“Not now, Angus, I’ll come and find you. But”—his voice rises—“I need everyone’s attention for a second.”
It only becomes truly obvious Miles is in charge when they all immediately stop what they’re doing and wait. Miles’s hand slips into mine, and I realize what’s about to happen. Heat suffuses my cheeks, and my heart judders in anticipation.
Miles waits until he has the room’s attention. “Afternoon, all. Sorry to interrupt, but I want you to meet Ruby. Ruby is a new member of the Flyers team for this season.” He pauses, and blood is rushing far too quickly in my ears, but I don’t get any indication that Miles is at all nervous about what he’s about to reveal. “I also have the happy news that we got married last week.”
Jesus. I don't know if his warning would have given me any better preparation for his announcement.
There’s a chorus of congratulations, then everyone goes back to work. It’s totally and utterly underwhelming. Andveryconfusing.
With that, Miles turns to me. “Shall we continue the tour?—”
“No one said anything.”
“About what?”
My eyes widen, hoping he can read my mind. He can’t. “Us.”
“Ruby, we’re right at the beginning of the season. No one cares that we got married. They’re too busy making sure that we put out a stellar team this year.”
I frown. “Where is the team?”
“You’ll meet them the day after tomorrow. Now, would you like to see the horses?”
“I would. Very much.”
“Thought so.” He winks, and right there and then, I have to admit Iget it.
This guy oozes charm. What’s more, he knows it. He wears it like a superpower, and I’m losing the will to defend myself against it even when I want to kill him.
He turns the way we came, once more holding the door open for me to walk through ahead of him, and back down the stairs.
As we reach the bottom, Miles’s phone beeps.
“The ponies are here. Let’s go.”
The stables are across the yard from the management offices, in exactly the same barn-style design. But that’s the only thing that’s the same. Inside, it’s the equine equivalent of a five-star, luxury hotel with—I count—twenty-five, Olympic-sized stalls down either side of the building.That’s stabling for fifty horses.
Just like the yard, not a piece of straw is out of place.
Impressive wooden arches, framed by black ironwork, separate each one, and on the doors hang individual name tags—Lemondrop, Chester, Clover, Violet, Messiah, Fire, and Brimstone. They’re the first I see. Not all the stables haveresidents, because some of the ponies are still out in the fields, but peering over Lemondrop’s stable door, I find her lying down on the hay, asleep. I stifle a yawn, wishing I could do the same.
In the center of the barn is the kitchen, where the dietary requirements of each pony are labeled on a huge board, and at the bottom, I spot Maverick’s name. I’m obviously tired because seeing him there, among the others, like we belong here, brings a lump to my throat I have to work hard to swallow away.
“Ruby,” Miles calls as the beeping of a reversing trailer sounds out.
Miles is unbolting the back doors before the engine’s stopped. A couple of the grooms take the other side, and they lower the ramp.
Maverick’s off first. He’s wearing a head mask, which means he's not had a happy ride and probably lashed out at anyone passing, but seeing me, he lets out a deep nicker and pulls the poor groom hard enough that she has to let go of the ropes. Calamity follows, looking way more chilled.
I remove Maverick’s mask, and he drops his long face, nuzzles into my chest, breathes deeply, and follows up with a hard nip on my shoulder for leaving him.
“Sorry, buddy. We’re here now, and I'm so happy to see you again,” I tell him, running my hands up and down his silky neck until Miles arrives, and Maverick transfers his affection to him instead.
He doesn’t, however, give him a nip.
“Hi, mate, welcome to your new home.” He pats him down, running his palms over each leg to make sure nothing is swollen or tender from the flight, before deciding he’s fine. “C’mon, we’ll take them out in the field to stretch their legs. Then the guys will bring them in for treatment and food.”
We lead them down the path to the first pasture, both horses whinnying with excitement at the prospect of being able to run.The moment their headcollars come off, they gallop off in a series of bucks, shaking their heads, stretching themselves out, and don’t stop until they’ve completed several laps. Then they drop their heads and start munching the grass.
