Chapter 16 - Echoes of Speed

It was almost ten in the morning when Kyera checked out of the inn where she had stayed. Luckily for her, the guest who was due to arrive the night before had had his flight delayed, allowing her to stay another night. Although she had accepted the offer to stay at the stud farm, she preferred to spend that night at the inn, as she planned to go to the bar Mykaella had indicated to look for a job. Now she needed it even more, as she had decided to pay the rent for her stay in the Stella's outbuilding, like any tenant who rented the place with Samantha. She would take the opportunity to talk more with Mykaella. She picked up her things, said goodbye to the manager and headed towards the flower shop.

Mykaella smiled broadly when she saw her cousin enter.

— Kye! Good to see you! – she said, hugging Kyera. – I'm glad my father's deplorable attitude didn't drive you away from me.

Kyera smiled and moved a little away from her cousin.

— Imagine that! We haven't spoken to each other for fifteen years; it's not going to be a silly thing that distances us again.

— So, you've decided to stay?

— Yes. I need to understand everything that's happened, but for that, I have to wait for my father to return. – Kyera sighed. – And then there's your father, who's been acting so strangely towards me.

— Yeah, I don't get it either. – Mykaella grimaced and sat down in an armchair in the corner of the store. – Can you believe I haven't seen him since that day? And that's not so strange, since it's harvest time for some flowers. You know he stays in the country for long periods.

— Yes, I remember well what he was like when we were children. – Kyera smiled nostalgically and sat down next to Myka. – That was the time I liked best, when I could spend days on the farm and visit the Stella stud farm.

— And make Alec's life hell riding Star. – Mykaella laughed. – I remember how furious he used to get when you took the mare out to ride. It's a shame she was sacrificed. She was so beautiful.

— True, but there was nothing to be done. The fright caused by the snake inside the stall was so great that it shot out. No one could stop it, not even Alec. – Kyera sighed, remembering the tragedy. – Unfortunately, she broke her paw and had to be put down.

— And Alec came to hate you even more. – Myka grimaced. – Do you remember the paint bath he gave you?

— The paint bath, the mud bath, the stones... – Kyera rolled her eyes, making Mykaella laugh.

They laughed, remembering their childhood pranks. Kyera took the opportunity to tell her cousin about her mother's letter.

— Wow, that's crazy! – Myka said, shocked. – I never imagined that Uncle Vince would do something like this, pull such a stunt. I always knew what a bad character he was, but this was too much.

— The worst thing was being away from my mother, not being able to be by her side for the last few years of her life. – Kyera sighed. – I still don't understand much. That's why I need to stay in Lone Ridge and find out why I was sent to New York, as well as resolving other issues.

— Do you already have a place to stay here? – Mykaella asked, regretting not being able to host her cousin.

— Yes. Samantha Stella has offered the outbuilding for me to stay as long as I need. – Kyera smiled. – Of course I'll pay the rent, since she was planning to rent it out.

Mykaella widened her eyes in surprise.

— Really? And how did Alec react? Does he already know?

— He was there when the proposal was made, and his reaction wasn't the best. – Kyera paused, sighing. – He's suspicious of my plans to stay in the city. I think he thinks I'm here as a spy for my father.

— Alec's an idiot! – Mykaella snorted, getting up to get some coffee. – If I didn't know he was getting divorced, I'd say he's become bipolar. There are days when his temper is impossible to tolerate.

Kyera laughed, shaking her head.

— Alec got married? – He always said he'd never get married.

— Yes, to Josh Keller's daughter, that blonde bitch called Alexandra! – Myka said through her teeth. – You remember her, don't you? A snobbish girl, older than us.

Kyera frowned, trying to remember.

— Of course, a spoiled, arrogant girl. I think she had a sister too... Ashley, right?

— Yes, a very sweet person, but she's always the butt of bad jokes. – Mykaella grimaced. – She also has a brother, Bryan. A guy who took after his father. They're all part of the same bunch.

Kyera, who was laughing at Mykaella's way of describing the others, stopped when she heard Bryan's name. Something in her mind clicked, and she felt a twinge in the scar on her arm. It began to throb, and she put her hand to her head, feeling slightly dizzy.

— Kyera? Is everything all right? – Mykaella asked worriedly, approaching and taking her hand. – You're freezing!

— I'm fine, it was just a dizzy spell. – Kyera leaned back and took a deep breath. – It must be the heat. My blood pressure must have dropped a bit. It doesn't usually get this hot in New York.

— Well, it's still spring. Wait until summer. – Mykaella laughed.

Kyera smiled, feeling a little better.

— Well, I have to go! I'm going to talk to the owner of that bar you suggested. – Kyera stood up, hugging her cousin. – Maybe I can start today.

— Of course! Will I see you later?

— Yes. Even if I'm not employed.

— Good luck, then!

— Thank you, Kyera!

Kyera turned away and walked to the door.

— Kye? What do you think of clandestine races? – Mykaella asked with a mischievous smile. – Have you ever thought about taking part in one?

Kyera frowned, squeezed her eyes shut and crossed her arms.

— Develop!

— I know a friend who organizes car and motorcycle races at one of the highway exits. They're very popular events that take place every Thursday at dawn. – she said, shrugging. – I was wondering if you'd go with me one night. You don't have to race if you don't want to or aren't practiced.

Kyera was impressed that her cousin was interested in clandestine speed events.

— Well, it wouldn't be a bad idea to make some Texans eat dust! – Kyera whispered, shrugging. She approached the counter, picked up a pen and a piece of paper, writing down her phone number. – Give it to your friend and tell him to call me. I'll be waiting.

Mykaella took the paper and frowned.

— Who is Rapid Fire?

— Don't worry, you'll find out when the time comes.

Kyera smiled as she left the store, leaving an aura of mystery in the air. She knew that her reputation as a runner had already crossed borders, and she hoped that Lone Ridge was no exception. She got on her motorcycle and set off in the direction of the famous Luck's Beer.

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