He grinned, obviously pleased with her ability to recall the information. "Yes. We've got Red Jewel in the fifth… and the entry in the feature race."

"Oh, well. In that case, I'll make a bet on those two races. Just to wish you luck."

Jim Meloney shook his head. "Now don't make me change my mind about you, young lady. That would be an extremely foolish thing to do."

"But why?" she protested. "Don't you think your horses will win?"

He pursed his lips and shrugged. "I really don't think we have a chance for top money in the fifth. I'll settle for the show or fourth place purse. As for the seventh? It's going to be very close. It's a toss up between one of my horses and six of the others. If I do bet, it'll be only a small amount. I never bet big money unless I'm almost positive."

"Oh." Grace's disappointment showed in her voice. Jim Meloney laughed, a deep booming laughter of pleasure and companionship. "Look, try to find me just before the sixth race. There's a horse in the sixth that may have some possibilities; I'll know better after I see him in the paddock. Find me and I'll tell you."

"Will you? Promise?" She sounded like a little girl.

"I promise." He patted her hand paternally and stood. "May I buy you another drink?"

Grace glanced down at her empty martini glass. She was already feeling the effects of the liquor she had consumed, and it was still an hour or so before they planned to have dinner. She shook her head and said, "No… I think I've had enough for now." Then she added with uncustomary candour, "This is not only my first time at the track, but also the first time for martinis, and the first time I've been out socially without my husband."

He stood there looking down at her with a half-quizzical expression on his face, and Grace thought she had better adjust in case he had misinterpreted her remark, "My husband's in Vietnam."