Hilary smiled at my brothers’ and cousin’s jokes, but she never laughed. When we sat in the living room to watch a movie, she took the farthest armchair and turned it in diagonal, so half of its back was turned to the rest of us.
After the movie, we all rushed to the stable. Hilary followed us there and even patted Belle, but not being a big fan of horses, she left before we were done tacking the horses.
Gui watched as she walked out of the stable. “So young and pretty, and so damaged,” he whispered.
I nodded. Poor girl. I prayed she got better and moved past the events that haunted her life.
We rode around Hannah’s estate most of the afternoon, and only stopped because I had to get ready for my flight.
Before I took a shower, the guys headed to the airport to meet me there. When I stepped out of the bathroom with my hair dripping wet, I yelped and almost slipped on the hardwood floor.
“Wow,” my mother said with her sweet voice. She was seated at the edge of the bed. “I know I’m getting old, but I’m not that bad, am I?”
Right. The woman didn’t look a day over thirty-five, and her oldest son was twenty-six. Everyone said she could be our sister, which made her glad, of course.
I tightened the towel around me. “Mãe, what are you doing here?”
“I came to wish you a good trip.”
“Is pai here?”
She shook her head. “He’s still upset. But he wasn’t going to keep me from seeing you. In fact, he seemed relieved I insisted on coming.”
Why would he? He didn’t really care about anything I did, thought, or believed in. Okay, maybe that was an exaggeration, but I was upset too.
“I appreciate it.” I grabbed my clothes from beside her and rushed to the bathroom. “Um minuto.”
I quickly shoved on my jeans and sweater, and wrapped a towel around my head, before joining my mother in the guest bedroom. It felt awkward to have her here, watching me and not having much to talk about.
“So,” I started, sitting down beside her. “How is everything around here?”
“The same. Practice, tournaments, horses. Dealing with issues from the farm in Brazil.” She watched me as I put on my socks and cowboy boots. “Bia, I want to apologize for your father. He has a short temper, like you, and you two against each other is almost worse than when Leo was …” She sighed. “I don’t like seeing you both like this, but I also know none of you will give in.”
“It’s not just that, mãe.”
She raised her arm. “Let me finish. Deep down, I believe your father is proud of you, for going after your dreams, for following your heart, but he’ll never admit that. I know you must be hurting from the argument on Thursday, but I hope when you come back for winter break, you will be calmer and I hope you’re able to see the situation more clearly. You’re the only girl among three boys. Make that four since Guilherme is practically a son to us and a brother to you. And you are the youngest.”
“Leo and I were b—”
“I know, only two minutes apart. I was there, you know?” She smiled and I rolled my eyes. “The fact is, even if Leo was a little younger than you, there are still three older boys before you. You’re your father’s only daughter, and he still sees you as his little girl.”
“I’m twenty-two!”
“He’ll feel that way even when you’re fifty.”
The same thing Leo said a few months ago. That wasn’t helping. “I can’t do whatever he wants me to, mãe. I need to have my own life. Hell, I’m way past that. Here, most young people leave their parents’ house when they are eighteen to go to college.”
She nodded. “I know, but you have to remember he didn’t grow up here and he won’t change now. You also didn’t grow up here, but you’re young and I understand your necessity to adapt and feel a part of this country. But your father won’t change, querida. He’s too old for that.”
He wasn’t that old, but I got what she was saying. “I know.” I sighed. “I’ll try to come back for winter break calmer and with an open mind, but don’t expect me to accept whatever he says or wants.”
“I’ll work on him. Hopefully, he’ll be better, more accepting when you’re home again.”
Home. My parents’ house was supposed to be home, but I hadn’t been there during this holiday.
A pang ran through my heart when I realized the saddest fact. Right now, no place felt like home.
Chapter Twenty-Six
I didn’t know what came over me, but a tear escaped and rolled down my cheeks when Leo, Hannah, Ri, Pedro, and Gui decided to give me a group hug. Why the hell did I want to leave again? Honestly, right now, I wasn’t sure. They were here, my parents were here—even if my father and I had our differences right now. He was still my father—and my horse was here. If I was so set on going to vet school, why didn’t I find one closer? If there wasn’t one in Santa Barbara, I could find one close enough to drive back every weekend. That would make me feel better, and more like myself. I could have my independence and still be a part of their lives.
During the flight, I sketched a plan. I would finish this semester the best I could, ignoring everyone but Phoebe. It was just three more weeks. I could go from class to my dorm and nowhere else for three weeks. Meanwhile, I would look for pre-vet courses around Santa Barbara and apply for a transfer. I hoped that I would be able to start spring semester at the new university and have a fresh start. Nobody would know who I was, and hopefully, I wouldn’t mistakenly upset a hormonal bitch who loved to spread lies and wreak havoc.
My heart tugged. I would miss Phoebe and Midnight Dream and Garrett. However, Phoebe had Kevin and her other friends. Midnight had Tom and Garrett, and some of the time, Delilah. And Garrett, well, Garrett was a grown man and could take care of himself. Besides, he made it clear that he didn’t want anything serious with me, so why should I care what he ended up doing? He had been okay so far. He would still be okay.
I arrived Saturday late at night and was immensely glad my roommate hadn’t made it back yet. I took advantage of Sunday to organize my stuff, making sure I had all my homework and essays and projects ready for the end of the semester, and looked for universities in and around Santa Barbara.
When Molly arrived Sunday night, already bitching, I missed my family even more. Perhaps Santa Barbara was my home now, even if I hadn’t realized it when I left for Colorado. Perhaps, if I got my own place in town, went to college there, and saw my family whenever I wanted, I would finally feel at home again.
With that positive thought in mind, I shut out Molly, and went to bed.
***
Finally, people seemed to start forgetting me after Thanksgiving break. Maybe they were still hungover from partying so much, or too excited about having only three more weeks of classes. Either way, I wasn’t complaining.
After coming back from California, the cold got to me. I mean, it was chilly before Thanksgiving break, but after enjoying the nicer weather in Santa Barbara, it was like the temperatures had gone done twenty, thirty degrees.
The week went by with a little less problem. Phoebe and I hung out after our classes, Jonah didn’t bother me as much, I didn’t see Audrey anywhere, and only six guys asked me out.
Friday evening, I was able to stay away from the ranch and pretend to study. After all, final exams were coming. Saturday morning was another story though. I was able to ignore the voice inside me begging me to go to the ranch, imploring me to go ride at least for ten minutes, but it was too painful. I had to go.
I stopped by Starbucks and grabbed the usual breakfast, including Garrett’s favorites, though I hoped he was off today. However, when I arrived there and Tom told me Garrett was indeed off, I wasn’t ready for the sharp pang in my heart. All right, I was, but I preferred to think I wasn’t. I shouldn’t have been.
Tom opened the lid of the travel cup, lifted it close to his face, and inhaled. “Ah, paradise.”
I chuckled, patting Midnight’s head. He had stuck hi
s head out of his stall the moment I set foot inside the stable. Such a sweet horse.
“How’s he doing?” I asked. I hadn’t seen him since the accident, and I hadn’t had any news since I stopped talking to Garrett two weeks ago. Midnight had a soft cast around his ankle and moved slowly.
“Better, but he still takes pain meds, and needs lots of rest. He won’t be able to be ridden again for a couple of months.”
“Has Delilah spent time with him?”
He snorted. “Right. Because that’s just like her. Of course, she didn’t. She hasn’t even looked at him since the accident.” He adjusted his hat. “In fact, she doesn’t want to see him anymore.”
“What do you mean?”
“She asked Garrett to sell Midnight.”
I gasped. “What? Garrett can’t do that.”
“He doesn’t have a choice. Mr. Hudson approved Delilah’s request, so now Garrett is looking for a buyer.”
No, no way. What if he was sold to a bad owner, worse than Delilah? What if he ended up with an owner like Argus’s previous one, who beat him and let his dogs bite him? I hoped they checked the background of whoever offered on him. My heart squeezed. Meu Deus, Midnight would be gone soon and I couldn’t bear the thought.
Which was ridiculous because I was leaving too.
The will to ride faded. All I wanted to do was spend my day with Midnight. Without a word to Tom or an offer to help, I grabbed a brush from the tack room and entered Midnight’s stall. I brushed his coat and he nickered.
“Do you like it, big boy?”
He nickered again and I smiled. When I turned to brush his neck, he poked his muzzle on my arm. “I missed you too.” I wound my arms around his neck and rested my cheek on his soft coat. “I’ll miss you.”
I sighed, still not believing Delilah was so cruel. How could she sell him after all he went through? She was throwing him away as if he was a piece of trash and that infuriated me. I hoped she didn’t show up here today, because only God knew what I would do to her. With all the pent up rage inside me, this was the cherry on top, and I would certainly explode in her face.
“You really like this horse,” Tom said.
I glanced over my shoulder. He still stood behind the stall’s closed door.
I smiled. “I do.”
“And he likes you just as much.” He tsked. “I don’t understand. Garrett and I have been here, giving him attention since he was born. Why would he prefer you, a newcomer, to us?”
Garrett had posed a similar question a couple of months ago. I shrugged. “There’s no way to explain how two people, or an animal and a person, connect. I guess it’s just like when you fall in love. You don’t choose the person you fall in love with. It just happens.”
He tilted his head at me. “Have you ever been in love?”
I frowned. “I don’t think so. I had a boyfriend in Brazil, but we broke up when I came to live in the U.S. I thought I would miss him too much, but the truth was, I didn’t.” He nodded. “How about you?” I asked.
“I had a wife, but she died of breast cancer a long time ago.”
“I’m sorry. No kids?”
He shook his head. “We had plans, but the sickness took us by surprise.”
When didn’t it?
“I’m sorry,” I repeated.
“It’s okay. I miss her, but it has been so long, I guess I’m used to being myself.”
Nobody should be used to being alone. Not that being alone wasn’t okay. It certainly was. However, a person was made to love and be loved.
The sound of tires rolling over the parking lot pavement caught our attention. Tom walked to the door and spied.
“It’s Delilah. You better get out of there.”
I shook my head and stood my ground. “I won’t. She wants to sell him, which means she doesn’t care about him. If she tries to bitch at me about it, I swear I might punch her.”
A smile split Tom’s mouth. “I would love to see that.”
Delilah marched inside the stable holding her head high. “Tom, where’s the list Garrett made of potential bu—” Her eyes shifted from him to me and her words died. Her body tensed. “What are you doing in there?”
I continued brushing Midnight. “Giving attention to your horse.”
“Didn’t I tell you to stay away from him?”
I snapped my head to her. “Now you’re authoritarian? Weren’t you just asking about his buyers?”
She crossed her arms. “That’s none of your business.”
“Then let me be.” Before I break your pretty nose too.
Tom appeared by her side with a sheet of paper. “Here it is,” he said, his eyes darting from her to me and back to her.
She ripped the paper from his hands and huffed. Without another word, she tossed her hair aside and marched out of the stable.
I gaped at Tom. “What a bitch.”
Tom shrugged. “What else is new?”
***
After a restless night, I woke up on Sunday with a heavy heart.
Molly was passed out on her bed, so I got ready in silence and left the room. I exited the dorm building and sat on the front stairs. It was only eight in the morning—seven in Cali—but hopefully she would be awake.
The phone rang three times before she picked up.
“Bia, hi, girl,” Hannah answered with an energetic voice. “What are you doing up so early on a Sunday? Didn’t you party until late last night?”
I snorted. “Yeah, right.”
“Why not?”
“I had a big paper to work on,” I lied. Better than telling her the truth. “And why are you this chipper so early?”
“Leo and I just came back from a ride with Argus and Minuano. And later, I’m taking Preta for a run. She misses you.”
“I miss her too.” I had just seen her last week, but it felt like an entire year. “But she’s well, right?”
“Yeah. She really likes Argus, and even Minuano has been nice to them.”
I laughed. Horses could be so temperamental. “I’m glad she’s well.”
“But you already knew that. I mean, it’s not as if I’ll let her not be well. And if she weren’t well, you would be the first to know. So, since you knew she was well, I’m guessing this call is about something else.”
“It is.”
“Should I be worried?”
I laughed. “Not really.”
“All right. Then tell me.”
I took a deep breath. “I need a favor from you, and a favor from Leo.”
***
“Here is your continental breakfast.” I placed the tray and the brown bag on Tom’s desk.
After hanging up the phone with Hannah, I drove to Starbucks, then to the ranch in record time. Graças a Deus, there was no cops along the way, because I was sure I had gone over the speed limit.
Tom looked up from the check he was filling out. “Hmm, it smells so good.”
“Great.” I spied out the door. “Is Garrett here?”
“Yeah, I guess.” Tom pulled a donut out of the bag. “What’s up with you?”
“What do you mean?”
“You look …” He waved his hand as if trying to find a word.
I smiled. “Excited? Happy? Crazy?”
“All of the above.”
“I guess I am all of the above.” I fished my phone from my pocket and found Garrett’s name on my contact list.
He answered on the second ring. “Hi.”
“Where are you?”
“Um, at the round pen with Delilah’s new horse.” His tone was flat. “Why?”
“Didn’t you see me arriving?”
He paused. “I did.”
“I brought coffee and cinnamon scones.”
“I’m not hungry.”
I sighed. “Garrett, please drag your butt here. I need to tell you something.”
“I’m busy right n—”
“It’s important and it won’t take five minutes. I’m sure Deli
lah’s horse can take a quick break.”
He sighed. “Be right there.”
Smiling, I pressed the end button.
Tom was looking at me with a concerned frown. “I don’t remember seeing you this excited before.”
“I haven’t felt this excited in a long time,” I admitted.
“Girl, you’re making me nervous. Sit down, please.”
I rolled my feet from the hell to my toes and back. “I can’t sit down.”
“Can I ask what you want to tell Garrett?”
“I’ll tell you once he’s here.” I winked.
“Okay, I’m worried. Did you go out last night? Did you drink from someone else’s cup? Because, you know, you look high.”
I laughed. “Tom, you’re funny.”
Heavy footfalls entered the stables and I tried to hold still. Garrett appeared under the doorframe, his face serious, the muscles in his neck tense. What bit him?
“I’m here,” he said, his voice strained. “What is it?”
I bit my lip to suppress the squeal I wanted to let out. “Okay, are you two ready?”
Tom groaned. “Say it, Bia!”
“I want to buy Midnight,” I blurted out.
Garrett’s eyes bulged. “What?”
“Aren’t you trying to sell him?”
“Yes, but …”
“I’ll be the buyer.”
Tom chuckled. “That’s great.”
Garrett didn’t share our enthusiasm though. “Why?”
“Excuse me?”
“Why do you want to buy him?”
“Because I like him? Actually, I love him. I want that horse.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Are you sure?”
Breaking Fences (The Breaking Series) Page 23