Glory Rose

Written By: Lady Elaina

Chapter 1

Jaxon McLaughlin was now the sole owner of the McLaughlin Estates, which was once owned by her feisty grandmother Gloria McLaughlin. How she became owner is a simple, yet complicated story. Jaxon was placed into Gloria’s custody after her mother and father were arrested for fraud. They had cheated millions from people selling shares in a racetrack that was never to be built. At age sixteen, Jaxon came to the McLaughlin Estates to live.

She rebelled against her grandmother at first, but eventually fell in love with the horses on the ranch. Her grandmother promised her a horse of her own if she completed her education and graduated without any more trouble. Jaxon graduated in the top ten of her class, making her grandmother a very proud lady.

After graduation, Jaxon learned everything she could about horses by going to college and studying animals in general, but horses specifically. She received a degree in Animal Sciences along with a business degree. She thought sure her grandmother would make her part owner after this accomplishment, but her grandmother had her start at the bottom of the ladder…shoveling the stalls.

It was her grandmother’s way of making sure she could handle every aspect of the business, not just the money end of it. Breeding and training thoroughbred horses was her grandmother’s life and legacy and Gloria truly wanted to hand over that legacy when her time was over. She wanted to give it to her granddaughter with pride, knowing she would make a name for herself and not live constantly in her shadow.

Horseracing was a cutthroat business and Gloria thought with letting Jaxon learn from the ground up, she would be able to stand firm against all the other owners and trainers when she needed to. Gloria didn’t trust many in the business, but there was one horse owner, who she came to trust…Prince Sadir Abal.

When he first came to Lexington, Gloria thought he would be brash or snobbish, but instead he endeared himself to her with kindness and friendship. There was also the fact he had been smitten by her granddaughter the moment he met her.  

When Gloria was suddenly stricken by a stroke, Sadir promised to help in any way he could. He visited Gloria often and made sure Jaxon knew he was there if she needed any advice. Gloria recovered over a four month period with the help of many therapists, then once again began running the business. However, she made the decision Jaxon had been waiting for. She made her an equal partner in McLaughlin Estates.  

Finally, Jaxon felt she had made it to the top. Working side by side with her grandmother was some of her happiest memories. Now, her saddest were standing at the gravesite of her beloved grandmother. Sadir stood with her, holding her hand and whispering comforting words to her. The only thing she could do was cry, no one could heal the pain she was feeling. When the funeral service was over, she walked back to the limousine with Sadir steadying her with his arm around her waist. 

“Are you going to the country club for the tribute they are having for Grandmother?” she asked. 

“I’m going where ever you want to go,” he said, helping her into the car.  

“I don’t feel like being there. I was wondering if you could do me a favor and be my representative,” she said, managing a smile. 

“I would be honored. However, you have to do me a favor in return,” he said, seriously. 

“What would that be?” 

“Promise me you will rest while I am gone. When I return I want to find you asleep,” he said. 

“I promise. It’s nice to know you will be coming to see me later,” she said, leaning on his shoulder.  

“You are very special to me. I was hoping you would realize that by now,” he said. 

“I realized that when you asked me to marry you,” she said, kissing his cheek. 

“Good. I will tuck you in properly, then I will go to the tribute and make the apology for your absence, mingle for an hour…or less…then return to you.”

“Where I want you beside me, holding me the rest of the night,” Jaxon said, hugging him.

“An offer I can’t refuse,” he said, smiling.

While at the tribute for Gloria, Sadir had to answer the same repetitive question before he managed to make the announcement about why Jaxon wasn’t attending. He explained she was exhausted from the services and sent her appreciation to all for honoring her grandmother.

The Country Club had decided to name one of the three banquet halls in Gloria’s honor. They had a plaque engraved with her name and the McLaughlin Crest directly under it. Sadir helped to set the plaque in its place on the wall, then gave his regrets in leaving so soon, but he wanted to check on Jaxon.

When he arrived back at the estates, her butler, Sebastian, greeted him. After sharing his concern with him, Sadir went upstairs to her room, opening the door hoping not to wake her.  He smiled, seeing her curled up with a large pillow in her arms. He walked over, taking off his coat and shirt, then carefully laid down beside her, removing the pillow and sliding into its place. 

Jaxon stirred, barely opening her eyes to see him, then snuggled up closer. She sighed slightly and then was back to sleep once again.

Sadir loved being with her like this. When he asked her to be his wife, he had hoped it would be a short engagement, but with Gloria’s health crisis and then her death, they put their lives on hold. He wanted to be her lover, but they both decided to wait for their wedding night.

He lay watching her sleep while gently running his fingers through her long golden blonde tresses. He loved everything about her. She was beautiful, yes, but what attracted him most to her, was her dry humor and her laugh. He loved to hear her laugh; something he hadn’t heard in the past week. He closed his eyes to try to think of a way to bring back her laughter.