Chapter 2 #4
The question lingered in the air between them, and he found himself holding his breath, waiting for her response, wondering if he had mis-stepped, if her reaction might reveal more about her.
She met his gaze, her eyes bright and unwavering. ‘Nope,’ she replied with an amused smile tugging at the corner of her lips, ‘but thanks.’ Her tone was light and assured, leaving him uncertain whether to feel rebuffed or relieved that she wasn’t offended.
Heading over towards the stables, he led the way, trying to keep his pace steady and his thoughts even.
Even so, he felt himself teetering between curiosity and caution as they silently crossed the expanse of the paddock together, their steps creating a soft rhythm on the dusty path.
He cast sideways glances her way, unable to predict what sort of person she was.
His first impression was that she seemed so utterly self-assured, so composed and steadfast, that he found himself wondering what she could possibly see in a quiet, out-of-the-way place like Sweetwater, and what might have drawn her to this part of Queensland.
And more than that, there was something about her that drew him in with a force he couldn’t quite understand, a pull that was both unexpected and unfamiliar, like the soft beginnings of a storm that promised to upend everything.
And as they neared the stables, he felt a strange mix of anticipation and uncertainty rise within him, like a wave threatening to crash over old, guarded shores.
He wanted to know more about her, wanted to break the silence with questions about her work, her life, the things she felt passionate about.
But his mind kept drawing him back to the ways love had scarred him in the past, to the ache of a heart that had barely begun to mend.
He grew tentative, cautious of opening up before he’d shielded himself, cautious of feeling too much, too quickly.
Terrified, in fact, of feeling anything other than the heartbreak of Casey.
Because that’s where he was comfortable to be.
So he was thankful in a way that hesitation held back his questions, quieting his words like a blanket of dust over a forgotten room.
Stepping into the shade of the stables, he stopped at Bella’s stall. ‘Here she is, our grand beauty.’
‘Hence the name,’ Brianna said with a smile, as she stepped slowly past him and towards the horse. ‘Hello there, Bella,’ she greeted the chestnut mare with a gentle voice. ‘You are an absolute vision, aren’t you? Quite the stunning beauty, aptly named.’
Moving slowly, her fingers trailed delicately along Bella’s back, moving with such tenderness and familiarity that even Hayden was struck by the ease with which she handled her new patient.
And Bella, sensing the kindred spirit of this new human, seemed to relax, her posture shifting to invite more of Brianna’s gentle touch.
Brianna laughed softly as Bella nuzzled her arm in a show of trust and affection. ‘You’ve got a way of making a girl feel welcome,’ she murmured, a contagious smile lighting as she continued to lavish attention on the mare.
Hayden stood out of the way, watching with keen eyes as the new veterinarian commanded the attention of both man and horse with a quiet confidence.
Her delicate hands moved with an assuredness that spoke of years of experience and a deep understanding of these magnificent creatures, beyond what he’d expect from someone so young.
Mid to late twenties, maybe, he pondered.
She must have been born into a country lifestyle.
He was certain of it. As she stroked Bella’s glossy coat and ran her hands carefully down her legs to check her hoofs with a professional’s eye, it was as if a silent conversation flowed between her and the horse.
Each gesture was precise yet gentle, a seamless balance of strength and tenderness.
And in that moment, Hayden found himself completely captivated by her beauty and grace, at how her dark ponytail fell in a cascade across her left shoulder as she bent to examine the mare’s fetlock.
Then she laughed at a playful nudge that knocked her a little off balance and he felt a sudden, urgent tug in his chest, followed by an unexpected yearning to bridge the distance between them and share in that joy.
Because it was clear that Brianna’s passion for her work ran deep in a way that resonated with something within him, too, in a shared devotion to these noble creatures that was only rarely innate.
Straightening, Brianna stood tall and confident, her ponytail swaying to her back as she brushed her hands on her jeans and turned to him, eyes alight with a satisfaction that reached all the way to Hayden’s tentative core.
Her smile, when she offered it to him, radiated warmth, a beacon of assurance, and he found himself almost caught off guard by its brilliance.
It was the kind of smile that could light up even the darkest recesses of uncertainty, a smile that seemed to speak directly to him, suggesting things he’d long stopped daring to hope for.
‘She looks in real good shape,’ she said, her voice a rich note in the sun-dappled stable.
And Hayden, trying to keep the rush of emotions in check, managed a nod, suddenly unsure of himself around a woman who seemed to know exactly who she was.
‘I’d even say,’ she continued, ‘that she should have no trouble with the foaling.’
Without waiting for Hayden’s response, she turned her attention back to Bella, stroking her silky mane with a comforting touch. ‘From the looks, you sweet girl, I’ll be seeing you and your little one real soon.’
Completely blown away by her presence, Hayden watched on in stunned silence with a tumult of conflicting emotions swirling within him.
Brianna Steele undeniably felt like a breath of fresh air in the stagnant corners of his heart, yet he couldn’t ignore the familiar ache that lingered beneath the surface, a ghost that he couldn’t seem to banish completely.
And that was his warning sign.
He needed to be extremely careful around Brianna.
Because he wasn’t falling for the ways of his heart again.
Not if he had anything to do with it.