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Still, she was the only one ould talk to him, so maybe she’d be at least somewhat useful After all, he did want to know more about the Cutters and how they’d trained horses who’d basically swept this season and were Kentucky Derby favorites for the coirl with the eyes like the ocean who had suddenly stirred his interest

Betty, after all, was the type who knew everything about everybody and was more than happy to share it

“Miss McGivens, what a pleasure,” he said, forcing himself to choke out the words

“Oh, rated against his ears If she was ai her mark “I’ since you’ve been in Kentucky”

“I’ve been busy”

“I suppose,” she said, laughing again and ainst his shoulder “But it’s soexotic to all our affairs”

He forced a smile “I don’t want to let o to ruin,” he said

“But you need to be here round ith them”

“I have trainers for that”

Betty shook her head, dark black curls falling into her eyes “Well, sugar, surely you don’t think that barking orders through a phone or over e hands-on, do you?”

“I used to think that”

“And that’s why Midnight Special—”

“Midnight Runner,” he corrected

“That’s why the horse came in dead last,” she finished “The owner should be there, really make sure they haven’t been done raw by the trainers It’s easy to claiot the best in the state, but actions speak louder”

“I’ to learn that”