Page 83 of Love like the (Real) Reel Thing
“Adam, please leave it alone.”
He took her arm and she stopped, spinning towards him.
“What do you want?” she demanded.
His expression was unreadable. “I just want to make sure you’re okay after what happened. You’re not hurt?”
“Oh.” She swallowed, glancing away. “Yeah, I’m grand, honestly.” She looked up. “Thanks again.”
He gave a brief nod. “Don’t leave it too long to go riding again – you’ll miss it.”
It felt like there was something in her throat, making it hard to swallow. Damn him, anyway. He was bad enough when he was being bossy and obnoxious, but when he was being kind …He knew better than anyone how much spending time around horses meant to her. There had been so many times after the breakup when it had been the only thing that had helped her through the day.
But the last thing she wanted was to discuss anything personal with Adam. It felt like a backward step – a painful one. She needed to keep moving forward.
“So what do you think our chances are of finding this dog in the next …” she checked her watch, “ten minutes?”
Adam pushed his hands into the pockets of his trousers. “God knows. How long has she been missing?”
“I don’t know,” Jess said, kicking herself for not having asked. “Not too long. I think Lisa came rushing to me quite soon after it happened.”
They emerged outside and Jess scanned the grounds. If Diva had already got outside the perimeter, they’d be in real trouble.
Adam shielded his eyes with one hand as he squinted towards the rear gate. “I’ll head over this way – you check the stables.”
Jess nodded. “Fine. If one of us finds her, we’ll text the other person immediately.”
“You might have to unblock me first.” Adam raised an eyebrow.
So he knew. When had he tried to get in touch? As recently as the last week? When he’d decided to … Her thoughts trailed to a halt when it struck her that she wasn’t annoyed with him anymore. However their relationship had ended, and however Adam felt about her, he’d been nothing but helpful since he’d arrived at Linford. She should cut him a break.
She took out her phone, her head whipping up as they heard the distinct sound of barking.
“It’s coming from the stables.” Adam looked at her. “And that’s more than one dog.”
“Shit!” Jess started to run but Adam quickly passed her and was waiting, his arms folded, when she got there a couple of minutes later.
“Where are they?” Jess could hear barking as she braced her hands on her knees to catch her breath.
Adam grinned. “Wait for it.”
After a few moments, Snuggles tore around the side of the stables, barking loudly. Seconds later, in a blur of white fur, Diva appeared, her small tail wagging furiously as she raced after him.
Jess stared at the two dogs as they disappeared from view again around the back. Finally, she found her voice.
“Adam, we need to get Diva. And tell Gerry to come and get Snuggles.” She fumbled for her phone.
He started to laugh. “Let Lisa and Gerry know but tell them to give it a couple of minutes. The dogs are just having fun.”
“Fine.” Jess started to message them both. “But it won’t be fun if Snuggles hurts Afric’s dog.”
“How likely is that?” He shot her an amused look as the two dogs made a reappearance. “She’s chasinghim!”
CHAPTER 42
Jess arrived at the community centre shortly before seven that evening, slipping in at the back, as the hall continued to fill up. Everyone in Linford Village, it seemed, was curious to see the showdown between Linford Castle and the local residents’ association.
She’d been surprised that Ted had agreed to organise a village meeting so soon after her clumsy attempt to reason with him, until she’d casually mentioned the meeting to Holly, who’d told her that her mother had strong-armed him into it. “Remember what I said about Mam? You don’t mess with her when she takes something into her head.”
