Well, that should be easy, she reflected as Cesar gave her a black look for reckless riding.
Easy or not, it had to be done.
Her chance came at the end of the afternoon session when everyone left to freshen up. Sofia’s legs felt like wood. She couldn’t remember working so hard on a horse, and for the first time in her memory she stumbled when she dismounted.
Cesar was at her side in an instant, steadying her with one hand firmly lodged beneath her arm. ‘Too much for you? You made a bit of a mess of today’s training. Maybe don’t ask Jess to make things harder tomorrow?’ he suggested dryly. ‘Was there any particular reason behind your request to make things hard for you?’
She chose to ignore that question. ‘Training’s hard for all of us. I can take it.’
Cesar gave her a critical look. ‘Can you?’
Ignoring that too, she focused on the one thing that mattered. ‘I have to talk to you—and I mean talk. To clear the air,’ she explained when Cesar remained silent.
‘It will take more than a chat to do that.’ He was already turning away. ‘Barbecue this evening,’ he announced.
‘Cesar, please,’ she insisted, grabbing a moment alone as soon as he’d finished spelling out the details. ‘We can’t go on like this, not if we hope to play well as a team.’
He stared at her hand on his arm. She stood back. Good enough for sex, she wasn’t good enough for Cesar to engage in conversation apparently. Now she was mad. Which was unfortunate timing, as the stable hands had arrived to take charge of the ponies.
‘If only you were so caring about your human counterparts,’ Cesar observed, holding the door for her to pass through as they left the building.
She always spelled out her pony’s preferences, and mentioned any worries she might have about the animal’s condition after hard training.
Her heart lurched as their hands brushed. How was she ever going to concentrate when that was all it took? She had to. She must. She couldn’t lose her brother, and she couldn’t lose Cesar. ‘There’s something you need to know.’
‘Sounds intriguing.’ He speared her with a stare until it was hard to believe she had any secrets left.
‘Can we talk now?’
He shrugged. ‘I can spare you five minutes.’
She’d take it. ‘Thanks.’
‘Follow me—’
‘No.’ She shook her head. ‘I need you to follow me.’
Without looking back to see if Cesar was following, she led the way to what had quickly become Sofia’s favourite place on Cesar’s ranch. It was a secluded spot by the river, where she could read and think, not that she got much spare time to do either. Her destination was a woodland grove where she could sit, sheltered by a copse of trees. It was an idyllic spot on the banks of a fast-flowing river, but it wasn’t easy to reach, which was half of its attraction. Few made the effort, so it was completely private. Brambles on the ground threatened to trip unwary visitors, but for someone brought up in the country like Sofia, who was accustomed to trekking over difficult ground, it was a hidden treasure.
She could hear Cesar’s long strides behind her. He had to hear her out, then he could send her home if he wanted to. Either way, she had to make a stand.
‘My mother used to being me here,’ Cesar revealed when they stood on the banks of the fast-flowing river. ‘It was part of my introduction to a brighter world, she’d tell me. A world where things are clean, and clear, if you remain still and allow yourself to hear.’
Would he? Would he allow himself to hear? With all her heart, she hoped he would.
‘When I was older, I’d come here on my own to think.’
‘Did it help?’ she asked, wanting to open this window onto Cesar’s early life wide.
‘Five minutes,’ he reminded her, closing off. ‘So you’d better be fast. What do you want to talk to me about?’
If that was the way he was going to play it, she’d be just as blunt. ‘I’m being blackmailed.’
Obviously shocked, Cesar recovered fast. ‘Go on,’ he prompted.
‘I signed up to write a light, fluffy piece for a fee I could plough into my retreat. At the time I had no idea Howard Blake was such an unscrupulous man, or that he would seize the opportunity to take my material and doctor it beyond all recognition. Now he’s threatening to publish more articles under my name. I’m guessing they won’t do you or my brothers any favours. I don’t know why he’s got it in for you. I do know my reputation will be ruined, but that’s nothing in comparison to losing the love and trust of my brothers, and causing you more harm. If I could wind back the clock, and change things, I would, but...’
Cesar was staring out across the stream in silence. ‘Did you hear me?’
