“You’re a good trainer, Tyndal. But that one’s going to require more than training.”
“Okay, now you have my attention. What do you mean?” Hearing something in his voice, she glanced up as Jared leaned against the fence.
“Patience, skill, and heart. It’s one thing to have those qualities at your fingertips, but I’ve come to think it’s not enough.”
“Is this from one of the lectures you give your students?”
“No. It’s from a conversation I had with Chase. He’d about given up on getting Raj to do anything. The horse was as obstinate as they came, suspicious of everyone and not about to give an inch. Chase said he thought it was more that he just wasn’t interested.”
“Well, that I can understand. And seeing how you’re still here, I think I’m being extremely patient.”
When Jared laughed, low and soft, Tyndal smiled. She remembered his laugh.
“You would,” he said. “However, I’m trying to come up with ideas as creative as what you’re using to insure you’ll think of me when I’m not in sight.”
“Did you hear that?” Laughing, Tyndal offered another bite of carrot to her rapt pupil. “Some people have such incredible opinions of themselves!”
“Some women have no idea what they do to a man either.”
“Right. Most of the time I have dirt in my hair and a sunburn. That’s real sexy.”
“It all depends on the woman, love.”
“Jared, if I were to tell you I think of you…oh, let’s see, all day and all night, would that be enough?”
“It’s a start. But, Tyndal, sweetheart, I’m not playing and you will.”
“I will what?” She gave the foal another bite.
“Think of me.”
“Oh, good grief. Go call that woman who does Consolation Therapy. Maybe you need a session.”
“What I need isn’t mine to have yet.”
She fumbled the rope and, distracted, jumped half out of her skin when the foal whacked the side of the barn, giving it everything he had. “Didn’t I tell you to quit? And no teeth.” She glared at Jared. “See what you did? And you never did tell me how Chase got a handle on Raj. If, as you say skill and patience isn’t enough, what is?”
“Simple, Tyndal. It works with people and with animals.”
“Would you spell it out? What did Chase discover?”
“Love. That’s all. Just love.”
“No, you don’t.” Tyndal saw him turn toward the gate. “You don’t drop something like that and walk off. My horses are loved. They know it. Look at him.” Tyndal pointed toward the colt who was so delighted at being the center of her attention, he did exactly as she asked.
Jared grinned. “You think on it, Tyndal. It’s what I’ve learned I can’t do without, and am willing to do a great deal to have, and to share. With a horse. With Fee. With you. Tyndal, whether you want to be loved or not, Chase was right about something else too. He said loving Fionola made the living worthwhile.”
Without adding any more, he turned and walked toward his office.
Love. Was that what had brought Jared home? Tyndal stayed quiet, looking at the colt. She’d taught him to lead following carrot sticks. Then taught him to stand still as a statue with his neck arched and head held high like a young king for more. It took no effort at all to see the colt was in love.
No effort at all to realize he wasn’t the only one.
****
Fionola, mounted on Raj, reined in beside the corral where Tyndal worked. “He’s looking good.”
The colt, seeing he had an audience, instantly started his jig and squirm. Tyndal snapped the lead from his halter and turned him loose.
“Sorry,” Fionola said. “My fault. I broke his concentration.”
“Not a problem.” Tyndal climbed the fence to sit on the top rail. “Hi, Fee. He was ready for a change. What’s up?”
“Just taking the old man for a short jaunt.” She rubbed Raj’s neck. “I thought he’d like to get out for a bit. I know I would. Anyway, could I interest you in coming for dinner tonight?”
“Will Jared be there?”
“Now what do you think?” Fionola wanted to laugh, thinking the table should be set with paper plates and other non-breakables rather than crystal and fine china. “I have to say, I anticipated a few battles around here when you two sorted things out in the beginning. But you still ignore, insult, and enrage each other. The next day, you do it all over again. I think you’re both funny.”
“I’m so glad we provide you with such levity.” Tyndal’s tone was dust-dry.
“Oh, bless you, child. You two managed to survive growing up. Surely you can manage growing together.”
“Is that what we’re doing? I don’t know. I go back and forth and I can’t talk to him about it. Not yet, anyway. I don’t know what to do.”
“Love takes courage, Tyndal. Even though it gives everything back, it heals and makes a heart whole, it still takes courage. You have to be willing to trust.”
Tyndal jumped off the fence, gave a leftover piece of carrot to Raj, then lifted shattered eyes to her grandmother. “See? That’s what I can’t do. How do I trust him? How do I know I won’t get hurt?”
“Sweet girl, being hurt is part of the package. Love involves every fiber of your being. Heart, mind, and soul. When you love someone, you think you know them, you trust that you do, but still you learn something new about them, sometimes daily. And they learn about you. Sometimes that hurts. You’re constantly being melded into one heart shared by two people. It’s love that holds the heart together and keeps it safe.”
Fionola looked at her granddaughter, at the hope and fear in her face. “Tyndal, I loved Chase with everything I had. We built a life together. But love is never easy, not for the young. Or for those who’ve been married a lifetime. And falling in love?” She sighed. “Dear girl, it’s a wonderful terror.”
“I don’t know how wonderful it is. I feel like I’m on a rollercoaster. I cruise along okay and then it’s like I’m blind and hung out over some precipice.”
“Tyndal, there’s nothing blind about trust. It’s a choice. You choose to give yourself, your heart, your dreams. The result? You may not be able to control that. But you can make the choice.”
“You know, I thought falling in love was supposed to be fun.” Tyndal managed a watery grin. “Hollywood makes it seem so effortless. The reality is totally different.”
“Maybe it’s because what you and Jared are building is real—not fiction, not a script on a soap writer’s desk.” Fionola gave her a wink. “Tyndal, just enjoy the day. Things have a way of working out.”
Tyndal nodded. “I hope so. I’m going to finish here and go to my office. That’s a reality I understand.”
****
Sasha felt exactly the same. Her reality was supposed to be different. It was going to be, just as soon as she could manage. She was sick to death of being ‘crew.’
She’d learned what she needed to know. She knew the layout of the farm, all its outbuildings, knew what horses were stabled where. She’d wanted to know where Jared kept Pyralis, wanted to know where Tyndal’s beloved Bhetami and her foal were stalled. She’d even tried to make friends with Jake, but the big dog avoided her like the plague. Not that she particularly cared.
What she did care about was that a certain go-anywhere-on-the-farm pass provided by her employment with the good folks of Morgan’s Walk was hidden, safe, and undisturbed in the bottom of her luggage. She’d lied when she reported it lost. Oops.
One more day, and she’d tell that gullible idiot who called himself her supervisor how her poor, ailing mother asked her to come home. Most men couldn’t resist a good sob story sold by a desperately needy—and if she could manage it, tears would be good at this point—obviously helpless female. It made them feel big and strong to lend a hand to the “little woman.”
The facts hardly mattered anyway, not to her or them. Men only wanted one thing from a
woman and if you were good enough, a girl could go far. A man bought her first horse as a ‘thank you.’ Another one paid for the lessons she needed. Now she didn’t need them or their pocketbooks and she’d swallow glass before allowing that to change. She had a job to do, a little payback to enjoy and then… Depending upon Jared, that might be more enjoyable than some other scenarios she could imagine.
Regardless, in one more long day, Janie Smith would be history and she’d be done with this initial part of her plan. The next time she’d show up at the farm would be after a retreat to her favorite private spa in St. Moritz where the damages from her stupid job were erased.
It’d take days for her to feel clean again. The Swiss, thank God, had perfected their baths and skin care, all the ways of making a woman feel beautiful. Lotions, scrubs, and polishes that repaired skin, even skin as abused as hers. Those at The Spa who’d served her in the past knew her skin was always lovely. But they were also discreet. She could almost hear their quiet murmur, “Of course, Dear Lady, no explanations needed. We’re just so pleased you returned to us…”
She’d walk the manicured paths along the lake, enjoy the silken sheets, sleep late as she wanted, and sample elegant food served on the finest china by staff dedicated to making sure she was pleased. It was why she’d married the old geezer of a Count in the first place. To have a life of luxury, and the title. When she was ready, she’d fly back to Morgan’s Walk, land on their private airstrip, and take on the place.
Jared only thought he’d fallen for Miss Plain and Simple. As far as Sasha had been able to tell, Tyndal never worked on fixing herself up. She probably even smelled like the horses she surrounded herself with all the time. Sasha pulled on the billed cap once more, thinking when she packed later that night she’d toss it in her luggage. A little insurance was handy to have. Who knows, one day, she might need Janie Smith again. Hideous thought. She checked her outfit in the mirror and adjusted the ID badge.
Tight jeans and a low-cut shirt kept the stable boys entertained. She’d entertain herself by keeping an eye out for Jared. It wouldn’t do to be discovered at this point. His office and the student area were located where she wasn’t assigned. Occasionally, though, he’d cut through her barn, and she’d hide in the nearest stall. Nobody paid any attention to a stablehand doing the expected things, the day-to-day work. She’d catch a whiff of his expensive cologne, and let herself ride on the thought of how she’d win him back. She’d made a misstep with him, but surely nothing too serious.
At least the work toned her figure. Once, not so long ago, she’d almost convinced Jared that she was all he wanted in life. Undoubtedly she could make him come to the same conclusion again. What man could resist a beautiful, contrite woman willing to meet any of his needs? “I made a huge mistake, a terrible mistake. Please, I beg you, please forgive me…” The words were likely to stick in her mouth, but if he believed her, the result would be worth it.
Sasha smiled, looked at her nails, and shuddered.
So first things first.
Finish this nonsense of being crew.
Get out of the tacky rooms she’d rented.
Burn the clothes she’d forced herself to wear.
Wave bye-bye to the biddies on Gossip Street. And transform herself into a swan.
****
Jared knocked on Fionola’s door. He was her escort that night.
She answered, holding two pairs of earrings in her hands. “You’re right on time and I’m almost finished here.” She set the pair of Sapphires to one side, fastened the pearls to her ears. “Chase gave these to me on our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. I thought I’d wear them tonight.”
“Good choice,” Jared said, thinking they went with the long, pale blue dress. “Although no one in their right mind would ever accuse me of knowing much about women’s fashion.”
Fionola laughed. “I’ve always admired a man in a well-cut tuxedo. Jared, you do your tailor proud.”
“Aw shucks, ma’am.” Jared smiled. “I’m a country boy in fine clothes.”
“You’re a mess is what you are, child.” Fionola poked him in the ribs. “Just let me look at you.” She took hold of his hands. “Jared, your mama is like my sister, and if you don’t already know it, I want to tell you you’re the son of my heart. When Tyndal’s parents were killed, I don’t know if I’d have healed if you hadn’t been here.”
“Chase talked to me a lot about that time too. How he worried about you and wanted to give Tyndal a good home. I remember there was some hope her mother would survive the accident. I never met her.”
“No. She slipped into a coma and didn’t wake up. Those were hard days. I don’t know why I thought of all that just now. Maybe because my son looked so good in a tux too.” She brushed at the tears gathered in her eyes. “Maybe it’s because I’m an old woman who thinks about the past. Mostly, I just wanted you to know how I feel.”
He folded her close. “I know, Fionola. I’ve always known.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Now, shall we?”
“Rascal.” But she laughed as he offered her his arm, and guided her down the stairs.
“You care to enlighten me about this dinner tonight?”
“We’re choosing the menu we’ll serve for the fundraiser during the Classic. Since the weather is cooperating, I thought we’d eat outside. Have you seen the Gazebo since you’ve been back?”
“I haven’t been in your garden. My office and getting the school off the ground has kept me busy. Not to mention, your granddaughter.”
“Then come with me.”
Jared let out a low whistle. “How on earth did you convince your husband to build this?”
“I have my ways.” The delighted peal of her laughter made him wonder. He studied the ornate structure thinking the man was either really bored to have spent as many hours it must have taken to put all the curves, arches, curlicues, and gingerbread into the thing, or just a man in love. Jared had an inkling what that could do to a man, not that he intended to build a gazebo for Tyndal. But it was something Chase would do for Fionola. It was like him to have situated it in a quiet, sheltered area that overlooked the lake. The site was pretty, and Chase often said he had an eye for pretty. The way he said it usually made Fionola blush.
Inside the gazebo, the table was set with white linen and candlelight, a crystal decanter of water cooled in ice. Tyndal stood with her back to him, the long line of her dress shimmered to the floor. Fionola sipped a glass of wine and walked to her side.
Love changes a man. Don’t know how exactly, I just know it does. There they are, son. My girls. Aren’t they lovely? You look after them now. Take care of them for me.
Chase. Whether the command sounded only in his soul, or echoed silently in the air, Jared felt it still required acknowledgement. “Yes, sir,” he breathed. “I’ll do my best.”
Chapter Five
“Is anyone as tired as I am with all this?” Days after the quiet family dinner in the gazebo, an exasperated Fionola stood, opened the door to her office balcony. “I feel like the little kid in the backseat of a hot car on a long road trip. Instead of asking ‘Are we there yet?’ I want to ask, ‘Are we done yet?’ Let’s take a break outside.”
“Good idea,” Seth agreed.
“I second that,” Tyndal added.
The afternoon was warm and the meeting about the Classic had stretched long. Jared poured four glasses of iced tea and carried them to the table. From where they stood, the barns of Morgan’s Walk were spread out in front with Tyndal’s colt chasing Jake in the small arena. Elsewhere, horses grazed in pastures, or dozed in the sun.
Fionola glanced at Tyndal. “Have you given your colt a name yet?”
“You mean, calling him something other than Brat? That’s the one he deserves.” Tyndal reached up to clip her hair into a ponytail. “Actually, I’ve been thinking of naming him Bahadur. It’s a Persian word meaning bold, brave, and courageous. So far the definition fits.”
“I like
it.” Fionola picked up a tea and sipped. “I’ve watched him since he was born and he’s so much like Raj, it’s like looking in a mirror. Raj at that age was just as unmanageable.”
Tyndal frowned. “Chase said the thing he had to remember when working with Raj was that the horse was smart. Too smart for his own good, and way too easy to underestimate. Why should it be any different for his son?” She lifted her shoulders. “At least he’s hungry. I can convince him to work for about five minutes for a sack of carrots. When the sack is empty, he quits. Simple as that.”
“What are you working him on?” Seth sat beside her and patted her hand. Jared pulled a chair close to the balcony and sat with his arms folded on the rail, his chin on his arms.
“Halter,” Tyndal replied to Seth’s question. “Fee had Raj out for a ride the first morning I started him. Since then, he’s improved. He’s still not good, mind you. Just better. But I think if he keeps it up, he’ll make his debut at the Classic.”
“Really? That’s great. Fee, didn’t Raj compete in Halter as a three-year-old? If your colt does nothing other than stand and flap his tail, people will love him.”
“I appreciate that. But here’s the trick. So far, he thinks standing still is boring.”
“And boring won’t do.” Fee moved to sit beside Seth. “A long time ago, I had a colt, similar in attitude but not in appearance, that did quite well for our home stable and for Scotland. In the beginning, however, he sure made things rough on me. The very worst was when, right in the middle of his class, he tried to kick the judge. That little move didn’t go over so well.”
“No, I expect not.” Jared grinned, his attention caught by Fionola’s story. “What happened?”
“I was mortified and apologized for not handling him better.”
“And then?”
“After the class, Chase asked me out to dinner. He was the judge.” She sighed back the memories. “But that’s beside the point.” Fee looked from Jared to Seth, and smiled at Tyndal.
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