Hot Revenge Box Set 2

James nods acknowledgement. “Yes, it needs care. But I'll go with her every time. And Eleanor sent a side-saddle for Charlotte to use for a while, until she's back in shape again.”

Charlotte turns a puzzled frown on him. “You’ll come with me? But…”

“Go inside.” Michael nods her indoors. “You’ve not seen it all yet.”

Charlotte unbolts the lower half of the door, clicking her tongue. “Back-up, Charlie.” The bay-roan mare reverses, letting everyone through, but shoves her nose firmly against Charlotte’s chest.

And there, at the back of the stable, up to his knees in clean straw, is another horse, a white gelding; much bigger than Charlie, heavily-built, but with a mild eye and manner. He snickers as we enter, his ears pricking forward.

Charlotte blinks.

James produces a carrot, then another, passing one to Charlotte. His own he offers to the gelding. “Meet Oliver. He’s Charlie’s son. He’s here to keep Charlie company and for me to ride with you.” Charlotte’s jaw drops.

There is something about seeing joy in another person. It’s infectious. It rubs off. Next to me, Ryan is smiling broadly.

Richard is positively beaming. “By the way, Charlotte, your Christmas gift from me and Elizabeth is the saddle and tack…”

She throws herself at him, streaming tears. Richard wraps arms around her, patting her back. He kisses her cheek. “Happy Christmas, Charlotte. You deserve it.”

Ryan, standing close behind me, winds an arm around my waist, pulling me in close, then slips his gloved hand into mine. His cheek resting by mine, he murmurs, “So Charlotte has her white horse then?”

For a moment I don’t understand him, then I remember…

That conversation we had, the very first night we met.

“So, no dreams of white horses then?”

“White horses?”

armour, come to carry

I laugh. “Not me.”

his white charger, come to carry me away. Yes, he was there all the time, wasn’t he?

Charlotte, laughing and crying and smiling and tearful and joyful… surrounded

complete clarity,

face Ryan. His forehead wrinkles as I hook arms up around his neck, reaching for his lips

release stiff fingers, I grope into my pocket, seeking what

simply look at it in my palm: a small plastic ring. Cheap and tawdry, gilt

to me,

seems not to be breathing. His

onto my left hand, fourth finger. “Yes, I will

smile spreading wide and

“I will.”

him punching the air. “Congratulations!

to Charlie’s nickered protest. She runs to me,

and James both stride forward, arms outstretched, competing to be

slight smile. “Congratulations, Kirstie,” he says in a

“What about you?”

“Oh, I’m

Charlotte. “We have to tell Beth and Mom.” She scuttles back

*****

news with the same enthusiasm as everyone else, giving

swatting at Richard’s hand when he tries to stop her. “I can

“Coming right up.”

surrounded by, almost immersed in,