Chapter Forty Six

Crisp leaves crunched underneath Jenn’s feet as she made her way down to the barn. Jon was going to be at least a few hours with his kids so she had jumped at the chance to sneak down to the horses. She was feeling more than a little guilty that Paul had been landed with minding her barn for the weekend and she wanted to make sure everything was okay.

“Hey Jenn! Thought you were off?”

A cheery voice made her jump as she rounded the corner. Karla, Paul’s groom came striding out the barn door swinging a bucket.

“Hey Karla! Yeah technically I’m not working but I just wanted to make sure you could all manage.”

Feeling the heat creep into her face she hoped the blush wasn't too evident. “It was kind of a last minute decision!”

The younger girl smiled and brushed off her concerns, “Everyone needs time off and everything is fine here so enjoy yourself!”

Jenn smiled gratefully at her, “I’ll try! Is Paul around?”

Karla sent her in the direction of one of the sand rings where she said Paul should just be winding up a training session. Finding him not quite finished, she sat down cross legged on the high grassy embankment that surrounded the arena. Paul stood in the centre shouting instructions to his pupil who was grappling with the art of lengthening and shortening her horse’s canter stride. Jenn watched in amusement as the rider dressed immaculately in cream breeches and expensive leather boots repeatedly tried in vain to control the big bay horse. She could see Paul gritting his teeth as he got more and more frustrated with every plunging circle they did around him.

“Melanie! You’re not listening to me! Sit DEEP and HOLD! It’s very simple!”

“I’m trying! He won’t do it!” The teenager’s whiney voice floated across the sand to Jenn’s ears. 

“This is stupid anyway!”

Jenn leaned back on her hands howling with laughter as Paul threw his arms up in the air in exasperation.

“It’s not stupid Melanie! What’s STUPID is me standing here hollering at you like a fool when you refuse to LISTEN to me!”

“Yeah whatever Paul – I’m done for today!”

Pulling up the horse, she jumped down and glared defiantly at him, “I’ve got a hair appointment!” 

With that she handed the horse’s reins to Paul and stomped off, pulling her hat off her head and shaking out an abundance of curls which to Jenn’s untrained eyes, looked no more in need of a hair appointment than Jon’s.

Still laughing Jenn got to her feet and jogged across to Paul who was still standing holding the out of breath horse, gazing after his departed pupil in disgust.

“Way to go Mr Big Shot Trainer!” Slightly puffed Jenn braced herself on her knees for a moment grinning at him. “You’ve got yourself a handful there I see!”

Paul turned to her, a murderous look on his face. “That there is the most rich, spoilt BRAT you will EVER come across!!”

Straightening herself up Jenn took the horse from him, flicking the reins back over its head.

“That I can believe! Who is she?”

“The daughter of a ridiculously rich New York real estate guy, who dropped a shit load of money for this big guy here and pays me to keep the horse and turn his precious little girl into an international superstar!” Pausing to rub the horse affectionately on the nose, he added, “Which is never going to happen by the way!”

Shrugging, Jenn gathered up the reins and hopped nimbly aboard the still sweating horse.

“Well at least it pays the bills huh?” 

She nudged the horse forward gently with her heels and began walking him in a wide circle around Paul to cool him off.

“Unfortunately it does or I wouldn’t be putting up with this crap!” He sat down wearily on a jump block, “Why are you here anyway? Jon told me you were taking the weekend off?”

“Yeah, sorry for springing that on you!” Jenn let her feet dangle lightly by the horse’s sides as he ambled around contentedly, stretching his long neck to the ground. “Wasn’t my idea!”

Paul snorted quietly, “Well I could have guessed that considering you don’t actually know how to take a day off!”

“Hey! I do so!” Jenn began to object from her perch above him when he smoothly interrupted her.

 “Ahem, you’re supposed to be off today, yet here you are sitting on a horse talking to me!”

Rolling her eyes, Jenn threw her leg forward on the saddle and bent down to loosen the horse’s girth.

“I may be here but I’m not actually working!!”

“Yeah! Right Jenn! Whatever you say honey!”

“Oh shut up! I was going to be all nice and offer to put this guy away for you but you know what?”

Tongue in cheek, she gave the horse a final pat and swung herself down from the saddle. “I believe I also have a hair appointment! So here you go! Enjoy!” Smiling sweetly at him, she handed the horse back to a grinning Paul.

“Funny Jenn! Real funny!” Grunting as he heaved himself upright from his seat, he dusted off the seat of his breeches. “You’re in a real good mood lately, any particular reason why I wonder?” He folded his arms, smirking at her expectantly.

“Ha! Wouldn’t you like to know!” 

Tapping the side of her nose lightly with a finger, she winked at him. Impulsively she gave him a big hug and planted a kiss on the side of his cheek.

“Whoah! What’s that for?” Taking a step back he looked down at her in surprise.

Blushing slightly, Jenn smiled back at him, “Just for being one of the good guys, I’m grateful for you Paul….I mean that!”

“Get out of here you crazy Irish chick!” Shaking his head at her he laughed as he started to lead the horse away. “You’re nuts you know that?”

“So I’ve been told! See you Monday!”

Her light laughter made Paul smile as he turned away from her heading back to the barn.

Absent mindedly stroking the horse’s neck as it walked happily beside him, he glanced up at the bright blue cloudless sky as his thoughts drifted to his old friend.

She’s gonna be alright Steve……whatever you’re doing up there keep it up buddy.