“You face that way, and we’ll watch your back,” he said in his low, silken voice. “That way, one of us will to see anything that passes.”
Jet and Viva stood remarkably still even though they were keyed up from the brisk exercise and the cool morning air. They watched intently, their sensitive ears flicking in all directions absorbing the surroundings with their highly tuned senses. Both were strung like piano wire, but were otherwise motionless.
For a moment, my mind wandered back to Griffen. I didn’t want to look at him, for I was afraid I would give myself away by forgetting to breathe. I didn’t want him to know how attracted to him I was, but surely he couldn’t tell, or could he?
Did I want him to be attracted to me, as a girl, not just as someone who could ride as well as he? And what if he is? Will he ask me out or just make obnoxious public donations to the hunt trying to impress me? Show off. It worked. Was he trying to impress me? And what if he tries to kiss me? Would I even let him? Definitely. But that’ll be later, I’m sure. Hard hat on my head now. He can’t kiss me while we have these things strapped on. What if he could read my mind? How embarrassing.
It wasn’t long until we heard the hounds. From this distance, it was hard to tell who was giving voice, but they sounded like they were coming our way. The wind was calm and the moisture heavy, so soon we would be able to distinguish them.
Griffen had set this up perfectly. I could feel my skin crawl in anticipation of what we would see bounding across the little meadow. My heart started pounding as the hounds approached. Viva’s heart throbbed beneath my knees. Her ears pricked ever so slightly with even more attention, so I followed her gaze.
And there he was.
He stepped gingerly into the edge of the clearing…not at all concerned that twenty noisy hounds were in hot pursuit. He seemed so confident, so in control of the situation. I completely forgot time and place – seeing his bright russet coat and white tipped tail, the rest of the world was forgotten. He was magnificent, and I was transfixed. We looked at each other for another magic moment before he turned and trotted across the field.
In a daze, I whispered, “tally ho” under my breath as he disappeared.
Then his lips were on mine. Softly at first, and with a jolt, my body realized what was happening before my mind could react. My jaw relaxed, drawing him closer and yearning for more. I was glad I was “sitting” or I’m sure my knees would have been useless.
He pulled away, but held my gaze. My head was spinning, and my eyes were not quite in focus. I couldn’t read his face. He seemed so far away. Was that regret in his eyes?
How did he do that? Ah – he’s doffed his cap – no chinstrap. Bet he’s pulled that before, but I didn’t care.
Hounds were nearly upon us – William would be looking for a report.
“Tally ho, William. Red fox – heading north. Rufus is in the lead,” Griffen said into his microphone.
I was still too stunned to speak.
His eyes searched mine for a reaction. Still that strange look in his. Not what I expected…at all. So what was it? I narrowed my eyes, changing my return gaze to frustration, and kicked Viva into a gallop.
We had to get to the highway before that fox, and we’d lost a good bit of time. Griffen was of the same mind, and we galloped together to the highway. All too soon we reached our spot and were together again...in silence.
Hurry up and wait.
The pack was moving east, so they were safe for now. Silence from Griffen. Too long and oh so uncomfortable.
“Elliott, I’m sorry,” he said. “That was totally uncalled for on my part.”
What was I supposed to say to that?
I kept the anger in my eyes so he couldn’t read the hurt. “Griffen, I’m not…mad, well…unless there’s someone else,” I said.
“What?” he asked. His turn to be surprised. “What are you talking about?”
“Unless you have a…girlfriend…or something,” I said. “Do you?”
“Not hardly,” he said with too much finality.
Then why? I knew before I finished the thought. It was making a little more sense to me now. He was still looking at me and studying my reaction.
“Griffen, you saved my life last year. You hardly need to buy my dinner or let me name a puppy to warrant a kiss,” I smiled.
“So, you’re not mad?” he asked.
“Only if you won’t do it again,” I said. Now that was bold.
He was immediately by my side, removed his cap, and gently, but firmly kissed me again. This time, it was with much more difficulty, for the horses were agitated, but I helped since I was ready. Or so I thought. My soul shuddered, and I wanted to fall off my horse into his arms. No no no – sit up – hang on.
“Now, then. I kissed you without mud on your face,” he grinned, his voice husky and low.
“How shocking,” I said. “That’s a first.” I couldn’t tear my eyes from his. Gazing at him was almost as inciting as kissing him. Almost. Oh please do that again and stop talking.
“Yes, in fact, it is,” he said.
“You’re kidding,” I said. Surely this wasn’t his first kiss. It certainly wasn’t my first, but it definitely was the best.
“No, I’m not,” he smiled, eyes sparkling with mischief. No further explanation. “So, are we going to stop these hounds from running all over us again or stay here and stare at each other?”
“You’re asking me to choose?” I said, my head still spinning.
He dashed to the north, I joined him, and he found another perfect spot to watch the action. How does he find these places?
“You watch there, and I’ll watch you,” he said.
“That’s not fair.”
“Not fair to me,” he grinned. “I missed that whole view watching you watch that fox. You were so beautiful, so perfect on your lovely Viva – and so engrossed in the fox – I couldn’t resist.”
And…he never forgets Viva’s name…amazing.
He tipped my chin up so he could stare directly into my eyes. “Elliott, I have never met anyone like you in my whole life. I have spent a year trying to get you off my mind, and I’m back in person now to say I can’t. Since the day I pulled you out of that ditch your soul burned its way into my very guarded heart.”
“Griffen, the hounds are coming,” I stammered.
This was moving right along, and the Southernmothers had not even begun to check out this magnificent man. Grand was delighted at my at last finding something to kiss beside a horse, but waving flags all around my head to slow this down. Every Southern girl knows to parcel out her passions all the way to the altar, and my throbbing, raging, hand, heart, and every speck of my soul was willing right now quite forcefully to roll off this horse right into the swamp with this stranger – boots and all.
“You’re right,” he pulled his eyes from mine with considerable effort and focused on our next move. Back to the west – and we were off.
Flying, floating beside Griffen and Jet, Viva and I soared across the flatlands. Hounds had turned, so we checked to find another suitable spot for viewing – and whatever else came to mind. I was no longer safe in my hard hat – Griffen having conquered that challenge with ease. I’d have to keep him talking to protect the rest of me from his advances.
“How were your holidays?” I asked – trying desperately not to look at his fabulous face.
“Fine, why?” he asked.
“You just said something about going to South America, and I was wondering how that went,” I said.
“Oh, yes, that,” he said. “My friend’s project is coming along well. We were able to help more than twenty orphans in Argentina find homes.”
“What exactly were you doing?” I asked.
“It’s complicated,” he said. “But I guess you should know something about why I have avoided you for a year, or really, for almost six years.”
“That would be…helpful,” I said, his sudden change of subject disconcerting. I was not sure I
wanted to have an answer today. And how has he known me for six years? That’s impossible.
Jet stamped his feet in agitation as Griffen’s face became wary, guarded. It was as if Jet sensed Griffen’s moods and was urging him to get his mind back on hunting. He shook his black mane and the tiny braids sparkled in the morning light. His tail swished demanding the attention he so easily commanded. Griffen ignored him, sitting perfectly still, and Jet finally settled.
“Elliott, I was raised by my uncle, but before that, I had parents,” he began. “My parents loved each other…I think, but they fought all the time. There was so much…anger…in him. I was always afraid of what would happen.”
“I am so sorry,” I said. “What happened to them?”
His face darkened, and he looked at me with tempestuous, pleading green eyes. “He…my father…killed her,” he said.
The hounds were getting closer, but I was frozen. Even if I wanted to move, it was impossible. By the way he said the words – I knew her death had been no accident. The dark looks, his brooding manner, his mercurial moods, his instability…was he his father? Is he trying to warn me? Oh why did I not get the Southernmothers on this earlier?
Run, Elliott, run, my mind screamed.
Hold him, Elliott, he needs you, my heart pounded.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Chapter 12 - Choices
The sense of reckless abandon, throwing all cares to the wind, no looking down for holes, or holding back in fear – riding my Thoroughbred at full gallop across the wide, alluvial plain – hounds screaming – coyote ahead – centuries of breeding for speed and agility rocketing me across the land.
“Elliott?” Griffen said as he looked for my response to this revelation.
No words would come. I felt feint, and there was a war raging inside me. Grand and Mother were pulling as hard as they could with Southernmother good sense and breeding while long dormant hormonal and a new found sense of protective motherly caregiver were putting up an impressive fight.
I looked away to clear my head. His eyes weren’t helping the cause of good sense. At least I was well mounted, I may even be able to out run him, but that is crazy. I still had my radio, he saved my life last year, it’s not like he’s going to kill me here and leave me in the bushes. Maybe later, but not today. Even if I did want to run, that would leave no one to cover this side for William
His eyes were so soft, how could I run – now, at least? I pushed both extremes to opposing sides of my mind and settled for a compromise. No more kisses, but I would get some answers.
“I’m fine, Griffen, really,” I said as he looked at me with cautious relief.
“That is, unless he plans to kill you,” Grand said,” if you provoke him!”
I kept my eyes on him – eyes only – no enjoying his whole, lovely picture anymore today, and tried to calm my thoughts. I would need a clear head and lots of distractions to accomplish this task.
“Here, drink this,” he extended his flask of something clear and, surely potent, to me.
“No, I’m fine, Griffen,” I lied. That would only complicate – and there was no telling what awaited in a fox hunter’s flask. I needed courage, but a clear head was much more in order.
“It’s Gatorade,” he said. “Are you sure?”
“Well, in that case,” I said truly surprised. I never noticed whether or not he drank; we had not been together any length of time. As I thought back on the parties and few chance meetings, though, he never had the requisite Southern boy beer, and his glorious scent had never been mingled with Bourbon or anything else that I could remember.
“Tally ho coyote,” William cracked on our radios. “Looks like a pair coming your way Griffen.”
Our way? We were way out of position. We looked at each other for a minute thinking the same thoughts and spurred Jet and Viva to the highway. We were a half-mile from where William thought we were, the hounds having circled while we were…distracted.
Thank goodness these horses were made for this, and the property was laid out in such a manner that we could use top speed to our advantage. Coyotes were ridiculously fast and could endanger the hounds by crossing highway forty-nine. We stretched out along our horses’ necks, standing just over their backs in the saddle and leaning ahead just a little to compensate for their forward movement. My eyes were blinded by the wind, but there was nothing between us and the highway, so we blazed on.
Griffen’s head barely turned to the left, and I strained to follow his gaze. Blinking back wind induced tears, I could see dots of white spread out, yet running together – the pack. At this speed, I could not tell yet who was in the lead. Just ahead of them was a single coyote, running flat, tail stuck out behind him in defiance. He was still full of go, and he was headed for the highway.
We were going to have to turn him.
Griffen signaled for me to try first. Ever so slightly so as not to upset her balance, I altered Viva’s course to where I guessed the coyote would be by the time we reached him. Once turned, I asked for more speed, and, amazingly, it was there. Viva lowered her head as if she knew her mission and charged.
We were on him in a flash, yet he was not to be deterred. I yelled and screamed in a dual attempt to startle the coyote and lift the hounds’ heads. Of course, their heads were already lifted since they could see the coyote, but maybe we could change their focus. We lunged in his path and, for a second, he faltered. The pack was almost on him, no William in sight.
I wheeled in front of him and cracked my whip with as much force as I could bring to bear. His golden eyes bored into mine and gleamed as if saying “chicken” – and he ran straight at us. Viva snorted, but held her ground as the coyote ran between her legs and darted toward the highway. Now what? Our momentum was gone, and, obviously there would be no turning him. I hoped Griffen would have better luck.
We spun around to the pack – there was still a chance to stop them. Sounder was the first hound, and I hoped he would listen and stop.
“Whoa, Sounder, hold up! Hold up!” I yelled and cracked my whip.
“Rufus, hold up! Hold up! Come on Google! Hold up!” Miraculously, they were holding. Come on William –
I leapt from Viva and grabbed them, quickly snapping couples to their collars. A puppy, Goboy, I think, was next.
“Goboy, Hold Up! Hold up!” I yelled. He, however, was not so biddable and continued after the scent.
Several more hounds stopped, and now ten were gathered around us. I snapped couples on as many as I could reach.
Griffen was already at the highway, the coyote having crossed. He fired his gun in the air stopping Goboy and the few others who ignored my attempts.
“Good hounds, good good hounds,” I called trying to settle the pack. Thankfully, William arrived and gathered them.
“Well done, Elliott, thank you,” William said.
“Five couple here, sir,” I said. “I think Griffen stopped the others. Sounder and Rufus were in the lead. We only saw one coyote, and he crossed the highway.”
Griffen arrived with the rest of the pack as second flight gathered with first and all regaled the glorious run. They coyotes had split, but William was right on them, so he was able to send them all on the gray. The fawn coyote doubled back, so he could tell which hounds were on the gray.
With the help of the whippers-in in that area, all hounds were placed on the gray. The run had started near the house and had taken the field nearly three miles. Only two riders were left in the swamp – a good ratio for a run such as that. Neither was hurt; one fell when her horse tripped in a bog and the other’s horse left him when he dismounted to assist the fallen rider. They had been picked up by a tally-ho wagon and provided that crowd with much amusement.
It was always an added treat to have sport at Opening Meet, and these coyotes certainly delivered.
We took up our positions around the hounds to hold them for the mobile checkpoint. Food and people arrived within minutes, and we were able to once again,
feast with our friends.
“Elliott! I have some egg salad sandwiches for you and an apple for Viva!” Ashley said.
“Thank you,” I said. Now, this was cool – a delivered checkpoint. The sandwiches melted in my mouth, no crust on them, of course, and Viva attacked her apple.
“How’s Griffen?” she smiled mischievously.
“Fine,” I said, trying to show no expression. I could see that my attempt at an innocuous remark was backfiring.
“Is everything all right? she asked. “You don’t look so good.”
I must be paler than I thought if Ashley noticed. She was typically not too observant. “Of course I’m fine,” I said casually. “We just had quite a run. That coyote gave us a scare,” I lied.
She bought it.
“I don’t know why you risk that beautiful horse flying around like that, but whatever,” she said. “Ben’s the same way. You’re both nuts.”
I could see Griffen talking to William. He rarely talked to anyone else at this hunt. He was polite but never engaged in conversations although plenty of ladies were giving it a try. Lydia circled him like he was prey, but he never seemed to notice, and she steamed in frustration. I had never seen her not get any reaction from a living male. Interesting.
Ben was avoiding him but not making it obvious. I noticed because Ben told me he didn’t like Griffen. Looking at them here in this most elegant of settings, I could see that they both made impressive statements with their horses. Ben on his bright chestnut and Griffen on his black beauty…part of the pleasure of the hunt for sure was this scenery.
Was Griffen’s brooding darkness revealing something sinister inside him that should be avoided? Did he even know how to love when he grew up in such a home? Why would I even consider getting involved with someone so complicated with so much emotional baggage?
I caught him looking at me, and I shivered. Those green eyes were going to be my undoing. Chocolate – I need sustenance.
As if reading my mind, Sylvia Greene, William’s elegant wife, proffered a silver tray of chocolate dipped fruit.
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