An Irish rider took the course on a big black Irish thoroughbred.
“Max looks ready. How about you?” Jake asked.
Clay smiled. “We’re both ready. Max has been taking the jumps as if he has wings.”
“You carrying that medicine of yours?”
Clay nodded. “Security blanket, I guess. Why? Your stomach bothering you again?” Clay pulled the plastic bottle out of his inside coat pocket.
Jake took the bottle and stuffed it into his own coat pocket. “Not exactly. We’ll talk about it after the show.”
“Anything wrong, Jake?”
“Nothing for you to worry about. You just take care of those fences.”
“Listen, Jake...if you’re in some kind of trouble...if there’s anything I can do...”
“Thanks, Clay. I appreciate that, but I think we’ve finally got things under control.”
The Irish rider finished, knocking down the last two fences, riding glumly out of the ring. Clay threw Jake a last glance and swung up into the saddle. As he moved toward the arena, he passed Ellie, who leaned over and kissed him as he rode past.
Another rider completed the course, then the Irish announcer’s voice came over the speakers. “From the United States. Maximum Effort. Clayton Whitfield, the rider.”
Jake glanced around the arena. Some distance away, Maggie stood watching the competition. A man Jake recognized as one of Daniel’s stood just a few feet away. Since Maggie was well-protected, Jake decided he’d take a last look around.
When the competition was over, he’d have his final meeting with Popov. Then he’d talk to the members of the team, explain what had been happening. He’d resign his position, of course. There was nothing else to do. He just hoped they’d understand his actions, try not to judge him too harshly.
Deciding to make a pass through the stables and around behind the grandstands, Jake headed off. He still felt tense and uncertain, but his role in the drama was coming to an end. In the meantime, he would watch the outcome of the competition.
For the first time in days, he allowed himself to pull for the American team.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
A brisk wind whipped Maggie’s hair and tugged at the bottoms of her pale gray slacks. She wondered why Jake hadn’t returned but consoled herself knowing he’d spoken to Daniel, someone in authority, and that as team coach, he had a job to do.
Maggie propped her arms on the rail and looked out across the grassy arena. Dublin fans filled the grandstand to overflowing. The event had begun with marching bands and honor guards. Teams of sleek-coated draught horses pulled wagons filled with flowers. Shep had ridden well, under the circumstances. Ellie had ridden brilliantly.
Clay had just passed through the beam of the timer, signaling the start of his round.
Maggie smiled as she watched him. He seemed to sit taller, ride with even more confidence than usual. He smiled easily as he took the first three fences: a red and gold vertical, a wide blue oxer, and a five-foot jump at the end of the arena.
The crowd applauded enthusiastically, warming to the beauty of his ride. There was something about him today. Something undefeatable. He rode like the champion he was, and Max made the course look easy. They made the round in the time allotted and with no fences down. Only a few people had ridden as well; Ellie, a German rider; and a member of the Irish team.
Maggie glanced around, still looking for Jake. No sign of him but Prissy stood at the rail in her riding clothes, in case of any last-minute changes.
“Wasn’t Clay something?” she said as Maggie walked up. “He and Ellie both rode beautifully. I think being in love agrees with them.”
“No doubt about it.”
Several more riders took the course and finally Flex’s turn came up. He and Sebastian got off to a shaky start. Sparky settled down at the third fence, clearing it with room to spare, but Flex put him wrong at the water jump. Flex completed the course with no more fences down but had several time faults.
“I think I’ll go console him,” Prissy said.
“Good idea.” While Flex rode out of the arena, Maggie spotted Jake striding toward her. He was carefully surveying the people around her, but she noticed a subtle relaxation in his posture.
As he walked up, he surprised her by sliding an arm around her waist and kissing the top of her head. “Miss me?”
“Enormously.”
