Chapter 10
“Excuse me, Mr. Stafford.” Jessica had seen Ian Stafford walking back to the stable after turning one of Michael’s horses out in a nearby pasture. She had searched the stable in vain for Michael, and didn’t see him anywhere. As a last resort, she had walked outside to see if he was bringing a horse in from the pasture when she saw Ian slowly walking back to the barn.
“Call me Ian, please, Miss Warren,” Ian responded. “What can I help you with?”
“I’m looking for Michael. Have you seen him? And please, if I am to call you Ian, you must call me Jessica,” She responded with a hesitant smile. “I hope we can be comfortable around each other, especially since we’ll be living in such close quarters for several weeks.”
“All right, Jessica.” Ian returned Jessica’s smile. “I haven’t seen Michael recently. He may have gone into town on an errand. I see his car is gone. I’m sure he’ll return soon. Is there anything I can help you with?”
Jessica tried not to appear too surprised by Ian’s loquaciousness. He had literally spoken less than five words to her in the week she and Liz had been living in Michael’s home. “I don’t think so. Now that Liz and I have arrived, and Tempest has arrived and settled in, I’d like to establish a training schedule with Michael so that we can start working with Tempest.”
As if on cue, upon hearing his name mentioned, the stallion raised his head above his stall door and nickered to Jessica from down the aisle. His bright eyes revealed an intelligence that might have intimidated a less experienced rider, but Jessica was looking forward to her sessions with Tempest. With Liz helping her, Jessica had no doubt she could ride Tempest effectively.
In response to Tempest’s greeting, Jessica and Ian walked down the aisle to stand in front of Tempest’s stall. Jessica reached over to the stallion, allowed him to sniff her hand, then she reached over the stall door to stroke the stallion’s powerfully arched neck. The stallion nickered his approval, and practically preened in pleasure at the attention. Jessica laughed.
Ian couldn’t help but envy the stallion the attention Jessica was giving him. She was, after all, a very attractive woman, but in his position, a relationship with anyone would be ill advised. Still, he felt compelled to join Jessica and engage with Tempest. “So, you’re a ladies’ man, are you? And spoiled too, I imagine.” His words were stern, but Ian was smiling. It was the first time in days that Jessica had seen Ian smile. The smile transformed his usually stern countenance to devastating effect, and Jessica could see why all Michael’s female employees were half in love with Ian. He was incredibly handsome, as was Michael. But in contrast with Michael’s dark good looks, Ian was blond, slightly shorter than Michael, and built like she would expect a military man to be—all muscle, and hard, steely strength. On their first day at Michael’s training yard, Michael had set Jessica and Liz down and told them Ian’s story. Later that day when they were introduced to Ian and had an opportunity to see him in person, the women found themselves easily believing he was innocent of the charges against him. Although reserved and solitary, Ian did not impress either of the women as being a danger to them, and they immediately accepted him as an integral part of the household.
“Do you have any idea where Michael went?” Jessica asked.
“He may have gone into town to meet with my solicitor. My movements are limited because of the ankle bracelet, but Michael can move more freely. He’s trying to monitor the progress of the investigation into what happened the night of the bar fight. We’re hoping he can find the woman who witnessed the whole thing, and convince her to talk to the police.”
“I hope they find her soon, Ian.” Jessica knew the uncertainty was taking a toll on Ian. A light sleeper, Jessica frequently heard Ian walking around the house late at night, unable to sleep. Other nights, he suffered from terrible nightmares. The first few nights after they arrived, she and Liz heard him calling out in his sleep. Usually he would call out to his friend Neil to stay down, or to stay with him hoping he wouldn’t die after being shot. The experience was frightening even when Michael explained what was happening. Ian was always apologetic the next morning, and they knew he couldn’t help what was happening to him, but the idea of Ian suffering without relief took an emotional toll on all of them.
“At least the National Health Service provides me with counseling. It does seem to help a bit. I’m actually doing a lot better than I was when I first arrived home from Afghanistan. Those first few months were a constant nightmare. I’m ashamed to say that I ended up relying on alcohol to numb the pain and relieve the nightmares. Unfortunately, the alcohol caused more problems than it solved. My parents couldn’t live with me, and in frustration foisted me off on Michael. I’m lucky he was willing to take me in. Now this.”
Neither Ian nor Jessica noticed that Michael had arrived and was walking down the aisle toward them. Michael clearly heard Ian’s description of his life immediately after his return from Afghanistan, and gave Ian credit for keeping the worst of his experiences to himself. Jessica didn’t have to hear every detail of Ian’s struggle with PTSD, which was still a long way from resolution. Michael also found himself not liking how close Ian was standing to Jessica, enjoying her company and making her laugh. He wondered why he was feeling that way. What did it matter to him if Ian and Jessica were attracted to each other? Then it came to him. Obviously, it was because Ian was in no shape to involve himself in a relationship. His life was too chaotic, with too many loose ends. It wouldn’t be wise for any woman to get involved with him right now. Yes, that had to be it.
“Actually, you showed up at just the right time, little brother.” Startled by the interruption, Jessica and Ian spun around to find Michael approaching from the parking lot. “I needed more barn help, and your arrival meant I didn’t have to hire someone. You’re a hard worker, you’re great with the horses, and I love the free help.” Tempest saw Michael’s arrival as an opportunity to get more attention, and nickered at him, nodding expectantly. “I see the two of you are entertaining our honored guest.” He reached over and rubbed Tempest’s forehead and the stallion leaned into the contact, relishing the new attention.
Jessica noticed with a tinge of envy how easily Michael and Tempest bonded. It was as if the two handsome, virile males felt an affinity with each other that she could never approach. “Michael, I’m glad you’re here,” Jessica said, unable to keep a note of annoyance out of her voice. “I’d like to set up a training schedule with you so that we can start working with Tempest as soon as possible.”
“Certainly, Jessica. I’m happy to do that,” Michael replied. He had noted Jessica’s rather stiff and reserved demeanor towards him and wondered what he had done to trigger her annoyance. “I’m anxious to get started as well.”
Tempest, as if sensing the conversation was about him, pawed the ground at his stall door, exhibiting his impatience to be doing something other than standing in his stall.
“I thought we could alternate days, with me riding Tempest Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and you riding him Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. We could all have Sunday as a rest day. Since tomorrow is Monday, I’d like to begin our schedule then. Does that meet with your approval?”
“That sounds fine with me,” Jessica replied. “I’ll go tell Liz. I believe she’s in the house calling home. Do you mind if I watch you ride?”
Michael thought a minute before answering. He was flattered that Jessica was interested in watching his rides with Tempest, but she was also the competition, and she might gain insights from watching him ride that she wouldn’t gain on her own if he barred her from his training sessions. Ultimately, though, his ego won out. He actually was looking forward to having Jessica see how well he could ride Tempest. She might even ask him to help her. “Sure,” he said. “I don’t mind at all if you want to watch. I think Tempest likes an audience. He seemed to up his performance level when I was riding him at Mendelssohn’s farm in Germany as soon as he noticed that you, Liz and Ms. McMillan had arrived.”
Jessica smiled at the recollection, her annoyance disappearing. “I noticed that, too. A typical male response, if you ask me. Showing off for the ladies.” Jessica teased Michael.
“I refuse to dignify that comment with an answer,” Michael shot back with a smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning, bright and early.”
“It’s a date,” Jessica responded, then paused. She really didn’t mean “date” date. It was just a figure of speech, right? She looked over at Michael to see how he had taken her response, but he was already walking back out of the barn.
Ian, however, looked at Jessica and winked. He had noticed the way Michael and Jessica had been looking at each other when they thought the other wasn’t watching. There was definitely an attraction there. Good for Michael, he thought to himself. He deserves some happiness in his life. He bid Jessica goodbye and followed Michael out of the stable.
“Hey, Mike. Wait up.” Ian jogged a few strides to catch up with Michael. “What did Rogers have to say?”
Michael sighed. “He didn’t have much to report. His investigator is still looking for the woman, but he hasn’t gotten any solid leads yet. He’s hopeful, though. The description you gave him is detailed enough that the investigator can get a sketch artist to make a likeness he can show to locals. He senses some of them are afraid of the thugs that framed you, and that’s what’s slowing his investigation. He’s hoping to find someone who’s courageous enough to give him the information he wants. He has a hunch the woman was either a current girlfriend or ex-girlfriend of one of the men that tried to assault her at the pub. They were trying to intimidate her for some reason when you got in the way.”
“Bastards,” Ian spat. “I could tell she knew them, and that she was scared to death of them. There’s no telling what they would have done to her if I hadn’t intervened. Even knowing what I do now, I would still have done it. No one deserves to be treated like that. I might have even saved her life.”
“It’s understandable that she’s afraid to show herself. She’s probably somewhere in hiding. She may not even know that you’ve been arrested and are being tried for manslaughter. Our only hope is that she has relatives in the town that, once they find out, can get word to her so she can help you. She must feel gratitude for what you did for her.”
“When I last saw her, she was terrified, not grateful. Those men must have a powerful hold on her to make her that afraid. I’m not counting on feelings of gratitude alone to make her forget whatever it is that she’s scared of.”
“Rest assured, we’re doing everything we can to find her. Don’t give up hope, man. This will work out.” Michael tried to sound reassuring, but he knew the odds were against them. He suspected Ian realized that, too, but Michael refused to allow Ian to see him have any doubt this would all work out. It had to.
~ ~ ~
Jessica went into the manor house to find Liz and tell her what the training schedule for Tempest would be. She ran into her coming down from their rooms. “Liz, hi. Michael and I have talked, and we’ve worked out a training schedule for Tempest.”
Liz looked distressed, and had trouble meeting Jessica’s eyes. “That’s great, Jess, but there’s something I have to tell you.”
“What’s wrong, Liz? You look upset.”
“I just got off the phone with my attorney, then called Amy and Cindy,” Liz said. “Rick has filed in court for full custody of Amy saying that I’m not a fit mother because I’ve left her with Cindy for two months while we’re training Tempest.”
“No, Liz!” Jess exclaimed. “He can’t win, can he?”
“My lawyer thinks he has a chance, unless I can get home as soon as possible, and stay home indefinitely. I’m so sorry, Jess. There is hope, though. If you’re game, I might be able to train you remotely, using video and direct wireless feed. The only problem will be that Michael will have to help us, and I’m not sure he will be motivated to do that.”
Michael had just entered the house and caught the last part of Jessica and Liz’s conversation. The two women looked as though the world as they knew it had just ended. “Why the long faces, you two? What’s happened?”
Jessica sighed. “Liz has to go back to the States to defend a custody suit by her ex-husband. She won’t be able to train me and Tempest after all. Our only hope is training via video recording and possibly live stream, but we’ll need your help to do it.” Jessica couldn’t keep the look of deep disappointment from showing on her face.
“Hmm. ” Michael responded. This was certainly an interesting and positive development for his prospects with Tempest, so why wasn’t he happy? Isn’t this exactly what he wanted? Still, the idea of Jessica leaving the UK for good and returning to her life so far away in America didn’t please him at all. Not to mention that he was actually looking forward to their mini competition. Jessica was an excellent rider, and Liz a highly respected trainer. He might actually learn something during the next two months if the competition had gone on. “Have you contacted the USDF with this new information? Maybe they can send another trainer, or find a way for Liz to teach you remotely using digital video. You have heard of YouTube, right?”
Liz started to smile. While she had discussed this possibility with her sister earlier that day, she hadn’t been confident Michael would cooperate, and they needed his cooperation to pull a remote lesson schedule off. “Sure. I can do that.” She looked at Michael with a combination of curiosity and pleasure. “Michael, why are you doing this? We’ve practically handed you Tempest, and yet you’re helping us extend the competition.”
Michael smiled. “Let’s just say that I was looking forward to the competition. Plus, let’s face it, Mendelssohn didn’t seem all too keen on sponsoring me. He would prefer to sell. If you drop out of the competition, there’s a good chance that he might approach the USDF and have them send another rider/trainer combination that’s waiting in the wings to compete against me, and that would just delay the competition until they can get over here. I was under the impression that the sponsor buying the horse wasn’t buying it specifically for you, but for the US Equestrian Team.
“You’re absolutely right, Michael,” Liz said. “The USDF may very well simply send another rider and trainer to compete. Let’s put our heads together and see if we can find a way to do this without giving up, Jess.” Liz paused. “We’ve got all night. Let’s get to it.”
By the time the antique grandfather clock in Michael’s drawing room chimed midnight, the three had worked out a seemingly doable schedule wherein Michael, with agreement from Jessica, would assist Liz in monitoring Jessica’s progress directly, via phone and instant phone-linked video, and if more detailed instruction was required, via video recorded digitally and either emailed or posted to a private YouTube account only accessible to Liz, Jessica, and Michael. “I think this will work. Now, I’m going upstairs to bed. I need to get an early start to catch a plane tomorrow morning,” Liz smiled weakly at both Jessica and Michael and headed up the stairs. “Jess, are you coming?”
“I’ll be right up, Liz,” Jessica responded. “You go ahead. There’s something I want to talk to Michael about.”
“All right,” Liz replied, looking a bit puzzled, “Good night. Both of you.” She pointedly looked a Michael as if to warn him from taking advantage of Jessica in her semi-exhausted state, then disappeared above stairs.
Michael himself was puzzled as to the reason Jessica needed to speak with him alone. “What is it, Jessica?”
Jessica’s brilliant green eyes looked directly into Michael’s, with a serious, determined stare. “Why are you doing this, Michael? You had the opportunity to win this competition without any more effort than to spend some time riding Tempest until the two of you worked as one. Why are you giving me this chance?”
Michael returned Jessica’s gaze, immediately mesmerized by her beautiful eyes and the sincerity in them. They showed she wasn’t trying to hide her feelings or deceive him in any way. She just wanted a simple answer to a simple question. The problem was, could he give her one? Did he know the true reason why he had offered to help her, and why he couldn’t seem to let her go back home just yet? He fumbled a bit, but fell back on the excuse that he had given her and Liz earlier. “It was clear to me that Mendelssohn wasn’t interested in sponsoring me as long as there was a possibility that Tempest could be sold. The fact that the USDF has found a sponsor willing to spend the money to buy a horse for the USET means that if you were not able to take advantage of the opportunity, there would very well be someone else standing in the wings that could. Now that I’ve met you and Liz, I like you, and don’t want to go through this ‘competition’ with anyone else. Not to mention that if we had to start over again, the entire matter would be delayed, which wouldn’t help anyone in the long run. It just made sense.”
Jessica searched Michael’s face for any sign that he was prevaricating, but his willingness to meet her gaze without wavering showed he was sincere. He really wanted to do this, for her and Liz, yes, but also because he understood the competition they represented and felt comfortable with it. That part of his answer didn’t make her feel much better, but in some ways his answer comforted her. She could tell from this brief interaction that Michael wouldn’t withhold the truth from her if she were to ask for it, and that was important for their relationship going forward.
“Thank you, Michael. Both Liz and I are grateful that you’re willing to help.” To Michael’s surprise, Jessica stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him briefly on the cheek, then she smiled shyly, spun around, and darted up the stairs.
Michael touched the place where she had kissed him with the tips of his fingers and felt a bit of moisture and the vague imprint of Jessica’s lips as the memory of the kiss warmed him. He smiled to himself. This was going to be an interesting two months. At the same time, he found himself wondering why that prospect didn’t bother him in the least.