Chapter Seven
Brann
B rann leaned on the frame of his front door. Somewhere upstairs, Caitlin was shuffling about, hopefully getting ready for school. On the doorstep stood Kristalee talking – with her hands as much as her mouth like she always did. Rings and bracelets glinted in the early morning light as she gesticulated.
‘I’m not really used to getting up for work this early,’ she said with a yawn. A new job hadn’t subdued her unique dress sense. She’d always liked goth style but was also a fan of floral prints, making for a combination all her own. Her black eye pencilling and dark lippy, plus the shock of burgundy hair and thick Doc Martens, were somewhat at odds with her blue and white flowery dress. When they’d been together at school, she’d been black-haired with make-up to rival Alice Cooper; the new look was almost soft in comparison, but she still looked like a rockstar.
‘Listen.’ He glanced upstairs, then stepped outside and closed the door. His house was a semi in Rowan Way, a street that had long had a bad rap in Glenbriar. But he kept his place nice and, thanks to his building skills, it had a neat front porch and a conservatory at the back, which made it stand out from the others in the street. ‘We need to talk about Caitlin. Is everything ok with her?’
‘Aw man.’ Kristalee let out a sigh. ‘I really don’t know. She won’t talk to me. She says everything’s fine, but then she has these mystery illnesses and injuries.’
‘Has she mentioned horse riding to you?’
‘Yeah. But it’s not like we can afford that. No way are we getting a horse.’
‘I agree we shouldn’t just go out and get her a horse, but what if we try and get her riding lessons or something? She mentioned a farm where some of her friends go.’
‘Ross McPherson’s place?’
‘Do you know it?’
‘I know where it is, but I’ve never been there. It’s out in the sticks. You’d have to take her because I couldn’t walk her there and it’s not on a bus route.’
‘I wouldn’t mind that.’
‘Well, fine. Let’s see how much it costs. I’ve persuaded her to join a musical theatre club too. She likes singing and dancing.’
Brann nodded with a little grin. Both he and Kristalee enjoyed singing and dancing too, and could both play the guitar. It was what had brought them together at school. But that shared love had got them into all sorts of trouble, and the big ideas they’d had about starting a band had ended with a teenage pregnancy. Hopefully Caitlin had more sense. She’d definitely had more parental input than he or Kristalee ever had.
‘Let’s hope that works out. When is it?’
‘Tomorrow after school.’
‘I can pay for half. How much?’
‘I’ll message you. I can’t remember, but it’s not that expensive.’ She checked her phone. ‘I better go.’
Brann opened the door and Kristalee shouted upstairs. ‘See you later, Caitlin.’
‘Bye, Mum.’
‘And have a good day, Harrison,’ she called into the kitchen.
He came into the hall and hugged her. ‘See ya, Mum. Enjoy the new job.’
‘I’m sure I will.’ She waved goodbye and headed off.
Brann checked the time. ‘Caitlin! Have you found whatever it was you’re looking for? I need to leave.’
‘Yeah, just coming.’
‘Hurry up, will you? I’ve got a meeting this morning.’ He rolled his neck to dispel the tension building in his body. ‘Meeting’ might be an understatement. After yesterday’s encounter with Ophelia, who could tell what to expect? This was a dangerous road. One he’d thought he’d left behind long ago. Some words came to him – words an old boss had said years ago when he’d got his first apprenticeship.
The problem with having kids so young is that you miss part of your own growing up. The good thing is, by the time they’re grown, you’re still young enough to have fun and regain some of your youth.
Was that what he was doing? He wasn’t sure he wanted to regain his youth. What he did want was something raw and more basic than that. Kissing Ophelia yesterday might have been a jackass move, but she’d started it. A proper, repressed lady after a bit of rough. And fuck it, he’d enjoyed every second. Possibly a bit too much, and it had satisfied a carnal ache inside. Something that had been growing for a long time. Except the satisfaction only seemed to last as long as she was there. Now the ache was back, making him fidgety and uncomfortable. He wanted to see her but at the same time didn’t.
The worst of it was, he didn’t even get it. Why her? She was a posh princess from another world, not someone he’d be attracted to in a million years.
Ridiculous.
‘Ready.’ Caitlin appeared at the bottom of the stairs. ‘But you don’t need to wait. I can walk to school myself.’
‘I know that,’ Brann said. ‘But I want to make sure everyone is out, and we’re all locked up.’ He opened the door for her, and Harrison grabbed his backpack and left too. Getting them out of the house in the morning hadn’t got much easier over the years, though at least neither of them was having a tantrum or refusing to put on their shoes. Brann flicked off the lights and locked the door.
‘Have a good day.’ He gave Caitlin a hug and kissed her forehead. ‘You’re at Mum’s later, so I’ll see you on Saturday.’
‘Bye, Dad. Bye, Harrison.’
‘Bye-bye.’ Brann jumped into the van, and Harrison followed.
‘Do I have to come to this meeting?’ Harrison asked.
‘No. You can keep going with the stables.’
‘Thank Christ for that. Those Chattan-Blythe people are weird. That Ophelia is scary, and Rupert is like the toad from Wind in the Willows , and that film totally freaked me out.’
Brann laughed. ‘Yeah, he is a bit like that.’
‘You better watch out if you’re meeting with Ophelia alone.’
‘Why?’
Harrison raised an eyebrow. ‘Because she totally has the horn for you. And you never actually told me what she wanted when she went into the stables to speak to you. What were you two up to?’
Harrison was clearly trying to provoke a reaction, but did he realise how close to the truth he was?
‘Business.’ Brann kept his eyes on the road. ‘Now, shut up about her or you can go to the meeting with her instead.’
‘She wouldn’t like that. She only likes you.’
‘I said shut up.’ But he couldn’t help a little grin.
When they arrived at the stables, a note had been pinned to the wall inside.
Venue for meeting has changed. Meet me at the workers’ cottages at ten. Ophelia.
Harrison ripped it off the wall and smirked. ‘I’m guessing those cottages have a nice bed for you to get cosy in.’
‘Oh, ha-ha.’ Brann looked away and swallowed. What if he was right? Ophelia would be an idiot to suggest that though, especially when she’d left a note that anyone could see. Or was that part of a double bluff?
Isn’t my life complicated enough?
He collected what they needed for the morning and set Harrison some jobs. He was a good lad who worked hard, and Brann trusted him to work sensibly. At ten to ten, Brann left him and wandered down the path to where he remembered Barbara showing him the cottages when she’d given him the initial tour. The estate was large and rambling, with paths crisscrossing it and wooded areas dividing it from other sections. Far too big for one family though.
A bright red BMW was parked outside a row of little stone cottages. They were probably tiny inside, but their location was stunning, with tall trees to the back and pretty gardens to the front, overlooking a field and the wider countryside.
Brann had reached the gate of the first cottage when the door of the BMW opened and Ophelia got out. Brann’s insides flipped over. It was like watching a celebrity exit a limo. Her long legs in their tight riding boots came first, followed by jodhpur-style tan trousers and a pale pink shirt. She closed the door and raised her sunglasses to the top of her head, pinning back her sleek blonde locks. Brann’s insides were on fire again.
‘Morning.’ She gave him a brief smile.
‘Morning. Why did you want to meet me here?’
‘I want to show you something.’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘Oh yeah? Is this legit, or have you lured me here so you can have your wicked way with me?’
‘Oh, get over yourself. I’ve got a job for you.’
He huffed out a laugh.
‘Not that kind of job,’ she muttered and opened the gate to the first cottage. A gentle breeze played with her hair as she fumbled with a set of keys, then unlocked the door.
The ceiling was a little low for Brann’s liking and he almost collided with a lampshade in the hallway. ‘What’s the job you want me to do?’
‘Well, as far as I can see, these cottages are in quite good shape. Would you agree?’
Brann glanced around. Everything appeared old and dusty, but there was no visible damage. ‘I’d say so. I can have a proper look if you want?’
‘Yes, do.’
‘Ok. Give me a few minutes.’ He moved through the rooms, checking the walls for signs of cracks, damp or anything else that might be a problem. ‘Five more minutes and I’ll have a look outside.’ He nipped out and did a visual check before returning to Ophelia. ‘I’d say this one looks fine apart from a few loose slates. I can check the others if you want.’
‘Not now. If this one is fine, that’s all I need to know.’
‘Why?’
‘Because I want to move in here for the time being.’
‘You?’
‘Yes, me.’
‘Ok.’ He frowned at her. ‘It doesn’t seem like your kind of place.’
‘You don’t know the first thing about me.’
He held up his hands. ‘True.’ But he couldn’t help smiling. He knew one thing. How she liked to be kissed. ‘So, is that the job you wanted me to do? Check this place over?’
‘Kind of.’ She let out a sigh. ‘Would you do something else for me?’
‘Maybe.’ What the hell did she want now?
‘Will you help me clear this place out? I really need somewhere of my own to stay. You’d think in a house as big as Glenvorneth, there would be somewhere, but Jacinta is everywhere I go. She’s always nosing in to see what I’m doing, and it’s impossible to work. I’m trying to help out with the estate, but I also have my own business.’ Her face fell. She wasn’t the cool heiress anymore or the fiery woman who’d caught him in the barn yesterday. She was a vulnerable human being. The same one who’d asked him to believe her stories about the driving and the parking place. He found that he believed her, and now she was asking for help.
Asking me.
Why would she ask him? But he didn’t need her to answer that. His reply was automatic. ‘Sure, I’ll help. What do you want me to do?’
‘Rip out all this old stuff and take it to the skip, then I can clean it, put some furniture in and voila.’ She made an arc with her fingertips.
‘I can do that, no bother.’
She let out a sigh. ‘Thank you. I appreciate it.’ She blinked but didn’t break eye contact. ‘I’m sorry about yesterday.’
‘I’m not.’ He quirked a grin. ‘I enjoyed it.’
‘I did too, but that’s not the point. Behaving like that was really stupid. Just like my driving.’
‘Hey, we all make mistakes. And don’t worry. It’s not like I’d tell anyone about yesterday.’
‘Good, because I won’t either.’
He couldn’t shift his gaze from her. His body wanted to move forward, seize her, kiss her, make love to her and never stop, but he mastered every urge and stayed where he was. ‘Should we discuss the building plans?’
‘Yes. Let’s do that. But not here.’
‘Why not? If we go back to the house, won’t… I can’t remember her name… find us and annoy you?’
‘Jacinta.’
‘Yes, her.’
‘Probably. But we can’t stay here. It’s too dirty.’
He covered his mouth.
‘Don’t even go there.’ She rammed her fists into her hips. ‘No, I don’t want to play dirty in here with you before you ask.’
‘I didn’t say a word.’
‘You didn’t have to. I can read you like a book.’
He let out a laugh. ‘How about we sit outside? There’s a wee picnic table out there and it’s a nice day.’
‘Fine. Let me get my laptop.’
They left the cottage and Brann squeezed himself onto the bench under the picnic table. When Ophelia returned, she took the seat opposite. Whether purposely or not, her knees brushed against his. The first contact stole his breath, but she didn’t move or flinch and after a moment, it became warm and comfortable. The urge to kiss her and hold her was still present, but with a contact point established, it tempered the fire.
She looked over at him and her eyes silently asked if it was ok to remain as they were. He replied in the same way and Ophelia opened her laptop.
‘Let’s start by ignoring everything Barbara told you. I’ve spoken to her and she’s fine for me to sort this out. She would have come this morning, but my father has her doing something else, god knows what. Anyway, it’s probably easier this way.’
Definitely more pleasurable. Brann shifted his leg slightly so more of it brushed Ophelia’s. She inhaled sharply but returned the favour by subtly moving her ankle, so it caught the back of his shin. Without drawing attention to the fact they were engaging in a version of footsie, she carried on.
‘I’ve drawn up a priority list and costed it out against your rates and our projected income figures. Some of the work is reliant on us making money, so I can’t put in fixed dates. Once we get the stables back in action, we can get the livery restarted.’
‘Do you do riding lessons?’ Brann asked.
‘Not anymore. We used to. That’s why we originally employed Dagmar Ingenfeld. She’s wasted looking after a few horses.’
‘Why’s that?’
‘Because she’s one of the best amateur riders in the county. She’s a good teacher too. I’m surprised she hasn’t left us to tell the truth.’
Brann liked the idea of someone like that teaching Caitlin to ride, but he probably couldn’t afford her and if she wasn’t doing lessons anyway… Well, maybe that was a good thing. He didn’t want to start coming here on weekends too… Did he?
Ophelia carried on talking through her plans and emailing him the relevant documents. He downloaded them onto his phone and added dates to his calendar. For all her fancy airs, she was a very organised businessperson, though their continual leg rubbing was completely unprofessional – but necessary. A charge was building inside him, so powerful it might blast him all the way back to Glenbriar when it blew. Neither of them mentioned it, but nor did they stop.
‘So, are we good with that?’ Ophelia shifted her laptop to the side and gazed at him with her piercing blue eyes.
‘I’m good with it.’
‘Then that’s settled.’ She closed the laptop and leaned forward. ‘Now, we should get back to work.’
‘Yup. You got anymore hot dates on the horizon? That guy yesterday was—’
Ophelia held up her hand. ‘James is a nice man. Don’t insult him.’
‘I wasn’t going to. So, will you be seeing him again?’
‘What’s it to you?’
‘Just plain curiosity.’
‘You have no idea, do you?’
‘About what?’
‘About what it’s like to be me.’
‘How could I?’
‘He’s a man I met for the first time yesterday, but already Father and Jacinta have just about bought me a wedding dress, hired a venue and spent James’s fortune at least three times over.’
‘Seriously?’
‘Yes. They’re desperate for me to marry him, so that his money will save this place.’
‘Do you like him enough for that?’
‘No.’ She threw out her hands. ‘But that doesn’t matter. If it’s not James, it’ll be someone else. That’s what’s expected of me.’
‘This isn’t Victorian times.’
‘Oh, don’t get me started. I’ve told them that already, but the more I think about it, the more I see doors closing. We need his money.’
‘What about him? What does he get out of the deal?’
‘Me and my crazy family. Who could ask for more?’
Brann smirked. ‘Yeah, greatly appealing.’ Well, one bit of it was. ‘But if you’ll accept a word of advice from your pain-in-the-butt builder. I’ve never been married, but I have had a long-term relationship. And, well, I wasn’t exactly forced into it, but circumstances made it carry on a lot longer than it should have. You shouldn’t stick with anyone for the wrong reasons. Being in a relationship you’re not one hundred per cent sure about isn’t healthy and I wouldn’t recommend it.’
She looked away and seemed to be chewing her tongue, perhaps biting back words. ‘I… Ugh.’ She threw back her head. ‘I hear what you’re saying, but it’s not that easy.’ Lifting her laptop, she wriggled out from under the picnic table and got to her feet.
Brann missed the caress of her legs instantly.
‘Listen, I need to get some work done. Work for my own business. There’s so much admin I have to get through.’
‘Sure.’
‘Thanks.’ She met his eyes. ‘For… Well, just thanks. I’ll catch up with you later in the week.’ She exited through the little gate, got into her car, and drove off. Brann watched with his chin resting on his hands. Inside his chest, beneath the raging desire fire, his heart squeezed. Ophelia’s issues were bonkers, but in her world, they were as real as anyone’s. Poor girl. He scoffed. What was this? Him feeling sorry for someone in her position.
Yeah. That.
He got to his feet and strolled to the cottage door. Had she locked it? He didn’t recall seeing her doing it. Whistling to himself, he tried the handle, and it clicked open. It wouldn’t take long to clear the place out. He could even give it a clean and check out the plumbing and electrics. Ah, why not? Maybe he was a sucker for a pretty face, but the idea of making her smile sent a shot of deep heat through his veins.