Chapter 4 #2
She pushes her lips out and a frown creases her brow, but she nods. “Fine.”
“Good.” A sense of relief washes over me, and I rush up the stairs to drag Preston away from his several screens.
I’m buzzing with excitement as we get everything wrapped up. She’s going to be here soon. Aurelia freaking Lane. If it weren’t for the documents, I’d swear I was imagining this entire thing. My siblings probably do think I made it all up.
There’s a gentle tug on my sleeve as I’m leaving the kitchen after we get everything signed. “Hey, Quint. Can I talk to you for a minute?”
I spin around, surprised to see my sister standing behind me. We used to be close, but the last year has had her pulling away, and she rarely seeks me out for one-on-one conversation anymore.
“What’s up?”
She presses her lips together in a tight line, brow creased. “Just be careful.”
I cock my head to the side, trying to figure out what she’s trying to get at. “I’ve been away at school, but I think I can handle myself around the horses. Did you forget what I was studying?”
She huffs out an impatient sigh. “Not of the horses. Of her.”
I laugh, stretching up to my full six feet, two inches. “You think I need to be afraid of a little ole actress? I don’t think she’s hiding a revolver in her back pocket.”
“Ugh, you’re impossible. I know you, brother. I’ve seen you fall fast and hard for every pretty girl that walks into your path. And I’ve also seen you get your heart shattered more times than I care to remember. Don’t fall for her.”
“I’m not going to fall for some Hollywood actress. That would be crazy.” No matter how pretty she looked when she was reaming me out in front of Leonora yesterday.
Shayla pokes me hard in the chest. “Don’t blow me off. I mean it. She’ll break your heart, and I don’t want to have to peel you off the floor piece by piece again. I’ve got my own problems.”
God, I want to help her. And I’ve tried, but as much as she loves to butt into my business, she won’t let me in. She’s just not been the same since her injury. “Don’t worry, sis. It’s not that deep. Just some riding lessons.”
“If you say so.”
She steps away from me, heading for the stairs, and I stare after her until the doorbell breaks through my trance. My heart kicks into high gear, and I rush off before anyone else can get it, skidding to a halt and running a hand through my hair when I get there.
I open it up to see Aurelia staring at me with wide eyes, shadowed by the brim of a beige cowboy hat.
I almost laugh, but rein it in. She’s wearing the kind of jeans you see on a runway, with artful faded patches and strategic frayed rips.
Her cowboy boots are a rich red color, but so clean and shiny they must have just come out of the box.
She looks like she belongs on the TV set she’ll be filming on soon.
And it’s not the only thing that makes her look unreal.
Looking at her is like staring at the sun.
I’ve never seen anyone this stunning in real life.
You’d think it’s all makeup and airbrushing, but she’s even more beautiful in person than on TV or in pictures.
My sister’s warning echoes in my head, but I push it away.
It’s not like I’d ever have a chance with her anyway, so there’s nothing to worry about.
“Hi,” I say.
“Hey. Is everything sorted? Am I good to come in?” She’s glancing nervously over my shoulder as if she expects to see a horde of photographers standing there.
“Yeah, no, you’re good. It’s just my family here. We all signed the NDAs.”
She nods, taking a cautious step forward as if she still doesn’t quite trust my words.
“Follow me.” I wave an arm at her, heading back for the kitchen.
I spot Shayla peeking out from the top of the stairs, eyes wide.
She may be pretending to be supremely uninterested in our visitor, but I watched Paisley with her.
I know how obsessed she was with it. “You can leave your boots on, since I’m sure they don’t have a speck of dirt on them. ”
“What do you mean?” she asks.
I grin at her over my shoulder. “I can tell those boots are brand spanking new, which means your feet are going to be cursing your life choices if you wear them all day today. We can probably find you something a little more comfortable to wear.”
I lead her to our big pine table. The papers are still spread out over the surface, and Caleb has gone back to tapping away at his computer.
I drum my fingers on the top of it. “Caleb, we have a guest.”
He frowns at me, but folds his laptop closed and stands up. He reaches a hand out for Aurelia to shake. A look of confusion passes over her face before she clasps her hand in his.
“I’m Caleb Holloway. But I reckon you already know that if you came all the way out here to track down my little brother. Welcome to Hollow Hills.”
“Aurelia Lane,” she says, as if everyone on the continent doesn’t know it.
“Got that. Now we’ve all signed these papers for you.” He taps the stack nearest his hand. “You’re welcome in the house any time you need a snack or a break from that guy.” He throws a thumb in my direction.
“Gee, thanks.” Why does everyone in this freaking house have to keep treating me like the baby? It’s especially frustrating in front of her.
“Thank you for having me, and for signing those.”
“Not a problem. We all need a break sometimes.”
Except him, of course. Caleb really takes the eldest brother role seriously. I wish he’d loosen his hold on every detail a little. What was the point of me going to school if he won’t even take my suggestions?
Aurelia turns to me with a tight smile. “Can we get started now?”
My smile is the complete opposite of hers, I’m sure. It spreads across my entire face as excitement builds. This is the good part. Not only do I get to spend time with the horses, I get to share them with someone else. I get to teach a bonified Hollywood star about horses. What even is this life?
“Yeah, let’s get out of here.” But something tweaks in my brain, and I glance down at her boots. “But seriously, let’s see if we can get you something else to wear on your feet. Otherwise you’ll be hobbling here tomorrow. New boots need time. You’ve got to break them in.”
Her expression shifts into a neutral mask. Unreadable. And I can feel her shutting down.
“I’m good. If I can handle a pair of six-inch strappy Jimmy Choos on the red carpet, I’m sure I can handle some cowboy boots.”
“If you’re sure.” But I shake my head, knowing she’s going to be uncomfortable later and I can’t do anything about it. “Well, come on then.”
I grab my hat off the hook beside the front door, tossing it on my head as we’re walking out.
“Look, Quint, since we’re going to be spending some time together you can call me Aura. That’s what all my friends call me.” Her tone is softer, almost an apology. She doesn’t owe me anything, but it sounds like she’s trying to make up for snapping at me about the boots.
My mouth twitches, fighting the smile. “So, we’re friends now?”
“Let’s maybe take it one step at a time. It’ll just be kind of weird hanging out with you for the next several weeks if you keep up the formality.”
“Got it, but I think I like ‘Hollywood’ better. Suits you.”
“Well then, what do I call you? ‘Cowboy’?”
“Sure. You can call me anything you want.”
She shifts a few steps away. “Whatever.”
One step forward, a couple back, I get her hesitation, but I’m not going to let it ruin the moment.
I let the smile spread as I tilt my face up to the sky, basking in the warm glow of the spring sun.
School was fun, but I’ve missed this place.
The air is different here, fresh and pure.
A gentle breeze rustles through the grass, but then the thunder of hooves cuts through the peace and I look up to see a chestnut horse galloping along the fence line of the west pasture. Layla, of course.
I veer off the path to head for the field. “Just going to stop and say hi before we head to the barn.”
Aurelia, no Aura, nods, eyes wide, but follows along.
The mare is still trotting up and down the fence line with her head held high, tail raised behind her like a flag, but she skids to a halt when I get close, kicking up a cloud of dust. The wooden boards creak as I lean against them and make a gentle clucking sound with my tongue.
“Hey, sweetie.” I reach out toward one of my favorite girls. “How are you doing? You’ve got to calm down, you’re going to hurt yourself.”
She snorts disdainfully, but leans into my hand as I scratch her sun-warmed neck.
I turn to see Aurelia hanging several feet back.
“Come say hi. This is Layla. She won’t bite.” The horse butts my shoulder with her muzzle, sending me rocking back. I mock-glare at her. “Trying to prove me wrong, are you?”
But when I look back, Aurelia hasn’t budged from her spot. “I’m good back here.” She glances toward the large white barn we were originally headed for, shifting back and forth on her feet. “We should probably just go there. I’m not getting on her out here like this, right?”
Wait a second. She can’t be… “Are you afraid of horses?” I ask.
“No.” The denial comes out way too fast.
She is.
“Really? Then come on over here and say hi to my girl here.”
She shakes her head, eyeing the horse like she’s some kind of monster.
I turn around, leaning against the fence and crossing my arms over my chest. Layla leans over, nibbling at my shirt as if she’s going to find something in there for her.
I didn’t bring any treats down from the house, so she’s out of luck and now I feel kinda bad about it.
Horses really do know how to lay on the guilt.
“If you’re not afraid, come on over and give her a pet. She’s friendly. You have to respect them, but as long as you’re careful, there’s nothing to be afraid of.”
“I’m not,” she says again, as if repeating it will make it true. And maybe that works some of the time. She is an actor, after all. But that’s not the case here.