by Wendy Vella
“I could never be addicted to exercise.”
“It’s not for everyone. However, we could walk a bit together and you can explain what is troubling you, and I shall give you wonderful and insightful advice.”
That surprised a laugh from her. “I could do with that, if you’re free?” she said, further surprising herself.
“Indeed I am. I just need to make a call, then I am at your service.”
He walked away while Bailey took several deep breaths. Dear Christ, her grandfather was here in Ryker Falls. Just the thought made her stomach twist into knots.
“Right, we shall go back up past the lodge and cut through the trail that leads back down the mountain to Trainer land.”
“I may not keep up, and am probably not dressed for hiking.”
“We’ll take it easy.”
He kept his pace slow, and she enjoyed the distance that grew between herself and her grandfather. Roxy and Phil stood over them, and the sun was nice on Bailey’s bare head. She looked around at the nature on display, and slowly began to relax.
“So tell me about this grandfather.” Mr. Goldhirsh had taken the lead, and threw the words over his shoulder.
“It’s complex.”
“Most good stories are, and as it is just us up here, and I am of course the soul of discretion, whatever you say will not be passed on.”
Why not? She’d changed so much since coming here, what would it hurt to talk to Mr. Goldhirsh? His advice may even be helpful.
“My mother has always been under his control, which is part of the reason why my father left, so when we moved to live with him in Boston, he just carried on controlling her, and me. I finally rebelled, and he doesn’t like it, so he’s come here to collect me and take me back to Boston.”
“And you let him control you?”
“To my shame, yes I did.”
“What changed?”
She thought about that as they moved deeper into the trees. They formed a roof overhead for them to walk under, and the dappled sunlight was pretty.
“I enjoyed parts of the life for a while. I handled the performing, but I did get terrible nerves beforehand. But it was mainly the rest of it that I didn’t enjoy. The press, the hotels, the parties and insincere people.”
“They can’t have all been insincere.”
“No, there were a few good ones. Clark was good, but he was controlled too, by Grandfather.”
“What was the catalyst for change then, Bailey?”
“I had an accident, and suddenly felt the need to break free, and so I did. I told Grandfather I was leaving, and got in my car and drove away.”
“That can’t have been easy.”
“No, for many reasons, but the point is I like being in control now. I like working in the stables, because I do so by choice. He can’t accept that.”
“Then you need to make him accept that.”
Bailey grabbed a tree as they passed and stripped a few leaves. Crushing them, she inhaled the lovely earthy scent.
“I tried just then. He’s staying in Ryker until I’m ready to see reason.”
“He can’t kidnap you, Bailey. You don’t want to go, you don’t go.”
“You make it sound simple.”
“No, it’s not simple, but you need to find the strength that helped you walk away, to make him believe you when you say no.”
“I know it sounds weak when compared to what you have suffered. What so many have suffered, but at the time I just couldn’t seem to find a way out of my life.” Which pretty much summed up the person Bailey had been.
“Not weak, no. You could never be that, Bailey. You saved Jack, and helped Joe bring in Elijah, and then there’s this business with the fire in the stable.”
“Have you heard any word, Mr. Goldhirsh?”
“Chief Blake said they are trying to find Joe’s father, because they believe he may be involved. He could not say much, but suspects both incidents on the Trainer land are connected and could be related to him. As for Elijah, they are unsure, but it’s a terrible time for his wife and children. The community will fully support them of course, but their suffering will be great, I fear.”
They walked in silence for a while, just the sound of their footsteps and nature around them. Bailey let thoughts come as she followed Mr. Goldhirsh. She wanted to stay in Ryker, and she loved Joe. How did he feel about her? They had so much to talk about before either of them could move forward. For now, she had to deal with her grandfather. Once that was done, she could deal with Joe.
They walked for a while, and then Mr. Goldhirsh declared it was time to sit and eat. They found a spot that offered a wonderful view of the twins.
“So, you and Aunt Jess,” Bailey said as she took the cookie he handed her.
“She’s a wonderful woman, Bailey. We both love poetry, and many other things.”
“Is she an exercise fanatic too?”
“No, in that we differ, but that is a good thing also.”
She wasn’t sure how long they sat there talking, but had to admit she enjoyed the solitude and company. They discussed music, and books, and then started on politics—on which they agreed to disagree.
“Well, my dear, we have been gone some time now. Are you ready to go back?”
“I am, and thank you, Mr. Goldhirsh. My head feels a great deal clearer for the talk, and exercise.”
“Anytime. Sometimes a few hours away offers clarity.”
They cut down through Joe’s land, and as they reached the main house, Bailey noticed a lot of cars.
“I wonder what’s going on in there.”
“I’m not sure. Shall we go and investigate, Bailey?”
“Oh... well I don’t think so, as we’re not invited.”
“They may have news, Bailey. We should really go and see.”
She followed him as he headed up the front steps. Was Joe there? Her heart beat a little faster at the prospect of seeing him again.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Joe hadn’t wanted Bailey to deal with her grandfather on her own, and neither had Clark, who surprisingly had turned out to be all right. But he hadn’t been able to stop her, and understood she had to deal with this her own way. But it was a hell of worry knowing she was with that old bastard.
Joe had hit on the party to keep his mind occupied, and he’d rung his family and friends, told them it was Bailey’s birthday, and everyone had got busy. It was Mr. Goldhirsh who’d saved the day by calling and telling Joe he was taking her hiking. They’d had three hours to put a party together.
They had cake, balloons, and presents, because Piper had told him Bailey had never had a proper party, which to Joe’s mind was just another reason to go to the lodge and give that asshole grandfather of hers a piece of his mind.
“Just got a call from Lenny up the lodge,” Luke said tying off the end of a balloon. “Said Bailey went at it with Mary Howard again, told her, in his words, that she’d better keep her mouth shut or Bailey would make her sorry. He then said if you didn’t want her, he’d be keen to step in.”
“I told her to stay away from that woman.”
“Seems she’s defending you, brother, maybe you should let her.”
Maybe he should, Joe thought getting that warm feeling all over again. If she was defending him did that mean she cared for him like he cared for her?
“Tell Lenny, I’ll break both his legs if he goes near her.”
“She’s coming!” Maggie came back into the room at a sprint. She’d been lookout.
Shelving his thoughts for now, Joe moved to stand beside the door.
They all listened as Mr. Goldhirsh told Bailey that everyone must be out back. He then entered the room, with Bailey on his heels.
“Surprise!”
Her mouth fell open, and she looked stunned, her eyes moving around the room fast. They settled on Joe, who was closest. At his side sat Buzz, with a big red bow around his neck.
“I d-don’t understand.”
“It’s your birthday party, Bailey. We’re celebrating.”
She bit her lip, then sniffed, and he knew tears were next.
“Clark has a big mouth,” Joe said, moving to stand before her. He took her into his arms and held her close.
“Happy birthday, baby.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Her fingers went to Buzz’s head. The dog moved closer and rested against her legs.
The animal always had the knack of knowing when a person needed his support; it was one of the things Joe loved most about him.
“Go with thank you, that usually works.”
She let him hold her while she sniffed and cried. When she lifted her head off his chest, she was smiling.
“I’m having a birthday party?” Her hair was coming down, and her face still had a smudge of dirt, but she looked pretty damn good from where he was standing.
“Yup, and you have presents to open, so get to it.” He nudged her forward. She was then hugged and kissed, and the smile grew wider as she saw the balloons and cake.
“It’s a Mickey cake!” Bailey hurried to the table. “How did you get that so quickly?”
“Piper went to Tait’s bakery, and they had that cake in the window. It was for someone else, so she bribed Mr. Tait, and he caved. So some six-year-old is going without, but don’t feel bad,” Joe said.
“My chest hurts,” Luke said softly to Joe. “I’m thinking we need to pay her granddaddy a call and mess him up a bit, if this is the first special birthday cake she’s had in her lifetime.”
“He’s old, unfortunately, but we can serve him up a few nice words,” Joe said, feeling the same pain in his chest as he watched Bailey inspect the cake and balloons.
“Thank you,” she said, still smiling. “It’s really lovely of you all to do this for me, and I know Maggs and Piper heard my drunk ramblings about Mickey cakes, and balloons, so thanks to them also. Twenty-eight is possibly too old for this.”
Everyone said no, it wasn’t.
“Now open the presents.” Jack nudged her to a pile on the end of the table.
“Has she really never had a birthday party?”
Joe shook his head at Aunt Jess’s words.
“Some parents don’t deserve kids.”
“To be fair, we didn’t have parties until you came along, and by then we were teenagers.”
“But we made up for lost time, didn’t we, Joe?”
He kissed her cheek. “We sure did.”
She’d seen to it the Trainer boys were spoiled every birthday and Christmas from the day she entered their lives, even if they were living away from home.
“Clark bought me a cell phone!” Bailey held up a box.
Joe didn’t get the usual bite of jealousy as she climbed to her toes and kissed the man’s cheek.
“I’m putting my hand up not to be the one to teach her,” Joe drawled. “If she is only just mastering technology now, it’ll need to be someone patient, and seeing as you bought it for her, Munro, you’re it.”
They shared a look, and the man nodded. Understanding, Joe thought. They each knew where the other stood now, and that they were united in making sure Bailey never got hurt again.
She got artwork from Maggs, and a shirt from Pip. His brothers bought her smelly stuff that there was no way in hell they’d picked, but Bailey didn’t need to know that.
“I’m going to show you my present before we eat.” Joe took Bailey’s hand and led her from the house.
“Where is it?”
“You’ll see.”
“I’m not sure how it came out that it was my birthday, or why I got a party, but thank you.” She was still smiling.
“You needed cheering up.”
She sighed, and Joe wished he’d kept the words to himself. “I went for a walk with Mr. Goldhirsh, and that helped sort things in my head. He was at the lodge when I left grandfather there.”
“Hmm,” Joe said, heading toward the stables.
“Wait.” She stopped. “He was part of the setup, wasn’t he. That call... it was to you?”
“Smart girl.”
“Ha” was all she said as they resumed walking.
The stables were cool as he led them down the middle between the stalls. Reaching the last on the right, he opened it and walked in.
“Happy birthday, Bailey.”
She was silver, and one of the prettiest mares Joe had ever seen, with long eyelashes, and a white stripe down her forehead.
“I-I don’t understand?” Bailey looked at him.
“This is your birthday present from me.”
She looked at him, then the horse, then back to him.
“You c-can’t buy me a horse.”
“I didn’t. It’s a friend’s. His wife can’t ride her anymore, and he needs someone who can. He gave her to me, and I’m giving it to you.”
She turned to look at the mare, who wanted attention and moved to where Bailey stood, still as a statue. Nudging her in the belly, she pushed her back several steps.
“She’s demanding, and will need plenty of attention, but I think you’ve got the time to see she gets it.”
“B-but what if I leave?” The words were whispered.
“She can come with you, or be delivered there when you’re settled.” Joe didn’t want to think about her leaving. In fact, now he gave it some thought, he was going to make sure she didn’t.
The horse moved forward again, and breathed into Bailey’s hair.
“She likes you.”
“Joe....”
“She’s yours, Bailey. I want you to have her.”
Her arms came around the silver neck, and she buried her head in the mare’s neck and held on.
“You crying again? Because that’s getting old.”
She shook her head. “What’s her name?”
“Lucille.” He moved in behind her.
“No way.”
“Truth. But I’m sure she won’t mind if you change it.”
“No, but maybe we can abbreviate it to Lucy.”
“Nice.”
“You’re not lying to me are you, Joe? I mean about her being given to you?”
“No.” He fought back the guilt. This was the right thing to do, and he’d come across the mare two weeks ago in the next town over. He’d thought she should be Bailey’s, and today he’d made it happen. Luke had gone and got her while Joe had collected the rest of the stuff they needed. “There’s a whole heap of tack with her too. Saddle, bridle, and stuff.”
“No way, really? It sounds almost too good to be true.”
He prayed she didn’t find out the truth until she was ready to hear it. It was just money to Joe, but he knew Bailey wouldn’t see it that way.
“No money changed hands?”
“Why? You think I’m going to demand sex or something?”
“I just don’t understand why someone would give you a horse, Joe. Not one like her.”
“I knew about her a few weeks ago, and always thought she’d be perfect for you.” At least that wasn’t a lie.
“She’s so beautiful, Joe.”
He stepped closer to her, crowding her body.
“You’re beautiful. Do you forgive me yet?”
“For what?”
“Everything. The not writing, not coming to see you after the concert.”
She rested on his chest. Her head turned to look at the mare. “Yes, and it all seems pathetic now, doesn’t it? Our arguments, the recriminations about the past, especially with what’s happening around us.”
“It does.” Joe kissed the top of her head.
“Is she really mine, Joe?”
“She’s a gift, Bailey. Pure and simple, no strings attached. A gift for everything you were to me, and still are. Don’t complicate it, accept it for what it is.”
“She’s the most beautiful present I have ever had, Joe. Thank you.”
She lifted her head and kissed him, and he felt it again, the total capitulat
ion. He loved this woman, madly, deeply. It was simply stronger and deeper, this love they’d always had. At that moment he gave in completely. She was a part of him, and always would be.
She looked up at him. “I wish I could go riding with you now, Joe.”
His eyes crossed.
“Not that kind of riding—although….” She gave him a cheeky smile. A smile that a few weeks ago would never have been in her arsenal.
“Later. Right now, Aunt Jess will be serving up food, and if we don’t hurry, Luke, Fin, and Jack will eat it all.”
She kissed him again, and then the mare. “Thank you.”
Bailey was pretty sure she’d never had a better day than this one. She’d eaten her Mickey cake, which granted was silly, but she’d loved it. She sat with her friends, people who not long ago she had not even known, and laughed, sang, and when Maggie told Luke he was dancing with her, she did that too. Buzz ate cake, and anything that fell on the floor, and wore his red bow all day.
She had a horse. Looking to where Joe was dancing his aunt around, she wondered if he realized just how much he now meant to her. Sure he always had, but this... this was so much more. She’d put the past aside today, and walked into the future, and she hoped that was with him... wanted it desperately to be so.
“Bailey.” She turned as Clark called her name, and behind him was her grandfather. “I’m sorry, I went to answer the door and he was there. Apparently someone directed him here.”
“You must be Leonard Southby?” Mr. Goldhirsh came forward before Bailey could react. He stuck out his hand, and her grandfather took it. He was nothing if not polite.
“I am. Bailey’s grandfather.” His eyes went to her. “I’m here to take her home.”
“She’s not going home.”
“I beg your pardon?” He dragged his eyes from her and looked down at Mr. Goldhirsh.
“She has no wish to go with you, and likes it here. Perhaps it’s time you came to that realization, and actually paid attention to her wishes instead of your own.”
Her grandfather’s eyebrows drew together in a fierce frown. Usually this was a warning sign to back off; not for Mr. Goldhirsh, however. Bailey should really intervene.
“You have no business telling me what is best for my granddaughter, sir. Nor will I conduct such a private conversation in a public setting.”
