Page 80 of Love like the (Real) Reel Thing
Okay, by the looks of it he’d already crossed the first field and was halfway to the far east wall.
On second thoughts, maybe winning mattered a little. She didn’t want him thinking she wasn’t competitive – she could be as competitive as anyone.
Pressing her knees against the mare’s flank, she urged her on. She was halfway across the field when she realised the rider wasn’t Robert – it was Adam. But before she could double back, he heard her approach and slowed his pace, reining in his mount to turn to her. Catching her breath, Jess drew closer. An awkward silence stretched between them and she knew he was probably remembering the same thing as her – the time they’d ridden out together on his parents’ farm.
Which was obviously why he was staring at her like that.
She should say something. Comment on the good weather, maybe. No, she couldn’t make small talk with Adam about the weather. Before she could think of anything, he gave a brusque nod and galloped off.
Nicely handled, Jess.It didn’t help that he’d just glared at her before taking off like that. She was pretty sure he’d been glaring. God, it was like a scene from some period drama – only without the brooding sexual tension.
Obviously.
She sighed. Thing were starting to feel a bit stupid – it was like they’d suddenly become bitter enemies.And whose fault is that, Jess? You haven’t exactly been nice to him since he came down.
He and his girlfriend were clearly the couple Noel had mentioned. Which shouldn’t matter at all to her. She was here with Robert, riding in the grounds of a five-star hotel on a beautiful summer day.
Speaking of which … She looked around. WherewasRobert? Jess had started to head towards the east boundary, when she spotted him galloping back towards her. Noah had said the gelding was frisky but he hadn’t mentioned how fast he was. Still, Robert was an experienced rider and no doubt he had full –shit, why wasn’t he slowing?If anything, he was riding faster, clods of turf flying up as he galloped directly into her path.
Fuck, first the German Shepherd, now Robert’s horse! “Come on, girl!” Quickly, Jess edged her mare out of the way. Did Robert know he was riding like a maniac? Maybe he’d lost control of Zeffre.
“Woah there, boy, slow down!”
Shit, hehadlost control. She had to do something! At that moment, Robert thundered past, his eyes wide, his face red and sweaty, and Jess’s mare startled, rearing up.
“Easy, girl!” Jess pressed herself hard into Ladybird’s back and hung on tightly as the mare whinnied loudly and reared again. Just a hundred yards ahead, the gelding reared too, flinging Robert backwards onto the ground.
“Robert!” Oh, God, Zeffre could kick him or trample him to death. Instead, the gelding took off in the opposite direction, and before Jess could do anything, her mare took off after him.
“Slow down, girl!”She pulled back, every muscle in her neck and arms and back straining as she tried to rein her in, but the mare galloped faster. Panting now, Jess became aware of another rider approaching from behind.
“Hang on, Jess!” Adam closed the distance between their horses. “Shush, steady now, girl! Steady now!”
Beneath her, the mare began to slow fractionally, as Adam repeated the command in a low, calm voice. Soon Ladybird had slowed enough to allow Jess to bring her under control. Adam dismounted and helped her down, holding on to her as she fought to catch her breath.
“Is Robert –?”
“He’s fine, he wasn’t injured.” Adam’s jaw clenched. “Stupid fool.”
Her legs were shaking. “Thank you for your help.” She stroked Ladybird’s flank soothingly, aware that Adam had let her go. “I’ve no idea what happened, to be honest. Something seemed to spook Robert’s horse and then mine got spooked too.”
He’d opened his mouth to speak when they were interrupted by somebody shouting. They turned to see Robert hobbling across the field.
“You okay, Jess?”
She nodded. “Adam helped me to calm Ladybird. He just told me you were okay. What happened?”
“I’ve no idea!” He wiped his hands on his riding jacket.
Adam glared at Robert. “I know exactly what happened. And I’m going to make it my business that you never ride any of our horses again.”
“Calm the fuck down, mate! Something spooked my horse, that’s all.”
“And instead of trying to calm him down, you pulled viciously on his reins, making him more afraid!” Adam’s voice was steely.
Robert rolled his eyes. “Listen, mate, thanks for helping my girlfriend, but we’ve got it from here.”
Adam stepped closer. “I saw you. Now, I personally don’t care if you break your neck. But you put Jess in danger.”
