Page 86 of The Jealous Girl

I waited for the apology. The sorry I didn’t message you. Didn’t call you.

Nothing.

He opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of Coke.

‘Was Charlotte there?’ I wasn’t sure why I asked. Did I really want to know the answer?

Ryan popped the bottle open. ‘Yeah.’

I stared at him as he took a swig, trying to read his tone, his expression. Something. ‘She’s still close to everyone then?’

He set the bottle down on the table with slightly more force than necessary.

‘She’s been there through everything. Dad’s heart attack. Keeping the stables going. Supporting Mum.’

I bristled. I’d been there too. At least, I’d tried to be.

‘I’m going to take a shower,’ he said, slipping out of the room.

I glanced at the oven, his dinner still inside. He hadn’t even looked at it.

Two Years Ago – Mid July

‘It’s really good to have you home, Dad,’ Ryan said, placing his hand on his father’s shoulder and giving it a squeeze.

‘Not as good as it is to be home, I can tell you,’ Martin said with a light chuckle.

I smiled. The atmosphere in the kitchen had lifted since Martin’s arrival a few hours earlier. Maybe things would be better now he was back.

I glanced at Denise. Maybe she would be less stressed. More hospitable.

‘Well, you still need to take it easy for a few weeks,’ Denise said. ‘That means no work. And no riding.’

Martin nodded. ‘Don’t worry, I have no intention of overdoing things. I plan to stay well away from that hospital. No return visits for me, thank you.’

‘Well, you don’t need to worry about the stables, Dad. Charlotte and I have everything covered,’ Ryan said.

Charlotte and I.

The words stung. I didn’t mind that he’d overlooked my contributions. But what had Charlotte done to deserve special recognition?

‘I really appreciate you stepping in and taking care of everything, son,’ Martin said as Ryan slipped into his seat beside me. ‘And you, too, Kirsty,’ he added, his gaze shifting to me. ‘Ryan tells me you’ve really been helping him out, handling all the admin.’

My smile broadened. ‘I’m happy to help.’ I took a deep breath and relaxed against the back of the chair. It was the first time since we’d arrived that anyone had actually been appreciative of my efforts in the stables office.

‘Though I hear you’ve been making some changes,’ Martin added.

A knot lodged in the pit of my stomach.

‘Nothing major,’ I assured him. ‘I’ve just set up some folders on the computer to help keep the files a bit more organised.’

‘Martin’s system was already organised,’ Denise said, as she handed Martin a plate. ‘His way.’

‘I’m sure it’s nothing irreversible,’ Martin said, giving me a wink. ‘Right, Kirsty?’

‘Well, no, but—’ I swallowed. He hadn’t even seen the office and he already wanted to undo my changes. Erase my presence.

I pushed that thought away quickly.