Page 21 of A Chance to Believe

She glanced up at the crystal-clear sky. ‘It’s a beautiful day.’

‘The nights are getting cooler, but we usually get nice weather this time of year.’

Talking about the weather. Nice one. ‘Kimberley looks very competent on her horse.’

‘Samson was a champion before we bought him. He has a lovely nature.’

‘Why Samson?’

Shayne leaned against the fence, his eyes on the pair still trotting around the course. ‘We didn’t name him. I always assumed it was because he’d had his hair cut, so to speak.’

It took Cassie a moment to make the connection. ‘Oh really. You’re making gelding jokes.’

He shifted his gaze to her. ‘Believe me when I say I have every sympathy for the horse.’

She couldn’t keep her face serious, and his eyes lit up as he returned the smile.

Kimberley’s voice came loud and clear. ‘You ready, Dad?’

He held up one hand, displaying a stopwatch. ‘All good.’

His attention was all on his daughter as she vanished into the chute area. A few moments later, Cassie could hear the pounding of hooves as the horse picked up speed. They rocketed out of the passage as Shayne clicked the button on the stopwatch.

The girl was good, only clipping the second barrel slightly as they went around, without knocking it over.

‘Fifteen seventy-eight.’

Kimberley muttered something, stroking Samson’s neck. ‘We’ll do another run.’

Shayne nodded and turned to Cassie. ‘This will be the last run today. You almost missed out.’

‘I had a phone call as I was coming out. I hope Kimberley wasn’t offended.’

‘She’s had some good runs. At least you turned up.’

Horse and girl flew into the ring and Shayne was ready, watching with his thumb on the stop button. Cassie counted automatically. In moments it was over, and Kimberley returned to the ring, walking the bay slowly around the circuit. It had been a better run and to Cassie, it was faster by several seconds.

Shayne sauntered over to talk to her, showing her the watch. It must have been a good time, because her smile was wide.

Cassie wasn’t needed here, so with a wave to Kimberley, she headed back towards the house.

‘Hold up.’

Shayne matched her slow pace once he caught her. ‘You didn’t overdo it, I hope.’

‘No, but it’s getting hot, and I’ve been on my feet for a while.’

‘Next time, come around to the side nearest the stables. There’s a mini grandstand you could sit on.’

It was dusty here, away from the house, with tracks of vehicles and horses mixed with the distinctive hoofprints of sheep and goats and at least one alpaca print. ‘Do you bring the flocks through here?’

‘Occasionally. We spell the paddocks regularly. Animals with cloven hooves are harder on the soil and they overgraze if allowed to, which discourages regrowth.’

‘You really have your head wrapped around the whole farming thing, don’t you?’

‘Is that a polite way of saying you feel neglected?’

‘Maybe.’

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