He quirked an eyebrow at Anna, who gave him a slight nod. If she was fine with his mother’s plan, then so was he.
Isaac smiled and did as his mother suggested. He only had the beginning of an idea and hadn’t worked out all the details, but he’d decided to start a riding academy for kids without a lot of money. Individualized lessons of this type were usually too costly for regular families, but he’d provide the bikes, riding equipment, and instruction. Wealthy families dominated much of racing—his own had been an exception. Vince had been seen as a prodigy, and a rich trainer had taken an interest—first in Vince, then in Isaac. Now, he wanted to pay that forward. He hoped his family name would be enough to bring in students—maybe half a dozen to start.
After planning both an intermediate and a beginner’s course in his mind as he wandered the slope below the house, he wasalmost back to the house when he caught his mother’s voice floating through the warm air.
“It was wonderful to get to know you better today, mi querida. You’re good for my Isaac.” She sounded happy. At least she hadn’t nagged him about grandkids yet. Or at least not lately.
He continued to approach but couldn’t hear Anna’s quiet reply.
“You are one of the first things or people that my boy has chosen for himself. I’m glad he’s looking out for himself first for a change. I do not know why he never put himself first, but I see him trying. You must be the right incentive. Be patient if he backslides again and forgets himself to put Vince first, you might have to remind him from time to time. He’s been doing it for so long, it is second nature.”
His mother had noticed that he was trying to do things differently, and he was glad she didn’t seem to mind the change. Until recently, he’d always thought that his parents wanted him to put Vince first. But maybe they’d just been grateful that he’d been easygoing, and later that he wanted to get involved in racing too. It had meant there hadn’t been scheduling conflicts, and they had all traveled together for race weekends.
It made it easier for Isaac that he had his mother’s support in planning his future.
...
The temperature dropped with the fall weather that turned the leaves golden on the tree-lined hills around Cervera. Spring was Isaac’s favorite season, but fall was a close second. This was the last weekend at home before four races on the next four weekends. These races were referred to as the fly-aways, and he and Anna wouldn’t be coming home in between races for achange, as these races were in Asia and Australia—too far to travel back and forth. He didn’t like leaving so much undone in the new house, but they would finish furnishing a few rooms in the house when they returned.
Isaac shifted gears, thinking about the upcoming trip. The championship was still close, and for the first time, he considered what it might be like to win. It wouldn’t change his decision about retirement, but it might help his academy plans. After this series of fly-away races, the final race of his professional career would be in Valencia, Spain—where the season’s last race was always held. It was time to let the team announce his replacement.
Anna was upstairs revising her story when he jumped on his road bike, pedaling out of the driveway, and headed for his new meeting place with Vince for their last training ride before departure. He would talk to his brother today.
...
“I’ve got something to talk to you about,” said Isaac when they reached the halfway point of the twenty-four-kilometer loop where he and Vince had stopped for a short water break after the long series of hills they’d ridden.
“You bought a house. You going to get married?” Vince stared out at the fall countryside. It was difficult to read his opinion from his expressionless face.
“Probably, but I’ll have to ask her first. Probably do that in Thailand.” Isaac shot his brother a nervous look. “This is something else. Something more immediate.” He took a swig of water. There was no easy way to say it, so he just did it. “I’m retiring at the end of the season.”
“What about all the offers? It’s your best season ever.” Vince turned to look at him, this time, his voice rougher than usual.
Isaac still couldn’t get a read on him. “It is. I’ve been having a blast on the track this year. But, I told you I need more than racing. This is it. I’m done after Valencia. I declined the offers.”
Vince shook his head as though he didn’t understand.
“Your life is racing,” said Isaac, needing to get through to his brother so there wouldn’t be more hard feelings between them. “Mine used to be, but now it’s something else. I want to settle down. Be home every night unless I’m on holiday. One of these days, I want a family.”
“I can’t say I didn’t see this coming since you met Anna.” Vince held up his hands. “I’m not blaming her. If your heart isn’t in racing anymore, it’s time to stop.”
“Thanks for understanding.” A lump formed in Isaac’s throat.
“I don’t know what I’ll do after,” said Vince. “I try not to think about it. Luckily, with my new contract, I’ve got another four years to figure it out.” He grinned and grabbed his bike, heading out to resume their ride. “Race you back?”
“I’m thinking of opening a riding academy,” said Isaac. “You could come work for me when you retire one day.” It was hilarious that he could be his brother’s boss. In reality, they might be partners, or his brother could do special riding workshops. He followed Vince and mounted at the edge of the paved road.
Vince laughed, giving him a sideways glance just as they took off in sync, pedaling side by side. “I just might. In the meantime, I’m going to try to keep winning as long as possible.”
“Of that, I have no doubt,” said Isaac as he surged ahead, spurring Vince to speed up so he wouldn’t be left behind. His brother never changed, and Isaac didn’t want him to. “And don’tworry, I still plan to train a lot. I’ll have to keep you in shape to earn your millions.”
As he biked, Isaac’s thoughts turned to how the conversation had gone. Without the accident earlier this year and even the misunderstanding about Anna, Vince might not have understood Isaac’s decision, but now his brother seemed to accept that for the first time, their lives were about to diverge.
While the idea of ending this phase of his life made him a little melancholy, it was more than balanced by the excitement of possibility.
CHAPTER 21
Anna
