Over the rider's head she saw the flutter of a flag. Two flags. And a grandstand. Really?
And then it was only her heartbeat in her ears as the stallion gained another inch. Another.
They were neck and flank with the gray horse.
The finish line was rightthere.
She needed—
Domino leapt forward with one last burst of speed. She caught sight of Johnson's surprised expression—one that mirrored what she felt—as the flags flew past in her peripheral vision.
Had it been enough?
She was flying so fast that it took several dozen yards to rein in the stallion. She wheeled him in a long circle, the other rider following.
She finally reined in to a walk as they approached the finish line for a second time. It was teeming with people, and she dismounted as the race organizer ran out to meet them.
She ignored him for the moment and turned to shake Johnson's hand. "Good ride," she said.
"That's one incredible horse," he said, pumping her hand.
She had to wonder if she looked as beat-up as he did, face smudged with dirt and lined from exhaustion. She didn't want to breathe in too deeply, fearing what scent she’d pick up.
And then the race master was there, shaking first Johnson's hand and then hers.
"A fine finish!" the man crowed. "Couldn't have asked for a better one. Can't believe you pulled it out, little lady."
She hadn't been sure, not until this very moment. "I won?"
"You did," Johnson said with a tip of his hat. "Well done."
She felt the blood rushing in her ears and went a little lightheaded.
She'd won.
She'd really won.
"We'd like a photo with the two of you and your horses." The race master shooed back a whole gaggle of folks who'd approached behind him.
Breanna submitted to the photograph with what little patience she could muster. Where was Adam?
And then they were finished in a puff of smoke ,and the crowd teemed forward.
"My horse needs care" she said.
And then her brother Matty was there, sweeping her into a congratulatory hug. "I'll take care of 'im." Matty! What was her brother doing here?
He took the reins from her hands before she could protest. She was speechless.
And then she was surrounded by more of her family. Ma and Pa and Seb and Walt and... She lost count, laughing and crying as she was swarmed and hugged and passed from one to another.
"What happened to Buster?" Pa asked.
"Lame, just as we started this last leg," she said with a tearful gulp. She hated that she'd had to do it without her trusted horse. But—
"Adam took him. They were going to walk back to the nearest town. Have you seen him?"
She glanced around, but the crowd surged around them.
