Purity

By M.B. Smith

With the shocking deaths of Hill Harbor Farm matriarch Maggie Blair and her prize filly Sally, the destiny of the fabled horse farm lies in the hands of Maggie's troubled daughter True. With the help of her lifelong friend Chase Keller, True races against time to prepare the farm's last hope, the talented but fractious Purity, for the Kentucky Derby. With greedy real estate developers, a rival horse farm, and sinister neighbors rooting for its demise, its future seems bleaker than ever. As evil tightens its hold on the old farm, two beautiful and mysterious women appear: Raq Ahren and her nameless, green-eyed counterpart. True and Chase soon become pawns in an ancient rivalry, the winner of which will determine not only the fate of Hill Harbor, but their very souls!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Mar 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9781304987495

Book preview

Purity

Purity

by

M.B. Smith

Second Edition

Justice M. Hill Publishing

Ashburn, VA

Copyright © 2014 by M.B. Smith

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted by any means—whether auditory, graphic, mechanical, or electronic—without written permission of both publisher and author, except in the case of brief excerpts used in critical articles and reviews. Unauthorized reproduction of any part of this work is illegal and is punishable by law.

ISBN: 978-1-304-98749-5

Other books by M.B. Smith:

Chancy, Queen of Ashes

Love, or a  Safe, Sterile Life

System of Secrets

ZON

The Children of Kalothia

Acknowledgement

To our guardian angels who watch over us vigilantly, guide us wisely, and care for us deeply

Main Characters:

Maggie Blair: Recently deceased matriarch of the Hill family, founders of Hill Harbor Farm.

True Blair: Maggie and Bob's daughter; the last of the Hills.

Bob Blair: True's father.

Chase Keller: Taken in by Maggie as an orphan, now the operations manager at Hill Harbor Farm.  

Green Eyes: A mysterious friend of Cole Havarty. 

Raquel Ahren: Hill Harbor's new bookkeeper, with secrets of her own.

Cole Havarty: Hedonistic son of Chuck Havarty, the owner of Havarty Farm.   

Sam Havarty: Cole's prodigal older brother.

Carter Allen: Primary racehorse trainer for Hill Harbor Farm.

Slam and May Gerty: Local drug dealers and managers of a major dog fighting business.

Prologue

Eight year old Chase Keller yawned with boredom as Maggie Blair flipped through her bible to find the passages she would use for her next lesson. Maggie's daughter True, a year younger at seven, hit him on the shoulder and said, You need to pay attention, we're learning about angels!

Maggie smiled at her earnestness. She said, Chase, I know you'd much rather be out playing. Be patient, we're almost done for the day. Besides, I think you'll like this; it's about a talking donkey.

A talking donkey? repeated a suddenly energized Chase.

Well, if you're bored it can wait until next time, teased Maggie.

Please, would you read it to us? he begged.

Well, OK, if you insist! she replied with an indulgent smile. She laid the bible on the table, moved her finger down the page until she found where she wanted to start, and began reading.

The story involved a man named Balaam who was summoned by a foreign king hostile to the Israelites who wished for Balaam's blessing against them. Against God's wishes, Balaam got on his donkey and set out. When they came to a place in the road guarded by an angel who would kill Balaam if he tried to pass, the donkey, who could see the angel, tried three times to get him to turn back, each time drawing a beating from the man he was trying to save.

Finally God opened the Donkey's mouth and he asked Balaam why he was beating him when he was trying to help him. Then God opened Balaam's eyes and he saw the sword-wielding angel of God. He fell to his knees, begged forgiveness, and was saved.    

When she finished she closed the bible and said, I think that's enough for today.

I want to hear more! demanded Chase.

I'm afraid that's the end of this story, Maggie informed him.

Are there really talking donkeys? he asked.

Of course silly! answered True. It says so in the bible!

Then I hope I meet one someday! Can horses talk too?

Well Chase, Maggie replied, I'll answer your question in a second. First let me ask the two of you: What is the point of this story?

True raised her hand eagerly and without waiting for her mother's permission said, That if a donkey speaks to us we should listen to it?

Maggie chuckled. Well, that's certainly one message. But is that what God is really trying to tell us? When both children remained mute, Maggie said, Maybe God is telling us that he can communicate with us in many ways, including some that are unusual and might not be obvious to us. Remember, before the donkey spoke to Balaam, he tried three times to warn him in other ways.

How do we know if he's talking to us? asked True.

We have to keep our hearts open and pray, she said.

So can horses talk too? asked Chase. Or dogs?

Maybe that's another point of the story, that God has no limits and can work through anything he wants. So yes, if he wanted, he could have other creatures talk to us. But if he chooses to work through an animal I expect it would probably be in a more traditional manner, like when a dog barks to warn us of danger or a horse that refuses to go down a dangerous path. Your guardian angel might also work that way.

I wish I knew what mine looked like! exclaimed Chase. I bet she's pretty.

It could be a boy! True reminded him sternly.

If we have guardian angels, asked Chase, why do bad things still happen to us?

Good question, replied Maggie pensively. I've asked myself that many times. I wish I had a perfect answer for you. The best I can do is that we're not in the Garden of Eden anymore, and bad things can happen. Our guardian angel can try to steer us from trouble, but we might not always hear her or understand. Or we can just ignore her. That's the downside of freewill.

Is that what happened to my mother? asked Chase. She didn't listen?

Maggie smiled wanly. She was a wonderful person, a good friend, and a good mother. For better or worse, everything happens for a reason.  It was just her time. All I know is, I was blessed when God sent you to me. She tousled his hair and added, Get out of here, I've bored you enough!

While Chase's religious fervor never matched Maggie's, or even True's, he never forgot that particular lesson. He remembered it years later when, against his recommendation, Maggie bought an unwanted Thoroughbred of indifferent breeding and no accomplishments. To his amazement, under her gentle hand the discarded filly quickly blossomed into a dominating racehorse of fearsome drive and ability at a time when Hill Harbor Farm desperately needed a winner.

Then she died. And Maggie died. If there were guardian angels, Chase thought they were no match for the demons that had seen to their demise.

Chapter I

Boom! Crack! Startled by the explosions, Chase Keller abruptly woke from his alcohol induced slumber and promptly added another sound to the growing cacophony: That of glass shattering on the floor. Damn it! he exclaimed, bemoaning the fate of a half-filled bottle of cheap whiskey.

He staggered to his feet and dragged his exhausted body over to the wall where the light switch was. He flicked it up and down several times, hoping that somehow the result would change and a light would actually come on. After giving in to the inevitable he stumbled over to the desk, yanked open a stubborn drawer, and fumbled amongst its assorted contents until his hand clasped the flashlight he kept there for emergencies. He pushed the button and the light came on, but its dimness disappointed him. He knew some time ago he should have replaced the batteries and now, when he needed it, it barely worked.

Chase turned the flashlight off to conserve what was left of it. He squinted out through the blinds that covered the window facing toward the barns, almost a mile distant. He cursed again under his breath.

While the main barn was being renovated, the south barn housed the farm's stock of medicines and other supplies that required refrigeration. If the power was off too long they could be ruined, adding another expense to the farm's already burdensome overhead. Both barns had generators that should have kicked on automatically, but like many things on the ancient farm, the older model in the decrepit south barn was unreliable and should have been replaced years ago.

He pulled on a pair of rubber boots, donned his slicker, and stepped out into the raging thunderstorm. It was just the first week in March and early in the year for this kind of weather, but he didn't have time to think about that as the wind and driving rain nearly knocked him off his feet.

He bowed his head into the wind, pulled the slicker close to his body, and forced his way to his truck. He had his hand on the door handle when a horse's whinny made its way through the din of the storm. He turned toward the sound and was dismayed when the next lightning bolt illuminated a large, white horse pawing angrily at the violent sky. It was Purity, the farm's prized colt and its hope for the future.

What are you doing, you crazy son of a bitch! screamed Chase, as he changed course and made his way toward the wayward horse, which was standing on a rise a quarter mile distant.

He was still a hundred yards away when the sound of a dog pack on the hunt reached him over his shoulder. From the snarling sounds reaching his ears he guessed this wasn't an ordinary group of curs, but Slam Gerty's prized fighting dogs.

He picked up his pace, desperate to reach Purity before the dogs did. He was sure that on a level playing field Purity could more than hold his own against any number of beasts; however, under the present conditions he was afraid the pack might spook him and send him hurtling over the uneven ground, where one misstep could mean the end of his career or even his life.

Despite Chase's increased pace the dogs were closing in on him. He was so concerned for Purity's safety it hadn't occurred to him that he also was in danger. Realizing that, for the moment, the dogs were probably more interested in him than the distant horse, he broke off and ran toward the south barn, where he kept a shotgun. He didn't get far before he stumbled over a rock, fell hard to the ground and hit his head.

Dizzy from the blow, he gave up trying to beat the dogs to the safety of the barn. He desperately swept his arms over the rough terrain, looking for a rock or anything else he could use for a weapon. He threw his arms over his face to protect himself just as the first three dogs leapt at him. When he heard them yelp in pain, he looked in time to see Purity kick a dog nearly twenty feet through the air. The pack made a last, halfhearted effort to continue the attack, before slinking off into the darkness with their wounded comrades.

Chase staggered to his feet and rubbed his head. He stood there face to face with Purity, wondering what to do next. The huge horse wasn't wearing a halter and he didn't have a rope. He had no way to lead the rambunctious animal back to its stall. Just as it seemed the tableau would last until daybreak, the horse turned and ambled calmly toward the south barn, where he was stabled.

Of course, muttered Chase, it's nearly breakfast time and you'd never miss that, would you, you big galoot!

The storm continued to rage as the pair walked past the main barn where most of the horses were stabled. Chase was happy to see that its lights were on. It was near the end of a massive renovation, and soon would be ready to house all of Hill Harbor's horses. For now a handful, including Purity, still called the darkened south barn home.

Without prodding, Purity went into the barn and found his way to his stall by the exceedingly dim emergency lights, whose own batteries were nearly drained. He stood by, docile as a thirty year old gelding, while Chase secured the gate. After he was in, Chase felt his way to the back of the barn and the workbench where he kept spare fuses.

He pulled out the flashlight and used its rapidly diminishing discharge to sort through the fuses he'd dumped out of an old coffee can. Also aided by the erratic light of the storm filtering in through the window in front of the workbench, he found the one he needed. He then searched fruitlessly for spare batteries. He quickly gave up, returned the remaining fuses to the coffee can, and turned off the flashlight. He needed to conserve the little power it had left so he'd be able to see well enough to replace the fuse.

He looked up reflexively as an exceptionally large and close lightning bolt lit up the sky. He gasped when it revealed a huge, birdlike creature peering in at him from the other side of the glass. As he jerked back from the window, he tripped over a bag of oats someone had carelessly left there and fell roughly to the ground. Against his will he kept his eyes on the window and had to force himself not to turn away when the next lightning bolt erupted. Thankfully, this time it revealed nothing out of the ordinary.

Chase staggered to his feet and chastised himself for being so jumpy, then walked over to the nearby electrical panel. Fortunately there was enough life left in the flashlight to allow him to inspect the old fuse. When he put his hand on it, it was lose. All he had to do was tighten it. What the fuck! he mumbled to himself. He couldn't remember a fuse ever working itself loose before.

With the problem apparently solved, he grunted with satisfaction when he pulled down the lever completing the circuit and the old generator roared to life. It was still dark, because the emergency lights would need time to recharge, and he'd turned off the main lights before securing the barn the previous evening. Chase thought he heard something moving as he groped his way toward the nearest light switch.

Anyone there? he shouted, as another explosion rocked barn. Wishing he'd picked up the shotgun, he was elated when he reached the switch without incident. He flicked it on and breathed a sigh of relief when the barn filled with light. Pleased that the worst was over, he turned and nearly ran head long into a huge, dark creature with startling ocean-blue eyes.

Holy shit! he bellowed, when the woman threw back her hood. What are you doing here? Why are you sneaking around in the dark trying to scare the hell out of me!

There is no need for profanity! she rebuked him. And I wasn't trying to sneak up on you--it was dark and I thought I saw someone come in here. I called out a couple of times, but the storm was so loud I guess you couldn't hear me.

What are you doing here?

My name is Raq...Raquel...Ahren. I'm your new bookkeeper.

You were supposed to be here hours ago!

I know, I'm sorry. My car broke down in Ashley. They told me it would take a couple of days to fix it. I didn't realize how far this place was, so I walked. I just got here.

You walked all the way from Ashley? In this weather? That's fifteen miles! Did anyone give you a lift?

Once a woman who said her name was May stopped, but I didn't like the way she looked at me, so I decided to keep walking.

Beat up, primer covered Chevy truck? Fat, grimy looking, no teeth, stringy gray-blond hair?

I'd say that's an unnecessarily unflattering description of her, but yes, that sounds like her.

Good decision. Do you have any bags?

What? she asked.

Bags--did you bring any bags with you? he repeated impatiently.

Oh, those bags! she replied sheepishly. Most of my stuff is in my car, but I did bring an overnight bag--I left it by the door.

All right. Give me a minute to make sure no one else escapes.

As they moved on down the row checking each stall, Raq said, It must be fun working with horses.

At times, most of the time it's just a job.

When they reached Purity's stall Raq stepped toward him, but Chase grabbed her arm. Careful! he warned her. This one's got a very bad temper. He doesn't like people messing with him.

That's crazy! she replied. Look at him, he's as mild as can be.

To Chase's shock the horse was nodding at her, the way he used to when he wanted attention, before Sally died. Against his better judgment he released Raq's arm and didn't try to stop her when she cradled the big horse's head and whispered something he couldn't hear. In response Purity nickered happily, blew on her affectionately and stuck out his tongue. Raq grabbed it and shook it playfully. She said, You're such a big baby! You're gentle as a lamb!

Literally stunned by the horse's response to her, Chase said, If I didn't know better I'd say you knew that horse...knew him well. Have you been around horses before?

Yes, she replied.

He used to be like that before another horse we had died unexpectedly. They were best friends. Since she's been gone...

I know. I read it about in the newspaper. Chase thought he detected a catch in her voice when she added, It was so very sad. She patted Purity on the head. But everything's all right now, isn't it big boy?

When Chase finished inspecting the stalls, he picked up her bag and they stepped outside. He was pleased to see that the storm had died down to a slight, steady drizzle. Sorry, he said, seeing how cold and wet she was, but we're going to have to walk back. Fortunately it's not that far.

Together they headed toward the residential area on the northeastern end of Hill Harbor. After a while, Chase pointed ahead to a small cottage situated on a road with several others like it. He said, Raquel, is it? That's where you'll be staying, at least until you can find a place in town, if that's what you want. Otherwise you can stay there. You'll have to pay rent, but I'm sure we can work something out. I know it doesn't look like much but it's clean, weather tight, and free of vermin...mostly.

Ignoring his lame attempt at humor she said, Oh, it looks wonderful! I've always wanted to live on a farm! And my friends call me Raq.

Thankful that the morning's ordeal had sobered him up, Chase bit his tongue as he noted her full bosom for the first time. He wondered if she had chosen her nickname in reference to it, or in spite of it. When they reached the cottage, he was pleased to note the power had come back on.

Once they were inside, he put her bag down and helped her out of her thin rain jacket. Then he turned on the heat and showed her where everything was. When he was finished, he said, I imagine that besides being cold and wet you're exhausted. Do you have any dry clothes in that bag?

Yes.

Good. It's Sunday morning--you don't have to report to work until Monday. No one will be around until then anyway, except for farmhands like me. Get up when you want. When you're ready, I'll have someone drive you to Ashley to collect the rest of your stuff, check on your car, and help you pick up whatever supplies you need.

He turned toward the door, then paused. Oh, we serve breakfast in the bunkhouse between six and eight. After that you're on your own. He pointed to a desk and added, There should be a map of the compound in the top drawer.

"You never told me your name, she said. Are you Chase...I mean...Mr. Keller, the farm's manager?"

Chase will do, he assured her. Now, unless there's anything else, I've got work to do.

Really? It's just after four!

Better get used to it sweetheart, life starts early on a horse farm.

Chapter II

When Chase returned to the barns the hands were already at their chores. Life on a racehorse farm varied little from day to day. Up before sunup to feed the horses, get them out for training, clean them up, let them rest, feed them lunch, and repeat the cycle.

Vince, have you seen Wally? Chase asked a young man preparing to lead a horse out for lunge lining, a training technique for young and inexperienced horses.

Yeah, he replied, he was at stall fifteen talking to Mr. Allen last I saw him.

Chase found Wally Hunter, Hill Harbor Farm's stable manager, where Vince said he would. He was talking to Carter Allen, the farm's head trainer.

Good morning Wally, Carter, he greeted them. Listen, Wally, Purity got out last night. Can you check his stall and make sure it locks properly?

Got out? How? replied a nonplussed Wally.

I don't know. It was fortunate for me though, because Slam's dogs got out too and would have savaged me if he hadn't intervened.

I'll check into it. Anything else boss?

Yeah, answered Chase, "can you run the place this morning? I know it's my turn, but I've already been up for a good part of it. I'd like to catch a little sleep. Later I'm gonna pay a visit to big 'ol May Gerty and make sure she keeps Slam's mutts under lock and key. I was never any friend of Slam's, but