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When he learned how unsophisticated she truly was and she learned that Dante was way out of her league.
‘It’s time for you to get on with your life,’ he continued gently. ‘You can’t be on call here for ever. I don’t want to restrict you, but I don’t want to lose what we’ve got either.’
What had they got? What had she allowed them to have? She’d gone into something without thinking it through. Dante wasn’t a half-measures man and she had tried to short-change him. And now she could do no more than stand rigidly to attention, not trusting herself to say anything more than, ‘Thank you again. It’s very kind of you to see to the arrangements.’
‘It’s not kind,’ Dante argued. ‘It’s in your contract. You’ll leave tomorrow morning. The car will collect you prompt at six. That should still give you time to pack your things and say your goodbyes today.’
How could she have forgotten that this was Dante Acosta, a member of the famous Acosta family, tech billionaire and world class polo player? Having recovered full use of his leg, Dante was no longer dependent on anyone, and he was obviously keen to move on—especially from an ingénue who knew next to nothing about sex.
‘I thought you’d want the first available flight back, so you can prepare for Christmas at home with your father.’
‘That’s right. That’s so thoughtful of you.’
‘Will you need an extra suitcase?’
For two outfits and some knick-knacks she’d bought on the market? ‘That won’t be necessary, but thank you again.’
‘Flight time okay for you?’ Dante prompted.
Jess could only hope she didn’t look the mess she felt inside. ‘Perfect,’ she lied. ‘The flight’s perfect.’ Even Bouncer was looking at her with concern. Trust a dog to sense trouble. You couldn’t fool an animal. ‘I’ll be ready to leave at six.’
‘Good. Please don’t worry about my ongoing treatment. I’ve already hired someone else to carry on where you left off.’
‘Good idea,’ she confirmed mechanically. Dante hadn’t wasted any time, but when did he ever?
‘I won’t be slacking,’ he promised with a smile.
‘I would never think that of you.’ To her horror a tear stole down her cheek.
‘It’s a big, burly man, in case you were wondering,’ Dante informed her with a grin.
Try as she might, she couldn’t feel light-hearted. She had to get away before a complete meltdown happened and she betrayed her true feelings with huge racking sobs. ‘Physios come in all shapes and sizes,’ she agreed with a tight smile. ‘And I’m sure that whoever you’ve chosen will be very good.’
‘He’d better be,’ Dante agreed with a crooked smile. ‘You set the bar pretty high.’
But her contract had ended. Deal with it. ‘I’ll leave my notes, though doubtless your new therapist will have his own ideas.’
‘Jess—’
‘That’s okay. I always intended to be back home for Christmas.’
Extricating herself gently from Bouncer, who had wound himself around her like a comfort blanket, she dipped down to give the big yellow dog one last hug.
Dante blocked her way as she stood up to go. ‘Your father will be pleased to see you.’
‘I’ll be pleased to see him,’ she said on a throat turned to ash.
‘I’d fly you back myself,’ Dante explained as he held the door for her when they left the stables, ‘but I have this business deal, and then my first team practice the day after tomorrow and I want to get some training in before then.’
‘That’s wonderful news,’ she said truthfully.
‘I know what you’re going to say—don’t overdo it,’ Dante supplied. ‘I promise I won’t. I owe my recovery to you, and I’ll never underestimate what you’ve done for me.’
And you for me, Jess thought as the curve of Dante’s lips twisted her heart until she wanted to cry out in pain. You’ve taught me never to be naïve again, she concluded with her usual sensible self back in charge.
‘It’s my job,’ she said, pinning a smile to dry lips as she shrugged.
How much more of this could she take? She was breaking up inside and desperate to put space between them. The last thing she wanted was to break down in front of Dante. What good would it do, other than make her look even more pathetic than she felt?
She was halfway across the yard when Dante caught hold of her arm. ‘Was this just another job for you, Jess?’
There was no chance to hide the tears in her eyes, nor did she even try. ‘I’ll miss you,’ she blurted. To hell with pride! What did pride count for in the end? What did she stand to lose when there was nothing left to lose?
‘I’ll miss you too,’ Dante admitted.
‘Just take care of those ponies—and yourself,’ she insisted. ‘Take care of Moon for me in particular. She needs a lot of attention.’ Unlike her human counterpart, thankfully, Jess thought as she firmed her jaw.
‘How can you doubt it?’ Dante queried.
‘I don’t,’ she said honestly. When it came to his animals, Dante’s love and desire to care for them was as acutely honed as her own. It was just human beings outside his family and staff he had a problem with.
‘We won’t forget you on the estancia, Skylar,’ he said dryly, standing back.
An ugly swearword came to mind when Dante mentioned Skylar. Sadly, her mother had been wrong. There was no magic in the name. There was just Jess. Hurting like hell.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
SHE WOULDN’T CRY, Jess determined as she stood at the kitchen sink on Christmas Eve in Yorkshire. This wasn’t about her, or missing Dante so much it made her heart drum a lament in her chest. This was about the village where she lived, and about her father and the wonderful pals who had kept him afloat while she was working. This year, thanks to the sale of the ponies, they could afford a real Yorkshire Christmas, which meant she could thank everyone by holding open house as her mother used to do.
The scene beyond the steamed-up window would be perfect for a Christmas card. The snow fairies had arrived early this year, frosting the paddocks with pristine white, capping the fences with sparkling meringue peaks of snow. Her father had been out most of the day with the other local farmers, scouring the moors for stranded animals. They deserved a good feed when they got back.
No longer a lonely widower crushed by grief, Jim Slatehome was part of the village again, and part of the horse world too, just as her mother would have wanted. Of course he felt sad and still missed his wife, but now, thanks to all his friends and the medical help he had finally agreed to accept, he had strategies to deal with black moments, which was the most anyone could hope for.
Everything was right with the world, Jess told herself firmly as she put the finishing touches to the feast she’d prepared. Everything apart from one notable thing, she accepted with a pang. Where was Dante? What was he doing this Christmas? It made her unhappy to think of him alone. Surely he’d be with his family? It was such a big family.
Dante playing gooseberry? Did that seem likely?
If only he lived closer, she would have swallowed her pride and invited him over. If only. What an overworked phrase. It was no use to anyone, because it spoke of regret and things left undone.
So where was he?
According to her most reliable informant, the Polo Times, Dante Acosta had already whupped three types of hell out of his arch rival, Nero Caracas.
He’d better not have damaged that leg.
She’d researched the man who had taken over Dante’s treatment and, to be fair, his reputation was impeccable. Trust Dante to choose the best.
It was the most frustrating thing on earth to care as deeply as she cared for Dante, Jess reflected as she pulled away from the sink, and yet be prevented from caring for him. He’d never played so well, according to Polo Times. And in a direct quote from
Dante, that was all thanks to his physiotherapist, Jess Slatehome, who, together with her close associate Skylar Slates, had raised him up when he’d been down.
