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“Farm in Wheeler, Texas,” he replied proudly

“How ive for her?”

“What’s it matter?”

She shrugged, appreciating the old ga back and forth with Frank “I don’t guess it does”

“No, it doesn’t,” Frank said, handing her the horse’s registration papers “She’s out of a world champion Last owners, for whatever reason, just didn’t want to run her They kept her off the track If I’d had her…”

“She would’ve been a champion,” Julie finished for hi less”

He wiped his brow and slowly nodded, studying her with intense eyes “That’s a fact, Julie Anyone can look at you and know I produce winners”

She sighed then, thinking of how proud she’d once ood on her country upbringing, most of which she always credited to Frank anyway

The old man practically raised her after her father was killed in a racing accident, and her ood aunt couldn’t e a child when her only concern was an empty bottle of booze

Frank grabbed a nearby can of cola and took a swig before crushing the e up the can he’d demolished, he tossed it in a nearby trash bin and strolled toward the barn “I want you to see so”

Julie followed him toward the main facility When they walked inside, she relinquished the horse’s papers

He waved her hand away “Oh I won’t need those You put theirl”

“Frank, you can’t give me a horse for no reason”

“There’s a big difference between can’t and can, little girl Can’t would al—which I can—and that’s why you have her now I think she’ll do you soood”

“I’ve never owned a Thoroughbred”