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Bailey played at Apple Sours last night. She and Joe worked out she’d come in Thursdays and Saturdays. One night was honky-tonk, the other blues. She’d never enjoyed playing more. Two weeks she’d been in Ryker, and as yet had no desire to leave.
She felt safe here, which was strange as she’d never been unsafe—no one had ever threatened her. But something about this place wrapped around her like a warm shawl.
Bailey made sure that any time she spent with Joe was in company. He disturbed her, and dredged up memories that were better left buried, so she’d tried to put contact in the polite yet distant category. She’d caught him watching her more than once, frowning, as if she was a puzzle he couldn’t work out. Hell, she couldn’t even work herself out, so there was no way he’d have a chance.
After Maggie had left for work this morning, she’d headed out the door. Today she would do what she’d wanted to since coming back. Bailey walked down the drive that had once held her home. She’d avoided it, and there was no reason to. Maggs hadn’t brought the subject up either, which had been fine with her, but now felt the right time to let another ghost rest. Once, she’d been happy enough here; it was time to put the fear of what she’d find to bed.
The day was crisp, and a breeze played in the air. The beauty before her was breathtaking. With the twins constant companions on her right, she approached her old home. Bailey had once walked or ridden over every inch of the property she was approaching. The fences had been redone. Post and rail, they looked good. Her eyes followed the line of the drive. She’d just go halfway, so no one saw her. Close enough to see the house and look around.
Her old home was still there, and relief had her exhaling as she saw the condition of it, painted a soft gray now, with darker gray trim. Bailey released the breath she’d been holding as she saw that whoever lived there now was looking after it. The front pillars had been stoned up to halfway, the driveway still a circle, but now sealed. Flowers and shrubs planted, and the grass mown. In fact, it looked better than she’d ever seen it. Relieved, she let her eyes wander to the huge set of outbuildings in a paddock further back. The current owners were working it. Those buildings hadn’t been here before.
“Hello.” She approached the fence where two horses stood, holding out one hand. “Aren’t you both beautiful.”
One was black as midnight, with a long silken mane, the other a chestnut with soft brown eyes. Bailey loved horses.
She ran a hand down their silken necks, and leaned in to inhale their special scent as she wondered on her next move. She did love it here, but couldn’t stay forever. Bailey needed to make a plan for the future. She couldn’t live in limbo with no direction much as she enjoyed having no restrictions pressing down on her. Odd jobs here and there were fun, but not indefinitely, especially if she couldn’t get her grandfather to release her money.
Hooking her arms around the neck of the horse, Bailey rested her head on its long forehead. Once, she’d ridden every day, and sometimes twice. Horses and music had always been her passion. She missed them both now, but it had taken a while to come to that with her music.
She wasn’t sure how long she stood there, but the sound of hooves had her easing back. She looked beyond the horses, and saw a man riding toward her, but it was the dog at his side that told her who it was.
Joe Trainer wore a worn gray T-shirt, jeans, and boots. On his head was a navy cap. She didn’t remember him riding, but then he also hadn’t played the piano either. He sat a horse well. His tall, rangy body looked good up there.
“Hi, Bailey.”
“Wh-what are you doing here? I didn’t know you rode.”
Buzz barked for her to notice him; she stuck a hand through the fence and scratched his head.
“We own this property now.”
Shock had her stepping back.
“Y-you own this? Why did no one tell me? Maggs—”
“Was probably waiting for you to ask her about it, and as she has no idea of the history we share, didn’t think it was important to mention that I now own it.”
Bailey couldn’t drag her eyes from him.Joe now lived in her house.
“I’m sorry, I should have told you.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because I wasn’t sure how you’d react?”
Bailey didn’t know how she felt.
“Talk to me, Bailey.”
“I— You’ve made improvements, they look good.” She forced herself to say the words as she turned to look again at the house. Joe lived here, on the land she’d grown up on. Why was that a struggle for her to comprehend? She’d been gone so long, and had known someone would live here... just not him.
“I really am sorry—”
“S-so these are your horses that I’m hugging?” She cut him off.
“Yes, and I have no problem with you cuddling them. Everyone needs a hug now and again, even my horses.”
Bailey needed to leave. “I have to go, b-bye.”
