breeding programme
here, but that you also run part of the ranch as a tourist attraction, complete
with a wagon train experience and you have a riding school. She told me about
losing your father when you were still quite young and that you’ve grown into
running the ranch as you got old enough to take the responsibility. She also
said your mother is currently with your grandmother, but she hoped I would meet
her before returning home. She didn’t reveal anything of a deeply personal
nature, I assure you. I didn’t even know about your scar until I got here.”
This last she said hesitantly, unsure how he would take her reference to it,
but he merely nodded and continued with his food.
Jake was deeply relived that Kerry hadn’t
totally betrayed him by telling someone else about his past. He didn’t like
revealing anything of himself and was certainly not ready for Laura to know the
sordid details of his scar. They finished their meal in silence. Bill came in
through the back door before they’d swallowed the last bite, looking shocked to
see them both at the table together. He raised an eyebrow at Jake, but he
refused to acknowledge the man’s obvious enquiry.
“Oh, good morning Bill,” Laura
smiled. “Have you had any breakfast yet?”
Bill smiled warmly at her. “I
haven’t, as a matter of fact. Was kind of hoping you might be cooking this
morning?” he waggled his eyebrows at her, making her laugh. “I nearly ate that
apple pie of yours completely on my own last night. Heaven on a plate!” He
sighed in memory, patting his stomach.
Laura got to her feet to get him
breakfast. Bill turned to Jake, but he escaped out the back door before the
older man could say anything to him.
*****
Laura spent a quiet morning sorting
out her unpacking and exploring the area close to the ranch house. Kerry had
left her after breakfast with a quick apology. She ran the guest side of their
business, as well as the riding school and had several jobs that she couldn’t
put off. Bill had also needed to leave to help Jake with several horses that
were due to foal soon. He’d promised to be free after lunch for a riding
lesson/tour of the ranch. Laura had shooed them both away with assurances that
she could take care of herself for a while.
The peace was really what she needed,
she decided as she walked outside to view the ranch. There was so much space
here, unlike at home in England. For the first time in years, Laura felt like
she could breathe. Her life had been too filled up with worry and stress. It
felt wonderful to just stop for a while, take stock and make new choices.
Smiling happily, she walked along a path that led to the rear of the ranch.
She found the riding school, where
Kerry told her they gave lessons to guests as well as providing classes for
serious riders wanting to learn various skills for horse shows. She was very
proud that many of their horses bred on the ranch were bought by Olympic riders
and they had also trained some of the States finest riders in various
competitions, including the Olympics. The riding school was big business for
them.
Laura could certainly see the quality
of the school. There were two large areas that had been fenced off; one with
jumps set up, the other with simple flat grass that had been trampled down to
mud in many places by the horses. There was a class going on in each of the
areas.
She decided to watch the class that
weren’t jumping, thinking she might get some pointers before attempting to ride
herself later on. She could see about seven horses with riders of various ages
riding in a circle. In the middle was a young man around two or three years
older than herself, at a guess. He was calling out instructions to the riders
in a crisp English accent, circling slowly with them as he watched their
movements.
He cut quite a dashing figure in his
tight riding trousers, shirt and knee high boots. His hair was sandy brown and
he had a thin moustache which reminded her of a
here, but that you also run part of the ranch as a tourist attraction, complete
with a wagon train experience and you have a riding school. She told me about
losing your father when you were still quite young and that you’ve grown into
running the ranch as you got old enough to take the responsibility. She also
said your mother is currently with your grandmother, but she hoped I would meet
her before returning home. She didn’t reveal anything of a deeply personal
nature, I assure you. I didn’t even know about your scar until I got here.”
This last she said hesitantly, unsure how he would take her reference to it,
but he merely nodded and continued with his food.
Jake was deeply relived that Kerry hadn’t
totally betrayed him by telling someone else about his past. He didn’t like
revealing anything of himself and was certainly not ready for Laura to know the
sordid details of his scar. They finished their meal in silence. Bill came in
through the back door before they’d swallowed the last bite, looking shocked to
see them both at the table together. He raised an eyebrow at Jake, but he
refused to acknowledge the man’s obvious enquiry.
“Oh, good morning Bill,” Laura
smiled. “Have you had any breakfast yet?”
Bill smiled warmly at her. “I
haven’t, as a matter of fact. Was kind of hoping you might be cooking this
morning?” he waggled his eyebrows at her, making her laugh. “I nearly ate that
apple pie of yours completely on my own last night. Heaven on a plate!” He
sighed in memory, patting his stomach.
Laura got to her feet to get him
breakfast. Bill turned to Jake, but he escaped out the back door before the
older man could say anything to him.
*****
Laura spent a quiet morning sorting
out her unpacking and exploring the area close to the ranch house. Kerry had
left her after breakfast with a quick apology. She ran the guest side of their
business, as well as the riding school and had several jobs that she couldn’t
put off. Bill had also needed to leave to help Jake with several horses that
were due to foal soon. He’d promised to be free after lunch for a riding
lesson/tour of the ranch. Laura had shooed them both away with assurances that
she could take care of herself for a while.
The peace was really what she needed,
she decided as she walked outside to view the ranch. There was so much space
here, unlike at home in England. For the first time in years, Laura felt like
she could breathe. Her life had been too filled up with worry and stress. It
felt wonderful to just stop for a while, take stock and make new choices.
Smiling happily, she walked along a path that led to the rear of the ranch.
She found the riding school, where
Kerry told her they gave lessons to guests as well as providing classes for
serious riders wanting to learn various skills for horse shows. She was very
proud that many of their horses bred on the ranch were bought by Olympic riders
and they had also trained some of the States finest riders in various
competitions, including the Olympics. The riding school was big business for
them.
Laura could certainly see the quality
of the school. There were two large areas that had been fenced off; one with
jumps set up, the other with simple flat grass that had been trampled down to
mud in many places by the horses. There was a class going on in each of the
areas.
She decided to watch the class that
weren’t jumping, thinking she might get some pointers before attempting to ride
herself later on. She could see about seven horses with riders of various ages
riding in a circle. In the middle was a young man around two or three years
older than herself, at a guess. He was calling out instructions to the riders
in a crisp English accent, circling slowly with them as he watched their
movements.
He cut quite a dashing figure in his
tight riding trousers, shirt and knee high boots. His hair was sandy brown and
he had a thin moustache which reminded her of a
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