“You’re on.”
And now, Iona thought, she’d have a beer with her cousin after work. It reallywasmagick.
“I’m sorry. My English is sometimes not good.”
“It’s excellent,” Iona disagreed as she shifted to look at the woman rider.
“This is your cousin. But you’re not Irish.”
“American, Irish descent. I’ve just moved here. Literally.”
“You came only yesterday? Not before?”
“No, never before. I’m actually staying at the castle for a few days.”
“Ah, so you are visiting.”
“No, I live here now. I came yesterday, got this job today, and I’m moving in with my cousins next week. It’s all kind of wonderful.”
“You just came, from America to live here? I think you’re very brave.”
“I think I’m more lucky. It’s beautiful here, isn’t it?”
“Very beautiful. We live in Berlin, and work there. It’s very busy. This is quiet and... not busy. A good holiday.”
“Yes.” And an even better home, Iona thought. Her home.
***
BY THE TIME SHE’D RUBBED DOWN SPUD, PUT AWAY HER TACK,met the other staff on duty that day—Mick with his ready grin, whose oldest daughter turned out to be the waitress who’d served her dinner the night before—and helped feed and water the horses, Iona deemed it too late to visit Cong or the falconry school.
She approached Meara.
“I’m not really sure what my hours are.”
“Oh well.” Meara took a long drink from a bottle of orange Fanta. “I expect you didn’t plan to be working a full day, which you nearly have. Are you up for working tomorrow?”
“Sure. Absolutely.”
“I’d say eight’s good enough, but you’d best be checking with Boyle to be certain, as he may have put a schedule together. I’d think you could go on now, as Mick and Patty have things handled here, and I’ve got a private over at the big stables.”
“I’ll find him and see. Thanks, Meara, for everything.”
Going with the joy of the day, she wrapped her arms around Meara in a hug.
“I’m sure you’re welcome but I didn’t do anything, less than usual as it happens, as you did most of my sweaty work.”
“It felt good. It feels good here. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Have a good one, and my best to Branna and Connor when you see them.”
Iona checked the ring, then what Boyle called his office, backtracked, circled, and found him outside in the paddock having a stare-down with Alastar.
“He doesn’t think you like him.”
Boyle glanced back. “Then he’s an intuitive bastard.”
“But you do.” She boosted herself up to sit on the fence. “You like his looks and his spirit, and wonder how you can smooth his temper without breaking that spirit.”
