S H A D E S

Stargazer

An hour and two plates later, and I was stuffed as a Thanksgiving turkey. While Tristan poured himself into his afternoon emails in the spare study, I meandered through the halls of the estate, reminiscing. The scent of lemon oil and leather clung to the air as it always did. Miss Pat ran a tight ship and I knew I could trail a finger underneath every table, dresser and cabinet in this place and not find a lick of dust anywhere.

Deciding I could use a bit of a walk to stretch my legs and work off Miss Pat's calorie laden feast, I crossed out the back terrace and down the winding dirt road slicing between the paddocks and fields, surrounded by warm sun, the cry of the cicadas and the heady perfume of wisteria. The barn was white washed wood panelling and red-shingled roof. Doors thrown open, I strolled inside and breathed deep the musk of sweet hay, ripe horse, dust and dirt. Heads poked out of the stalls with large, dark curious eyes. One or two tossed their glorious manes with a welcoming whinny, hoping for a pat or a carrot.

A strong, rich tenor tugged on my eyes, a soft and low voice, soothing as a summer's kiss on naked skin and I followed it to the end of the barn where he stood, a hind leg wedged between his knees, busy working a file over the hoof. The creamy brim of a cowboy hat pulled low over his face.

Smiling, I took hold of the lead tethering the glorious male, stroked a hand across his elegant neck.

"Hello, Daddy."

My father, Harold Weston Pierce went still as stone, that hat popped up and I saw the deep, heavy lines carved into the folds of his face, once so handsome. More a mark of genes than age as I recalled Grandpa Leslie had looked the same. A map of experience, my daddy often said, stroking a finger over the creases above and between his brows. And a testament of a life full of love and laughter in the deepest ones carved around his mouth and winging above his cheeks. But his eyes were a starling blue, the sort that had cowed many a political opponent and packed more of a punch than a bullet to the heart.

"Baby." Harold dropped that hoof, dusted off his hands then caught me in his arms and swung me clear off my feet. "Oh baby. When did you get in? I wasn't expecting you till later in the week?"

"I wanted to surprise you," I said, tugging his hat off his head so I could comb my fingers through that silver streaked mop of brass and gold. He'd let the length go, now that he was a retired congressman there was no need for the picture perfect and polished tresses of a man set before the cameras. And he'd traded in his tailored suits for worn denim, leather and plaid. Every bit the country cowboy in appearance that he'd always been at heart.

"Oh baby." He smiled. "My little girl." Moisture gathered in his eyes and knuckled them away. "Every time I look at you I miss your Ma. You're the spit of her, through and through. Right down to this here stubborn chin." He pinched mine, angling my face so he could kiss my cheek.

My belly tightened with knots of regret. Her loss was a recent blow from which I had yet to recover.

"I'm sorry I haven't been around much...since." I cleared my throat. Sighed. "It's been a tough year without her around. I guess working made it easier to forget."

"I know, baby. I know." Brow to brow, Harold stood a moment, then he broke from me and stroked his hands down my arms. "There's someone who'd like to see you, I think."

I followed as he led me down to the adjoining stable where to the mares were kept and excitement fluttered in my chest as we drew to a familiar stall. Inside a lovely face appeared, her coat a glistening soft gold-pale as a most incredible champagne and expressive brown eyes. She whickered at the sight of me, and pawed the stall door with her hoof.

"Stargazer." I gathered her face in my hands, nuzzled into that soft, soft coat that glistened with the lustre of a polished diamond. "Hey girl."

"She'd missed you," Harold said and I could hear the smile in his voice. "I'm sorry," I said, to them both as I searched her face. "I shouldn't have stayed away so long."