Chapter 8
Zayn continued to hold Arwen’s bridle as Tia dismounted. He handed her the roses.
“You remembered.”“I could never forget.”
She took them and took a hold of Arwen’s reins. Leading her to the paddock.
Zayn walked silently next to them.
As Tia got Arwen settled back with Aragorn. She leaned against the fence to watch them.
“Beautiful animals.”
“Thank you.”
“What are their names?” he asked, leaning against the fence like she was. Both of them watching the horses.
“Do you promise not to laugh?” Tia glanced over at him. Squinting her eyes in the sun.
“Are they that bad?” he asked.
“No. Just promise you won’t laugh.”
Zayn smiled at her. A smile that could melt her.
“Arwen and Aragorn.” She waited for him to start laughing, but when she turned to look at him, he was smiling.
“You named them after the movie?”
“No, after the book. You know I read the book long ago and fell in love with those characters.”
Zayn smiled.
When they had met in New Zealand and had started out as friends, Tia dragged him and Harry to share the whole Middle Earth experience.
She loved the Lord of the Rings saga. It seemed her passion for it hadn’t waned.
He continued to smile, remembering when he was able to arrange for her to meet Orlando Bloom.
She loved him and was nearly speecheless when she met him.
Aragorn walked over to them. He sniffed at Zayn and then walked over to Tia.
He moved to Tia’s shoulder and shoved her.“Aragorn!” she yelled as she felt herself being pushed towards Zayn.
He reached out and helped to steady her.
“He’s never done that before.” She glared at her horse. He almost seemed to be smiling at her.
“Tia.” Zayn turned her in his arms.
She didn’t resist. She didn’t pull away.
He seemed flustered. He seemed nervous.“Why are you here Zayn?”
“Because we need to put the past behind us.”
”I’m not ready to talk yet. That’s why I came here. To think.”
“I know. Lisa told me.”
“So that’s why you have her truck.”
“Yes. Please don’t be angry at her.”
“I’m not.” Tia looked up into his eyes. “How long do you want to stay?”
Zayn felt his heart leap a bit. She had asked him how long he wanted to stay. Not how long he was going to stay.
He had hope.
“How long do you want me to stay?” His eyes searched hers. He so desperately wanted to kiss her.
She turned back to the fence and her gaze strayed to the horses once again.
“I do want to talk. I just don’t know how long it will take. I owe you an explanation. I just can’t give it to you today.”
“I understand love.”
She closed her eyes at his endearment.
“It’s beautiful here Tia.”
“Thank you. This was my grandparents’ farm. And when they passed away, they left it to me.”
“When I saw the house. It reminded me of….” He was about to finish.
“Our cottage in Canterbury.” She finished for him. She gasped and turned back to look at him.
She bit her bottom lip.
He couldn’t hold back. He moved closer to her.
Cupped her face in his hands.
She reached up and grabbed his wrists.
His thumbs caressed her lips.
“Zayn.” Her voice barely a whisper.
“Shhh.” He gently brushed his lips across hers. His tongue tracing her bottom lip.
He slowly moved it inside of her parted lips. The tip of his tongue touching hers.
She quickly pulled away and stepped back. She bent down to retrieve the roses.
“I should put these in some water.” She turned towards the house. But stopped and turned back.
“You can park the truck over there.” She said pointing to where her car and a pick up truck were parked. “Then come in the house with your bags.”
She hurried away, Zayn continued to watch her. He smiled to himself. Well, he thought. It hadn’t been a total waste of a trip.
He was getting to her. He knew he was.
He heard neighing behind him and turned to see both Arwen and Aragorn standing at the fence watching him.
“What do you two think?” he asked the horses. “Think it’s going to be okay?”
They neighed in response and Zayn’s smile grew bigger. Perhaps animals knew more about human nature than humans did.
