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“That’s right, Tiffany,” Hal said, his voice nearly bursting with pride. “Can you believe it? After everything we worried about, I end up with twins—and beauties at that.”
“Wonderful,” Tiffany replied as she sagged against the pantry doors and tried desperately to keep her voice professional. Louise’s worried face broke into a wide grin.
“I knew it all along, you know,” the proud owner went on, “but we did have a few tense moments during the labor. From the look on the trainer’s face while Mile High was delivering, I thought the colt was stillborn, but that wasn’t his concern at all! He just hadn’t expected number two.” Hal went on to describe in minute detail all the physical characteristics of each of his new horses and ended by saying, “Look, Tiffany, I would have called you a couple of days ago, but, well, I wanted to be sure that . . . you know, we didn’t have any problems.”
“I understand,” Tiffany replied, remembering Charlatan’s short life. “I’m just pleased that it turned out so well.”
“Yes, yes. And, uh, look, I’m sorry about the things I said the other night. I was . . . well, there’s just no excuse for my behavior.”
“It’s okay,” Tiffany said with a sigh.
“Have you heard from any of the other owners?” Hal asked.
“You’re the first.”
“Well, good luck. And mind you, if anyone tries to give you any trouble, let me know. Maybe I’ll be able to help.”
“Thank you.”
He was about to ring off, but changed his mind. “One other thing, Tiffany.”
“Yes?”
“As soon as all this . . . ballyhoo over Moon Shadow passes, I’d like to breed a couple of mares to him again.”
Tiffany smiled. Hal Reece’s words were the final olive branch offered to bridge the rift between them. “Thank you,” she said gratefully, “I’ll be in touch.”
Tiffany hung up the phone and grinned at Louise.
“Good news?” Louise guessed with a knowing smile.
“The best. Hal Reece’s mare gave birth to twins.Healthytwin colts. Three nights ago. They’ve been examined by a vet, given a clean bill of health and even have been insured by the insurance company.”
“That does it,” Louise said with a toss of her head. “We’ll have that celebration brunch after all.”
“Hal is only one owner,” Tiffany murmured as if to herself, “but at least it’s a start.” After pouring herself a hot cup of coffee, she filled the thermos, pushed open the door with her shoulder and started down the steps of the back porch. Wolverine, who had been lying beneath a favorite juniper bush near the brick stairs, trotted over to greet her.
“How’s it going, boy?” Tiffany asked, checking to see that he had food and fresh water in the appropriate dishes. The collie tilted his head to the side, and his tail wagged slowly as she spoke. Tiffany set the thermos on the top step, took a sip from her coffee and scratched the old dog behind the ears. “Haven’t you been getting enough attention lately?” she asked in an understanding voice. “All those horses are kind of stealing the show right now, aren’t they?”
Wolverine whined and placed a furry paw on her bent knee.
Tiffany laughed and shook her head. “You’re still the boss, though; aren’t you?” As she picked up her things and turned toward the foaling shed, Wolverine trotted behind her, content with the little bit of attention he’d received.
The hinges on the door creaked as Tiffany entered the whitewashed building. Mac was standing at Alexander’s Lady’s stall and writing on a white card that Tiffany recognized as the foaling record.
“Good morning, Missy,” the trainer said, without bothering to look up. When his job was finished, he placed the foaling record back on the post near the stall. Once the card was complete, Tiffany would enter the appropriate information into the farm’s computer.
“That it is,” she said, mimicking Mac’s speech pattern.
Mac’s brown eyes twinkled. “What’s got you in such good spirits?” Forcing a tired smile, he leaned over the railing of the foaling box. “Could it be this little lady, here?”
“She’s got a lot to do with it,” Tiffany admitted. The little filly hid behind the protection of her mother’s flank. At the filly’s skittish behavior, Alexander’s Lady’s ears flattened to her reddish head, and she positioned herself between the intruders and her foal.
“Mama’s takin’ her job seriously,” Mac decided.
“Good.”
The newborn poked her inquisitive nose around the mare’s body and stared at the strangers through intelligent brown eyes.
