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‘As long as I can remember. I started guitar lessons when I was about ten I think. Piano was something I learnt in school and picked up again recently. The violin was a few years ago too. My family are like one of those clichéd Irish families you see on TV. Music is a big part of our gatherings.’
‘So you have a big family?’
Tate nods. ‘Well, big extended family. I’ve got one brother and one sister. Too many cousins to count. You?’
‘Younger sister. She’s living in London and works at some fancy law firm. She’s PA to one of the partners but you’d swear she ran the place single handed. What do your brother and sister do?’ She knows she’s prying into his life, but she wants to keep him here as long as possible.
He takes a drink of his coffee before he answers. ‘My older brother is a lawyer in Canada. He has his own firm.’
‘How did he end up in Canada?’
‘He went there with a few mates after college and fell in love with a girl and the country. He was only meant to be there for three months. He ended up getting a visa and moved there about a year later. He married Annabelle a few years later and they have two girls. My younger sister is working for a fashion designer in Dublin.’
‘Wow. So does she try to style you?’
He snorts and just about manages to keep his coffee from spilling over the table. ‘She tried numerous times but I think she’s given up at this stage. I’m sticking to jeans and t-shirts. End of story. So, how long are you staying with Dorothy for?’
The question is entirely innocent but that doesn’t stop the spark of excitement when she hears it. ‘School doesn’t start until late August so I’m free as a bird until then. I plan to look for an apartment nearer the school, but I can commute from here if need be. To be honest, I’m not in any hurry to leave the area. It has a lot going for it.’ Did she seriously just say that? Hopefully he thinks she’s talking about the scenery outside the window not the scenery inside. ‘What type of music do you play? I’m guessing it’s not classical.’
He laughs again and scratches his jaw. ‘No. I guess the easiest description would be rock, but we mix it up a little.’
‘Do you do covers or your own songs?’
‘I write everything we play. I’m a bit of a control freak like that.’
‘So you sing too?’
He nods. ‘Like I said, bit of a control freak.’
‘That’s impressive. You’ll have to let me know when you’re performing next. I’d love to come and see you.’
He frowns briefly then smiles. Why does she get the feeling she just said something stupid, but has no idea what.
‘Do you have your own place here?’
He shakes his head. ‘I’ve been staying with my folks for a few weeks.’ He pushes the chair back and gets to his feet. ‘Thanks for the coffee. I better leave you to it.’
Before she can utter a word, he’s out the door. A few seconds later, she hears the side gate open and Jove passes by the front window.
‘Great to see you haven’t lost your touch,’ she mutters to herself as the sound of hooves fades away. She wanders into the hall and frowns at her reflection in the mirror. She looks a right state. She leans closer and curses under her breath. There’s actually some grass in her hair. Well that’s just perfect. Not only did she say something to scare him off but she also sat through the whole conversation with grass sticking out of her hair. If she sees him again it will be a bloody miracle.
∞
Tate allows Jove to set the pace on the way back to his parents’ house. He didn’t want to leave Chloe, but he had no choice. As soon as she asked where he lived he had to get out of there. The next question was bound to be why he was back with his folks. It was only natural. He wasn’t ready to open that can of worms with her. Maybe not ever.
He curses as his phone rings in his pocket. He pulls it out and checks the display. It’s his dad. He’s probably wondering where he is. He’s been gone longer than usual. Tate shivers as the rain continues to soak into his clothes. In such a rush to get out of Dorothy’s he’d left his hoody on the back of the chair.
That’s not entirely a bad thing. Until he freaked out, he’d been enjoying Chloe’s company. He’d like to see her again, but that means he’d have to tell her exactly who he is. She’d probably figure it out herself by then anyway. All she needs to do is mention him to her gran and the gaps will be filled in for her.
He guides Jove through the gate and grimaces when he sees his dad under the shelter outside the stable area. Looks like he’s not entirely happy. Tate leads Jove into his stall and unbuckles the saddle.
‘Everything okay?’
Tate rests the saddle over top of the door and glances at Rick. ‘You timing me now? How long can I be gone for before you send out the search parties?’
‘Don’t bite my head off. We’re bound to worry about you.’
‘Oh give me a fucking break. What the hell am I going to do to myself on the beach with a horse. I took him for a longer run. Nothing to worry about.’
