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ChapterFour
THALIA
After begging my father for nearly an hour to take me to the barn, he finally gives in. I can’t wait to get back to the farm and be around my horses although the thought of not seeing Zeus in his stall cripples me with grief. It was easy to forget he was gone while I was in my own little world. Going to the farm and seeing the empty stall will make it real and I’m not looking forward to how that will make me feel.
“How are you feeling sweetheart?” I turn to find my father’s eyes on me. Greg is in the driver’s seat, whilst my dad and I are in the back seat on our way to the farm. Christian Maxwell is intuitive, and he knows full well I am struggling with my emotions.
I sigh, a lump building in my throat. “Upset. I know it’s going to be worse when I get to the barn and Zeus isn’t there.”
He grabs my hand, giving it a comforting squeeze. “I’m sorry, princess. I will be there every step of the way. I know how much he meant to you. You can rest easy in the fact that you gave him a good life, doing what he loved. I may not know much about horses, but I know he loved you too.”
The tears I was holding back fall freely. “It just hurts, daddy,” I cry. “The thought of him in so much pain for those last minutes of his life...” I trail off, not wanting to imagine how he looked in his final moments. Not able to get up. Leg suspended in the air.
My father kisses my forehead as I wipe away my tears. “I know sweetheart. Try not to think about it.” He pulls away just as we turn into the long drive of Rhodes Farms. It’s nostalgic seeing the big iron gates. So much has happened since I’ve been here.Toomuch. I’m happy things can finally settle down... Well, after Theo and I tell my father about us. Just the thought of doing that sends anxiety coursing through me. I can only hope my mama will be a buffer and help us in convincing him that we’re in love. Meant to be. Just like my mama and papa.
We pull up in the spot Greg usually parks in. He climbs out and rounds the car, opening the door for me. He stands stoic and holds out a hand for me to take. I smile at him, and he returns it, although it’s small. Greg still holds some guilt over what happened, not that it was his fault in any way, but he takes his job seriously and wants to protect me in every way possible.
“Stop with the guilt. It wasn’t your fault. Iamokay,” I say before shuffling out of the vehicle.
He lets out a harsh breath then surprises me by wrapping his arms around me. Although Greg is protective, he has never been affectionate. “I’m glad you’re okay, Thalia, but I never want to witness anything like that ever again.” He drops a kiss to my hair.
I pull back to look at him with a grin. “Who knew you could be so sappy?”
He chuckles with a wink. “Don’t tell anyone. Wouldn’t want to ruin my tough guy reputation.”
I giggle, my gaze snapping to my dad when he appears at my side.
“You ready?” he looks between Greg and me. Greg leans into the SUV, grabbing my crutches. I don’t really need them, but it helps me not put pressure on my knee.
I position them under my arms, then take a deep, calming breath before looking at him. “Yeah. Let’s get this over with. I need to do it and it’s better sooner rather than later right?”
My father smiles encouragingly. “Yes, sweetheart. You are my strong, brave girl.”
I swallow. I feel a lot of things right now. But strong and brave are neither of them. I need to be though. This won’t be easy. We start for the barn only to come to a stop when I spot Theo in the arena riding JC.
“Wait.” Both my dad and Greg look at me with a frown. I jerk my head and they follow my line of sight. “I want to watch Theo on my horse.”
“Come on then.” My father changes direction towards the arena where Theo schools JC. He’s so in the zone, concentrating hard, that he hasn’t even noticed us approaching. We climb the stairs to the viewing area and Greg pulls out a seat for me.
For a long minute I sit and watch Theo. The way he works my horse, the absolute talent he exhibits in the saddle. He really is a work of art when riding. He is so in tune with JC, so still, poised, looking like he isn’t doing anything or even moving. Yet JC goes around in a perfect outline. My heart soars as I watch him. He really is amazing and now he is all mine.
As if he now senses me, his head snaps up, gaze locking on me. My pulse kicks up. I panic. He stares at me with so much adoration, I worry my father is going to see. I look towards my father before he sees something he shouldn’t. “Daddy?”
His eyes move to me, and he frowns. “Yes?”
“Umm, can you talk with Theo about the specifics for going to Europe? I want to make sure everything is in place,” I blurt on the spot. I know all the details for Europe. I just need my father to focus on something else other than how Theo was looking at me.
He nods. “Of course, sweetheart. I was going to speak with him anyway. I want to know everything. I worry with you being here, so the thought of you being in another country and something happening causes me great anxiety.”
The look on my father’s face, a mix of worry and apprehension, makes my heart constrict. I know he will always have these fears where his children are concerned, especially when it comes to our safety. I also know there is nothing I can do to put those worries to rest. It’s his duty as a parent to be worried no matter how old we get.
I open my mouth to speak when Theo interrupts us, “Thalia, it’s good to see you up and about. Your horses have missed you.” He stares at me with such intensity a shiver runs through me. I push out of my seat and hobble towards him, closing the distance between us so I can stroke JC over the railings.
I look at Theo before turning my gaze to JC’s suddenly very interesting neck. “It’s good to be back,” I murmur as my father steps up beside me.
He reaches out to shake Theo’s hand. “Good to see you again Mr. Rhodes. Thank you for all you did for Thalia and Zeus.” Just hearing that name is a punch to the gut and causes tears to gather in my eyes. I look at Theo and he has a sad smile on his face.
“Of course. I am just glad p...” he clears his throat, but I didn’t miss the way he was going to call me by my pet’s name. My eyes dart to my dad, he watches Theo with something in his eyes I can’t quiet decipher. “... Thalia is okay.”
