Page 27 of Growing Into Love

“I’ll try,” I tell him.

“And don’t let Theresa fuck with you anymore. There’re loads of women out there who would be damn lucky to be with you, Jaz.”

“Thanks, Dec.”

We part ways and I start walking home. I should pack. I should probably do a lot of other things too, like research how to become a show jumping trainer. Maybe I’ll download some training videos to watch on the flight.

I take out my phone—no response from Theresa. Cass said she’d send me the flight details, but I haven’t heard from her. It feels like our text thread has been cordoned off with police tape.Do not cross.

I’ve got to stop being such a coward and ask Cass what time I’m meant to be at the airport. I was the one who stood up and made the offer. It should be on me to reach out, sexy text be damned.

I get to my house and my phone rings.

It’s Del.

“Hi Del,” I say. “How are you feeling?”

“Like utter shit,” Del says. “But Cass told me you’ll be going with her to Windy Acres. I can’t tell you how pleased I am to hear it.”

That makes me feel marginally better.

“It’s no trouble,” I say.

“Course it is, it’s a huge bloody nightmare, but you’re a champ to take it on,” she says. “She told me Naturally Sweet is currently residing at Oak Hill.”

“Yeah, Cass and I brought him there.”

“Didn’t sound like Dec wants to keep him.”

“Do you want him back?” I ask.

“No,” Delilah says sadly. “No, I don’t think he belongs at my stable. He’s just the sort of horse Cass has been looking to rescue though.” Del gives a weak chuckle. “That girl. Once she gets an idea in her head, there’s no stopping her.”

“Don’t I know it,” I say. I’ll try to keep my word to Declan—a promise is a promise—but Cass is as stubborn as he is.

“Now listen,” Del says. “You don’t need to worry about training her while you’re there. She knows what she’s doing—you’re basically a warm body, a Windy Acres requirement. Sorry if that was rude—”

“Not at all,” I say. “Honestly, I’m relieved to hear it. I’m no trainer.”

“No, but you’re her friend and that’s even better. I’m not worried about Cass’s skills. She’s been improving leaps and bounds these past couple years, ever since she got Gal. I’ve never seen such a connection between horse and rider. When Cass is on point, it’s as if she and Gal are one unit, sharing one brain. She knows her routes, she knows her angles, she knows her landings and all that.”

“Great,” I say.

“Her problem is mental. She gets thrown off at the slightest hitch. And once she’s off, it’s hard to get her back on track. Nigella knows this and she uses it to her advantage.”

“Cass does seem to have a real hang up where Nigella is concerned,” I agree.

“The number of times that girl has said something to Cass before a show, some snide remark, some little dig…it completely sets Cass off. Almost like she expects bad things to happen. Or expects to be last place. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but that’s what you’ve got to be looking out for.”

“So, give her lots of encouragement then?” I ask.

Del snorts. “Encouragement? Christ, Jaz, I thought you knew her. If she’s been thrown off and you tell her chin up, you think she’s going to hear? You think she’s going to believe you when you tell her she can do it?”

She’s right. Cass holds tenaciously to her emotions, whatever they might be.

“What do I do, then?” I ask.

Del sighs. “That’s the thing. I don’t know. I haven’t figured it out yet. I mainly try to keep her away from all the competitors on the day of the competition so no one can get in her head.”

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