by Janet Gover
He pushed back from the arena rail where he had been leaning and headed to his campsite. As he approached, the horse in the yard beside his float turned to look at him.
‘Well, Deimos. What do you think?’ Mitch stroked the animal’s neck. ‘Do you think we can do this one more time?’
The horse’s only answer was to nuzzle into his chest.
Mitch reached for his saddle. It was foolish to believe he and Deimos had any chance of making the final round. No-one entered a competition like this on a horse they barely knew. The stewards had certainly raised eyebrows when he’d suggested it. They understood that Liz would not be competing, but for Mitch to substitute Deimos for his own horse in the open competition was, they said, unprecedented. But, after putting their collective heads together for a good fifteen minutes, they’d decided that, foolish as it was, it wasn’t against the rules. If he wanted to virtually throw away his chances of winning, it was his choice to make.
Against all odds, he and Deimos had done all right so far. They’d been lucky in the order of his events. The first event was shoeing, which was all about him and did not rely on Deimos to work with him at all. That had given Mitch a little time before the next event to ride the horse in the exercise ring and for them to come to a better understanding of each other. As a second event, the whip crack had also been perfect. It was literally a test of Mitch’s skill with a whip. Pretty much all the horse had to do was behave himself. Deimos knew enough about whips to do that. He’d stood rock still as required for the first part of the event, then answered obediently as Mitch had sent him trotting and cantering around the ring, the whip snapping back and forth, filling the arena with its gunshot cracks. Mitch hadn’t asked too much of Deimos, and he hadn’t been let down. They would not have the highest score in the event, but nor would they have the lowest. And for Mitch, the most important thing was that he show Deimos to good advantage. He wasn’t going to win, but he was determined that some good would come of this for Liz.
It was beginning to look like his gamble was paying off. This morning Deimos had performed beautifully in both the bareback obstacle course and the stock handling. That was far more a tribute to Liz than it was to Mitch. She’d always been a good trainer and she’d trained this horse exceptionally well. The cross-country event Mitch and Deimos were now facing was by far the toughest event of the competition. A two-kilometre course with twenty jumps, mostly fallen trees and solid logs. Those jumps were unforgiving if either horse or rider made an error, and competitors had been known to suffer serious injury. But it was also the most important event for Deimos. His reputation could be made—or broken—on this event alone.
‘I’ll do the best I can for you,’ Mitch told the colt as he tightened the saddle girth. ‘And we have to both do our best for Liz. Got it?’
He led the horse out of the yard, swung himself into the saddle and rode to the cross-country side of the grounds. In the warm-up area, he put Deimos into a trot, followed by a gentle canter, and then turned him towards the practice jump. The horse pricked his ears and lengthened his stride to soar over the jump, clearing it easily. He landed, ducked his head and put in a joyful high kick then humped his back in a half-hearted attempt to dislodge his rider.
‘Well, well.’ Mitch pulled him to a trot and stroked his neck. ‘You like this jumping business, don’t you? Shall we try that again without the bucking?’
Deimos took the jump just as easily the second time, and settled down afterwards to a neat and controlled canter around the arena. As Mitch pulled him to a walk, another competitor drew alongside.
‘That’s a nice colt,’ he said. ‘He’s young?’
‘Yeah. A novice. But I think he’ll go well.’
‘I think so too. He’s yours?’
‘No. He’s a Willowbrook horse.’
‘Ah.’ The man nodded in recognition. ‘That old stallion was a fine animal. It’s a shame I left it too late to send a mare to him.’
‘This is his offspring,’ Mitch said. ‘He’s standing his first season this year. It’s a chance to get in early while the fee is cheap. In a couple more years, I think he’ll be pulling pretty high fees.’
The man ran an experienced eye over Deimos. ‘Worth thinking about.’
The cross-country steward waved Mitch forward.
‘Good luck,’ his companion said. ‘I’ll be watching.’
As he rode to the starting line, Mitch hoped he’d done the right thing, promoting Deimos like that. He wasn’t entirely sure Liz would stand him at stud, but it was too late now to worry about that. He had more important things on his mind.
He glanced at the sloping ground ahead of him. The course was already visible, the grass flattened by riders walking it and by the first horses to compete. From here he couldn’t see the place where he had found Liz lying unconscious. The steward shouted a warning and Mitch put Deimos into a canter, circling, waiting for the buzzer to sound.
Then he launched across the starting line at a gallop, and there was nothing else in the world but the course, the horse and his desire to help Liz.
CHAPTER
66
Kayla was carrying a cardboard box when she appeared in Liz’s hospital room.
‘They’ve taken the splint off.’
‘Yes.’ Liz stretched her leg. ‘There’s a good chance I can get out of here today.’
‘That’s good.’
‘How is everything at home? Did you feed—’
‘Everything is fine.’
‘You checked the water in the yards like I told you?’
‘Liz. I do know what I’m doing around horses too, you know.’
Liz caught her bottom lip between her teeth to hold back the words she’d been about to say. ‘I know, but it’s been a while for you.’
‘Not that long. I looked after the place just fine when you took Deimos to Coonabarabran. In fact, I even went for a ride that weekend.’
‘You did what? Who did you ride?’
‘Zeke. We’re old friends.’
‘But—’ Again Liz caught her words. Kayla wasn’t a kid needing her protection and direction any more. If they were going to mend things between them, she had to remember that. She should also remember all the times they’d ridden together as kids. All the fun they’d had.
‘How was it?’
‘I ached all over the next day.’
‘You’re out of practice. Maybe we could ride together when I get out of here.’
‘I’d like that.’
Small steps, but in the right direction. ‘What’s in the box?’
Without answering, Kayla put the box on the bed and opened it. Inside, Liz saw bits of broken china; the remains of the horse Kayla had given their father all those years ago.
‘I’m really sorry that got broken.’
‘Just because something is broken doesn’t mean it can’t be fixed. If we try hard enough.’
She was not talking about the horse.
Liz started taking bits of china out of the box and laying them out on her overbed table. There were a lot of them. ‘You’re doing this just to get back at me for boarding school, aren’t you?’
Kayla picked up another broken piece of china. ‘Maybe just a little.’
Liz lay against the hospital pillows.
‘So, you’re giving up.’
‘Not on your life.’ She pushed herself into a sitting position and surveyed the table. The pieces of broken china were starting to form the shape of a horse. The largest pieces were ready to be glued together, although the cracks would always be visible. Liz picked up a tiny piece of china. ‘I think this might be an ear.’
Kayla pulled a bottle of glue out of the box and sat on the edge of the bed. ‘Let’s get started.’
‘It’ll never be quite the same again,’ Liz pointed out.
‘That’s all right. Nothing ever is. Besides, I had to find a way to amuse you while you were here. Otherwise you’d have driven me and the nurses crazy.’
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‘I’m not so sure she hasn’t.’ One of the nurses appeared in the doorway. ‘But this should make you feel a whole lot better.’ She waved the paper she was carrying.
‘I can go home?’
‘Yes, you can.’
Liz almost jumped out of bed.
The nurse laughed. ‘Not so fast. It’s going to take a while to process the paperwork. But let’s start by removing your cannula.’
Liz barely felt the needle being pulled from her skin. Her thoughts were already far from the hospital room where she’d spent the last three days.
The discharge paperwork moved at a snail’s pace, and all the while, Liz sat dressed, ready to leave and fuming, on the edge of the bed. Even the horse project wasn’t enough to distract her.
As soon as they were given the go-ahead, the sisters hurried to the car park and Kayla’s little red car.
‘It’s not very big,’ Liz said as she got in. ‘It wouldn’t be much use up here. Not much room for gear.’
‘Well, it’s a good thing I don’t need it for that.’
‘Anyway, I hope it’s fast.’
‘Oh, it’s fast.’
Kayla drove steadily out of the hospital car park and through the suburban streets. Liz’s impatience grew as they wended their way past the lines of motels and service stations. But as soon as they reached the highway, Kayla put her foot down and the little red sports car surged forward like a racehorse. The kilometres began to flash by.
‘You’re driving pretty fast,’ Liz muttered.
‘And you’re complaining a lot,’ Kayla said, ‘but I forgive you.’
They both laughed and Liz was almost overawed by the wonder of it. After so many years of anger and blame, of recriminations and separation, she and Kayla were slipping back into their old relationship. It wasn’t quite that easy, and she was sure there were disagreements aplenty ahead of them, but it felt good. As the paddocks and small towns slipped past, Liz vowed she wouldn’t let anything come between her and Kayla ever again.
She tried hard not to think about the years she’d lost. Kayla was right—she was not to blame for the crash that killed their parents. Yes, her family were following her and Mitch, but the accident wasn’t their fault. If blame was to be laid, there were others who should claim a share. Perhaps even her father, for driving too fast. But when it came down to it, the crash was just a horrible accident. It had taken her a long time to accept that. She could only hope it wasn’t too long.
She had half expected Mitch to come to see her in the hospital, but realistically, she knew he wouldn’t. He had a competition that was important to his business. Not only that, he’d promised Kayla he would care for Liz’s horses. And he would, that was the sort of man he was. Even so, he could have found time to visit her but she’d clearly driven him away too hard, too far and too many times.
I’ve had enough.
She wouldn’t listen to that voice deep inside her that told her it was too late and she had lost him. She hadn’t heeded the doubts that had plagued her as she wrestled to preserve her father’s legacy, and she wouldn’t let fear stop her from saving something that meant so much more than Willowbrook.
If only Mitch still felt the same. She pushed away the image of him kissing the cheek of the blonde woman. That kiss meant nothing more than friendship. It had to be that, because anything else was too heartbreaking to even consider.
She felt Kayla start to slow down, and a sign flashed past. They were in Murrurundi.
Kayla parked the car under a tree just up the road from the horse arena, and they got out. Liz was limping a bit, but she had no time to notice any pain in her leg. She didn’t even think about going to check her campsite. The horses could manage without her for a bit longer. All she needed now was Mitch.
‘Hey, Liz. Good to see you’re okay.’
She raised a hand in acknowledgement each time someone greeted her, but she didn’t stop. There was a lot of noise coming from the main arena. Maybe that’s where Mitch would be.
She froze in her tracks when she saw him. He was leaning on a rail near the ring entrance, talking earnestly to another competitor. Her heart contracted in the strangest way and she felt as if she was seeing him clearly for the first time in years. Maybe she was.
This was Mitch, who she had loved since she was twelve years old. Mitch, with whom she had shared all the joys of childhood. With whom she had learned how to ride and train a horse; learned how to grow up and be more than she was. She had only ever kissed one man and that was Mitch. She had never wanted to be with any other man, and she knew now that she never would.
‘Ladies and gentlemen, the awards will now be presented to the top scorers in the Stockman’s Challenge individual events.’
Liz jumped as a speaker near her screeched into life.
‘After the presentation, the finalists will go head to head. There’s great action ahead this afternoon but right now, I’d like to call all competitors into the ring. Ladies and gentlemen, would you put your hands together please and give a big Hunter Valley welcome to the competitors in the Challenge Parade!’
Mitch had mounted the horse that had been standing behind him. Liz couldn’t see him clearly as the horses and riders milled around, but then the gate swung open and one by one the riders entered the arena. They pushed their horses into a canter for their circuit. All around Liz, people were cheering for their favourites, but she didn’t make a sound, or move her eyes from the gate.
Then she saw him.
A tall, dark brown horse walked through the gate and Mitch touched his hat to the steward as he sent the horse cantering around the track. Liz had always loved watching Mitch ride. His lean body was always so controlled and strong, while his hands on the reins were gentle. And his handsome face was always a mixture of joy and concentration. Liz’s father had been one of the great horsemen of his generation, and as she watched Mitch circle the arena with the other competitors, Liz knew that he was too.
But he was so much more than that to her.
Someone tapped her on the shoulder, dragging her attention away from the arena. It was the man who’d been talking to Mitch.
‘Liz, great to see you. As I was just telling Mitch, I’ve been watching that colt of yours over the last couple of days. I’m very impressed. I’d like to talk to you about sending a couple of mares to him this season.’
What was the man talking about? She didn’t know and she didn’t care. ‘Sure,’ she said. Whatever it took to make him leave her alone.
‘Great. I’ll be in touch. Good to see you out of hospital. Lucky escape, that.’
Liz wished the man would go away.
‘Right then. Catch you later,’ he said.
At last he was gone and she turned back to the ring, where prize ribbons were being presented. As she searched for Mitch in the line-up, the man’s words came back to her. What did he mean, he’d been watching Deimos?
The speaker above her head crackled. ‘And second place in the bareback obstacle course, Mitch Saunders riding Willowbrook Deimos.’
Liz blinked. What had the announcer said? It was only then that she actually looked at the horse Mitch was riding.
Deimos.
The award ceremony seemed to take forever, and Liz was practically hopping up and down on the spot when the riders finally set out on their victory lap. She was leaning over the rail when Mitch looked up and his eyes met hers. His face lit up, and Liz knew everything she needed to.
She pushed her way through the crowd milling around the arena gates. She could see Mitch, but he’d lost her in the melee. He looked around until, once again, their eyes locked.
All the noise and bustle of the place faded. Subconsciously, Liz did something she hadn’t done in a very long time: ran her fingers through her hair to tidy it up. She wished she was wearing something other than the T-shirt and jeans Kayla had brought to the hospital to replace the torn and blood-spattered clothes she’d been wearing when she was admitted.
> Somehow, the crowd parted and Liz took the last few steps to stand close to Mitch. She looked up into his face and suddenly didn’t know what to say.
‘I thought I had lost you.’ His voice was so soft she hardly heard it break on the words. ‘I couldn’t bear it if—’
‘Never.’ She reached up to touch his cheek. ‘Oh, Mitch, what did I do? I am so sorry. All these lost years. Can you ever forgive me?’
‘How can I not?’
She was in his arms and he crushed her to his chest, speaking words she could barely hear. But she didn’t have to, she could feel his love envelop her like a warm woollen blanket on a frosty morning. His lips brushed the top of her hair and she raised her face to his, and then he was kissing her lips. The years and the pain and anger dropped away and she was eighteen again, making a promise that—this time—she would keep.
A loud wolf whistle echoed around them, and Liz gently pushed Mitch away.
‘There’s so much I need to say, Mitch. But most of all I need to say I am sorry. I was wrong to do what I did. When Mum and Dad died, you lost people you loved too. You shouldn’t have had to lose your wife as well. I should have known you were hurting. But I couldn’t see past my own feelings.’
‘You lost your parents, Liz. No matter how much I loved you, I knew I couldn’t make up for that terrible loss. And it was my fault. If I hadn’t suggested we run away and get married—’
‘Stop.’ She put her fingertips over his mouth. ‘There’s been enough blame and guilt. It has to stop now.’
Activity surged suddenly around them as the announcer called the start of the next event.
‘Come on, Mitch.’ Someone slapped him on the back. ‘I’m going to beat you this time.’
‘You haven’t got a chance,’ Liz said. ‘Mitch and Deimos have got this one all sewn up.’
CHAPTER
67
Willowbrook was dressed for a wedding. Fairy lights decorated the garden and the bower was filled with tulips of every shade imaginable, red and yellow and white and pink. They had delicate petals, lacy edges and deep green leaves.
