‘Hi, Daniel.’ He turned immediately and smiled at seeing Christie.
‘Hi there.’
‘Could I have a word with you? There’s something I’d like to ask.’
Daniel’s interest flickered.
‘Yeah sure, take a seat.’ He nodded towards the chair opposite him at the table.
‘I’ve been thinking about your suggestion of a family room.’
‘Right.’ He waited for her to continue.
‘The largest bedroom is free at the moment. I plan to make a few alterations, putting in a sofa bed for one, as you recommended, plus one or two other tweaks. The thing is, I could really do with some help, someone with a natural flair for interior design, which I believe you have. I like your idea of giving each bedroom a theme.’
He smiled back at her.
‘Well, in short,’ she quickly said, feeling slightly embarrassed, ‘I’d like you to stay in the family room, obviously with your little girl, free of charge and… help me renovate the rooms. Does that sound a fair exchange?’ She looked anxiously at him, hoping he wouldn’t laugh at her proposal.
Instead he looked thoughtfully at her and gave a grin. Christie’s heart leapt in her chest. Hell, he was handsome. He took a swig of his beer. Was he stalling for time? Her eyes never left his face, patiently waiting with bated breath for a response from him.
‘Yes, I think that’s a fair exchange.’ He stared straight at her. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, he noticed, finding it utterly endearing. She had an open, honest way about her. He suspected that what you saw, was what you got – no hidden agenda. That in itself made a refreshing change, he thought bitterly.
‘Good. Good.’ She looked away, as if self-conscious.
‘To be honest, I was thinking of staying a little longer anyway and I’ve got Emily for a short while, so it would suit me fine.’ Christie’s face lit up. Once again Daniel warmed to her reaction. Then, taking his phone he showed her the pictures of Keeper’s Cottage. Christie seemed genuinely interested.
‘It looks like it’s got bags of potential,’ she remarked.
‘It has, plus it’s in a fabulous spot.’
‘On the Treweham Hall estate? Wouldn’t that cause complications?’
‘Possibly – depends on what Lord Cavendish-Blake’s view is,’ he replied soberly. Christie noticed the frown burrowing on Daniel’s forehead and hoped she hadn’t burst his bubble of excitement.
‘Do you think Emily will enjoy staying here?’ She smiled. Immediately the frown disappeared.
He beamed. ‘She’ll love it.’
15
‘You what?’
‘Shush,’ hissed Flora and pulled Josh away from the view of the office window and into a stable. Once alone, Flora took a deep breath and tried to appease him. ‘Listen, Josh, this is my doing – you won’t take the rap.’
‘You kidding?’ he rasped. ‘Dylan will kill me!’
‘Keep your voice down,’ Flora whispered urgently and quickly looked out of the stable door. Good, no one was about. Turning back, she continued in a low voice, ‘Dylan won’t find out, not until the race starts and he realises it’s me riding Phoenix, not you.’
‘Your name will appear on the programme,’ cut in Josh dryly.
‘We’ll have to make sure he doesn’t bloody well see the programme then, won’t we?’
‘We?’ Josh’s eyes widened.
Flora tried again to win him over. ‘Josh, there’s no way Dylan would agree to me riding in that point-to-point, or any other race for that matter. He thinks it’s too dangerous—’
‘Which is exactly why I’m not agreeing to this either,’ he interrupted, folding his arms defiantly.
‘Yes you will.’ Flora glared at him. ‘I’m the assistant trainer of this yard.’
‘And Dylan’s the owner of this yard,’ he retaliated. ‘He’ll fucking sack me!’
‘No he won’t,’ replied Flora in a stern voice. ‘I will tell him the truth: that I made you promise not to say a word. Look, we all know I’m the best rider for Phoenix.’
With that Josh couldn’t argue; he remained silent.
Flora quickly continued, ‘Just let me show Dylan that I can do it, and safely. Once he realises I’m fine racing, it won’t be a problem.’
Josh pulled a face in disbelief. Even she had to concede this may be pushing it a bit.
‘Please, Josh, don’t tell him.’ Her eyes searched his face.
He gave a deep sigh and looked away.
‘Please?’ She touched his arm until he faced her.
‘OK,’ he agreed reluctantly, already regretting his actions.
‘Oh thanks, Josh!’ She hugged him with gratitude.
*
Dylan walked past the stable and saw through the gap of the door. Blinking, he glanced again to see Flora’s arms around Josh. Gulping, he quickly strode into the office, his heart hammering in his chest. What the fuck? Surely not? Flora… and Josh? But that’s what he’d seen, with his very own eyes. He slumped down at his desk and rubbed a shaking hand through his hair.
His first instinct was to tear into that stable and rip the bastard apart, but the voice of reason quickly intervened. Josh was actually a very good groom and he wouldn’t be able to replace him that easily. Also, he was riding for him in the point-to-point next week. A nauseating sensation settled in his gut, threatening to spill out of him. He took in a long, steady breath. Flora, his precious Flora – how could she? Tears began to well in his eyes. He quickly blinked them away on hearing her enter the office.
‘Hi!’ she breezed. His mouth was dry, unable to answer. He took in the back of her, as she poured herself a drink. Her blonde hair was plaited and coming lose, her petite frame nicely showcased in a fitted, quilted jacket and tight jodhpurs. He swallowed away the bile that edged up his throat. She turned to face him. Her cheeks held a rosy glow. Was that from sexual excitement? thought Dylan miserably. ‘You OK?’ Flora asked, looking concerned. ‘You look pale.’ Still unable to speak, he dragged his chair back and got up. ‘Dylan?’
‘I need to go home,’ he said gruffly and strode out of the office, leaving a rather puzzled Flora staring after him.
16
Finula’s spirits lifted once they drove past the sign of Treweham village. It felt good to be home, not that she didn’t enjoy living in Shropshire, but her roots were here, deep in the Cotswolds. As always, her dad was there at the front door of The Templar, ready to meet them, making her heart tug a little. Marcus pulled into the car park and opened the boot of the Range Rover to carry in the luggage. Finula ran to hug Dermot.
‘Oh, Dad, I miss you,’ she half wailed.
‘Now, come on, Fin.’ He laughed, blinking rapidly. He turned to Marcus. ‘How are you, Marcus?’
‘Fine, Dermot, and yourself?’
‘Good. Come and meet the new owner of The Templar.’ He ushered them both inside. Christie was on reception and gave them all a wide smile.
‘Hello, you must be Finula and Marcus?’ Finula instantly warmed to the pretty girl with dark, curly hair and a kind, welcoming face.