Page 79 of Hats off to Love

“Hi,” he whispers.

“Hey,” I say back, my heart free-falling into my stomach with feelings so great it’s as if the entire universe has disappeared and left only the two of us, nothing else.

“You all right?” he asks, with pieces of his hair falling over his forehead. His skin is slick and flushed, and his eyes are as clear as a northern lake under a fall sky.

“Better than,” I tell him.

Better than I’ve ever been in my whole life.

LUVU TEA

LUVU TEA’S CROWNED ROYALTY OF THE BOURBON BALL

Good evening, friends and family. I think we can all agree that the Bourbon Ball tonight was just delicious. Bourbon is known to taste smooth with notes of oak, caramel, and vanilla. It’s more sweet than dry, but it’s that burn going down that keeps us coming back for more, and here at the Tea we just can’t get enough.

After a full evening of wining and dining, dancing and laughing, we watched, waited, and then cast our votes. Not surprisingly at all, we are unanimous in our choice for this evening’s royalty. While many were splendid and divine, these two continually left us craving more. More stolen moments, more lingering touches, and a beauty so ethereal the crowns were meant for their heads. Without further ado, this year’s prince and princess of the Bourbon Ball are none other than our bachelor of the season, Stokes Whitlock, and his date, Rosie May.

Felicitations, we bow to you.

Thank you for a wonderful night. We’re off to get some shut-eye as we’ll be back bright and early tomorrow, reporting live from Churchill Downs.

28

Today is the day.

Today is the day of the greatest two minutes in sports.

Today is the Kentucky Derby.

It is the longest continuously held sporting event in America and is recognized by all as one of the most prestigious horse races in the world. It’s a top-rank, Grade I stakes race for three-year-old thoroughbred horses. The track is made of dirt and is ten furlongs, or one and a quarter miles. Twenty qualifying horses will line up, wait for the bell, and then be off. The purse is almost two million dollars.

Just thinking about it fills me with indescribable joy and glee. The gates will open at nine, and over one hundred and fifty thousand spectators will flood into Churchill Downs. They’ll place their bets, sip mint juleps, listen for the Riders up call and sing “My Old Kentucky Home”.

Spectators will socialize, they’ll take photos with their family and friends, and I will be people-watching with the best of them. Will there be famous people? Yes. Do I care? No. I am one hundred percent here for the hats and fascinators.

Early this morning, Stokes left with Grayson and a few other Whitlock Farm staff members to take Ace to the track. The rule is that any horse running at Churchill Downs must be on the grounds a minimum of five and a half hours before race time. Although he isn’t racing until later, for peace of mind, they wanted to make sure he was here and settled, especially with the farm having other horses racing and the large crowds rolling in.

While I have attended the Derby before, this is the first time I will be attending as a member of the Whitlock Farm team, and also with a date. Then again, I can’t ever remember Stokes bringing a date either. I may have been gone over the last couple of years, but that didn’t stop me from watching it on television and taking in the details surrounding my people.

It’s now midafternoon, we’re both dressed to impress, and I’m so excited to be here with him. Parking the car in the owners’ lot, he turns to me as he cuts the engine off.

“Wait for me,” he says as his hand reaches over and squeezes my leg.

I nod and watch as he gets out of the car, walks around the front, and opens my door. I can’t decide if he’s different with me today or if he’s just nervous about the day, but he seems a little closed off and a lot lost in his head.

“You look beautiful,” he tells me as he takes my hand. Moss green and whiskey roam my face just before he bends and kisses the corner of my mouth. I spent the last two days working on a hat for me. I needed it to be something spectacular—after all, this is my time to shine—but I also wanted it to blend with the colors of the farm. I’m wearing an ivory dress with a light green hat that has chic and stylish adornments. It comes from the same hue as the farm colors but is more subtle.

“So do you,” I say quietly back. He is wearing the bowtie I gave him; it’s Whitlock green and matches Birdie’s hat. He has on a white shirt and a medium blue three-piece suit. It’s not dark or pale but right in the middle, and it’s cut to fit him perfectly. My gaze drops over the length of him, and I can’t help but think back to last night and earlier this week when I was lying in his arms without the suit. That felt pretty perfect too.

As we make our way through the parking lot, I notice the weather has turned a little throughout the day. It was super bright this morning. Now it’s overcast and cooler, but I think that makes for a more ideal day—no sweating and no glaring sun.

“I’m glad you’re here with me today. Thank you for coming,” he says, glancing down at me as we pass by a slew of cameras and security at a private entrance he knows about. His hand is on my lower back, but then it moves to mine and he laces our fingers together.

“Of course. Didn’t we agree we are in this together? Besides, like I would miss the opportunity to see all my hats in their glory,” I tease, and he smiles fondly at me, one of my smiles. So far, this is the best day ever, and I can’t help but whisper, “This is so exciting.”

He squeezes my hand; he understands.

It takes us no time at all to get to the Winner’s Circle suites. They are usually reserved for the owners of the horses running. There are lounge seats, it’s open-aired but still covered, and they have direct access to the track to get to the Winner’s Circle should the horse win. Now that we’re here, it seems anyone and everyone wants to speak with Stokes. I take a step back so I can allow him to shine. It’s at this moment I decide now is as good a time as any to slip away and go take it all in.