The True Love Travels Series Box Set

by Poppy Pennington-Smith

  “Rose, it’s not about the destination,” he called back. “It’s just about enjoying the ride.”

  Rose laughed.

  “Bit of a cliché, but true,” he replied.

  An hour later, finally making their way out of the small pathways that enclosed the ranch, they emerged into a forest. Here, the paths were wide enough for them to ride side by side. Sunlight fell through the branches, dancing on the ground in front of them. And, out of the glare of the Italian summer sun, it was refreshingly cool.

  “I can see why you love doing this all day,” she said as she looked up at the canopy above them.

  Thomas sighed. “It’s hard work. The ranch. But this is the reward.”

  Rose pictured her own job, back in England. And suddenly the thought of her desk, and her computer, and the little brown cubicle with no natural daylight that she sat in for ten hours a day, filled her with dread. “It’s amazing.” She pursed her lips and looked away from Thomas so he couldn’t see her face. “You’re amazing, Thomas. You carved out this life for yourself and it’s just...”

  “Just?”

  “I don’t know.” Rose shrugged. “It just makes my life seem so horribly dull. I can’t imagine going back to it.” She glanced at him then quickly added, “I mean, I’m sure it’ll be fine. Once I’m back, I’ll be fine. It’s just, right now, it seems a million miles away.”

  Thomas reached out and patted her leg. “Well, why don’t we pretend that it is? Just forget about it for two whole days and enjoy this.” He widened his arms and looked at their surroundings.

  “Yes,” she said, “let’s.”

  For the rest of the day, Thomas and Rose rode through the woods and hills beyond the ranch. A couple of times, they emerged into a wide-open space that offered incredible views of the landscape beyond. Other times, the paths became narrow and more shaded by trees and bushes.

  They stopped and ate lunch at a small, deserted picnic area; Thomas produced a bag of freshly made bread and Italian specialities from Mama Tina’s kitchen back at the ranch and, as they ate, Rose felt like suddenly she could imagine what Thomas did all day when he took the guests out for their treks.

  “I like this,” she said, smiling at him.

  “Her food is amazing, isn’t it? When Burt left me the ranch, I practically begged her to stay. It wouldn’t have been the same without her.”

  Rose, mouth half-full, nodded in agreement. “The food is amazing, but I meant this.” She waved her hand at the trees around them, then reached out to take Thomas’ hand. “Being with you. Seeing this side of your life.”

  “I haven’t kept it from you, Rose. I’d have loved you to come out sooner. I just didn’t want to push you–”

  “Oh, I know, I know.” She squeezed his hand, then lifted it and kissed his knuckles.

  Thomas wrinkled his nose at her, clearly enjoying her being more affectionate than usual.

  “I should have,” she said, quietly. “I’m sorry I didn’t.”

  “You’re here now.” Thomas leaned forward over the picnic table and planted a kiss on her nose.

  Rose smiled. But, inside, she couldn’t ignore the voice that was shouting, Not here for long, though. Are you? Soon, he’ll be doing this without you. You’ll be hundreds of miles away and Thomas will still be here. Will he miss you? Will he pine for you?

  Shaking her head and starting to pack away some of the picnic things, Rose looked over at Massimo. “Do they need some water?”

  “They do. We’ll head down to the river.” Thomas took the backpack from Rose and then helped her up onto Massimo’s back. “Ready?”

  She reached down and patted Massimo’s neck. “I don’t know. Are you ready, boy?” Then she sat up. “Yep, he’s ready.”

  “Oh, you talk to horses now, do you? Remarkable Rose.”

  “Only ones I like.”

  Thomas grinned. “Never thought I’d hear you say that you liked a horse.”

  “Well,” she said. “I had a great coach.”

  Down by the river, they stopped to let the horses drink. It was wide and slow moving, winding its way through the trees and out of sight.

  “On the advanced treks, we cross the river here and then follow it up to the waterfall. I’ll show you some pictures. It’s my favourite one.”

  “I’d like that.” Rose fidgeted in her saddle and glanced over to the other side of the river. “How far away is the waterfall?”

  “Only about an hour from here. On the overnights, we camp there then head back the next day.”

  “Maybe we could...” Rose trailed off, widening her eyes at him. The thought of camping out beside a waterfall with Thomas made her feel a little giddy.

  Thomas smiled but shook his head, touching his beard the way he did when he was thinking. “Rose, I would love to take you there. But...” He paused, as if he was trying to think of a polite way to phrase what he wanted to say next. “I don’t think you’re ready,” he said, tentatively. “It really is an advanced route. There are steep slopes to navigate – you have to dismount and walk the horse down them. And we usually gallop across the fields to make it quicker.” He reached out and patted her leg. “Next time you come, yeah?”

  Thomas nudged Stella with the heels of his boots and was turning her around to head back to the path they’d left when Rose suddenly, without even thinking about it, bent down and whispered to Massimo, “Let’s show him what we can do, Mass.”

  Thomas didn’t have chance to anticipate what she was doing and, by the time he’d realised, she and Massimo were standing in the middle of the shallow river. Rose grinned and waved at him. “Come and get me, Goodwin!”

  Thomas laughed, but then something else flashed across his face and he became very, very serious. “Rose, that’s not a good idea. Come on.”

  “Seriously. I can do it, Thomas. Mass looks like he knows the way. So, are you coming with us?” A fizzing, tingling, thudding feeling had flooded her chest and she felt almost intoxicated with bravado. She could do this. She’d faced her fears, she’d played midwife to a horse in labour, she’d mucked out stables, she learned to ride and – Thomas said so himself – proved to be quite a natural at it. And if this was their last chance to spend time together, time that Thomas would remember, she needed to prove to him that she could fit in with his life here. Make it so that he could imagine her returning.

  Thomas was shaking his head, inching Stella closer but clearly expecting Rose to cave in and return.

  “Okay,” she said, waving. “See you!” And then she tapped Massimo’s sides and he dutifully walked on.

  If they’d been anywhere else, Thomas probably would have cantered to catch up with her. But the river wouldn’t allow it. Behind her, Rose could hear Stella’s heavy legs splashing through the water. But she didn’t turn around. And when she reached the bank on the other side, she whispered to Mass, “Okay, boy. You know the way. Lead on.”

  As if he understood her, completely, Massimo continued. And Rose could just about make out the path they were following. It was narrow. On either side, branches brushed against her skin. Behind, Thomas called, “Rose. Please, listen.” He sounded cross. But, somehow, it just made her more determined to prove him wrong. “This isn’t a joke, Rose. Come on.”

  “Thomas, I can do this,” she shouted. “It’s no different from the paths we were on a while back.”

  “Rose. Stop.” Thomas’ voice sounded panicked and, for a moment, Rose wondered whether she should listen. But she always listened. She was always sensible. Today, right now, she needed to be brave. She needed to be remarkable Rose. Not timid, does-as-she’s-told Rose.

  “Okay. That’s it. I need you to stop. There’s a–”

  Thomas’ voice disappeared. Suddenly, she wasn’t in the woods anymore. She was at the top of a sheer, rocky drop that went down and down. Rose sat back in her seat and pulled on the reins, expecting Massimo to stop.

  But he didn’t. He trekked forwards. Rose shrieked.

  �
�Rose! Stop! You need to dismount and lead him down.” Thomas was almost screaming at her.

  But it was too late. Massimo was already heading down, gingerly placing his hooves one after the other.

  “Sit back in the seat. Balance his weight!”

  Rose looked back. Thomas was standing beside Stella, holding onto her reins, slipping and sliding as he helped her navigate the rocks. He looked at the horse, then at Rose. “I can’t leave her, Rose.”

  “I’m okay,” she said, trembling. “I’m okay. Massimo’s okay.” But, just as she said it, Massimo’s front legs wobbled. Rose felt like they were going to collapse, the pair of them, and tumble down the hillside. But he righted himself.

  They were almost at the bottom, and she could see the ground flattening out in front of them, becoming a wide open space, become safe, when a noise shattered the silence around them. A short, sharp crack. And then another. So loud it made the hillside vibrate.

  Rose’s heart was racing. She reached forward and was about to whisper to Massimo and tell him everything was okay but then there was another crack, much louder, much closer. And he reared up on his hind legs.

  Clinging on to the reins and gripping the saddle with her thighs, Rose managed not to fall.

  But then Massimo bolted.

  21

  Rose heard herself scream as Massimo broke into a gallop and sped across the field in front of them. She was struggling to hold on. She was going to fall. She was going to fall and break her neck and she’d never see Thomas or Katie or her family ever again.

  She tried to think. Tried to think what she should do but she couldn’t. She was shouting, “Mass, it’s okay. Slow down, slow down.” But he wasn’t listening.

  She was trying to tug on the reins to tell him to stop but she couldn’t. Every time she moved she felt like she was going to lose her grip.

  Then suddenly, Thomas was beside her. Stella was galloping alongside Massimo, so close they were almost touching. Thomas let go of Stella’s reins, magically staying upright and in the saddle, leaning over.

  “Rose, let go of the reins and hold on to his saddle.”

  Rose, trembling, did as he instructed.

  Thomas reached out and grabbed Massimo’s reins.

  Rose closed her eyes. She felt sick, and terrified, and stupid all at the same time. But, gradually, they began to slow down. Massimo began to slow down. The thunder of hooves on grass petered out. They were trotting. Walking. Still.

  She had barely opened her eyes before Thomas was grabbing hold of her and pulling her down from the saddle. She winced. Her heart was racing so hard she felt like it might burst from her rib cage. Her legs wobbled. She looked up, expecting Thomas to be furious. But instead he was holding her face in his hands and smoothing her hair and then pulling her to his chest.

  “Are you all right? Are you okay?”

  Unable to fight back the tears that were coming, Rose sunk down to the floor and Thomas knelt beside her. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

  Thomas shook his head, then the smallest flicker of a smile danced across his lips. “What were you thinking?”

  Rose tried to laugh, but it came out as a sob. “I don’t know. I really don’t know. I just...” Her words were coming out in breathless bursts. “I wanted you to think I was remarkable.”

  Thomas’ eyes were glistening. Was he crying too? Surely not. He shook his head, then pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head. “Rose. I thought you were remarkable the moment I met you. You don’t need to hurl yourself off the side of a cliff to prove yourself to me.”

  “But...” Rose pulled back and looked up at him. “I just wanted you to have a really good memory of me. So you didn’t forget me.”

  Thomas grinned at her. “I’d say it’s mission accomplished, wouldn’t you?”

  Finally, the trembling and the nausea subsiding, Rose smiled too. “Not really what I was going for.”

  Thomas shook his head at her. “But memorable. Definitely memorable.”

  Sinking back and leaning against him, Rose sighed and wiped her eyes. “What was that noise? What frightened him?”

  “There’s a farm over that way. They shoot out here sometimes. Usually, we tell them when we’re coming up here on a trek and they make sure not to be doing it. You know,” Thomas said, giving her a pointed look, “so the horses don’t get spooked and, say, bolt.”

  “Ah.”

  “Mmm hmm.”

  “Poor Mass. I’m so sorry.”

  Thomas squeezed her and kissed her head again. “Well, now that we’re most of the way there, we might as well carry on and camp by the waterfall. What do you reckon?”

  Rose laughed and bit her lower lip. “I mean, I feel like you’re rewarding me for my terrible behaviour. But, yes. That would be lovely.” She paused and looked at her legs, which still felt both numb and wobbly at the same time. “I might need a minute before I can stand though.”

  “Minute granted,” said Thomas, sighing and resting his chin on the top of her head. “I think my heart needs a while to calm down too.”

  Two hours later, after a very slow walk, they arrived at the foot of the small woodland waterfall. Below it sat a glistening pool surrounded by rocks and a small clearing where Thomas set up their tent and lit a campfire.

  While he worked, Rose sat and watched him. She had been unbelievably foolish. She had risked her life and Thomas’ and put the horses in danger, just because she wanted to impress him. And now, despite the fact he’d tried to make her feel better about it and hadn’t yelled or been angry, she felt as if deep down he must be convinced that she was not the girl for him.

  Finally finished, Thomas sat down beside her and took off his hat. “Okay,” he said. “Now we can relax.”

  Fiddling with her hair, Rose glanced at him and then looked down at her feet. “Thomas,” she whispered. “Why are you being so nice to me?”

  Thomas frowned at her. “You thought I’d be not nice?”

  “No, but I did do something pretty stupid.”

  Thomas tilted his head. “You did. But I think you’ve learned your lesson.”

  Rose sighed. “Do you think I’m ridiculous?”

  For a moment, Thomas didn’t say anything. But then he nudged closer to her and put his hands on her upper arms, turning her so that she was facing him. “Rose. It kind of bothers me that you don’t seem to get how much I like you. Is it because of what Katie and Fleur said? Is all that stuff still bothering you? Because–”

  “No. It’s not that.” Rose smiled a thin smile. “Don’t you get it?”

  “Get what?”

  “Look at you,” she said, laughing. “I mean, you wear some questionable footwear, but apart from that you’re a ten. And I’m, like, a four. Maybe.”

  Thomas’ eyes widened, but then they narrowed into a frown. “Okay. Wow. So, first of all, I had no idea you hated my boots. That hurts.” He laughed, but then straightened his expression into something much more serious. “But, Rose, don’t you get it? To me, you’re a ten plus. You’re...” He sighed and scraped his fingers through his hair. Then reached into his pocket and took out his phone. Holding it so she could see, he unlocked the screen and showed it to her.

  His background photo was a selfie that they’d taken down at the stables. Rose was wearing his hat and they were both in red T-shirts. Rose was grinning. Thomas was kissing her cheek.

  “You know what I see when I look at that?” Thomas wiggled the phone at her.

  Rose shook her head.

  “I see the most beautiful woman in the world letting me kiss her. And it makes me feel like the luckiest guy who ever lived.” Handing her the phone, he added, “Look at that and tell me we don’t look awesome together.”

  Rose smiled at the picture, touching it lightly with her index finger. “It’s not just that,” she said softly. “I guess I just wanted to prove to you that I can be brave and impressive. That I’d fit in here.”<
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  “But you’ve already proved that! You are all those things.”

  Rose sniffed and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.

  “Listen. I get it. When I was younger, before I came here, I was so shy. You remember. I found being in groups really tough. I didn’t know what to say around people. I was always self-conscious, always anxious. And it wasn’t like some magical transformation happened the second I set foot on the ranch.”

  “It wasn’t?”

  Thomas laughed a shallow laugh and shook his head. “No.” Clearing his throat, he added, “No one here knows this. They’d never let me live it down.”

  “What?”

  “It took me about three months to be able to climb up into the saddle without sliding right off again.”

  Rose frowned at him. “You’re just saying that.”

  “Afraid not. It was awful. I used to practise at night, on this great big metal barrel they used for beginners. I just couldn’t do it. Didn’t have the coordination or the upper body strength.”

  “I thought you said that Burt told you you were a natural?”

  “He did. After I actually managed to get up on the horse and stay there for more than thirty seconds.” Thomas tweaked his index finger under Rose’s chin and smiled at her. “So, you see. I really do get it.”

  Rose tried to picture Thomas falling off his horse. It seemed utterly unbelievable.

  But then she remembered the Thomas Goodwin she used to know; the one who’d been shy and spotty and so nice to talk to. And, suddenly, it all fell into place. The old Thomas merged with the new Thomas and she realised exactly why she went to bits around him. Why she’d fallen so hard and so fast. Why he sent her giddy when he walked into a room; because she knew that beneath his crazy good looks was a big, warm heart, and a stupid sense of humour, and a guy who’d always actually listened to her. Who had always seen her. Even when no-one else did.

  Taking a deep breath in, Rose leaned forward and placed her hands lightly on Thomas’ shoulders, letting her arms loop around his neck as she pressed her lips against his.