A Roll in the Hay, стр. 45
“I’ll probably rename them if they’ll listen,” Susannah said, as the taller of the black horses came over to give her an appraising sniff. She held her palm out flat, a hunk of carrot already pulled from her pocket in anticipation. “I don’t want another stable full of tennis players, all the same.”
“Hmm, this fella has a bit of a bumpy hip,” Tess said, running her hand over it. “Minor stuff, though, and it’s not affecting his gait. They still have some resale value, so you should make him a fair offer.”
“Oh, there’s plenty of life in them yet. What do you say, boys? Would you like to come and roam around at Midsummer? We’ll take very good care of you. Yes, we will.”
“You really love your horses, don’t you?”
Susannah gave Tess a withering look. Love wasn’t about how many stupid voices you used to talk to an animal. It was giving them care and shelter and looking after them well, giving them a life without worry, even if they’d had a tough start. The rest was just for fun. “Why didn’t you bring Waffles? He’s good around horses, isn’t he?”
“He’s good around everyone, if they have food or attention to give. I just never know if the other animals will take to him, so for the most part he hangs around the surgery when I’m in the field.”
“Doesn’t he miss you?”
“He does, but I make up for it with fussing and treats. Also he’s a bit of an unofficial therapy dog. He likes to supervise the inpatients and helps them calm down a bit when their owners first have to leave them. Margo seems to think it’s helping, anyway.”
Susannah clutched her chest, almost mocking, but she was genuinely moved. “Your dog is a credit to you. Probably more than you deserve, actually.” Her lips curled in amusement. “Shall we go and tell this man we’ll solve his last problem?”
“Selling the farm is the last problem. Not much property shifting around here at the moment,” Tess said, falling in step as they headed back to the fence. “He’ll have to hope someone is ready to start out on their own. Maybe workers from a nearby estate.”
Susannah didn’t know anyone in that position, but she suspected Dave might. She’d have to get Finn on the case as soon as they got back. With that in mind, she offered two hundred over what she’d already agreed, getting an impressed little murmur from Tess in the process. Better this than healthy enough horses being sent to the knacker’s yard.
Arrangements were made for collection, and Susannah had a spring in her step as they walked back to the car. “Should I take these off?” She gestured to her boots as Tess sat in the driver’s seat, side on, changing her wellies back to more practical running shoes.
“No, the mats will catch it,” Tess said, throwing her own boots in the back and gesturing to the black rubber on the floor. “Doubt anyone in this part of the world can keep their car interior all that clean. Don’t worry about it. Besides, those are some great boots.”
“They are, aren’t they?” Susannah’s mood improved by the second. Compliments certainly didn’t hurt. “Oh, I’m so glad we did this.”
“You’ll have two more stalls filled by Tuesday,” Tess replied. “That’s a good start.”
“It is. In fact, it’s the real start—of everything. I’ve spent all this time talking and plotting, but this is a milestone, the first real change on the estate that I’ve done all by myself.”
“Take that, wicked sister-in-law!” Tess added a little victory whoop as she started the car.
It cooperated immediately this time, but Susannah didn’t miss Tess’s little sigh of relief. In all honesty, it was a perfectly fine car—a little showy and overdone with accessories maybe—but it had been fun to tease Tess about it all the same. A lot of things to do with Tess kept turning out to be fun, well, apart from kisses that turned into misunderstandings. Susannah didn’t know whether they’d actually resolved that misunderstanding fully, but it was very bloody nice to see Tess’s smile once more. Maybe Susannah not saying too much for once was the way to go. Action had always been much more her forte, anyway.
“Now, I think I saw a pub not far from here on the way in,” Susannah said. “I know you can’t have anything while you’re driving, but would you indulge me? Your orange juice is absolutely on me.”
“Of course.” Tess steered with quiet confidence as they zoomed along the narrow road. “You mean the one set back from the road, with all the trees?”
“It looked decent. And I’m starting to think I should be getting some inspiration for finally overhauling the Thistle.” Wow. Where did that idea come from? Yet as soon as she said it, Susannah realised the notion had been brewing for a little while. Change forced on her had been difficult and upsetting, but choosing to change things felt a lot like power. Actually, it felt a lot like freedom.
They parked out front and entered through a side door, instantly charmed by the rustic interior of the country pub. Susannah made good on her promise, getting the drinks straight away. She was pleased to see Tess choose a table with low sofas in the far end of the pub. There weren’t many people in the bar so early in the afternoon, and they had almost complete privacy. A huge fireplace dominated the space, and on a colder day, it would undoubtedly have a roaring fire.
“You should have ordered champagne,” Tess sipped her orange juice without complaint. “Celebration and all that.”
“I would have, but it doesn’t quite seem the sort of place to do it by the glass. Drinking a bottle alone would be…”
“Tragic?”
“You said it. Maybe you could