Chapter 4

Andrea Flannigan was a fiery redhead with a personality to match. She was tall, beautiful, and graceful when she moved. Men have often been attracted to her looks, but loved to hear her speak with her unique Irish drawl, which she claims to have created.

Her ancestors moved to the New York area long ago. Her family had a long history of law enforcement, so it was no surprise when she became a police officer with the Louisville Police Department, where her father transferred to after the tragedy of September 11^th. After college, she entered the academy and quickly went from patrol officer to detective. She worked in the vice squad and was assigned to catch pedophiles who tried to meet young children through internet chat rooms. Being in different chat rooms each night was how she had met Jaxon.

Jaxon couldn't sleep one night and she found a site called Equestrian Junkies with an active chat room. She couldn't resist her curiosity and checked it out. She and Andrea soon became close internet friends. When Andrea set up a meeting for them, she admitted to Jaxon she had checked her out before calling her. They had a good laugh about it, and ever since, they have been more like sisters than friends.

Jaxon was lying on the sofa and Sadir was on his cell phone when Sebastian let Andrea in. Jaxon jumped up to greet her friend with a big hug, then introduced her to Sadir.

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you," Sadir said. "I do believe I saw you at the funeral for Gloria, but never introduced."

"I couldn't stay long. I was working an important case and had to get back to the station for an interview."

"I have an important case for you now!" Jaxon said. "My grandmother was murdered."

"Murdered? How did you come to that conclusion?" Andrea wondered.

Sadir and Jaxon took turns relating the video they had watched, then had the technician play it for her. When she was finished with it, she turned her attention back to Jaxon.

"It isn’t exactly murder, but he can be charged with voluntary manslaughter. I have to warn you, if this goes to trial, his attorney will say Gloria couldn't be saved and will have numerous doctors to back him up," Andrea said.

"Are you saying it is a waste of time to arrest him?" Jaxon asked. "Some friend you are!"

"I am you're friend! I just want you to be prepared for what could happen. I will get the bastard put behind bars. It's up to the DA to keep him there."

"Thank you. I'm sorry I snapped at you."

“You're upset and you have every right to be. I'll go call a judge to see if he will get me an arrest warrant for this Palmer guy."

"I can tell you he is currently out of the state. He is in California with my brother's horse making sure it is taken care of for the Santa Anita race this weekend."

"Yes, Sadir and I will be going there as well, day after tomorrow. I almost forgot about it being this weekend," Jaxon said. "It is a good thing I have an excellent trainer and handler."

"And a fiancé to keep you straight," Andrea said, laughing.

"Yes, he is rather handy to have around," Jaxon said, kissing Sadir softly on the cheek.

"I will head out and I'll call you the minute I know what the judge says," Andrea said, hugging her friend.

"Please do. I'll be waiting for the call," Jaxon said, escorting her to the door.  

After Andrea left, Sadir and Jaxon had dinner, then went into the library to sit and talk for a while. They spoke about their trip to California, wondering whose horse was going to win the race.  

Glory Rose was one of the horses born to Jaxon's horse, Addison's Crossing. Addison was the horse that her grandmother had given her upon graduating college. Addison had given birth to many fouls, but none were as fast as Glory Rose. Whiskey's Pride, who was owned by Sadir, sired the filly. A detail her grandmother never mentioned until Sadir came to the ranch to see the young colt. 

While Sadir became smitten with Jaxon, the colt grew into a beautiful, sleek, and most of all, fast Thoroughbred. Jaxon started entering her in small races and she always finished in the top five, if not the winner. She was now getting Glory ready for the Kentucky Derby. One of the trophies her grandmother never brought home, the other being the Triple Crown. 

"We aren't going to agree on a winner," Sadir said, hugging her. 

"I doubt it. I do hope we can agree on one thing...our wedding date. We have all these plans, but no set date." 

"My parents are set to arrive when we return from California. If they accept you, I see no reason to put it off any longer," Sadir said. 

"Accept me?" she asked, shocked he phrased it in that manner. 

"Well, to have an official royal wedding, my parents would have to accept you as my intended." 

"Sadir, you have told me many times that you never want to return to your country. Why is it suddenly important that you get their acceptance?" 

"I prefer not to return to my country. However, if anything ever happened to my father and Tariq, I would have to go back and take over. I would have to have an acceptable Princess at my side," he explained. 

"You keep saying 'acceptable' what the hell does that mean?" 

"They will want to know if you can handle the duties of a Princess, if I should take over. They will also need to know how our children will be reared…such as schooling and religion." 

"We have talked about this. You will teach them about your country, they will go to a private school and we have discussed that they will choose their religion. However, all of this is insane to be thinking about now, when we have yet to make love, let alone think about children. As for the duties of a princess, I'm sure I can handle them."  

"I'm sure you could. I am just telling you what my parents' worries are. I would like to have their blessing for our wedding." 

"Are you wanting out of our engagement? Or are you trying to scare me out of marrying you? I thought you loved me!" she yelled, moving away from him.  

"I do love you! Being my wife will change many things in your world. I have been negligent not telling you the downside of becoming Princess Jaxon Abal. I should have brought all of this up to you before we discussed marriage," Sadir said sadly. 

"I think it would have been a good idea. You have my mind spinning," Jaxon said, walking away from him.  

"I'm sorry, my love. I never wanted to upset you like this," he said, trying to hold her, but she pushed him away. 

"I think it is best that you leave. I need to think about our relationship. At this moment, I'm not sure I can be your princess," she said, walking out of the room and going upstairs.  

Sebastian came from the kitchen, looking guilty after having heard their argument. "I'm so sorry, Sir. I am sure she will think this through and call you in the morning. She has had a full plate lately and I believe the stress is getting to her." 

"You are kind to think that, Sebastian. You're a good man. However, I think I will have to make the trip to California alone. I have the feeling she will need more than one night to consider what being married to me means for her," Sadir said, walking to the door. 

"Shall I give her any message?" 

"No, she knows how to reach me when she is ready to speak to me again," he said before leaving.  

"I'm afraid Madam will be too proud to make the first move," Sebastian said to himself while he locked the door. He started to go back to his quarters when he saw movement on the stairs. He looked up just in time to see Jaxon running towards her room. He wondered if she had heard his statement. It didn't matter...they both knew it to be the truth.