Page 37 of Beneath Pearly Irish Skies
Kade felt his mouth twitch. “Never say the O’Dwyers aren’t canny. They think Tom will remember that and give you the permit.”
His dad nodded crisply. “Yes, that’s the way of it. I know they’re hoping to use one of my sheds for the rest of the events they have planned. Do you have any views on this?”
With Megan and the center involved, he definitely had one. “I’m for it. All the way. Megan Bennet even asked if I would be willing to give pony rides to the children. It would be easier to do that here than elsewhere.”
“I hate having people on my land that I don’t know,” his father said, grabbing a pitchfork and leaning on it, “but I know your mother is going to be for this.”
They both knew he didn’t want to fight Nicola. “It’s for a good cause, Dad, and it would mean a lot to the village, and me especially.”
He studied him. “You like the Yank then? I wondered why you asked someone with no horse experience to help around here.”
Kade didn’t want to talk about these particulars. “I know my own mind.”
“If I grant them permission to hold their fair here, will you agree to use the horse I select for Legend?”
Kade laughed, making the older man’s mouth twist. “I can agree, but Legend won’t. I’ll see you later, Dad.”
He strode out of the shed, not wanting to engage in the conversation anymore. Megan would be arriving shortly for their ride to the beach.
He checked Red Zephyr, liberally applying plantain salve to the horse’s leg. The break was healed, and the tendons were knitting together nicely. He ran his hand down the leg, anchoring more energy into the bones. They would begin to exercise him soon, and by the New Year, he was hoping the horse would be running again like he’d been born to do.
When he heard Megan’s car, he walked over to greet her. Duke was already racing around her legs.
He didn’t have to ask how her second class had gone. The radiance on her face told him. “Another class in the bag, as you say?” he called out.
She lifted her hands over her head for a moment. “I made a mug this time. No deviations. The women are nice. A few older ones and some mothers with kids in school. We had fun. It feels so good, Kade.”
“Then I’m glad I can share it with you,” he said, remembering the sweet kiss she’d given his cheek last night. Beyond the progress it indicated, he’d liked feeling her touch. As a man. Asherman.
He’d continue to let her take the lead, and he would match her pace. “Are you ready to go riding?”
“Am I ever!” Her eyes were full of a new fire coming from inside her. “And I want to go fast too.”
He’d been sensing that. Blaze was a good pony for her, but he was starting to wonder if she needed something faster, all her own. Ollie would like his own pony as well. He’d keep an eye out. It was like he’d told his father. The answer would be right under their noses.
After saddling the pony, he helped her onto Blaze. Legend neighed loudly. When he looked over, she had her gaze on him, longing in her eyes.
“You want to go too?” he asked, walking over to her. “Then let’s do it.”
Both of his girls seemed to need a little speed today. When they reached the beach, he realized he did as well. With a father who’d pushed him to compete in the horse shows as a kid, he’d purposefully limited his racing and jumping time to when he was alone with friends.
“Megan, I’m going to let this girl work some things out.” Himself too, he realized. “See you by the seals.”
Gently kicking Legend into a canter, he let her warm up slowly. Soon she was straining for more speed, so he gave the nudge. She made the sand fly as she flew across the beach. Kade let the sensation rush over him, feeling the mare’s heart thunder in her chest. When he brought her back down into a canter and finally slowed, she was breathing hard but lighter. He felt the same way.
“You’re going to breed a champion all right,” Kade said, stroking her neck.
Sorcha appeared in front of the horse, making her step back. He tightened his hold on the reins to calm her.
“Megan looks happy,” the ghost said, watching as Megan and Blaze raced more carefully across the beach. “She’s soaring over obstacles. It’s a heady feeling.”
“It is at that,” Kade said, spotting a few seals watching them from behind the rocks.
“You’re right to be patient with her,” Sorcha said, bending to touch the water lapping under her bare feet.
“Do you miss the tangible world?” he asked when her hands passed through it.
Her mouth tilted up, and she shook her hair out. “There’s something tangible where I am, and its beauty is grand. It’s only good memories of wading through the shallows that had me doing it just now. Memories have a powerful influence on us—good or bad. Megan is still battling hers. Perhaps you are as well.”
