20
Rhett
The end of June brought sunshine, more tourists, and a skip in Rhett’s step. The day visit set up by a charity to help underprivileged children had arrived. The group of twelve, which included three adults, were staying on the island for a long weekend, and the kids from London were excited to visit Lucky Riding Stables to groom and ride horses.
Having happy children around always brought fresh air to Rhett. She had planned to have a large family with Heath, but that life went out the window the day she jilted him. Whenever she looked at the children who came to her home, she always felt blessed to have Willow, and that her daughter was stable and loved by many.
One eight-year-old girl seemed rather attached to Florence’s leg for the morning, and Florence didn’t seem to mind. She even gave the child the pink scrunchie from her ponytail whilst telling her she was brave enough to ride ponies. Sunray agreed by gently nudging the nervous child with her nose, making her giggle and relax.
The noise from the work being done on the house was kept to a low for the day, as not to disturb the guests. And Heath had decided to join the mix at the stables, even though Rhett had never managed to get him on a horse in his life. Her dad wouldn’t allow anyone from Silver Wish Farm to ride his horses, and even once he was out of the picture, Heath paid no interest in the stables.
It was hard not to snatch glances at him all morning. He was charming the socks off everyone and looking right at home, even though he was blagging his way through horse facts. He was making Rhett laugh, and also feel so incredibly warm inside.
It was a glorious day. The laughter, sunshine, and life at the stables made all the old demons attached to the place disappear, and Rhett felt she had a real chance of happiness.
Heath approached, slinging his arm around her shoulder. Ever since the night she shared his bed, he’d become as tactile as he was back when they were teenagers. ‘Hey, someone just asked if I could do a shoe-fitting demo.’ He shook his head as he lowered closer to her face. ‘Not sure that’s a good idea.’
‘No, it’s not.’ The last thing she needed was a carpenter attempting to shoe one of her horses.
Heath laughed into her hair. ‘Don’t worry, Florence told them the only one around here in need of new shoes is her.’
‘Do you want to walk out with us? I’m taking three of the children for a trek down the old track. I’m walking beside them. You can too. One of their chaperones is coming along as well, so we need one more pair of hands. I’ll set you up with Sunray.’
Heath laughed. ‘Oh, I get the smallest horse.’
‘Just keeping you safe.’ She grinned and almost snuggled into him, but her wary heart quickly stopped her making a fool of herself.
‘Nice to know you care.’ It was obvious he was joking but something hit home.
‘I’ve always cared.’
The atmosphere between them was so charged, Rhett was sure she’d kiss him any moment. Now wasn’t the time. Children were relying on her to teach them about horses and give them a day they wouldn’t forget in a hurry. She stepped away from him, gesturing towards the small group nearby.
‘We should, erm, let’s…’ She glanced over her shoulder, happy to see him follow.
Heath lifted a small boy up onto the Sunray’s saddle, and Rhett checked the child was secure before giving him the nod to walk-on.
Normally, the short walk along the dirt track at the back field of Rhett’s home was something she found therapeutic, but today, even with the odd squeal of excitement coming from the children, she couldn’t fully embrace the journey.
She was getting closer to Heath each day, and seeing how they had managed to hold each other off for the past twenty-one years, it was all a little too strange at times. Benton kept entering her thoughts, offering wise words and warm smiles. She was sure he was watching, adding some sort of angel magic into her life.
Heath was walking in front, talking to the young boy slouched in the saddle. They seemed to have bonded, and the child was happy enough, so that was a weight off.
Rhett hated it when one of the children cried in her company. All she could do was offer them support the only way she knew. Feeding or grooming used to make her feel connected to the horses when she was little, so she would guide the children towards that area, hoping her animal friends would settle them. Ever since she took ownership of the stables, her horses had always been the type to be kind to children. Even Luther.
The thought of her dad hitting Lucky flashed through her mind. She hated him even more that day. Her beloved horse was broken in spirit, and even though Rhett spent the night sleeping in the stables, Lucky was never the same.
Heath’s hand lightly stroked Sunray’s mane, bringing Rhett’s attention to how kind his hands had always been. If there was one thing she was grateful for, it was that her daughter had a good dad. Unlike hers, Heath would never raise his hand to his child.
I love you, Heath Silver. I’m so sorry.
Rhett quickly blinked back tears and distracted herself by pointing out the local wildlife to the girl she was guiding on Woody, a light-brown, medium-size horse that had the personality of a ringmaster. Luckily enough, Woody was behaving, but Rhett had a tight hold just in case, as Woody was such a show-off, she could never be quite sure if he would suddenly stop walking just to take a bow.
Heath glanced back, flashing a smile as the little boy told him he loved his wife’s horses so much.
Rhett blushed, not knowing what to say when Heath didn’t correct the child. A moment of how their life would look had she married him.
This is it. This is how we would be. A perfect, happy life, filled with horses and children.
Pain versus joy was the battle deep within. It was all so unfair, but fixable now, perhaps. Or maybe a fresh start with no past attachments. It wasn’t easy to simply wipe the slate clean. Her life was her life, no matter how many home improvements took place.
As soon as the horses were ready for the next lot of children, and with Florence in charge, Rhett cornered Heath by the store cupboard attached to one end of the stables. ‘Can we talk later?’
Frown lines revealed his concern, even though she tried hard to keep her tone light. ‘Everything okay?’
‘I think so.’ She shrugged, not knowing what to add. It would have been a lot easier had she actually known what it was she had to say.
Heath lowered his head as he closed in on her personal space. ‘Is it about us?’ he asked quietly.
She glanced up through her lashes, wishing she had the right words, or at least better timing. Visitors always took priority, so why weren’t they this time?
Heath offered a small nod. ‘Okay. Once this lots heads off and Florence is busy, we’ll talk.’
‘Tonight. Over dinner.’
The corner of his mouth twitched. ‘Your place or mine?’
She couldn’t help but smile, even biting her bottom lip did little to hold it back.
Heath leaned down and planted a kiss on her forehead. ‘I’ve got a lot on later, so come to mine after seven.’
As he walked away to mingle with the kids, Rhett wondered if she had somehow got herself a date with him. The thought swirled her stomach more than her head. It was just a chat about what was happening with them lately, and it just so happened it would be over a meal. She continued to tell herself over and over it wasn’t a date she had accidently arranged.
She picked up a broom and shook her head.
Should I wear a dress?