Page 4 of Where She Is
I nod, “I’ll be okay. Thanks so much for the tour.”
Diana rubs my arms and gives them a reassuring squeeze. “Not at all. I’ve loved our girl time. I’m afraid female company is in short supply around here. Now, do you know where to go?”
“I don’t have a clue.”
She points towards a paddock. “Head to the path and you’ll find the stable blocks. It’s the place to be.” I don’t miss the twinkle in her eye and her tongue-in-cheek smile.
“Okay, I’ve got it.”
“Good girl. I’ll see you tonight,” she says with a light tap on my arm. “And enjoy!” she sing-songs as she heads back to the house.
I’ll be honest, I’m not a big fan of horses, although I love people watching, and the flurry of activity in the fields and stables soon gets my attention. I hoist myself onto a five-bar gate and squint to avoid the blinding sun. As I take in the lush green surroundings and rolling hills, the smell of clover hits my senses. In the distance, a competent, stable hand brushes the coat of a chestnut-coloured horse. He creates a swirl of unique shades along its back before patting his nose and leading him into a paddock. Another horse looks on from his stable in envy, waiting for his turn to be pampered. Then a third peeps through the top half of his stable gate and huffs a blubbery neigh in protest. This sparks a row of horses to investigate what all the noise is about. Their nodding heads look choreographed as they pop out of the stables one after the other. There are at least fifteen and even more in the adjacent fields. This place is so vast, there’s no telling how many more there are.
The January heat feels alien to me. London could be covered in snow at this time of year. I sit back a little, close my eyes andshake out my blonde hair. Gentle sounds of voices and horses mingle into one around me and my smile is as warm as the rays bathing my freckled face. I’m now totally relaxed, and it feels good after my big move to Oz and all the shitty stuff I’ve had to go through with Rob. I actually feel great. Well, I felt great until I’m joined by a few annoying flies which disturb my peace. I attempt to swat them away, but they might as well get right in my ear at this rate. They invade my personal space to an unbearable limit and I’m so busy thrashing my hand around my head; I don’t notice anything behind me. From nowhere, there’s a thud in my spine and my feet brace on the gate as I try to steady my vibrating legs. The ground races towards me and my arms stretch out to break my fall. It doesn’t work as all they do is serve as a shovel to the gravel path below. Grit stings my eyes while my tongue does its best to get rid of whatever the hell has made its way into my mouth. While I rub away the tiny traces of dirt, a cold shadow falls over my slumped frame. I’m convinced it belongs to the culprit. Although its giant black body is safely behind the gate, I’m positive it’s laughing at me in its own special way. My hand pushes to the ground. “Shit. Stupid bloody horse!” I look up to face the animal squarely in the eye. “Was that you?” While I brush my now dirty Capri pants and white blouse with my hands, the horse blows out the mightiest, saliva induced neigh as if it’s taunting me. My blood boils, my hands clench, and my jaw locks. “You frightened me, bloody stupid animal.”
“Are you all right there?”
I didn’t notice there was someone behind me.Bugger. My eyes squeeze shut and I mouth to myself, “Oh shit.” I turn my head slowly in the voice's direction, my stomach in knots. “I’m sorry. I’m no good with… horses.” When I see who I’m talking to, my focus travels from firm, never ending, denim-clad legs to a navy, open-neck shirt. His defined jaw line covered with a dark spray of morning stubble, complements his olive skin. It’s while he adjusts the cowboy hat shading his blazing hazel eyes encased between thick dark lashes, that his concerned voice asks, “Sure you’re not hurt? You took a real tumble.”
My knees sting and I feel a bruise forming as I speak, although I’d never admit it.
“I’m okay, thank you.” I straighten my posture and blow the loose hair from my face. I know the blush travelling the length of my neck may give the game away. My British stiff upper lip is kicking in while my palms throb like hell, but those hazel eyes distract me momentarily. Then I realise I recognise those beautifully rugged features. I’ve admired the smoother version every day for years on the wall of our boardroom. His picture hangs handsomely next to the portrait of our chairman. Except he would know him better as… dad.Thisis Daniel Grant.
“By the accent, you’re not from around here. Are you the latest recruit from the UK?”
The red flush on my neck creeps towards my cheeks. My skin is on fire. “That’s right, I’m Richard Harvey’s PA,” I say with my tongue clinging to the roof of my mouth.
He holds out a hand, “Well, Richard Harvey’s PA, I’d like to say I know your name, but—” then he pulls me to my feet.
“Hannah May, Sir.”
His upturned lips clamp together, “Did you just call me Sir?” My words get stuck in my throat, and I feel the force of my heartbeat against my chest.
“Hannah? Are you sure you’re all right? Can I get you some water?”
“No. I’m fine,” I take a step backwards, but he doesn’t let me go so easily. He reaches for my hand, and goosebumps shoot across my skin. How can someone so huge and rugged be so utterly gentle? “I’m Daniel Grant.”
As I attempt to compose myself, my breathless reply escapes with no thought. “I know.”
“Ahh, now I get the ‘sir’ reference.” He takes a step forward, but I avoid looking him in the eye.
“I wasn’t sure how to address you.”
“Not like that, good job my folks aren’t around. They wouldn’t let you live it down.” He winks and my butterflies take flight. “No, I’m sure they wouldn’t.” I blush.
“Have you met them?”
I swallow hard. “I have, yes. They’re lovely.” My accent turns all Kate Middleton. My mum does the same thing, except she turns into the Queen.
“Then you’ll know we like to keep it casual. Daniel will do just fine.”
“Daniel, it is,” I smile, backing away. “Well, I better be off. Sorry, again, about the horse.” His giant step in my direction stops me before I move any further. “Look, let me apologise for Storm’s unacceptable behaviour.”
I’m lost, “Storm?”
His smile is infectious, “My horse. He’s very sorry and by way of an apology, you can have me for the afternoon.” The confusion in my face is clear. “What Storm is trying to say, is he thinks I should show you around the place?”
I don’t need to give it too much thought and I won’t let on that his mother has already shown me most of what goes on here. “Um, yes, I’d like that”. I can’t turn down this gorgeous, tall Australian cowboy. Well, part-time cowboy. Daniel is, in fact, the Executive Director of Operations, so I’ve got to watch my step.
