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My father smiles but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “We all are. Thalia wants to see her horses and then I would like to discuss the tournaments in Europe and Thalia’s recovery, if you have time?”
Theo nods. “Of course. Give me ten minutes and I will be in my office.” He glances at me once more before turning and walking away. He hops off and hands JC to a waiting Maria.
“Come Thalia, let’s go and see your other horses. We don’t have much time. Your mother is cooking dinner and expects us to be home in,” he looks at the limited-edition Maxwell Marina watch on his wrist then back to me, “an hour. You know how she gets if we’re late.” I chuckle with a shake of my head before we all make our way inside the barn.
I come to a stop at Zeus’s stall, my breath hitching in my throat as tears prick my eyes. Fuck. This is going to be harder than I thought. Someone squeezes my shoulder in silent support. “Come on, princess,” my dad whispers, letting me know it was him.
I take a deep breath and move past the empty stable towards Lolli, who neighs when she spots me through her open door. I step inside to find Jess throwing a blanket over her body. She turns, squealing when she sees me.
“Oh my god, Thalia.” She rushes towards me, the blanket forgotten, then pulls me into a gentle hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay.” She whispers in my ear. I nod.
“Thank you. And thank you for looking after my horses.” I sniff, overcome with emotion. Out of all the people here, Jess has become a good friend to me. Just seeing how happy she is that I’m okay confirms that she is a true friend.
She pulls away, rubbing her eyes, and I don’t miss the wetness underneath them. “I’m so sorry about Zeus, I know how much you loved him.” I nod with a small smile, unable to speak over the ball in my throat. I turn to give Lolli the fuss she deserves, dismissing Jess without words. It’s not because I’m being rude. It just hurts too much talk about Zeus.
Over the next twenty minutes I show all my animals the same love and then we make our way to Theo’s office. My father knocks on the closed door, and seconds later Theo’s voice sounds.
“Come in.”
We enter, and Greg stays just outside the door. I shiver when I feel rather than see Theo’s eyes on me and I want to tell him to stop, to be cool but I can’t in front of my dad. We both drop down on a chair. Eventually I look up, thankful when I find Theo’s eyes on my father.
“Christian, what do you want to talk about first?” Theo starts.
My dad clears his throat. “Obviously, I want to have your word that no matter how much my daughter pushes to get back in the saddle, you will not allow it until you have spoken with me? I know she is keen to get back to riding, but I want her one hundred percent healed before she does. I have the best therapists in the area, that will work with her injury but still, it might take some time. My wife and I leave tomorrow and although her sister will be joining her, I know how tenacious Thalia can be. I don’t want her on a horse until we have the go ahead from her doctors.”
Theo glances at me before nodding at my father. “Of course. My priority is Thalia healing. I would never push for her to do anything that could jeopardize that in anyway. You have my word on that.”
My father lets out a relieved breath and I resist the urge to roll my eyes. I know they both have my best interests at heart, but I hate that I’m being babied. “Then on to the next thing. I know you will be competing all over Europe for the next six months and will be based there. Greg will be travelling with Thalia, and I will also make visits when I can. I would like a full itinerary of your trip emailed to me, so I know where my daughter is at all times. That might seem over the top but Thalia, although nineteen in a couple months, is still my baby girl. I want to know what countries she will be in and when. There is also another reason for that, and that’s so I can make the correct arrangements when visiting. You are aware I have sponsored the Global tour, and I would like to make some of that competition.”
“That’s not a problem. I will have an itinerary drawn up for you. Dates and locations of the Maxwell tour, a list of addresses, and any contact numbers for when we are over there.”
My father claps, a smile on his face. “Wonderful. That’s all.” He pushes out of his chair. “We must get going, my wife has cooked dinner.” I take that as my cue to stand. “I look forward to your email and will be in contact with you about any information from Thalia’s doctors.”
“Thank you, Christian, that would be great. I’m glad we’re all on the same page.” They shake hands before Theo’s blue gaze moves to me. His eyes tell me so much without him saying anything.
He loves me.
He can’t wait to see me.
I smile, letting him know I saw it all.
“Take care of yourself, Thalia.”
I smother another smile at his concern. “I will. Make sure my horses are taken care of?” It’s a question, although one that doesn’t need an answer. I know he will take care of them.
He grins. “I will personally make sure of it.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, wishing I could kiss him, hold him. But that will have to wait.
Until tomorrow.
