Dark Escape

Chapter 7

The afternoon sun peaked through the treetops as the cab weaved its way down the winding country lane toward Tara's house. Brandon took in the beauty of the old estate as he rolled down the window for a better look. The cool breeze felt good on his throbbing head. He raised his hand to the bandage the hospital secured before discharging him. It gave him the appearance of a battle worn soldier. The tender bump was reduced considerably but it still protruded out amongst the soft gauze.

He scowled. He had no recollection of how he was injured, no matter how hard he tried. He remembered waiting impatiently in the clearing for Tara. The next thing he remembered was waking up in the hospital with Tara next to him talking to a member of the hospital staff. As hard as he tried, he could recall no more. As the cab turned up the drive, he smiled to see his black gelding race through the paddock with Tara's chestnut mare at his heels. They made a beautiful sight. Their long silken manes and tails flowed with the movement of their powerful muscles. The reddish orange hews of the setting sun as it peeked through the green foliage added to the scene.

At one point the half-mile long driveway edged the fence and the horses were side by side with the cab. The driver fell into competitive mode. He wore a devilish grin on his face as he laid his hand firmly on the horn and stepped on the accelerator. While the startled gelding jumped sideways in response, Sugar took on the challenge. She tossed her head high with nostrils flared while gathering her muscles for the push. Little did the cab driver know this was her favorite game. As they approached a precarious bend in the drive that led to the final stretch toward the house, he slammed on his brakes.

"There's a crater in the middle of this drive the size of a meteorite. The race is off. I can't believe I raced against a horse to begin with," the driver said, more to himself than to Brandon.

Brandon reached to steady his bandaged head as he jolted across the seat. His dark scowl looked menacing as he glowered at the driver. The driver guiltily cleared his throat as he watched Brandon through his rear-view mirror and somberly focused on easing the cab around the large potholes in the drive. They finished the remaining distance in silence.

As they pulled up along the circular driveway in front of the house, Tara stepped out onto the porch. Brandon admired her slender silhouette in the dusky light. Her long hair fell in firelight wisps around her face and over her shoulders while her sun-baked skin gleamed against a white gauze peasant dress, exposing just enough flesh to make him want to see a little more.

Tara felt uncomfortable under his intense stare and quickly averted her eyes. She tugged at the bodice of her dress in an attempt to cover her burning flesh.

"I'm glad to see you found the place okay," Tara blurted out in an attempt to camouflage her uneasiness.

"It was a beautiful drive out here. You're fortunate to have such beauty available to you on a daily basis," Brandon drawled as he eased out of the cab. His injury required moving cautiously. As he leaned in to pay the cab, Tara struggled unsuccessfully to hear their brief, muffled conversation. When Brandon moved away from the he cab, and it drove off, she stood in puzzlement.

Brandon looked amused as he asked, "Is something wrong?"

"Well, uh... he left... without you," she stammered.

She blushed at the obvious panic in her voice. The thought of being alone together made her shiver with excited anticipation that she desperately tried to hide.

"I can hardly fit my horse in the back seat," Brandon said with a broad grin that displayed a set of strong white teeth. "I want to thank you for keeping him here for me."