Flying Backwards (25 page)

“It’s nice to see you, Nora. Do you have a ride?” Evan asked.

“Yes, Ben is picking me up. He offered to teach me to ride, so I’m finally taking him up on it. He’ll be here soon.”

Bree tucked her hand into Even’s arm. “Okay, I’ll see you soon, and I’ll call you.” As Bree and Evan disappeared from view, Nora scanned the crowd for any sign of Ben. She spotted someone waving, smiling, and moving quickly toward her. She propelled herself and her bag forward until they clasped each other in a snug hug.

“You made it! How was your flight?” he asked. He took her bag, as any true gentleman would.

“The flight was fine. You just missed Bree and Evan.”

They found Ben’s Land Rover and drove out into the green countryside. The rolling hills were dotted with sheep. Worn old stonewalls encircled cottages from another era. Ben tuned in a station on the radio and smiled when they both simultaneously commented, “I love this song!”

“Nora, I have to admit I was completely, but pleasantly, surprised when you called a few days ago. It’s a long way to come for a riding lesson. Or maybe to an international flight attendant flying across an ocean to hang out for a few days is nothing?”

He seemed thrilled to see her, which was what she’d hoped for. She beamed as she chatted about a trip to Demark she’d enjoyed.

When they reached the house, Molly the dog greeted them exuberantly at the door before Ben carried Nora’s bag up to the guest room. “Wow, this is lovely!” Nora looked at the papered walls, the dark antique furniture, the lushly adorned bed linens, and the artwork depicting the English countryside. She noticed the windows were framed by satin material with a subtle pattern and edged in a heavy bullion fringe. The room was rich, yet cozy. “This whole house is amazing.” She crossed to the window and smiled to see that it looked out over the stableyard.

Ben stepped next to her, smiling at the view. “I’m glad you think so. It was an amazing place to grow up in.” He was so close Nora could smell his scent of fresh air and aftershave. “This room was my grandmother’s when she visited.” His eyes flickered through the room, as though he could picture his grandmother there. “She liked to do needlework. She’d sit by this window. She said it had good light. I’d sit by her feet playing with my toys.” His eyes rested on Nora’s face. “So I think you will be comfortable in here.”

“I will.”
This seems like a special room to him, and he purposely put me here, which I love
. Nora wondered if now would be the right time to kiss him. His lips were so close, and they were alone in the room. She swallowed the lump in her throat and said quietly, “Thank you, Ben, for letting me stay here. I’m looking forward to my riding lessons. Although, I have to admit, I’m a little terrified. What if I fall? Or the horse doesn’t like me or something?”

Ben laughed at her admission. “Well, falling off a horse does hurt. But we won’t be doing any crazy galloping this week. And the horse I have in mind will adore you. I think you’ll do okay.”

Nora squeezed her eyes closed and said, “I hope you are right!”

“Let’s get some lunch. Then we can have our first lesson,” Ben suggested. “No sense wasting a perfectly good day.”

Nora’s hand flattened over her stomach. “I don’t think I can eat. I’m too nervous.”

“All right, then, we’ll pack a lunch. Once you’ve successfully maneuvered your horse down to the river we’ll picnic there. That’s the best way to eat anyway, in my opinion.” She nodded. Ben asked about her boots. She unzipped her bag and showed him the hiking boots with heels she had packed on Bree’s advice. She had also packed a few pairs of jeans, as well as a couple supportive sports bras, which she did not show him.

Nora freshened up and changed her clothes while Ben went down to the kitchen to pack something for them to eat. She figured that the kiss could wait. Anyway, maybe she needed to feel him out more. She didn’t want to do something stupid like kiss him if he only wanted friendship. How would she face him again–or Corrine, or Bree? She realized she was second-guessing herself.

When she joined Ben in the kitchen, Nora announced, “Okay, I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”

“Let’s go.” He grabbed the small cloth cooler bag from the counter. “After you.” He pointed to the back door and looked over at Molly. “Stay.”

The day was warm for early September, but the shade cooled the air inside the stable. The smell of horses filled her nostrils. She could also discern the smell of leather and sweet hay.

Ben introduced Nora to her horse for their afternoon ride. “This is Stargazer.”

Nora was pleased to see that Stargazer was on the smaller side, compared to the other horses she had seen in their stalls. “Hello there,” she cooed.

Ben named each piece of equipment as he saddled the mare. Nora was a little surprised to see Ben lifting a western saddle onto Stargazer’s back.
Oh, good,
she thought.
It’s not one of those postage-stamp saddles!

“I’ll go saddle my horse while you two get acquainted.” While Ben left the stall Nora moved closer to Stargazer and stroked her soft coat. When he returned they led their horses out into the stableyard. She noticed his horse was outfitted in a brown leather English saddle, which looked insubstantial and slippery to her eyes, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

“Some people use a mounting block, but you look athletic enough to mount from the ground. And Stargazer’s not too tall.” Ben instructed her to put her left foot in the stirrup. Nora gave it five noble attempts before she finally stepped up and swung her right leg over Stargazer’s back and landed soundly in the saddle.

Nora smiled brightly. She wasn’t sure if mounting the horse had made her giddy or if it was Ben thinking she looked athletic that set her heart pattering. She was glad he noticed her physique. He held the reins from the ground and led the horse in a wide circle so Nora could get a feel for the mare’s movement. He gave her tips after he observed her rigid body struggling to find the right rhythm. With Ben’s astute tutelage, it did not take Nora long to get the hang of it. Before long they were walking the horses east toward the river.

It took them just over an hour to reach the grassy knoll, a secluded spot between the forest and the river. The river was narrow; large boulders protruded just above the water from its bed. Ben helped Nora down and then let the horses drink from the river before he tied them to a nearby tree. He fished around in the saddlebags behind Stargazer’s saddle for a blanket and their lunch.

“Let me help you with that.” Nora took a corner of the blanket, and they stretched it out over the soft grass. They knelt and spread out the contents of the bag. Ben had packed two sandwiches, chips–Nora thought,
I have to remember to call them crisps
–two bottles of water, and a few oatmeal raisin cookies. They settled in and ate their sandwiches.

“Thanks, this is great.” Nora took another bite.

“Sure. I didn’t think I could mess up ham and cheese.” Ben took a swig of water as she chuckled. “What did you think of your first riding lesson? Do you like being on horseback?”

“I love it. It’s so freeing, and it makes me feel connected to nature.” Nora stared off in the distance, feeling peaceful. “Riding through the countryside on the back of a large animal seems daunting right now, but I can see how it would be very relaxing.” Nora focused her gaze back on Ben. “I’m really happy I tried this. Thank you for teaching me what to do.”

“You are a natural. I’m glad you are enjoying it.” Ben cheered. “I really enjoy riding. I regret I’m too busy to take long rides. This is one of my favorite spots. It’s great for swimming during the warm summer days.”

After their lunch they strolled along the river. Ben collected some flat stones while they chatted about various things. When they stopped, Ben started to skim the stones over the water. “It’s my boyhood pastime–I can’t resist!”

Nora thought his grin was as boyish as his skipping game. She bent to retrieve two choice stones near her feet and positioned one in her hand. “Mind if I try?” Nora threw the best skim of her life. One stone kissed the surface of the water five times before sinking into its depths.

“Wow, that was a good one! I didn’t know you were an expert,” Ben joked.

“Two words:
summer camp
.”

They spent the next ten minutes hunting for more stones and watching each other try to beat the other’s skims. Nora was proud that her five hops held the record.

“Okay, I can’t beat you. I give up.” Ben’s green eyes twinkled with mirth. “We’d best get back.”

“Will we be having dinner with your dad and Judy?” Nora asked as they folded the blanket.

“No, they are out of town for the week attending a wedding event. The son of a friend of my father’s is getting married at the end of the week in London. Apparently there are going to be several days of golfing beforehand.” He cast a glance at her. “So it’s just us. Don’t worry. Judy left us something for dinner, and I picked up some beer and a movie.” He buckled the saddlebag. “I thought we could hang in tonight. I figured you might be tired after flying through the night. If you are up for it tomorrow night, there is a pretty cool pub in town where I hang out sometimes.”

“I’m sorry to have missed your parents,” Nora said as Ben helped her mount. He handed her the reins. After Ben was in the saddle, he clucked at the horses to move forward. As they swayed along together, Nora said, “It’s thoughtful of you, Ben. The first night overseas is the hardest for me. Like everyone else, I don’t sleep well on a plane. Relaxing and watching a movie sounds great.”

When they got back, Keegan, the other veterinarian she’d met before, welcomed Nora back to Westborough Meadows. Nora explained that Ben was teaching her to ride. Ben tended to their horses as Keegan went on about Ben’s special knack with horses and said Ben’s sister, Corrine, could ride any horse. “Too bad Corrine wasn’t around. Now, she’s something to see.” Nora detected admiration in Keegan’s voice.

Keegan needed Ben’s attention about a stallion, so Nora took the opportunity to head inside and take a shower before dinner. After a soothing shower to wash away the dust, she checked her phone and saw that Bree had tried to call her.

The sun was starting to go down as she took the steps down to the kitchen, and Nora began to notice she was weary. The thought of spending the night alone with Ben in the empty house sent the butterflies in her stomach fluttering, but she was feeling so tired that she didn’t think anything could possibly happen that night.

Ben came into the kitchen and began to wash his hands. Nora hung up her cell phone after a quick call to Bree and then filled Molly’s bowl with fresh water and rubbed her head.

Molly lapped the water noisily, and Ben smiled at Nora, who clearly felt comfortable making herself at home. Nora was wearing yoga pants and a tank top, her long wet hair hanging down her back. “Bree says hello,” Nora informed Ben as he dried his hands at the sink. “Everything go okay?”

Ben gave her a brief version of the stallion’s medical condition as he dragged a large Dutch oven out of the refrigerator and lifted the lid.

Nora peeked over his shoulder. “Beef stew?”

“Yeah, it slow-cooked all day yesterday before they left, and it smelled really good. I can’t wait to try it.” Ben reached in the cabinet for some ceramic crocks and loaded them up with stew. He positioned them in the microwave, clicked the door closed, and then pressed buttons until Nora heard it
whirl
to life.

“I’ll feed Molly. Where is her food?” Ben directed Nora to a cabinet stocked with canned dog food and various dog treats. Molly gave Ben a glance before following Nora around the room. When Nora noticed the dog’s confusion she smiled at its owner. Continuing with her task she felt Ben’s eyes following her as she fed his dog.

The hot beef stew, accompanied by some crusty bread, was on the table within a few minutes. Ben grabbed two pale ales from the refrigerator.

After their meal, they washed and dried the dishes side by side, Nora commenting on Bree and Evan’s plans for their weekend in London.

“Another beer?” Ben asked as he opened the refrigerator.

“I’ll just have some water.” Nora was full and tired, and she knew another beer would put her right to sleep. She helped herself to a glass of water from the tap before they went into the den. “What movie did you get?”

“It’s a thriller.” He told her the name of the new release.

Nora had not heard of the movie; she dreaded watching anything scary. She truly hated scary movies. But she didn’t want to be rude, so she replied, “Sounds cool.”

Ben slid in the DVD, grabbed the remote control, and lounged on the sofa. Nora sat in the armchair and curled her feet under her. Molly settled in on the floor under Ben’s outstretched legs. After fifteen minutes, Nora transferred to the sofa next to Ben. At his questioning look, she explained, “This is creeping me out.” Several times she covered her eyes; Ben offered to shut it off. Nora was relieved when it was finally over. Ben switched over to a music station, and they chatted for a little while.

Nora’s yawns and drooping eyelids forced Ben to declare, “It’s bedtime. Let me know if you need anything.” They climbed the stairs, stopping at Nora’s door. “There are extra blankets in that chest.” Ben pointed to an ornately carved chest at the foot of the bed. “Sometimes summer nights can get cool.”

“Thanks, Ben. Goodnight.” Nora watched as he went to the next room across the hall. Molly was waiting in the doorway for him. He gave Nora a silent wave, and Molly followed him into the room without a look back. The door closed.

Nora brushed her hair, which had finally dried, and changed into her summer pajamas. As tired as she was, she couldn’t turn off the small lamp on the bedside table. Scary images from the movie were haunting her.
I am such a scaredy cat
. She got out of bed and grabbed a book from her suitcase. She was chilled in her tank top and shorts, and she dashed back under the covers. Every time her eyes drifted closed, she saw the twisted face of the killer in the movie.
Why didn’t I confess that I can’t watch that stuff?
Just then she heard a noise. She sat up, frozen, listening as the noise drew closer. She jumped at the quiet knock on her door. The door remained open a crack, but she couldn’t see anything in the dark hallway. Then she heard her name.