Mystery at Brightfields

Chapter 14.

"I know I have a lot to make up for, but I'm here now. And I will do whatever it takes starting with taking that overnight shift with you tomorrow night. Please say yes. We can talk, like really talk. I'll tell you everything about where I went and what I've done the last month." Pin said. 

Zoe looked down at all of the papers in her hand. They were filled with his chicken scratch handwriting. It made her smile. She felt better.  Folding the papers and putting them in Pin's jacket he reached her hand out to him. "Lets go see Raven."

Pin and Zoe were quiet as they groomed Raven in his stall, they would catch each other's eye every once and a while and smile. Pin volunteered to grab his tack and Zoe lead him to the stable yard. 

Becky and Jade were already in the arena warming up by the time Zoe, Raven and Pin got there. Pin stayed back at the gate and let Zoe do her thing with Raven in the arena.  She started warming up with the 20m exercise that Marcus had shown her. Engaging every part of Raven and keeping him focused on her. As much as she hated to admit it, Raven had really improved his movements after starting Dressage. 

Running through the paces of her ride she began her jumping exercise. Zoe looked up at the gate for Pin and he was talking on his phone,  but still watching...kind of. Hmm. I wonder what that's about. Thought Zoe. She shook it off, now was not the time to be the jealous girlfriend, or whatever she was to him. They needed to have that conversation too. She jumped another time and almost lost her stirrup. Raven tossed his head as her leg bumped his side, swinging around trying to find the stirrup. 

Zoe was way too distracted for this ride and Raven was showing it. She brought him back down to a walk and took a deep breath. Too much had happened in the last 24 hours. Some good, some bad. It was overwhelming. Jade and Becky had finished their ride a few minutes before and it was just Zoe in the arena. 

"Sorry buddy. I'll cool you out and give you a liniment rub, that sound good? Better luck tomorrow, I guess." Zoe said to Raven quietly. Looking up, the gate was empty. She sighed. At least no one saw her slight meltdown. Zoe walked another few laps and tried to just focus on Raven. She rubbed his neck with her fingers and murmured her apologies.

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Walking back to the stable yard Pin was no where to be found. Still emotionally drained, Zoe didn't know how to feel about it. Hopefully he had a good reason for leaving without saying anything. Raven was slightly hot after their ride and Zoe threw a cooler over him after untacking. She grabbed her liniment and rubbed down all of Raven's legs.

"Sorry I had to duck out like that...business call." said Pin.

"No worries. I'm used to you not being here anyways." she spat, still crouched down away from him next to Raven. Zoe regretted the words as soon as she said them. She heard his breath catch. Zoe closed her eyes, why couldn't she just be nice sometimes?

She felt his hand on her shoulder slightly pulling her to her feet and she turned to face Pin, embarrassed. His blue eyes were intense but soft. Pin moved his other hand to hold the side of her face and he gently pulled her closer. She sunk into him. 

His lips. Oh his lips. 
Zoe had missed this feeling of security, of happiness.

They broke apart a few seconds later. Zoe opened her eyes slowly, she was out of breath and her heart was fluttery. Oh what this boy was doing to her. 

"Zoe. I deserve all of the anger. I really do. But I still want you, and I hope you want me too."

"Yes." she replied. Slightly above a whisper. 

"Lets put Raven away, feed the baby and I'll walk you home." 

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"CHEEKBONES!" Rosie squealed grabbing him into a hug as Pin walked through their door. Pin laughed. 

"Good to see you too, Rose." he replied. 

"Zoe, mom should be here any minutes and SHE IS GOING TO TELL YOU THE GOOD NEWS!" said Rosie. 

"What can't you just tell me?" asked Zoe. 

"No can do, Mom promised me a shopping trip on the main land and there is NO WAY I am giving that up." Rosie said, confidently. "And PIN! You'll be here to hear it too. You're going to FREAK!"

Pin and Zoe exchanged confused looks and Rosie just beamed at them. 

They exchanged friendlies on the couch for a few minutes before Maggie entered the house. 

"Girls. We got it. We got the house! Zoe I know you didn't get to see the whole place but you are going to love it. Trust me. This is going to be so great for us. Oh Pin! You're here! We're moving to the island!" Maggie said in her sing song voice. 

Pin turned to Zoe with a half smile, "Really? " he asked.

Zoe nodded and he squeezed her hand. Things were looking up. 

"Lets go give Zoe and Pin the official grand tour!" said Rosie jumping up off the couch. 

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It was prettier than what she had remembered from the day before. Rosie danced around the foyer with Maggie doing a victory dance. Zoe laughed. She realized it had been a while since she had actually done that. 

"Zoe, go ahead and check out that bedroom upstairs. First door on your left." Maggie winked.

Pin and Zoe climbed the stairs and opened the first door. It was perfect. Her mom knew her well. Spacious and almost like it was two rooms in one. There was a jack and jill door that led to the bathroom that her and Rosie would share and a small walk in closet. 

The best part was the balcony. 

"Is that?" asked Zoe looking off into the distance.

"That's Brightfields back pasture." replied Pin, nodding. Reaching his arm out to pull her next to him. "Why didn't you tell me you were staying?"

"The first day we looked at houses was yesterday, then time kind of got away from me." she replied, laughing again. "Surprise. We're staying."

Pin kissed the side of her head. "That is the best news."

Zoe smiled and leaned into him. They were going to be okay.