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She lingers in the doorway while I finish another phone call. Then I motion to her, and she pushes the door open with a creak.
Maureen stands opposite my desk, hands clasped behind her back, and an expectant look on her face. “You wanted to see me, sir?”
I hang up and sit up straighter. “Yes, we’re going to need to move my brother again. He's sick of his room.”
Maureen furrows her brows. “Okay, sir.”
I shake my head. "Thanks Maureen, you are a life saver.”
She pauses and shifts from one foot to the other. “Anything else I can do to help, sir?”
I link my fingers together. “Just have Brian’s things moved to another room, discreetly of course. And please ask Doctor Masterson to come and see me as soon as possible.”
After a clipped discussion with Brian’s psychiatrist, during which the headache in the back of my skull continues to expand, I find myself exhausted.
Since his doctor and I can’t come to an agreement about the medication, she agreed to lower the dosage and monitor him.
I wonder if it’s going to be enough.
What happens if this doesn't work for him, and he end up going back to his old habits?
I stand up, stretch my arms over my head, and roll my shoulders. Then I answer a few more emails before powering down my laptop.
When I’m sure there’s nothing else that needs my attention for the day, I duck out of the same back door I came in through.
The balmy evening air hits me directly in the face.
I inhale, the crisp mountain air filling my lungs, and some of my angst dissipates. I’m rolling up the sleeves of my shirt and idly glancing around when I spot Danielle astride her horse.
She is wearing shorts and a low-cut shirt, gripping the reins securely in her hands, a look of fierce concentration etched onto her face.
She’s easily the most beautiful thing about this place.
I slow down, let my hands fall limply to my side, and watch her.
Over the past few days, she’s gained more and more confidence in herself, giving her the grace and self-possession to take charge with her mare.
Her hair is billowing behind her. And in spite of the tightness around her eyes, she looks happy. Whatever she was going through the other day must have passed already.
She seems to be at peace now.
Like she belongs.
I want to take her into my arms and kiss away the furrow between her brows. I want to rush to her, carry her off of the horse, and take her back to my room.
Then I want to spend the rest of the night showing her just how much she means to me. Unfortunately, I know I can’t do any of that.
Not yet at least.
When I step forward and stand on the other side of the fence surrounding the riding arena, she still hasn’t seen me.
She tilts her head to the side, squeezes her eyes shut, and a myriad of emotions dances across her face.
The sun is dipping below the horizon, bathing her in hues of pink and purple. Her face is silhouetted in a warm, ethereal glow, making her look even more vulnerable and enticing.
My heart is hammering unsteadily the entire time.
I wipe my palms on the sides of my shorts and lean forward to keep watching her. Eventually, she slows to a trot, and her eyes fly open.
