O'Brien's Lady (14 page)

Katy joined Sonny, but was strangely silent. "You don't seem to happy about this party I'm having, Katy."

"No, I can't say that I'm very excited about it. This Frenchman giving the party and askin' you to do all the work, makes me unhappy."

"Oh, I don't mind, Katy, really. It's been fun." Sonny stretched her arms up and tucked them in back of her neck. "Working all the time gets boring. I needed something like this."

"He's just out to better his career, and nothing more. I don't want you to be hurt, Sonny."

Sonny leaned forward in her seat and rested her chin on her hands. "That's sweet of you, but Pierre and I are..we're close, but not really serious."

"You're not in love with him. Is that what you mean to say?"

Katy's thick eyebrows burrowed into a frown and she let out an audible sigh.

"I never thought about love with Pierre. He's on the move, he's exciting to be around…and sometimes exhausting."

Sonny chuckled, remembering her tired feet the first night he took her dancing. He was ten years older than her and twice as energetic.

"How long do you want to be runnin' all over town?" Katy's question was direct and it took Sonny by surprise.

"As long as I enjoy it."

"Well, you can have it. As for me, I'd rather have a man who worked with his hands and nature."

From that point on, Katy did not question Sonny about her future plans with Pierre. There was an unspoken understanding between the two women that went far beyond the boundaries of friendship. Katy instinctively knew when the subject was to be dropped, and above all, she respected Sonny's privacy and right to her own choices, however wrong she thought they might be.

Pierre had instructed Sonny not to plan anything for the party as he was presenting her with one of his latest designs. He wanted to impress his guests of honor and knew that her beautiful face and curvaceous body would enhance anything he could create. Sonny was accustomed to wearing Pierre originals and she never tired of being seen in something that was new and innovative.

When Pierre appeared later that day, he carried a large garment bag, which he handled with all the care and gentleness of good china. Sonny ushered him into the living room, where he carefully and ceremoniously unzipped the bag to reveal its contents.

The gown was spectacular in a very simple, captivating way and Sonny quickly ran upstairs to slip it on. The snug fit of the bodice made her waist appear two inches smaller and the soft layers of white lace ruffling fell from one hip. The puffed, off-the-shoulder sleeves were dotted with pearls and Austrian crystal beading.

"Do you like it Sondra?" Pierre's eyes were bright and he watched her with great admiration.

"Oh, its beautiful. I've never seen anything quite like it."

"Then, if you are pleased with it, I have been a success." Pierre slipped an arm around her waist and drew her gently to him. "You are truly beautiful," he said just before he kissed her on the lips.

It was a warm, pleasant, non-committal type of kiss that left Sonny in full charge of all of her faculties. Her legs and hands didn't tremble, her heart was still beating regularly and there was no evidence of any electric charges shooting through her body.She watched Pierre, as he backed away, a satisfied, look on his neatly groomed face.

"Now then, about your hair," he said abruptly as he circled around her, touching the loose strands that fell past her shoulders. "You need to wear it up, to get the full impact of the bare shoulders. And, before I forget, I have a little present for you."

"A present? Pierre, really, wearing this dress is all I need."

"Nonsense. Now then, open this please." He had pulled a small box from his pocket that was

wrapped in silver and white paper. She looked numbly at the package and her heart was suddenly in her throat. "No, Pierre, I couldn't," she said backing away.

"Please, Sondra, it is not what you think.

Open it." Pierre took her hand and placed the small package in her palm, closing her fingers around it.

Sonny hesitated, then slowly tore into the paper. When she opened the box, she found a ring with a cluster of diamonds that surrounded a single ruby. The faceted stone caught the light and sparkled in a million images of color.

"Pierre, I can't accept this."

"Yes you can. Now wear it and enjoy." He placed the ring on her right ring finger, then smiled proudly.

"This doesn't mean..?"

"No," he responded quickly. "It is not an engagement ring, just a token of my appreciation for your work and for opening your home to my guests."

Pierre kissed her lightly on the cheek. "And now, is there some place where I could change?"

By the time Sonny had applied her make-up and styled her hair the way Pierre had suggested, the caterers had arrived and he was already downstairs showing them where to set up.

As always, Pierre was smartly dressed. He wore a white tuxedo of his own design with wide cream colored satin lapels and matching shirt and tie. The combination was striking against his black hair and beard.

While he gave his usual list of instructions and supervised the setting of the table, Sonny turning on strategic lights in every room. The October night air was crisp without being cold and the moon added illumination to the small mushroom lights that lined the driveway.

There was a certain feeling of excitement that came with the planning and actual participation of an elegant dinner party, and Sonny was enjoying every minute of this one.

By seven o'clock she stood in the arched doorway of the living room that was filled with women in glittering gowns and men in elegant formal wear.

It was indeed an awesome sight and she was happy to have the house so full of people. It was wonderful to hear laughter and feel movement around her. Until now she hadn't known how lonely it had been here since her return home.

"Sondra, there is someone I'd like you to meet." Pierre graciously ushered her over to a very tall, thin man of about fifty and the noticeably younger blond woman at his side.

"Sondra this is Jonathon and Ernestine Corey, who have interest in marketing my new line here in the states."

Jonathon Corey exchanged small talk while Ernestine kept her eyes enviously focused on Sonny's gown. Eventually her husband took a breath and she was able to join in on the conversation.

"Pierre, you are wonderful. I have been

admiring this gown all evening." Her green cat-like eyes narrowed as she exhibited her dazzling smile.

"Then I must create one especially for you," he said smoothly.

"I'll take you up on that. But promise me you'll not make me look too ravishing…Jonathon is the jealous type." Ernestine threw her head back and laughed.

"Pierre tells me your photographic work is nothing short of genius," Jonathon said.

"I think he exaggerates, but thank you for the compliment." Sonny smiled at Pierre who stood with his arm around her waist. "What I am very excited about right now, are my animal portraits."

Pierre frowned. "What?"

"May I show them to you? I've been here for the past three months, working with the most remarkable Thoroughbred you have ever…"

"Sondra, I think the Coreys might be more interested in your fashion work, don't you?" Pierre spoke with a solicitous tone and Sonny could feel the heat rise to her cheeks. He was just as unconcerned tonight about her horses as he had been three days ago at the stables.

She excused herself and began mingling with the other guests, most of whom had names she could not remember. The room was filled with the muted sounds of conversation as the two waiters kept the wine glasses filled and the hors d'oeuvres trays circulating.

When the telephone rang, Sonny gladly excused herself and went over to the small desk in the entry way. Katy's voice at the other end was unusually high-pitched and she talked very rapidly.

''Sonny, you've got to come down to the barns. One of the poor animals is makin* such a noise, I know somethin' terrible is happening."

"Katy, where's Michael?"

"That's just it, he's on his way back from Sacramento with his father, and they won't be here for another thirty minutes."

"All right…listen, I'll be right down. Stay there at your place in case they telephone." Sonny replaced the receiver with hands that had begun to shake.

She made her way back through the guests and over to the Pierre who was still chatting with the Coreys.

"Pierre," she said clutching the arm that hung at his side, "I have to go down to the stables.""Sondra, don't be absurd. You must be joking." His face was stern and his eyes held an uncertain look.

"One of the horses is very ill and Will and Michael aren't there. I won't be long." Her eyes begged him to understand, but when he didn't answer, she quickly turned and left.

The brisk night air brushed past her face as she hurried out the back door, leaving behind the muffled sounds of conversation and soft music. Her mind raced as she made her way down the pathway that was partially lit by the full moon.

Her heart was pounding loudly in her ears and she knew that, for the first time, the sole responsibility was now on her shoulders. What was an owner to do when an animal was sick? Did she know enough to get her through these next few minutes while she waited for Michael?

She was stepping precariously on the hardened soil, when her ankle turned and she felt the hard ground beneath her. She had heard the sound of fabric tearing and felt a quick sting against her leg. But, there was no time to worry about a torn dress or the pain she felt. Sonny pushed herself back up with the palms of her hands and continued on course to the barns.

When Sonny first heard the awful sound coming from the barn at the rear of the property, her heart was in her throat. She had hoped that it was not true, but now as she listened to the low, wailful sounds that pierced the night air, she was certain.

The Lady was in trouble.

CHAPTER 12

Although Sonny was mentally preparing herself for this moment, nothing in the world could have helped her conceive the amount of pain that Graceful Lady was experiencing.

The gentle chestnut horse was now staggering around and around her stall, where she had made a path in her bedding. The lean, muscular body was covered with sweat and her nostrils were flared.

"Ail right, Lady," Sonny said, trying to get the sound to come from her throat, but only ending with a low raspy sound that she was sure the horse hadn't even heard.

What was she to do now? Michael had talked with her, telling her over and over the procedures to follow when the animals were taken suddenly ill. Then why couldn't she remember what to do?

Sonny's mouth had gone dry and the pain she had felt in her leg before, now went unnoticed. There should be a call made to the veterinarian, but first she would try to comfort her in any way possible. If she kept rolling her head and pacing this way, Sonny was sure she would hurt herself even more.

Lady's dark eyes were blank as they stared back at Sonny, seemingly unaware of her presence. Sonny went over to the stall and reached her arms up to her, trying to make her stop.

"Lady, it's all right. All right." Her voice was still unnatural and as she watched, she realized that the horse must have a case of colic. She had heard Michael and Will talking about it and she knew that it was fairly common.

But what had they done? Could she duplicate their procedures, could she make the right decisions now? Sonny knew that she needed help and she hurried back to the main barn, to telephone Walt Hermann. She held the receiver to her ear, moving constantly, too nervous to stop and too upset to stand still. Finally after several rings the deep voice at the other end answered.

"Walt, this Sonny at Pinebrook. Please can you come over?"

"What is it?"

"Lady, she's pacing, groaning and her eyes are blank. Michael and Will won't be back for another thirty minutes and I'm here alone." Sonny felt the shrillness in her voice as she began talking very quickly, until the end when she gasped one long breath of air.

"Must be colic. Give me ten minutes."

She wanted to ring Katy at the cottage, but there wasn't time. Lady was suffering and she had to get back to her as quickly as possible.

Her forehead was damp now and she felt the pieces of her hair as they fell away from her forehead. She grasped at the limp, torn pieces of lace that fell around her ankles, and held them between her fingers to avoid still another fall.

Midnight, who occupied the other stall across from his mother, began to whinny and move about nervously. Sonny knew she should move him to the larger barn. It would not be easy to separate the two of them, but it had to be done.

Gently, she placed the halter around Midnight's neck, pulling the reins just enough to let him know who was in command.

"Steady, boy. Everything is going to be fine." She steadied him with a stronger grip on the reins, all the time talking in low tones and patting him reassuringly. The colt soon relaxed and responded to her lead.

By now, Sonny practically ran back to Lady, who was still pacing wildly and making such a low, guttural, pitiful sound that she fought hard to keep the tears from her eyes.