Road to Redemption - Michelle Dalton Page 0,55

plastered across her face. “Pity the daughter is in the car today.”

Her words elicited a memory from a few days before when she’d gone down on him while he drove them into town.

“Aaaah, baby. Now my jeans are all tight.” He shook his head and smiled.

“Getting back to reality here.” He removed her wondering hand from his thigh. “Yes. So, Thomas told me Cyril was a plant. They found the real Cyril shoved into an old oil drum. The fake Cyril was the one who planted the drugs to get me out of the way. He was the one who got hold of your security system and fed information to Becky and Klein Piet, who then gave it to Marnus.”

“Fuckers!” Mina folded her arms across her chest.

“I hope they rot.”

“Well, Becky’s been admitted unconditionally to the psych ward of the prison. Apparently, she’s not coping well with the death of her brother. As for Cyril and Marnus, they’re locked away in some dark hole with the promise of a small window if they give Interpol the information needed to bring down the ring of smugglers.”

A single tear snuck down Mina’s cheek and she quickly wiped it off her face. “Ben didn’t deserve to die.”

It was Ray’s turn to put his hand on her leg. “No, he didn’t.” And he meant every word.

It was almost nine o’clock when they pulled in to their allocated parking spot on the breeding ranch.

Mina stretched as her feet hit the dirt.

“I’ll be okay. See you inside.” Lullu eagerly led her horse out of the trailer and greeted the groom allocated to her. Drina pulled up behind them.

“Hi. You ready, Lullu?” The trainer walked up to her prodigy.

“Sure am. We’re gonna kick arse,” Lullu replied.

“Lullu …”

“Marie van der Westhuizen … I know. Sorry, Ma. But we are!” Lullu sassed.

Mina and Ray walked up to her pulled her and Boesman into an embrace.

“Good luck. We love you,” Mina said.

“And are so proud of you,” Ray added

“Okay, okay, I know.” She waved them off and winked suspiciously at Ray, who blushed and trotted off with her horse, Drina, and the groom.

“What was that about?” she asked, but Ray only shrugged.

“Thank goodness she’s up second. It’s the waiting that gets to you,” Mina said as they entered the large dome—an indoor arena, like those seen on television.

“This must have cost a pretty packet,” Ray said.

“Yup. American investors apparently,” Mina replied as they found their seats and the rest of the family.

“Hi! I’m so glad you could all make it,” Mina greeted Derek and her ma on her right-hand side, and Rochelle and Thomas on Ray’s left.

“Great seats, eh? Usually we’re right at the back.” Her ma pointed out.

The first contestant walked in with a dapple-grey mare at her side. The judges gave her the go-ahead and she began. Her gymnastic moves caused everyone to suck in and hold their breaths.

“She’ll be hard to beat,” Mina whispered to Ray when Lullu walked in with Boesman. Dressed in her new bright purple and black outfit, Lullu positioned herself to wait for the starting signal from the judges.

Lullu worked through the routine she and Drina had practiced, with spectacular form.

“How's she doing?” Ray whispered, his grip on her hand tightening with every move.

“Great. I can’t believe how much she’s impr—oh my God!” Mina clapped her hand to her mouth as the crowd jumped to their feet and applauded so loudly, Mina’s eardrums thrummed.

“She’s just pulled off the technical roll.” Mina applauded proudly when their daughter successfully completed the summersault roll off the neck of the horse and bowed to the crowd.

Ray pushed out his chest and let off a resounding whistle. “That’s my daughter!” He turned and called out to the spectators around them, who congratulated them.

It was a nightmare having to sit through seven more performances, knowing how well Mina had ended hers But at last, all the riders and their horses rode back into the rink and lined up.

Scores were presented from lowest to highest, with the judges leaving the final three alone in the rink.

“She’s made it to the top three!” Drina, who was seated behind Mina. squeezed her shoulders and squealed.

Everyone held their breaths, and only the swish of horse tails and snorts could be heard as the judges called out second place—the dappled mare and her rider.

“And the national colours are awarded to…” the announcer paused and the entire arena held their breaths, “Mina Van Der Westhuizen! With third place going to…”

The crowd erupted in more applause.

Lullu