“Easier said than done,” I reply.
“Hey guys,” says Austen, who’s facing the window. “Chris is walking up now. Let’s disband. Viv has made it clear to him how she feels. Might not look so kosher us hanging out together.”
“See you at the barn.” Riley stands up.
Austen leans in and whispers, “And I’ll see you tonight.” He walks away from me and back to the coffee as my cheeks flush.
Chris strolls into the Commons House and smiles at me. I look the other way. He heads over to where Austen is making himself a second cup and they start talking. I decide to head out to the barn and get the day started.
Harmony is finishing her breakfast and I take out my brushes and tack to prepare for the morning lesson. It’s already hot and humid and, for the first time in a long time, I dread riding. I know it’s because I’m about to face Frank again. I replay Austen and Riley’s instructions to focus on my horse and try to calm down.
Frank comes into the barn while I put Harmony’s saddle on. “Hi, Vivienne.”
“Hello,” I reply curtly.
He walks up to me. “I’m sorry about dinner the other night. I’m sorry that I told you in the way I did. Really, I’m sorry about everything. I do want to be here for you, if you’ll let me.”
“I don’t know. Like I said, I think the best thing for us at this point is to work together as coach and student. I don’t need a dad, Frank. I haven’t had one in a long time.”
He shoves his hands into his pockets. “You get a chance to talk with your mom yet?”
“No. She’s still in Europe. I do plan to talk with her as soon as she gets home. But she’s still traveling around the mountains.”
“Good. That’ll be good. When you can talk to her, I think it will all work out and be really good.”
“I don’t know how any of this is good. I really don’t.” I tighten Harmony’s girth.
“I promise you, Vivienne, that we did things we shouldn’t have, but they were done in order to protect you. Your mom loves you and I’ve always loved you.”
I shake my head and kind of laugh. “You know, I’m tired of people trying to protect me.” My thoughts turn to Tristan for a second. “I’ve discovered that if someone thinks they’re protecting you, then they’re usually lying to you, and I’m not sure what good can come of that.”
“I understand. For what it’s worth, I never meant for any of this to happen, and I’m sorry.”
“See you in the ring,” I reply, and watch him walk away. Under my breath I say, “Funny how everyone who thinks they’re protecting me is always apologizing to me.”
Harmony responds immediately. I won’t lie to you.
“I know. I know you won’t.” I give her a hug before stepping up onto the mounting block.
We walk out to the jump arena. Lydia is there with Emily. I wonder how much Lydia knows about Tristan’s apparently oh-so-supportive friendship with her. If she found out, that would be interesting. Then something strange happens—as if nothing strange ever happens to me.
Lydia comes over to me and says, “You know what, Vivienne?”
“What?” I wait for something nasty to come out of her mouth.
“I’m sorry about the other day. What I said about your dad and the scholarship and everything. It was wrong, and I’m sorry.”
I can’t even comment. The bizarre thought that flashes through my brain is, Okay. What’s Lydia Gallagher trying to protect me from?
CHAPTER thirty-five
I look all around me before I enter the shed, my heart pounding because I’m so excited to finally be alone with Austen on his birthday. I don’t see a soul. As soon as I walk in and shut the door behind me, Austen immediately grabs me around the waist and starts kissing me. I kiss him back—our hands are everywhere and my body burns as he picks me up off the floor and sets me on a worktable in the shed. I wrap my legs around him and run my hands under his shirt and over his strong, broad back. He moans a little bit at my touch and we press together even more tightly. We finally come up for air and I say, “Wow. Happy birthday.”
“Yeah,” he replies breathlessly. “I’ve been waiting and waiting to do that. Do you have any idea how hard it is to see you every day, have you so close, and not be able to touch you?”
“I think I do,” I reply. “Because I feel the same way.”
“It drives me completely bananas.”
“I won’t argue with you.” I laugh. The kiss that Tristan planted on me at Tiffany’s place pops into my mind, but I push it away. I’ve decided not to feel bad about it. All it did was prove that the only person I want to be kissing is Austen.
“I can’t concentrate with you on the table like this,” he says. “And we have to have an actual conversation.”
“We do?”
He laughs and wraps his hands around my waist, lifting me up from the worktable and sitting me down on a bench. He puts an arm around me. “I wish we could stay here like this.”
“Me too.”
“How was today? With Frank?” he asks.
“It was all right. I kept it as professional as I could, but it’s awkward. He’s a good coach, though. You’re right about that.”
He takes my hand and kisses it. “That’s good. Maybe something positive will come out of it after all.”
“Maybe.”
“You hear from your mom?”
“Not yet. I don’t know when I will. She isn’t back for two more weeks.”
“I’m sorry you’re going through all of this.”
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Right?” I lift his hand to my lips and kiss it, holding it tight.
“That’s what they say. But I already think you’re strong. And I know you’re having a hard time with me getting in close with Chris and James, but you’ve got to trust me,” he says. He runs his hands over my arms and then pulls me onto his lap. I inhale the incredible smell of him.
“I do trust you,” I say, looking into his eyes. “They’re the ones I don’t trust. I’m afraid of what they could or would do if they find out you and Riley are duping them.” I lean my head into the crook of his neck and he tightens his arms around my waist.
“I know,” he says. “I do, but it’s the only way.”
“Okay, but promise me that as soon as you have some kind of proof of what they’re doing we can go to the police.”
“I promise.” He kisses me again and I respond, and suddenly everything else falls away. I wish it could always be just like this—no worries, no cares, no drug dealers, dead friends, or parental issues. No interruptions. Just the two of us.
He takes my hand. “We better get back. Our time is short. As much as I want to spend my entire birthday night with you, I think that could get us into a lot of trouble.”
“I suppose it could.”
I jump off his lap and we both stand up. “I have to check the schedule for tomorrow and Faith said it would be up in the Commons House by eight. She’s a drill sergeant—we have to have it checked off that we’ve read through the next day’s schedule by nine every night. I just got a text from her before I walked in here making sure I would be looking at it.”
“I don’t know her very well,” I reply.
“She’s kind of one of those behind-the-scenes people. She doesn’t do anything with the horses, just coordinates things. But she’s been in the horse world a long time, and she’s actually a smart, thoughtful person.”
“We need more of those,” I say. “Okay, well, I’ll walk with you. Things seem quiet tonight and I don’t think we can get into trouble walking together.” He smiles and I put my arms around his neck. “I love your smile.” I kiss him again and we spend another few minutes in that place of what can only be described as pure magic. Once again out of breath, I say, “We better stop while we can.”
He spanks me lightly. “Not easy to do. Not at all.”
“Come on, Romeo. Your schedule perusal awaits, and I’m sure my cabinmates are waiting up for me with baited breath.” I haven’t told him that I think Janna knows about us. I need to tell him but I don’t want to break the spell of the moment.
Austen and I walk back to the Commons House together, making sure that no one is around as we play grab ass with one another. It’s very quiet tonight at Liberty Farms, which is unusual. I wonder why.
“Only a month until your birthday,” he says.
“I know. I’ll be all grown up.” I laugh.
“Look pretty grown up to me already.” He reaches around my waist and tickles me.
We stop on the porch of the Commons House. “I better get back to my cabin.”
“Wait. This’ll only take me a minute. I’ll walk you back. We’ve already determined that we can’t really get into trouble walking together.”
I smile. “Good point.” I look around and, since no one is there, I kiss him on the lips as quickly as I can.
He kisses me back and then opens the door to the house and flips on the light.
“Surprise!” a room full of people shout as we walk in and the lights go on. Balloons are everywhere and a streamer that says “Happy Birthday, Austen” is hung across the threshold.
I’m as surprised as he is.
Janna walks forward and says, “Happy birthday.”
Faith is right behind her. “This was Janna’s idea. She heard it was your birthday. It was kind of impromptu, but we wanted to do something for you. Why didn’t you mention it?”
Faith looks at me after she asks him the question and my stomach sinks. I’m pretty sure she has figured out our little secret. I glare at Janna; I could kill her right now.
Austen shrugs. “I don’t do birthdays. I just don’t think they need to be a big deal.”
“Oh,” Faith replies.
“But this is really nice.” He turns to Janna. “Thanks.”
“I love parties. Don’t you, Vivienne?” Janna asks in that Southern accent, which had seemed so sweet and charming when I first arrived at Liberty. Now it seems more forced and definitely not so sweet.
“Yes. I guess I do. I’m curious as to why I didn’t know about this one, though. Austen and I have known each other since we were kids. I would have thought you might have asked me what kind of cake he likes.”
Janna laughs. “We just decided to put this together this afternoon. Sorry. I couldn’t find you. And since you guys are such good friends, I was afraid that you might ruin the surprise.”
“I wouldn’t have done that,” I reply.
“Get something to drink and eat,” Faith says to Austen. “Janna, why don’t you go with Austen?”
Austen looks at me, and I give him a slight nod.
Faith reaches out and taps my shoulder. I face her. “I’m sorry about everything going on here with Harmony, Vivienne. Holden has filled me in.”
“Oh. It’s okay.”
“If you need anything, let me know.”
“Okay,” I reply.
“You and Austen seem to be really close.”
“Yes. As you know, we trained with the same coach back in Oregon. He’s, uh, he’s like a brother to me.” Those are hard words to say, because it feels like a really gross thing to say. The last thing Austen is like to me is a brother. The conversation feels forced and icky.
“And that’s all?”
I take a step back. “Yes. That’s all. Why?” Damn. She does have us figured out.
“Just asking. You two do seem very close and you do know the rules. I’d hate to have to send anyone home. And I see a lot of promise in you. I want the best for your career and I don’t want to see it sidelined by anything.”
I remember what Austen said about her being thoughtful, and I realize he’s right. She’s not trying to persecute me; she’s trying to look out for me.
“Thanks, Faith,” I say. “I definitely love what I’m learning here at Liberty.”
“Good. Good to know. Listen, Vivvie, part of the reason I want to make sure your riding is a priority is because something occurred to me today when I was talking with Holden.”
“What?” I’m not sure I like the idea of Faith and Holden having conversations about me.
“Well, I was telling him about a former Olympic gold medalist I know who’s close to the University of New Hampshire, who just got in touch with me about needing a working student. Her name is Lena Millman.”
“Oh my God! Seriously?” I’m in total shock. Lena Millman is legendary in the equestrian world. She’s like eventing royalty.
“I’m not sure if you’d consider UNH for college, but it’s got a terrific equestrian program. And if she could offer you a working position in exchange for room and board, it could be a great opportunity. I know some folks over at UNH who would be interested in an intelligent young woman like you.”
All my worries about Janna temporarily leave my head at the sound of this incredible opportunity.
“Seriously? Would you recommend me?”
She smiles. “I’d like to. And with an additional letter from Holden, I have a feeling you’d shoot to the top of her list of potential candidates. And I am positive you can get into the university.”
“I love the idea,” I say. “I have a long list of schools to consider, and UNH has been on it from the beginning. For me, it’s going to be a lot about where I get a scholarship. But having room and board paid for would really help.”
“Well, then, let’s do it,” she says, smiling broadly. “I’ll write up a letter and give her your contact info.”
“That would be amazing,” I say.
“Here’s the thing, Vivvie.” Faith’s expression turns serious. “If anyone finds you breaking any rules, this opportunity will go away. Lena Millman isn’t the type who puts up with nonsense.”
I feel momentarily guilty but put on my best confident smile. “Of course,” I say. “You don’t have to worry about me.”
“Great,” she says. “Go get something to eat. Enjoy.”
“Thanks.” My mind is buzzing with excitement as I walk away from Faith. Then I spot Janna chatting away to Austen, who looks dumbfounded by her sudden chumminess.
I don’t know what the Southern belle is up to, but I can say that I don’t like it one bit. And now that I might have the chance of a lifetime to work for Lena Millman, the last thing in the world that I want is for this girl to mess it up.
CHAPTER thirty-six
During the birthday party, the annoyance I feel at Janna for pulling the stunt increases. By the time I get back to our cabin with Janna and Emily beside me I’m in a full-fledged rage. I don’t know where Lydia is, but all I can say is it’s a relief that she’s not around to be yet another thorn in my side.
Emily is taking her turn in the bathroom when Janna says, “That was so much fun.”
I blurt back, “What are you trying to do?”
“What? What do you mean?” she asks, playing the innocent.
“You know what I mean.” I lower my voice. “You throw a surprise birthday party for my boyfriend and I don’t even know about it?”
“Ah, so he is your boyfriend!”
My face is burning. I shake my head and roll my eyes. “Come on, don’t act like you don’t know. You’ve been trying to find out what our deal is since you laid eyes on him. Pretending to be my friend was clever. You knew.”
“You kept denying it,” she replies.
“At the very least, even if I was denying it, you knew that I’ve known him almost my entire life, and you don’t tell me you’re throwing him a party? You don’t even know him.”
She stumbles over her words. “I tried to find you. And that’s the way I’ve been taught all my life. I’m from the South, V
ivienne. We know how to be hospitable.”
I cock my head to the side and laugh. “Right. You have my phone number. There’s no text. Nothing. And hospitality? Please. I am so not buying it.”
Janna clearly has another agenda. I can only assume she has eyes for Austen. I’m not sure what other reason she could have.
She turns red. “I didn’t want you to spoil the surprise.”
“I didn’t believe you the first time you said that, and I still don’t. Can you try being honest?”
“I swear. I was just trying to do something nice.”
“Right. Something nice for my boyfriend?”
“Is that what this is about? You’re jealous,” she says. “Oh my goodness, Vivienne. You have nothing to worry about. I’m not trying to step on your toes. Austen is super cute, don’t get me wrong, but I would never try and take a guy away from a friend. Besides, I’m involved already.”
I stare at her. “That’s a weird way to put it. I mean, you might as well just say it out loud. It’s obvious the person you’re involved with is Chris Haverly. Where was he tonight, anyway?”
“He had other plans. It was so impromptu.”
“Hmm.” I’m fuming. I really can’t believe I was all worried about Janna and wanting to protect her. Clearly, she’s got her own agenda.
“I didn’t mean to upset you. Please. I am sorry. You’re my friend. You really are.”
“Is that what we are? Friends? I’m starting to wonder.”
“You shouldn’t.”
I cross my arms. “I don’t know what to think. I think there’s something going on and I don’t know what that is.”
She laughs. “I think you’re a worrywart. Nothing is going on.”
“Oh yeah. I know you went to that rave. You and Emily. What’s the story there?”
“Your boyfriend tell you that? Because he was there too.”
Perfect Harmony: A Vivienne Taylor Horse Lover's Mystery (Fairmont Riding Academy Book 3) Page 16