A Heart This Big

by Cheyenne Blue

  Nina huffed a breath. “I know you were, and I’m sorry. She refused to come. She’s not normally such a brat; she’s usually sweet and easygoing, but she’s still taking this hard. She blames herself, I think.”

  “I need you to persuade her. She’s a keystone in this. We need to show that she’s a capable person, regardless of her age, and, therefore, it was eminently reasonable for her to be in charge of the pony and for Billy to be under her care.”

  Nina nodded and fiddled with the cuff of the jacket. “I know. And she will.” Steel flashed in her eyes. “I’ll make her.”

  “It’s always best if a statement is given willingly. We can’t put words in her mouth, so if we’re dragging blood from a stone, it won’t be good.”

  “She’s angry. She’s hurt. And she still feels you should come to her. Don’t get me wrong. She’s happy you’re taking on our case, but it’s like she’s making you prove yourself.” Nina met Leigh’s eyes. “Look, I know how that sounds: a twelve-year-old kid calling the shots. And you’re doing us a favour by taking us on. I wondered…that is, maybe if you intend on coming to volunteer again, that maybe you could take her statement then.” Nina sat back in the chair, and some of the tightness left her body as if now that the hard words were spoken she could relax.

  Really? A twelve-year-old playing puppet master? Phoebe needed to realise who was helping whom in this. Leigh tightened her lips and waited for the surge of irritation to subside. “Nina, I’m relying on you to make Phoebe understand the importance of this. Usually, my clients come to see me, not the other way around.” She summoned her best steely lawyer’s tone. “You’re the parent; she’s the child. She cannot dictate play in this.”

  Nina was pale under her golden tan. “I’m sorry. I’ll make her. I’ll forbid her to ride until after she’s talked to you. However,” her voice took on an unyielding quality, “I would appreciate if you kept my parenting skills out of this.”

  Leigh inclined her head. “Noted. But I would appreciate if Phoebe was encouraged to stop wasting my time.” She kept her stare fixed on Nina until she lowered her gaze.

  “You’re not going to drop us, are you?”

  Nina’s anxious voice pushed a curl of guilt in Leigh’s chest. It wasn’t fair of her to worry Nina like this, despite her obstreperous daughter.

  “No.” The word came slowly, but her thoughts flashed fast. “I’d prefer if Phoebe worked with me on this rather than against me. So just this once, let’s do it her way. I had intended on volunteering again in the future. Let me see if I can bring that forward.” She checked her diary on screen, then picked up the phone. “Grizz, can you see if you can free up Thursday afternoon for me?” A tiny voice in her mind wondered why she was doing this. She didn’t have to spend the entire afternoon at the farm—after all, Phoebe wouldn’t be home from school until later. Leigh swallowed as she put the phone down. She wanted to return. Phoebe’s statement was just an excuse. The farm was a world away from her usual routine, and despite its challenges, she’d enjoyed the last visit. The farm had given her a space to shed her corporate image and just be Leigh.

  “Thank you,” Nina said. “I’ll make sure Phoebe’s there after school if I have to tie her to the barn door.”

  Leigh’s lips twitched. Somehow, she could see Nina doing that. All fiery Italian spit and spunk one minute, the next hugging her daughter and soothing her pride.

  “Do you intend to volunteer on Thursday?” Nina asked.

  “Yes.” She clipped out the word. “Do you have a problem with that?”

  “No. Except…” Nina paused. “Thursday is a challenging day. I’m not sure if you’ll find it to your liking.”

  To her liking? Did Nina think she was some little hothouse flower who would wilt if asked to do something difficult? Leigh may not be used to farm work, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t capable of it. “Can you be more precise?”

  “Have you ever been around kids who have Down syndrome?”

  Leigh shook her head. She’d barely had anything to do with kids, let alone special needs ones. It wasn’t that she disliked kids; it was just they were a strange and baffling group of people, and she didn’t know how to talk to them. Children were something other people had.

  “The kids come to ride. One person leads the pony, and a second person walks alongside the child. You’d be alongside the child, as you’re not skilled with ponies. Kiren normally comes on Thursdays, but she can’t make it this time.”

  “That doesn’t sound too arduous.”

  Nina laughed. It was a deep chuckle, natural and unforced, so unlike the polite, restrained rumble her colleagues made.

  Leigh’s gaze locked on Nina’s lips and how they curved up in a wide arc. The touch of lipstick she wore accentuated that curve. It was an unaffected smile. Leigh would bet that Nina had never practiced her smile in front of a mirror, perfected a spontaneous smile that was anything but. Was Nina as unrestrained and natural in everything she did?

  Leigh jerked her thoughts back in line in time to hear Nina say, “The challenge is not only the physical exertion. You might find it quite confronting. Wear comfortable shoes. Be prepared to do a lot of walking and to answer questions not normally asked in polite company.”

  “I hope there won’t be many of those.” Leigh twitched her professional smile into place and took a deep breath. This was work. Inappropriate questions didn’t factor into her day. There’d been a few occasions when a client had attempted to cross that line. She’d shut them down with a steely glance and a pointed change of subject. But she wouldn’t be able to do that with one of these kids. She’d have to cope. Nina was wrong about her not being up to it. “Don’t worry. I’ll manage.”

  She glanced down at the pad to compose herself, and when she looked back up, her business mask was firmly in place. “Now that’s out of the way, let’s get to your statement. First, tell me in your own words how you came to own Banksia Farm and how long it’s been operating as it is.”

  Chapter 7

  “Me now! Me now!” The voice boomed around the paddock. Its owner hopped from foot to foot, her round face alight with pleasure under the riding helmet.

  “It’s your turn next, Edwina.” Ahmed brought Jellybean around to the excited child and smiled down at her. “But first, we have to make sure Darren gets down safely.”

  As the pony halted, Leigh turned to face the pony’s side, the way Ahmed had shown her. She put a steadying hand on Darren’s calf, giving him the security of her presence.

  “Can you remember the proper way to dismount, Darren?” Ahmed asked.

  Darren nodded and steadily went through the motions until he slithered to the ground. “Thank you, Jelly.” He flung his arms as far as they could go around the pony’s chest and hugged tightly.

  Jellybean stood stoically, seemingly unbothered by the small child underneath her neck or the excited girl, feet drumming a tattoo as she waited her turn.

  Darren’s mother approached with some carrot sticks, which she gave to her son. Darren offered one to the pony.

  “Just a moment, Darren.” Ahmed’s voice was calm as he took the child’s hand and drew it away from Jelly’s questing nose. “Remember what we said? Hold your hand flat with the carrot on top so that Jelly doesn’t accidentally bite your fingers.”

  Darren nodded and did as he was told.

  Leigh stood to one side and watched as Jelly lifted the treat gently. Nina had been right when she’d said both ponies were quiet and kind. Over the course of the afternoon, she’d seen them hugged in all sorts of ways and their manes pulled and twisted by nervous fingers, all without so much as a laid-back ear.

  Leigh’s singlet clung damply to her skin, and she was sure her face was scarlet. Running around next to a trotting pony was surprisingly hard work, especially on uneven ground. She also had to keep a careful watch on the rider. So much for treadmill fit
ness. That was nothing on this. For a moment, she thought longingly of the air-conditioned gym that was her usual fitness venue and of her personal trainer and his regimented routine, which was designed to work all of her muscles in a controlled way.

  There was nothing controlled about her work at the farm, and she was acutely aware that she must look a red, panting, and sweaty mess. Thank goodness, when this was over and she’d taken Phoebe’s statement, her next stop would be her own shower followed by a large gin and tonic. An extremely large gin and tonic.

  Ahmed turned to Edwina. “Now it’s your turn.” To Leigh, he added in an undertone, “I hope you’re not easily shocked. Edwina’s thirteen, with all that brings.”

  Leigh didn’t have a chance to reply, as Edwina threw her arms around Leigh’s waist. “I want her to help me on.”

  Leigh’s gaze sought Ahmed. “I don’t know what to do.” Edwina’s arms around her waist were heavy. The child was solidly built and had to weigh seventy kilos. Leigh was sure she didn’t have the strength to give her a leg up as she’d seen Ahmed do with Darren.

  He gave her a sympathetic grin. “Don’t worry. We use a mounting block.” To Edwina, he said, “You know the drill, Edwina. Let’s go over to the block, and you can show Leigh how you can get on all by yourself.”

  Edwina clutched Leigh’s hand. “C’mon, let’s run so we get there quicker.”

  Leigh obligingly broke into a jog, but Ahmed’s voice stopped her. “No, ’Dwina, you know you don’t run in the paddock. You’d run straight past Mr Petey, and that’s not safe.”

  Leigh’s face burnt. The rebuke had been mild, but it felt aimed at her as much as Edwina. She bit her lip. She should have known that. It was common sense, something she’d always prided herself on having.

  “She was going to let me.” Edwina’s lower lip stuck out like a dinner plate, and she tugged on Leigh’s hand.

  “Her name is Leigh,” Ahmed said. “And she’s a very nice person who is helping you have your ride today. But you have to be extra nice, as this is her first time. We want her to come back, right?”

  Edwina peeped up, her brown eyes sorrowful. “Sorry, Leigh. You will come back, won’t you?”

  “I’ll try.” Leigh smiled at her.

  The answering smile on Edwina’s face made Leigh’s sunburnt shoulders and aching calves worthwhile.

  “If you come back, you can marry Ahmed. Then you can have sex, and you’ll have a baby.”

  Did she really say that? Leigh’s jaw dropped, and she shot a glance at Ahmed to see his reaction.

  “Remember what we said last time, ’Dwina?” His voice had a calmness Leigh would struggle to match.

  “Yeah.” The dinner plate pout was back. “Sorry, Leigh. I’m not supposed to talk about sex because there are little kids here. Do you wear clothes in bed? My mummy doesn’t.”

  Leigh started. Where was the instruction manual for things like this? She had no idea if all kids talked this way or just Edwina. “Help!” she mouthed to Ahmed.

  His lips twitched in a brief smile. “Why don’t you lead Jelly over to the mounting block?” he said to Edwina. “Do you remember how to do that?”

  Edwina nodded. Bristling with importance, she took Jelly’s lead rope and marched off, the pony walking by her side.

  At a nod from Ahmed, Leigh moved next to her, and Ahmed fell in on the other side.

  “Look at me!” Edwina screamed to the other kids. “I’m leading Jelly! And Ahmed and Leigh are gonna have a baby and call it Edwina!”

  Leigh bit back a laugh. In her professional life, she was able to stare down obstreperous lawyers, diffuse difficult situations, and pacify angry clients, but now she was rendered speechless by a thirteen-year-old.

  The afternoon was not what she’d expected. The noise and exuberance of the Dare to Be Different group was never-ending. Laughter and shrieks of joy seemed to be the norm, and there were more hugs than tantrums, although there had been a couple of those too. But Edwina’s hand in hers had a trusting simplicity about it. It was life distilled to the basics, although whether Nina would agree with that, she didn’t know. On the surface, there was nothing simple about the ordered chaos in the paddock.

  But despite the outward spontaneity, the volunteers were alert and careful of their charges. Firm but kind. Leigh looked across at Ahmed. He was portly and appeared to be in his sixties, but he moved with a spryness that belied his age. The smile he’d given Edwina had been gentle and full of love. Love. There was no other word for it. Leigh would put money on the fact that Ahmed got as much pleasure from the afternoon as Edwina did.

  Their path took them close to the other half of the group, waiting for their turn on Mr Petey. Leigh’s gaze was drawn to one figure. Nina wore what Leigh was coming to think as her farm clothes: a singlet, baggy shorts, and gumboots. Her dark hair hung loose underneath a wide-brimmed hat. She walked alongside Mr Petey, one hand on the leg of the small girl perched on top.

  “You’re doing great, Halifa,” Nina said. “No one would think this was your first time.”

  “Don’t let him go faster.” Halifa clutched the front of the saddle with both hands.

  “I won’t.” Nina’s voice radiated reassurance. “Mr Petey will walk like this forever until you tell him to stop. Let’s stop now, shall we? Then you can give him a pat.”

  Andi, the volunteer at Mr Petey’s head, brought him to a halt.

  Nina encouraged Halifa to lift one hand from the saddle to pat the pony’s neck. The child’s shy smile as she touched Mr Petey brought an answering one from Nina.

  Leigh had been staring. With a start, she forced her gaze away from Nina and her group and back to Edwina by her side.

  The Dare to Be Different group left around four. Eventually. After some tears and a spectacular tantrum from Edwina, who didn’t want to leave, they were driven away in their minibus, faces pressed to the glass, hands waving wildly.

  Leigh flopped heavily onto a chair in the corner of the barn. The other volunteers were still brushing down the ponies and mixing feeds. She should join them, learn another of the never-ending tasks around the farm, but her thighs refused to move, and her shoulders were stiff. She touched her nose. Hopefully, her sunblock had been enough. It would be unprofessional to have a sunburnt nose in the office tomorrow.

  The afternoon had been long but not unpleasant. No, scratch that. She’d enjoyed it. Most of it anyway. Although she hadn’t appreciated feeling like a fool when Ahmed had corrected her a couple of times, she’d understood why he’d done it.

  Laughter drifted from the barn, and over the top was Phoebe’s clear voice.

  Phoebe. Leigh groaned. The last thing she wanted to do right now was take Phoebe’s statement, but that was the main purpose of her visit. Phoebe had arrived back from school just in time to help put the ponies away. She had yet to acknowledge Leigh.

  Leigh shifted in the hard chair, trying to get comfortable.

  “How are you doing?” Nina sat in the chair opposite. She handed Leigh a bottle of water. “You look like you need this.”

  “Thanks.” Leigh broke the seal and took a long draught. “Right now, I’m wondering if I’ve got any energy to get up from this chair or if I’m here for the duration.”

  “Those kids are demanding. It’s amazing how draining an afternoon with them can be, but it’s one of my favourite times. Ahmed says you were great and even managed Edwina with aplomb.”

  Leigh nodded. “She’s a spark all right.”

  “She’s been coming here since she was nine. She wants to go faster, but her poor balance makes that too risky.” Nina tipped her head to one side. “Are you sore? I saw you jogging around the paddock. That’s tough in this heat.”

  “Some.” Leigh took a swig from the water bottle. “But I still have to talk to Phoebe.”

  “Yes. I’ll get her.” Nina raised her voi
ce. “Phoe, can you come here, please?”

  “In a minute.”

  “Now, please.” Nina’s voice was firm.

  Phoebe slouched up and flung herself on one of the hay bales.

  Leigh gave her a friendly smile. “Hi, Phoebe.”

  “Hi,” Phoebe muttered.

  “Can you go with Leigh to the house? Make a cup of tea for Leigh if she wants one, and you can have chocolate milk. You need to give your statement.”

  “Can’t.” Phoebe dropped her chin to her chest. “Got extra homework.”

  “You should have thought of that before you came over to the barn. Leigh is here especially for you. Go now.”

  Phoebe opened her mouth and shot Leigh a glance, then looked away. “Sure I will. If you want me to fail school.”

  “This will take one hour,” Leigh said. “You can do your homework after.”

  Phoebe’s brows lowered. “You’re not my mother. You don’t tell me what to do.”

  It was too much. Who did this obnoxious child think she was, calling the shots? And Nina let her get away with it. Leigh injected her voice with icy coolness. “Listen to me, Phoebe, and listen good. You can cooperate now, or you can cooperate later, but if you want your mother to keep the farm, you will talk with me. If I have to come back again, I will send a bill. An hour of my time, plus two hours travel charged at my full rate, which is seven hundred and fifty per hour. You want to do your homework? Fine, you do the maths on that.”

  Phoebe glared, then she bit her lip and ducked her head down again. “I thought you were working for us for free. Because we’re a charity case.”

  Nina moved over and put a hand on Phoebe’s shoulder. Her eyes flashed daggers at Leigh, but she kept silent. Ease off my daughter, her glare said.

  Leigh rose from the chair and bit back a groan of pain from stiff muscles. She crouched in front of Phoebe. “Look at me, please.”

  When Phoebe met her eyes, her lashes were spiky with wetness.