A movement to her left caught Sami's eye and the horse whickered softly throwing her head as she called to the stallion approaching.
"Hello, Sami. Nice to see you out on Mallika."
Sami glanced over the fence line and met Mason’s gaze. He was riding a chestnut stallion. The copper hues of his coat shone in the sunlight. "He is so beautiful." The words were out before she could stop herself.
"He is rather special, isn't he?" Mason patted the horse on the neck, obviously proud of him.
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to stare. I haven't seen a horse this pretty before."
"I doubt he would appreciate being called pretty. Stunning I'm sure would be a more appropriate word for him." The horse stamped his feet and pranced around. "I think he is missing his girlfriend though."
Sami frowned and looked from her horse to his. "His girlfriend? She is having his foal?"
"Yes."
"Oh, I didn't think. I'm sure Tibby told me something like that though." She paused for a while hating the thought creeping into her mind. "Does that make the foal yours or mine?"
"Technically mine. But don't worry, I won't try to take it from you. It's something we can discuss further down the track. Let's concentrate on making sure it's healthy for now."
She ground her teeth and held back the curse forming in her mind. "Is there anything you don't have dibs on over here?"
"You."
Before she could protest he burst out laughing. "Sorry, I couldn't resist."
"Very fucking funny." She turned the horse around and urged her forward, intent on getting away from Mason.
"Sami, Sami, I'm sorry. Petty humour on my part and I apologize. Blame it on the stress of the last couple of days. You are right to be offended. I don't normally talk like this but with the way things are between us—"
"There is no us Mason, get it though your head. No us, no our farm deal, no nothing." She nudged her horse and left him standing there as she trotted away.
Ignorant bastard. Garth is wrong. He was like his bloody father, pushy and demanding no matter how much he protested he wasn't. We’ll see buddy, we’ll see.
* * *
Mason waited until Sami arrived back, standing in the driveway with a bottle of wine in his grip and what he hoped was an appropriate apology on hand.
His stomach clenched when she spotted him.
She is one fiery female for such a little thing. He stepped forward as she walked up the pathway.
"Sami, I'm sorry really I am. I didn't mean to offend you. Please take this as a token of apology." He thrust the bottle into her hands backing away before she could return it. "And just so you know I'm not the evil bastard you think I am, the foal is yours. I won't ask for anything from you. Promise."
She glared at him but the uncertainty in her eyes made him push on.
"It was a deal I had with your grandfather and I realize it has nothing to do with you. I won't let it come between us as neighbours, it's not worth it to me."
"Oh, so now it's a bargaining chip?" She stood with one hand clenching the bottle of wine and the other on her hip.
"No, not at all. As I said, it's your land and you can do what you want with it. I won't ask again and I mean it, I've made other plans. The foal is nothing to do with it." He wondered if he was making things worse. "Mallika is looking good. You seem to get on well with her."
Sami relaxed slightly and Mason breathed a sigh of relief. The horse was a soft spot for her by the look on her face.
"She is the most beautiful horse I've ever seen, apart from yours of course."
"It was a match made in heaven when your grandfather found her. We couldn't help but mate them. Bet you are excited she is due to foal soon."
"Yeah, I am. Seen plenty of cattle born but not a horse. Should be interesting." She made to walk past him on the path.
"Call me when she goes into labour, I'd love to be there too, if you don't mind. Did Garth give you the invitation to Saturday's event?"
She looked up at him, her hazel eyes suddenly more guarded.
"Yes, he did. I have to go in now, thanks for the wine."
She rushed up the stairs and into the house leaving him standing alone on the footpath.
So I rattle her, nice to know.
She was an interesting mix of stubborn, wilful and proud with a touch of innocence and uncertainty thrown in for good measure. It would be interesting getting to know her better.
He walked back to his car and made his way home, noticing the shadow at the window as he drove away from her house.
Chapter 12
Sami drove to town under pressure from Garth to find something suitable to wear tomorrow. Apparently her usual jeans and T-shirts wouldn't fit the bill in his eyes. First impressions counted, and she wanted to do him proud. But the last thing she wanted to do was look as though she was putting herself out for Mason. The guy had too many things going his way already and she didn't want to be one of them.
Parking down a side street, Sami grabbed her purse and slammed the door shut. She shielded her eyes from the bright morning sun and looked down the street both ways before she decided which way to go. The small town was busy and already bustling with early morning shoppers. Newsagents had advertising banners out and the gift shop she passed had bright flags flapping in the breeze.
People smiled as they passed and she was taken back. Not the usual greeting she got from
