LITMIR.BIZ

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except she managed to persuade half-a-dozen parents to pull their kids out.”

      “And then some jerk says he wants to see you lose your license?”

      Callie smiled fractionally. “Ah—well, that was a bit of a red flag for me.”

      “Rightly so, considering the circumstances. I would never have done it, you know?”

      “I know,” she said, softer this time, feeling like their worlds were moving closer. “I lost my temper. When I called you a jerk I didn’t know you.” She paused, searching for the words. “I didn’t like you. But I know you now. I … like you now.”

       I more than like you…

      “I like you too, Callie.”

      Her heart beat like a freight train and it was so loud she wondered if he could hear it.

      Minutes later he took Lily and left, leaving Callie standing by the porch with a smile on her face so deep her jaw ached.

      Lily arrived unexpectedly at Sandhills Farm on Wednesday afternoon, riding her bicycle. She wore her school uniform, sensible leather shoes and her black hair tied back in a ponytail. The uniform looked oddly out of place with her full makeup. “I’ve come to see Samson,” Lily told her when Callie approached her.

      “Does your father know you’re here?” Callie asked.

      She crossed her arms over her chest. “Sure.”

      Callie began her next lesson with Maddy Spears and Lily began chatting with Maddy’s mother, Angela. They seemed to know one another quite well. Her suspicions were confirmed a little later, once Maddy’s lesson had finished and Lily came forward with a kind of indulgent authority and steered Maddy and Sunshine toward the washing bay, flipping Callie an assurance that the gelding would be looked after.

      Callie gave the girls an opportunity to do the right thing and headed over to speak with Angela Spears.

      “You know Lily?” Callie asked, slipping through the fence.

      “Everyone knows Lily,” she replied. “Another marvelous lesson,” the other woman said before Callie could open her mouth. “You are a genius,” she said. “Maddy’s talked of nothing else but you for days now.”

      “I’m flattered.”

      Angela Spears’s perfectly bowed mouth beamed at her. Callie couldn’t help noticing how immaculately groomed she was. Riding breeches and grass-stained T-shirts had become her usual garb. Too bad—she looked pretty good in a dress. She hadn’t forgotten Noah’s reaction the night of the Twilight Fair dance. He’d looked at her dress, and her legs and her mouth…

      “Noah was right about you.”

      Angela’s words instantly grabbed Callie’s attention. For a crazy second she wondered if she’d inadvertently said his name without realizing it. “What do you mean?”

      “He told me you were an amazing instructor.”

      Her curiosity surged into overdrive. “He did?”

      Angela nodded. “And he said I’d be foolish to let Maddy miss the opportunity to learn from you and that she couldn’t be in safer hands. Of course, I completely agree now,” she said. “And Maddy’s so looking forward to getting her own pony.” She let out an animated gasp. “Oh, you must help us select the perfect pony when the time comes—I insist. And I’ll pay you a finder’s fee, of course.”

      By the time Callie had waved Angela and her daughter goodbye, Lily had disappeared. But she wasn’t hard to find. Callie headed for the paddock behind the house and found her sneaking morsels of carrot to Samson.

      “So, Maddy’s your friend?”

      Lily nodded. “My best friend.” She gave the gelding another treat.

      Callie thought about the three new students she acquired that week. “And what about Jacinta and Skye Burrows and Chrissie Drew—are they friends, too?”

      “Nope,” Lily replied. “But I think my dad knows Mr. Burrows.”

      Callie’s heart skipped a beat. He’s looking out for me. It felt like forever since anyone had done that.

      Normally she would have resisted the gratitude that coursed through her. On some level she should probably have resented it. Because interference meant involvement. It meant … intimacy. It meant she had cracks in her armor.

      But she experienced none of those feelings. Only a deep-rooted appreciation.

      And an overwhelming longing to see him again and tell him so.

      Callie headed into Bellandale the following morning. She found the address for Preston Marine via the business card Noah had given her and parked outside the large building situated in the center of the town’s newest industrial estate. She got out of her truck and ran her hands down her jeans.

      She was impressed the moment she walked into the showroom. A long and luxurious-looking cruiser was to her left and three smaller boats, including a catamaran with full sails, sat to her right. Printed designs on easels flanked each of the boats and more designs were framed on the walls. A circular reception area greeted her as she stepped onto the tiled floor and a fifty-something man came toward her. He wore pressed trousers and a shirt with Preston Marine logo sewn onto the breast pocket.

      “How can I help you?” he asked politely.

      Callie hung on to her nerve. “I’d like to see Noah Preston. Is he here?”

      The man, whose name badge read Len, nodded. “He’s out back in the workshop.”

      “Oh,” she shrugged. “If he’s busy I can—”

      “You can wait in his office,” Len suggested and walked ahead, motioning her through a door on the left. “I’ll call him.”

      Callie followed with unusual obedience, passing a small, efficient-looking woman who sat behind the reception desk, tapping on computer keys and wearing the same style shirt as Len. When she entered the office Len quickly excused himself, and Callie sat on a long black leather lounge. As far as offices went, this appeared better than most. And it was as neat as a pin.

      She didn’t have to wait long.

      “Callie?”

      Noah stood in the doorway, dressed in chinos and the same corporate shirt as his staff. He stared at her with such raw intensity she was relieved she’d been sitting. Her knees would surely have given way if she’d been standing. “Hi.”

      “Is everything all right?” he asked as he closed the door.

      “Oh, yes. I just wanted to speak with you.” Callie felt absurdly self-conscious beneath his penetrating stare. “This is a nice office,” she said, desperate to fill the silence rapidly smothering the space between them.

      “Do you think?” One hand moved in an arc, motioning to the chrome and glass furnishings. “I’m not sure. I’ve only had this place for about six months. Grace did the decorating. It’s a bit too modern for me”

      And just who was that? “Grace?” she asked as she stood.

      “My other sister,” he explained.

      Stupidly relieved, Callie scanned the room again. “It is modern but appropriate, I think.” She relaxed a bit. “You said you’d just moved here?”

      He nodded. “I’ve kept the original workshop down by the Port, but the business needed larger premises.”

      “And a showroom?”

      “Buyers are keen to see the finished product,” he replied. “Would you like a tour?”

      “Maybe after we’ve talked.”

      He closed the door and walked farther into the room. “Okay, let’s talk.”

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