceeded to shower. It had been a twenty minute, mind-blurring shower. She'd been lost in the heat of it, thoughts churning between The Devil's Touch and Brookson Wells. She just couldn't seem to get her head on straight when it came to those two topics. Her 7:2o alarm rang, signaling what would usually be the fourth set of galloping horses. She'd snapped awake then, slamming around in the shower, spraying shampoo and conditioner around without considering her safety. 

As a result, Ripley had nearly cracked her face open, but caught herself before she would receive a mark. She'd dried off at warp speed, pulled a pair of fresh jeans on, a white turtleneck and a circular black and blue scarf around her neck, more for comfort than for fashion. She sighed at the heavy bags under her eyes, dabbed some cover up and called the product finished for now. Her green eyes swept over Brooks who was watching her with eyes of a predator. She crossed her arms, glaring at him. I'm going to go check on the foals with Nick.

Brooks stood up, swaggered over to her, and caught her chin in his callused hand. Her green eyes narrowed in fury and desire. He grinned, nipped her lip and smiled when she punched him in the ribs. Then I'm coming too.

Swearing, Ripley stalked out of the house, grabbing her beat-up jacket and slammed the door in Brooks face. A second later it opened and the blonde man swept out from the house. His blue eyes were dancing with excitement. Ripley was finally being open with him. Even if it was only swear words and irritated looks. He had a sick sense of humor. Shoot him.

She walked into the barn at exactly 7:30 and smirked at the dozing Nick. Sleeping on the clock, Nick Landing? Foaling season as only just begun, kid. And I imagine Intrepid has a lot more mares than Witch Creek giving birth these days? She paused and nodded down the hallway. Let's go take a look at the three foals. Sanders must have left, but Connor's truck is still here. Connor is Justin Santiago's older brother. Justin rides Hokum and Dazzling Dame. He is extremely talented.

She cast a furtive glance over her shoulder. Don't mind my watch dog, Nick. He's over protective these days.

Brooks grinned in Nick's direction, shrugging his shoulders. He dutifully followed Ripley down the hall. He hadn't seen the other two foals yet. He wondered if three years down the road, one of them might be his project. So TizNow and Apache's Shadow both gave birth? Ripley nodded, stopping outside of the first stall. Nick, you'll appreciate this. TizNow nearly ate Malcolm when she was foaling. The foal wasn't breathing so he had to rub the sac off and she nearly knocked him to his knees. He had to army crawl out of the stall in military seconds. Ripley's eyes laughed as she noted the big, beautiful mare who was nursing the light bay colt. Frontier had sired a looker, that was for sure.

The colt's blazed face turned in their direction, tongue moving over his lips as he searched for milk remnants. Ripley crooned at them, noting Tizzie's fierce look. She was a good mom alright. Ripley wondered if the fierceness would pass on to the colt and show itself out on the racetrack. His stout body already had the appearance of future toughness and muscle. If her attitude comes through the colt on the track, he could prove tough for whatever horse goes his distance. I hope he's like Nightshade though. That kind of talent is hard to get twice. But Frontier is relatively new on the scene. How many foals did you get out of him this season Nick?

Brooks crossed his ankles as he leaned against the stall, blue eyes covering the mare and foal. The colt looked muscled already, like he might have some ounce of precociousness in him. Perhaps, he would be an echo of Nightshade when he reached his two year old season. Expectations would be high on this offspring of Frontier. Would Frontier manage to get another high quality foal or would Nightshade prove to be a result of her dam's side, and a fluke for Frontier? What do you think of him Nick?

[Cavallo]

<sub>His eyes snapped open, wide at first as they tried to focus. He honestly hadn't even realized he'd dozed those three minutes. He rubbed his face and pushed himself off of the wall giving Ripley a returning wry grin in response to her light jab. Now more awake he held his hands up in mock surrender, "We only have five mares this season. We had more than enough to take care of with our Y13 crop." His face showed the challenge, but also a love for the challenge that having a crop of yearlings. He was more than grateful he'd hired Ethan Marino. The calm, cocky son of a gun was working wonders with the yearlings, freeing him to focus more on the large string of older horses Intrepid had this season.

As Ripley nodded down the hallway, he started after her nodding in recognition of the young man who'd helped this morning with The Devil and Dr. Sanders. He took a mental note of the young man. If he proved to be an efficient vet assistant, he might be willing to have the young man come onto IRS grounds for the occasional job, if Ripley would be willing to share... He grinned at the thought to himself and turned to Brooks. He watched the man almost hungrily stalk Ripley's every move and his smile only deepened. Ripley tried to warn him off about Brooks, but oddly enough he found himself respecting the ambitious and doggedly determined man. He nodded to Brooks with an encouraging smile. He knew all to well what it was to be in love and unwilling to let anything or anyone come in between that love. He respected Brooks and made a mental note to be more intentional about getting to know the younger man that had obviously wormed his way under Ripley's thicker skin, right to her heart. He definitely wanted to know Brooks secret.

He continued to follow Ripley and Brooks, his clear eyes taking in every detail about Witch Creek. The barns had a rustic elegance, as did everything about the grounds, but everything was of the highest quality and caliber. It very much reflected the nature of it's owner and founder. Brooks asked a question of Ripley and she had nodded in the affirmative, then began to address him. He snapped his full attention to the small woman, "Nick, you'll appreciate this. TizNow nearly ate Malcolm when she was foaling. The foal wasn't breathing so he had to rub the sac off and she nearly knocked him to his knees. He had to army crawl out of the stall in military seconds." Hearing this gave Nick a twisted delight in his gut. His eyes twinkled like the devil in his eyes, suddenly a darker shade of blue with a twinge of devilment. That fact had pleased him immensely and he knew he was being rather childish to be so thoroughly pleased by this random fact, but it did. He only chuckled though at the revelation and stopped where Ripley had to show him Tizzie and her stunning bay colt. Nick walked up to the stall door and leaned in with confidence. Tizzie had been his ride, his mare and he let the dark bay mare take in his familiar scent. She was still a mother though and her ears temporarily laced back flat, but soon pricked forward as he her voice rumbled smoothly off his lips. The mare didn't move, but turned to nudge the colt affectionately as if to show off her new accomplishment, like a child to their father. He couldn't help, but smile and his eyes went to take in the colt.

He couldn't have agreed more with Ripley. Tizzie and Frontier had made an amazing combination. The colt seemed to have more of his dam's darker coloring, but he saw the sturdier, thicker bone frame of Frontier. He hummed appreciatively at the natural muscling of the colt. He would be a powerhouse kind of horse if he continued with this kind of muscle growth. "If her attitude comes through the colt on the track, he could prove tough for whatever horse goes his distance. I hope he's like Nightshade though. That kind of talent is hard to get twice. But Frontier is relatively new on the scene. How many foals did you get out of him this season Nick?" He heard Ripley's voice drift over his shoulder to his ears and he stepped back from the stall door to address Ripley more personally. I'm hoping that Frontier is just as much a great sire as Requiem was a brood with Nightshade. Frontier has those nice outside lines for him to be a valued producer if his new foals follow in Nightshade's steps. He had a good feeling about it, which is why he had bred himself another Frontier baby. We only got one other foal out of him this season. We decided to pair him up with Sillenia. She actually is about to deliver sometime this week and if the foal looks anything like your guy here...well...I will be more than pleased. His crop this season was small, but it was some of the highest quality foals he'd ever had the honor to plan out and achieve.

He continued to drink the colt in as he nudged his dam's side and couldn't help, but feel some pride at the sight of the colt. He was the result of two Intrepid bred horses and he was excited that Witch Creek had bought into his program. Brooks lifted his voice and questioned him about what he thought about the colt. What do I think about this colt? A slow smile formed on his lips, I'm thinking I hate myself for letting Witch Creek get their hands on another one of my bloodlines. He's a damn good looking colt and I couldn't be more pleased with him. I will definitely have to watch this one closely as he ages and progresses. I'm a little bit jealous. If this was the Tizzie baby, he was anxious to see how Shadow's baby had turned out. This was her second foal ever and he was desirous to check up on his Apache's Magic mare. There wasn't another horse like here in any broodmare harem. She was one of a kind and near and dear to his heart. He stepped back completely from the stall, tearing his gaze away from his mare, eyes eager to see the next colt. How'd Shadow handle her second foal? He sounded like a concerned father and he knew it, but he didn't care much...</sub>

[Ripley]

Ripley nodded in agreement of Nick's assessment of Frontier. That's how we started off with Touch Up... Only we weren't breeding five-star, Hall of Fame mares to him at the first go-round. And now look at him. Sire of two grade one winners, a Breeders Cup Juvenille Fillies winner and grandsire of a grade three turf filly. If we'd been breeding the likes of Screaming Mimi, Sillenia and Ebony Gold Lady to Touch Up, like we did Sweeto Cheeto, imagine how fantastic those foals would have been. Ripley shook her head, last in thought. No doubt things had gone way up for the stallion who had only broken his maiden on the race track. She smiled at the thought. Touch Up was a tough horse, but he would forever be her baby and the foundation sire of Witch Creek. 

You've got to have a breeding coming up to Touch Up, right? You had him all that time and only got In Front out of him. Ripley's brain was clicking rapidly in thought for someone who had been up the last 24 hours. Whom, by the way, I have been keeping a close eye on. Anytime you want to reclaim that one, I'm interested. Especially seeing the quality of horse Flight of Fancy can throw. Casualty of War is an excellent specimen Nick. You'll have to take a look at him sometime unless you see him on the track.

Brooks hummed when he thought of a match between Frontier and Sillenia. Sillenia had been bred to Sweeto Cheeto last year, as Ripley had pointed out. Stride of Perfection had not revealed a thing about the product of the match. He knew they'd expressed interest in Screaming Mimi's first filly before Valkyrie had bought her. He was betting that the first match had put out a good one, if they'd been interested in buying a second Sweeto Cheeto foal. Bet that foal is going to run all day for you Brooks. We'll have a good time duking it out between that colt and your foal. Ripley sent Brooks an appreciative glance and blood sung beneath his skin. 

Ripley chuckled. Well your lines definitely proved fruitful last year. We appreciate Hokum and Bella Luna very much. And GS Royal Crown is nothing to sneeze at. We have high hopes for all of them this year. Her eyes twinkled at the thought of all the power the trio had brought to Witch Creek last year. They had carried Witch Creek from average to super-star level with wins in the Sword Dancer, the Turf Triple Crown and the Donn Handicap. Oh don't worry Nick. I'm sure we'll have some future down the road pertaining to this Frontier colt of mine. 

Ripley nodded, her muscles tensing as Nick moved on to Apache's Shadow. It wasn't nerves that bunched Ripley's body up. It was absolute anticipation. The cross between Canjun Moon and Apache's Shadow had produced a one of the kind combination with old lines intertwining into something magical. She grinned at Brooks and Nick now. She remembered the foal quite well. And both men would be impressed. She gave birth like a champ. Easiest birthing of the three. Hopefully Candid Silver and Screaming Mimi give birth that easy. I've already had enough heart attacks in the last day. She walked proudly to the next stall, eyes glowing with enthusiasm. 

We already have a name picked out for him Nick. She paused, breathing it as her eyes caught sight of the mare and foal in the stall. Meet Apache's Warrior. Brooks peeked over the stall, eyes widening with fierce pleasure at the foal. He did not hide behind his mama like the TizNow colt had. This one stood as though he already knew the extent of his future talents. His coat gleamed raven black with not an inch of white glimmering on his hide. His dark eyes glowed with a barely controlled strength. He carried himself proudly, wide forehead showing his intelligence. Brooks glanced at Ripley who was staring at the foal with longing. She was no doubt in love with what she was seeing.

He's so big for not even being a day old. I think... he might be a real winner when he hits training age. The colt stepped forward, neck moving level with his shoulders as he glared up at the humans. Ripley's green eyes widened when Apache's Shadow rushed the doorway, neatly brushing the midnight colt off of his hooves. He grunted from his side, lunged to his feet swiftly though not quite steadily. He neighed bossily after his mom, turning his rump to face her and the humans when she did not respond.

Ripley smiled when the black beauty placed her head over the stall door, imploring Nick to pet her. She's been such a good lady, but she knows who her real family is.

[Cavallo]

<sub>Hearing Ripley talk about Touch Up's starting career gave him hope for Frontier's future. He was already being booked up by some of the top stables and top mares; it had to bode well somehow. "You've got to have a breeding coming up to Touch Up, right? You had him all that time and only got In Front out of him. Whom, by the way, I have been keeping a close eye on. Anytime you want to reclaim that one, I'm interested. Especially seeing the quality of horse Flight of Fancy can throw. Casualty of War is an excellent specimen Nick. You'll have to take a look at him sometime unless you see him on the track." In front. He rubbed his stubbled jaw in deep thought. He'd been watching the colt closely as well and hearing Ripley voice an interest in the stunning bay gave him a sort of confirmation. He would make a point to stop by Oak Hill and see if Millie was willing to return the colt, especially if Ripley was interested in the colt. And yet another mental note to take. He grinned begrudgingly as Ripley boasted in Bella and Hokum and Crown. He couldn't be genuinely upset, he'd played a part in each horse's success, but it was to be Ripley and her team that polished them off and he was genuinely happy for them.

Nick watched in intrigue as Ripley stiffened when he mentioned Shadow. Doubts and concerns immediately clouded his vision. Surely if something had been wrong, Ripley would have called and told him, but he slowly saw the eager delight in those cat-green eyes and he felt his tense muscles relax. He wasted no time in following the small woman over tot he next stall and he had to pause and drink in the site that warmed him up on the inside and made him want to curl his toes in delight.

Shadow was the perfect picture of motherhood. He heard Ripley mention the colt's given name and he smiled in approval. It was good to hear Apache's name back in use for The Wire and GHF tracks. His mind briefly flashed back to olden days, when his stable had been a heck of a lot smaller and the whole industry on his own had been new. It seemed so long ago and yet as he looked at the next generation of the Apache line...he couldn't help, but swell up with pride. His crystal blue eyes locked on immediately to the wobbling black colt. He was as dark as his mother, without a speck of white to mar his hide. Even Nick could see the cognizant mannerism of the colt. He was as sharp as a tack and bold too, walking right up to the humans at the door. Nick instantly admired the boldness in the colt and once again envied the great training opportunity that Ripley was going to have with this one.

His heart warmed all the more and he laughed as Shadow barreled over her own colt to greet him. The colt was no worse for the wear, besides a bruised ego most likely and he couldn't refuse the black mare. His calloused roughened hands caressed the mare's cheek, rubbed her forelock and patted her in praise. Well done my girl. You threw a one of a kind boy, didn't you? He praised the mare and all her efforts, his own eyes bright at the brilliant future that awaited this new life. Nick regretfully stepped back from the stall door and looked to Brooks and Ripley, a smile beaming easily on his features. That is a colt I would love to my own hands on. You'd better watch him close. If he disappears, you might want to drive over to my place to check. He winked good naturedly, but his words of praise weren't. There was something markedly different about Shadow's second born and he was as proud as a new papa about it.</sub>

[Ripley]

Oh trust me. I'll be keeping this boy under lock and key. Ripley smirked, stroked a finger down Apache's Shdaow's jet-black face. She really was a gorgeous mare. A mare Ripley had fallen in love with upon first sight. She had a remnant of her now even when the gorgeous horse left Witch Creek. Her son would carry on her lines and create a legacy fitting for a dam of Shadow's quality. Ripley rolled her shoulders, chewing her lip for a moment. It was time to take a second, more thorough look of the Devil's filly. She let out a sigh, felt Brooks reach for her and then reconsider.

Laura called and said that they separated the pair. The Devil is still in the big stall. Justin changed the bedding so that she would be comfortable and not open to infection. The baby is in the end stall. Ripley nodded, cocked an eyebrow at Nick. And now you can have your moment Nicholas Landing. Let's see what I'm going to have to watch out for three years from now. Ripley could not block the worry from flooding her gaze as she walked as confidently as possible to the solitary stall. Few horses were kept in the end stalls when the barn was at low capacity. But the filly would be leaving once her new people were rested up. It would create less fuss by stationing her from the others.

Ripley and Brooks paused outside of the lonely stall, exchanging a glance. They would let Nick have his moment with the filly. Ripley was keen on finding out his opinions, but sour feelings did not fade away quickly. Brooks moved to look in the stall, eyes narrowing. Ripley may dislike the filly, but he knew quality when he saw it. If only she didn't have such a look in her eyes...

[Cavallo]

<sub>Apache's Warrior was going to be a knockout competitor, of that Nick had no doubts. He was truly tickled with pleasure that Ripley had decided to take on the Apache's Magic line. Oh the places these two would go and he was only too eager to watch from the sidelines. His heart full of satisfaction he almost didn't notice the perceptively noticeable shift in Ripley's demeanor, but he soon became re-grounded onto planet earth. Realization dawned on him and he nodded, more soberly as he thought how difficult this might be for Ripley. He forced a smile onto his face. Well, then lets not waste our moments. He gave Ripley a teasing punch and Brooks a rambunctious wink, anything to get these people to relax. This was, after all, only a newborn foal.

Nick was secretly glad that Brooks had toweled off the filly and that Laura and Justin had handled the foal. He knew that the staff would know the importance of handling. With the rocky start this filly had, she would need something to imprint on and he hoped that her being with humans would aid in that process of imprinting - it would make his weanling trainer's job less difficult down the road and he had a sneaky suspicion they were going to need all the help they could get with this filly.

He followed resolutely after Brooks and Ripley to the very end of the barn. He was secretly grateful for the foresight the Witch Creek possessed. Their insight would allow him and Adele to trailer the filly with even less difficulty and after their drama filled morning, the last thing they needed was more drama.

Ripley and Brooks stopped and nodded him on ahead to have some one-on-one time with the much debated and highly contested filly. He nodded gratefully to them both and crossed the threshold of the stall door to let himself inside. The dark bay filly was already standing on her feet. She wasn't as wobbly as he remembered and she seemed to have found out how to properly function her extremities. Cold, defiant eyes locked onto him, but the filly never flinched. She was fearless. Nick chuckled quietly to himself,What a horse you are...

Critical blue eyes raked over the newborn filly, taking in her every contour, her muscling, her build, her markings...There wasn't a mark on her entire body except for a single white diamond in the center of her forelock. He advanced slowly on the filly, hands outstretched as she coolly regarded him, but she made no move to shrink back. Inwardly, Nick was pleased with the boldness that this filly wore like a cloak. Her nares flared as she inhaled his purely masculine scent. She shook out her head powerfully and stamped a tiny foreleg into the soft straw below. The filly had a wide forehead, offset by a pair of cold, intelligent eyes, eyes that were currently measuring him up for everything he was worth.

His mouth practically watered with the anticipation of this filly's future. This was a filly that carried all the marks of greatness and had all the raw materials to be molded and shaped into a racehorse that would be respected and feared by her competition. His dreams were getting carried away and he had to ground himself once again to his present reality. Nick reached out a hand to touch baby soft fur, his hand running down the length of the filly from her neck, across her back and down each leg. The filly wobbled slightly under Nick's calloused touch, but she didn't flinch away. Pride welled up in Nick's heart for the resolutely determined filly. She was going against all the norms, even in her very birth this filly had displayed a strength that defied all the law of normalcy. She was Lawless, a power unto herself and he couldn't wait to harness it. His hands felt the firm bone structure and predicted that once developed, this filly would have a solid, sleek frame, rippled with dancing muscles of power. There was already tight tiny muscles found flexing under his large hands.

As he stepped back and up from the straw, the filly sent him a look that could have seared, but she made no other moves. Nick was secretly glad that she'd had human contact soon after her birth, he couldn't have imagined trying to harness this filly, with this kind of attitude that didn't care for humans. Brooks, Laura and Justin had saved him and Ethan a lot of angst. His smile could not be contained as he stepped back and out of the stall. Lawless. That is what we're going to call her and she, Ripley, is as cold and frigid as a winter chill, but as stirring in her build and formation as a hot summer day. The Devil outdid herself with this one. And he genuinely meant the compliment. He knew he wasn't supposed to technically have favorites, but so far...Lawless was definitely at the top of his list.

For all the drama and trouble that they had all been through this morning, he couldn't help, but think that it was at least going to pay off in the long end. This was a filly that was going to make a mark on the racing world, with or without anyone to hold her hand and he was secretly pleased beyond all doubts and tiredness to even care. Though the filly continued to stare down the humans with cold eyes, Nick couldn't help, but beam with pride. Mark my words Ripley. This is a filly that the tracks won't be able to forget. And he meant every word of it.</sub>

[Ripley]

Ripley cocked a hip, trying to ignore Brookson's concerned eye. Her blood was still boiling from him earlier and she felt less anxious looking in on the filly. Lust was a drug that fought dirty and mercifully at the same time. She crossed her arms, watching as Nick approached the bay filly. This one was longer in the leg than her half-sister, Hourglass. Leaner, meaner looking in a way. Hourglass had been an instant sweetheart... until she revealed how much she hated having a human sit on her back. Memories flashed through Ripley's head. She'd since the Devil born, her first daughter born, her first son and now her last foal at all. It was a moment to celebrate. The Devil had to make it through the aftermath. She had to live to be anointed one of the greatest broodmares of all time. Even though Saint had just started his career, jockeyed by none other than herself, greatness had marked him.

Ripley let out a sigh, nodded at Nick. She's got The Devil in her. She's got her mother's signature star. Hourglass has given the line a good start with her win in the Juvi Turf. It's too early to tell. Anarchi may be the sire, but I have yet to come across a foal of The Devil's that doesn't owe her their talent. Once you said I was only giving you a grade three mare in exchange for breedings to Comeuppance and FS Mockingbird, a cool smirk spread over Ripley's face. You were wrong. I gave you a chance at greatness. Perhaps, I should have been owed more, asked more. But that time has passed and I can only watch to see what kind of mark she leaves on Intrepid.

Ripley nodded, looked over at Brooks. He smiled at her in approval, knew that only Ripley could come out of the worst of times in some sort of philosophical mood. She yawned, tiredness overtaking the brilliant light of a breeder. Nick... I'm exhausted. The guest bedroom is yours. My people will take care of your Lawless. I'd advise you to get at least three hours of sleep before trying to take off. I'm sure Malcolm will release Adele at some point in that time. She waved her hand, not sparing a glance at the bay filly as she left. There could not be forgiveness for the filly's attack, but she would be ever watchful of that one. She had bred a monster that her own horses would have to face at some point. At least she had plenty of forewarning.
 
Brooks smiled at Nick. Wake her before you leave. I'm going to go exercise some stallions. He paused. She may not like the foal, but she'll still watch her like a mother hen. Ripley is a good woman. It takes a hard horse to get under her skin.

............................................................................

Malcolm dropped hay bales into the wheelbarrow. His hands were strong and fierce as he ripped the bale-n-twine from the dried grass. Fury glittered in his gaze. Fury that he hadn't been there for Ripley when she need him. Fury that Brooks hadn't bothered to show his face until what was clearly the end of a rough birth for Ripley's prized mare. Brooks loved the woman and yet he hadn't bothered to show his pretty boy face. His blue eyes were lit with a hell-bent rage, his muscles were tense. Ripley may have said she was okay, but anyone could have looked into her eyes and seen that she was not.

He dumped grain into Midnight Thriller's bucket, tossed hay over the stall door into her stall. The black mare bared her teeth as she was wont to do, charged the stall, ears pinned. Her dark eyes flickered with uncertainty when she realized Malcolm had moved on already. Unease flickered in the mare's gaze as she followed him down the stall row. Usually Mal stopped to play, at least pretend to be afraid. Today was different. Her muscles twitched beneath jet black hide. She flicked her ears, hearing more human footsteps. This was different as well. She shook her mane. Humans were oddly always changing their routines. She snorted and charged her grain instead.

Mal's every move was a poetic dance. Dump grain, shut the door, throw hay, dump grain, shut the door, throw hay. It was a routine that usually lulled him. Today it did not. He knew Adele would come as sure as he knew his next breath. His temper was on edge and he was growing tired of being in control. He needed a punching bag or a horse to go gallop full out into the trails hidden by Witch Creek woods. He stopped at the next stall, eyes blazing, but hand gentle as he stroked a finger down Bella Luna's silver-white face. She was such a kind, gentle creature, one of his favorites. She nickered softly, eying the grain bucket, but doing no more than talk to him. Mal took a deep breath, feeling Adele's presence. She'd have to speak to him, calm him down. Anger was snapping at him like angry jaws, threatening his monumental control.

[Cavallo]

Nick's eyes twinkled at Ripley's jab about getting his two stallions for this "grade three" mare. They both knew he'd made a steal, but he'd more than paid Riley back with GS Royal Crown, Bella Luna, Hokum and soon Casualty of War. He saw the weariness catch up and settle onto the woman and he felt it too. He walked out of the stall and shut it behind him. Nodding in agreement to Ripley's permission to use the spare room. He didn't need to be mothered and told twice that he needed sleep, but he let Ripley say her piece. Thanks again for the spare room. I'll be headed over there right away. I'll set my alarm to be out of ya'lls hair by about one o'clock. He tried to ignore the second half of Ripley's comment about Adele and Mal, but he knew his jawline had to have suddenly grown tense. Deciding not to dwell on it he nodded to Ripley and then watched in admiration of the woman as she turned and walked away without a second glance at him, Brooks or the filly. He sighed. There didn't appear to be any love for this filly on Ripley's end, but Nick wasn't too worried. After all, Lawless was to be Intrepid's filly and that meant it really didn't matter how the woman breeder and trainer felt about the filly, though he had to admit he was a bit sad the woman wasn't as excited as he was. It would come with time maybe. Right now everything about Lawless would just hit too close to home to bring any sort of warm feelings she might have for the newborn.

Nick ran a hand through his hair, his tiredness now more apparent then ever. He smiled warmly at Brooks as he offered his friendly words of encouragement. Thanks Brooks. I know sometimes things happen, but rest assured Lawless is gonna have a good home to go to and I know that with time, hopefully, Ripley might soften a little bit to the filly. I'm not asking for miracles or anything, but time makes all pains less sharp over time. He knew his eyes were bleary and he gave the man a tired smile. Be safe on those studs of yours. I'm gonna hit the sack for a bit before I curl up in a stall with one of your horses. He winked and chuckled to Brooks, slapping the man on the back before steadily making his way over to the cabin where a bed was calling his name...

---

Adele had stalked out of Ripley's office to hunt down Mal, when before she had even gone ten feet, she'd heard Nick ask to use her shower. She'd willingly handed him her room key and shook her head as she watched Nick stride across the property to her little temporary apartment. Now that that's done... She shook her head and steeled her resolve. She had a man to hunt down. She tore off to the feed room and found it with more ease than she thought she would. Guess she'd been spending enough time around here to remember...

She turned the corner into the feed room and was greeted solely by a lone barn cat dozing on a hay bale pile. She huffed and rolled her eyes, knowing that now she had to literally walk through the barns to try and locate the man. She didn't know his routine. She didn't know which barn he'd start in and the fact that she didn't know a lot of things was already adding to her irritation. She was an understanding person. She also knew that Mal was protective, but she needed to let him know a few things. She bit her bottom lip in a thoughtful pose, arms crossed in contemplation. How the heck am I going to do this?

One of the grooms came walking down the aisle and she quickly asked the man if he'd seen Mal. My saving grace from looking all over kingdom come. The man pointed her to the older racehorse barn. She thanked the man and slowly made her way over to the right barn. She heard the crunch of grain being scooped and the rattle as it was dumped into waiting horse buckets. There was the rustle of hay being tossed and each sound carried a sharp edge of aggressiveness to it. Aggression. She was around it a lot. You just needed to meet Predator and you would have met one of Intrepid's most aggressive horses in the barn, ranking right up there with Bucephalus, and yet the stallion loved her. Granted. She knew she couldn't treat Mal like her horse, but she also knew that flying off at the mouth, the way she wanted to right now...would not be well received.

She paused to look at a black filly that charged ahead to her feed and as she looked at the name plate her suspicion was confirmed, it was Midnight Thriller. Normally, she'd have loved to stop and closely inspect the older filly, but she was not to be distracted of swayed from her goal. She continued to walk down the aisle and peeked around the corner to follow the sounds, but they had suddenly paused. Her sharp blue eyes, that had been hard with resolve and mission, softened at the sight her eyes beheld. Mal's entire frame was tense with anger and though his touch was gentle to the grey, even Adele could clearly see that Mal was not alright.

She sighed and slowly walked around the corner as though approaching a scared, aggressive horse. He knew she was there, she just knew it. She stopped a few feet away, crossed her arms over her chest and watched. She didn't say a word. There was just too much she wanted to say and some of it didn't need to be said now, but the thoughts still whirled in her mind, her eyes becoming clouded and troubled. She did not like seeing Mal like this. He puts too much on himself. There was no way he could have done anything different. I wonder if he blames this partially on me? If I hadn't been here...he would have been here for Ripley. Still, it doesn't change what happened. He couldn't and shouldn't talk to Nick like that. I hate seeing him like this. I don't know what to do.... The thoughts just flew a mile a minute as she watched the man she had kissed in public a mere 45 minutes ago, struggling with his anger as he petted a sympathetic grey filly.

Did she care about this man? With all her heart. And with that realization, she rolled her shoulders, closed her eyes briefly and moved closer to Mal as she put her own agenda to the side. There would be time to talk later...hopefully, but right now, she needed to bring Malcolm back to the land of the living and out of his shell of self-punishment. She knew she wouldn't be able to have a meaningful conversation with him all worked up. So, she started off like anyone else would. Hey you.

Uncrossing her arms, she continued to move closer and stopped on the other side of the stall door and leaned against it. She looked up at the grey filly who was currently ministering to Mal and she sent a look of thanks to her. She's more beautiful up close. Bella Luna right? She checked the name plate on the door and had her answer. She didn't wait for him to respond. She only needed to open up a door and extend an invitation. You wanna talk? Her blue eyes were still troubled and she cocked her head slightly as she locked her gaze intently onto his. She would never be able to make him talk if he didn't want to and she could understand if he needed some space. Heck. We've spent three days together. He might be sick of me by now. She didn't give the thought much credit, but still stood her ground as she waited for Mal to decide what he wanted to do. Would he open up? Take up the offer of friendship and help? Or blow her off like she was just a stranger?

Her emotions were all in a tumult, but she tried not to let it show. Now was the time to be strong for him, like he'd always been strong for her. It was time to return the favor.