“I’ve been a couple of times.” He shrugs like it’s not a big deal, but his face clouds over a little and I think there’s a story in there. I knock my knee against his and his mouth curls up a little at the side. He knows I’m going to ask him about it sooner or later.
“I take it you plan to offer Felix the job?” he asks.
“If everyone else agrees.” I look around at the rest of the team. Simon is nodding enthusiastically, Andrés quirks a smile to show he has no objections, and Gabriel squeezes my hand. As I make my way to the office I reflect on how different meetings are here to anywhere else I’ve worked. They’re not just a team; it feels like we’re a family. I know I’m lucky to have them.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
GABRIEL
At the end of the day I knock on Charley’s office door. Not that we keep strict and regular working hours, we can’t with the restaurant and the horses, and I’m aware everyone works more hours than they should, but the centre office is officially open nine to five so I figure Charley should be finishing up around now.
“Hey,” I say after he calls me in. I see a bright smile break out on his face when he sees me, and my heart skips a beat.
“Hi, good day?” he asks.
“Yes, I have something to show you if you’re done.”
“Give me two minutes.” He flicks his eyes back to his laptop and I take a seat to wait for him.
“Did Felix accept the job? I’m looking forward to meeting him.”
“Yes, he did, and how about tomorrow?” Charley gives me a quick grin. “He understands that the opening tournament is in a couple of weeks and wants to start straight away, which is good for us.”
It is, and I’m already impressed by his enthusiasm. After a couple more minutes Charley closes his laptop, ready to leave. As we exit the building I take his hand.
“What do you want to show me?” he asks.
“You’ll see. But don’t get too excited as it’s not there yet.” His face creases into an adorable frown and I want to kiss his freckles, but I don’t. Instead, I walk us along the track towards the horse barn. We reach a little rise where we can see the barn, and beyond it the riding arena and practice polo field. I stop walking and Charley stands beside me. He looks at me, his frown still in place.
“I wanted to tell you first since you asked for it. I met with Duncan today, to go through the plans I asked him to draw up last week. I’m not ready to develop the spa at the centre yet, but I wanted to keep a space for us—as in the staff—separate. With Andrés bringing his horses, and assuming you’ll be needing a couple more horses too, I realised we needed more space. So I’m having a second barn built and also another riding arena, a larger one. This will accommodate the extra horses and also visiting horses if needed. But in between them there’ll be a small complex with a gym, showers, swimming pool, and sauna.”
“That’s fantastic, thank you. It’s really going to help with my fitness. Truly, thank you.” He pulls me into a hug and a kiss.
“I have more plans if you want to hear them?” I ask as we pull apart.
“Of course, you know I’ve always wanted to hear everything you plan. Not that I ever got a choice,” he teases gently. But it’s true, I always shared them with him at every opportunity.
“Who else would I tell all my ambitious schemes to if not my best friend?” I say quietly and his smile deepens. He still is and will always remain my best friend.
“I’m going to add an equine swimming pool as well. Initially for our horses to help with fitness and no-impact exercise if they get injured, but I know there aren’t many in this part of the country, so maybe it could become a rehabilitation centre. I’ll ask Cole about it when he next visits.”
“I like that. You are full of ideas, aren’t you?”
“You inspire me.” I squeeze his hand and he leans into me, so I kiss him again.
“Can we walk to the paddocks? I haven’t seen Arrow since Saturday and he played so well for me.”
We carry on walking, still hand in hand, and after a few minutes, Charley takes a deep breath as if he’s preparing to say something. I remain silent, waiting for him to be ready.
“Last night was lovely, wonderful. But I think we should take things slowly between us. I don’t want to rush it.”
His words are a relief to me, and I was planning to bring it up later as well. I have a confession, which I hinted at last night, and now, as we’re walking, seems as good a time as any, though I am still nervous.
“I was going to ask the same thing,” I reply, and I see him smile, glad we’re in agreement. “When I said I wasn’t very experienced I was telling the truth.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asks, and his kind, reassuring smile helps me to relax.
“Yes, as long as you can bear to hear it.” Saying that is my last act of self-defence, of allowing Charley an out, but I should know better as he squeezes my hand.
