Free Golden Filly Collection Two by Lauraine Snelling

across the bed, only to pound her fists on the floor.
    “Sorry,” she muttered an hour or so later when she came back to the kitchen.
    “I know you are. It helps to get the anger out.” Marge shut the oven after removing a sheet of chocolate chip cookies. Her eyes were red-rimmed like she’d been crying. She set the cookie tray on the counter and reached for a tissue to blow her nose. “It’s easier if we help each other. So far you haven’t let any of us close enough to help you.” She dabbed at the corners of her eyes.
    “I can’t,” Trish choked out. “I’d better call Rhonda and Brad. Where’s Patrick?”
    “Down watching them set up his new home. He’s hoping to sleep there tonight.”
    Later, in the station wagon on the way into Vancouver, Rhonda asked, “What are you gonna do with the third car, give it to the church?”
    Trish stared at Rhonda like she’d dropped her remaining marbles. “I wouldn’t give God the time of day if He asked, let alone a car!”
    “Trish!”
    “Well, would you?” Trish slumped lower in her seat and chewed on her thumbnail.
    “I thought maybe our youth group could get a used van with the money from the sale of the car. You’d said you might give it to the church.”
    “Yeah, well, God can buy a van for the church.”
    “Attitude…” Brad poked Trish in the ribs from the other side. “Your dad wouldn’t be very happy to hear that.”
    Trish folded her arms across her chest and glared up at her friend. What right did he, or anyone for that matter, have to tell her what her father would want?
    Her nagger got her attention. You know your dad always gave of himself and what he had to help others.
    When they walked into the showroom, they were met by reporters and a television camera. Trish was surprised, and plastered a smile on her face.
    “Yes, the second one goes to my brother David here. He earned it.…No, I don’t know what to do with the third one. Guess I’ll decide later.”
    “Where are you racing next?” a man asked around his camcorder.
    Trish shook her head. “I—we’re not sure yet.”
    “How’d you feel about leaving Spitfire in Kentucky?”
    “I—I…” She shot a pleading look at Patrick and David.
    David stepped forward. “Of course it was hard for Trish to leave her horse in Kentucky, but we know that’s what’s best for Spitfire.”
    “You still thinking of the Breeder’s Cup?”
    “No, that’s out now.” David took Trish by the arm. “How about letting us get our cars?”
    Laughter rippled across the balloon-decked room. The camera held on Trish and David as they accepted the keys from the dealer, then followed them outside to the cars. Sunlight bounced off the windshield and sparkled on the cherry-red finish.
    A reporter opened the door for Trish and winked at her as she slid onto the smooth black leather seat. “How’s it feel?” he asked.
    Trish placed both hands on the steering wheel. She adjusted the seat and turned the ignition key. “Fantastic.” She smiled into the camera. “Come on, Rhonda. You get to ride first.”
    Rhonda slid in next to her. “Awesome.” She stroked the gleaming dashboard. “Wow.”
    Trish waved at David and Brad in the next car. “See you guys.”
    “Drive carefully,” Marge couldn’t resist saying as they drove out onto the street.
    Trish tooted the horn. “Shall we see how fast it’ll go?”
    “I wouldn’t,” Rhonda giggled. “Every cop in Clark County’s gonna be watching for that hot young jockey with the red convertible.”
    “Where shall we go?”
    “I don’t know but don’t look back, we’re being followed.”
    “Meet you at the Burgerville in Orchards,” Brad called as he and David pulled up alongside them.
    “Yeah, we’ll let him get the ticket.” Trish hit the horn again, then stopped just as the light ahead turned red. A car full of boys behind them honked and waved. When Rhonda turned to look, they whistled and honked again.
    “You know, this could get