Page 88 of The Jealous Girl

I glanced back down the stairs and stepped closer to Ryan, lowering my voice. ‘Your dad took out a loan, a big one, and he’s behind with the repayments. Didn’t you know?’

Ryan shook his head. ‘That can’t be right.’

It was the first time all night he’d sounded uncertain.

‘I’m sorry,’ I said, feeling bad that I was the one telling him this.

‘You’re probably just not seeing the whole picture,’ Ryan added.

‘But—’

‘The stables have been in Dad’s family for generations, they’re solid.’

‘I’m sure every business thinks that at some point⁠—’

‘You only have access to some of the records. There’ll be more that you’re not aware of.’

‘Okay, but⁠—’

‘I’d know if there was a problem,’ Ryan said with finality.

31

NOW

Late August

Wednesday

I rubbed my hand against the back of my neck, arching my spine, trying to loosen the tightness.

‘Maybe we should take a break,’ Ben suggested.

‘Hmm,’ I murmured. ‘Tempting but…’

He chuckled. ‘You want to keep going.’

‘Can I get you another coffee?’ I asked, already pushing my chair back.

‘Yeah, that would be great actually, thanks,’ Ben said, looking appreciative. ‘Bla⁠—’

‘Black Americano,’ I finished for him.

He smiled. ‘You remember.’

‘Of course.’ I turned away and joined the queue at the counter.

My gaze drifted back to our table. To Ben, head bent, absorbed in the screen. He didn’t look up. He was so focused. Determined.

Neither of us really knew what we were even looking for, but he was still here. Still helping.

A wave of calm settled over me. It felt good working with him again. It wasn’t just about the files. It was his support, his belief.

Maybe I could have stuck it out at the stables longer if he’d stayed.

But then that was exactly why Charlotte had got rid of him.

After everything that had happened, I wouldn’t have blamed him for walking away. But he hadn’t – he’d stayed. He hadn’t needed to. He had nothing to gain from it. Blackwater wasn’t part of his life any more.