Mystery at Brightfields

Chapter 25.

And it was everything and more. Bridles, saddles, brushes and saddle pads galore. Zoe about screamed when she opened the door. Pin even said it was the best tack shop he had ever been in...which wasn't saying much considering that the island has no tack shop and everything had to be ferried in from the main island. There was a small tack store there but nothing at all like this. Zoe pondered how much money she could actually spend and settled on 2 new sets of saddle pad, fly veil and boot sets. She just had to decide on color. Raven would look good in anything.

Brightfields had a handful of used old grey and black pads so Zoe had always gone for the grey but now....endless opportunity. Of course the other people at the barn had their own small collection of tack but really Zoe just had some hand me downs.

Pin was looking around and had already thrown some brushes and new splint boots in their cart.

"What?" He smiled at Zoe. "I can splurge sometimes too. Elvis needs a new bridle". He shrugged. "I'm also going to grab a few new pads for the yard, the ones there are a bit grimy."
Zoe laughed.

She walked off towards the leather section and eyed a saddle way out of her price range. Her phone buzzed and it was a text from Marcus.

Raven is doing well, missing you of course. Foal is starting to fit in with everyone and is figuring out how to graze. Hope you're headed back soon. Fly safe!

Marcus had attached a picture of the horses in the pasture and it made her heart ache to see the whole herd. She snapped a photo of the saddle she was drooling over and knew Marcus would appreciate it.

"Think this would look alright on Elvis?" Pin held up a dark leather bridle with a red crystal browband.

"Feel like going a little fancy on us Pin?" Zoe asked. "I don't think red is his color. Is there a blue?"

"Ah yes. You're right. Much better." Pin put it in his cart. "Figure out what you want yet? We still have about 20 minutes before your dad is back."

She walked back over to the saddle pads and ran her hand down the pile.
She knew one color she wanted, turquoise. Raven would glow. And another color...hmm. It caught her eye, metallic gold? How regal!

Pin stepped up to the counter to check out as Zoe finished looking around. She heard his total and made a face to herself. $700?! Sheesh.

She gathered all components of the matching sets and set down all the pieces on the counter. Not ready to hear her own total.

"I can get it for you Zoe, you can save for some new house things." Pin said.
That's threw her off.

"No, I got it."  She looked at Pin semi shocked at how abrasive her tone was. He looked surprised too.
"Uh, gotta spend my Christmas money on something" she tried to laugh it off.
Pins face relaxed a little.

Being a girlfriend of a duke was going to be different.

"That's going to be $163.30."

Eek. Yeah. Well no one said horses were going to be cheap.

__________________________________

The ride back to the house was a little too quiet. Huck and Pin talked about the tack store and what they bought. Zoe had showed him her new tack sets and was kind of bummed that they had to ship in cargo and she couldn't use them right away.

She knew she had snapped at Pin, but couldn't find the right thing to say about it. He can't just pay for her things. If he had the money or not. He already had bought Raven. She didn't want to know how much that had cost him. For the short time Marcus and her were together they were like equals. She thought her and Pin were equals too. But maybe not so much anymore.

"Earth to Zoe?" Huck sang.

She had been out of it.
"Hmm?" She replied.

"Carpiezios? Dinner one last time? It's at Rosie's request but I didn't think you would mind".

"Sounds perfect." Zoe had almost forgotten about their families favorite dinner spot. It was a block from their house and they usually ate there once a week. Homestyle Italian. She wondered if there was any place like it near the island.

Well shoot. Italy was only going to be a couple countries over.
___________________________________

Zoe unpacked one of her save dresses and slid it on for the evenings dinner. She was surprised to see Pin in a button up shirt, he only had brought a duffle bag with him. Slightly wrinkled, but he had his hair gelled to the side. Very Pin.

Rosie was all dolled up of course. She even found time to re straighten her hair. She looked sad. She really was leaving a lot behind.

Zoe vowed to make extra time for her and, gulp, even let her decorate *some* of her new room. That would distract her a little bit. Considering they were doing online school it would be hard for the social butterfly to socialize.

They walked down the busy side walk and stepped in to the homey restaurant. It just smelled like fresh bread and sweet tomato sauce.

"Now Pin, we are kind of professionals here. We know the best things on the menu so if you don't mind we will order some big portions and all share?" Maggie asked.

"Good with me. I like to eat everything." Pin shrugged.

Zoe hesitated to grab his hand as they were sitting next to each other. Unsure if he was still confused at her snip at him earlier. She did it anyways. And immediately saw Pin relaxed. Ugh. He probably thought she was mad at him. She was, but only kind of.

Maggie and Huck ordered bruchetta to start and some caprese salad for Rose as it was her favorite. 

The main course was every comfort food you would expect. Stuffed chicken marsala, fettuccine alfredo, pasta fagioli, and Zoe's favorite...their risoto.

Pin smiled and chatted with the family but always took Zoe's hand when he saw it was free. The owners came over and gave everyone hugs for their goodbye and then brought out cannolis. Zoe was going to miss them. Their family had always felt home there. She was hoping they would find another Carpiezios for them.

"Well Zoe, how about you and Pin eat desert here and we can head back to the house. Rose still has 2 more boxes to finish packing that she said she would do earlier but somehow got pushed to the side...." Maggie said side eyeing Rosie, who stuck out her tongue as a response.

"Sure, actually that would be nice"

Maggie winked at her and ushered the rest of the family out the door. Leftovers in her arm for lunch tomorrow before flying.

"So the tone earlier..." Pin started.

Great. Jumping right into this.

"I'm sorry. I am. It's just. I don't know. We used to just be Pin and Zoe and now we are Duke Pin and Zoe. It's different. You don't need to buy me things."

Pin furrowed his brow and looked quizzical. He finished his cannoli before speaking.

"You know dad and I had pretty much nothing, right? We didn't have a nice house in LA with 2 cars and closets full of clothes. Dad owed people money and we raised up our meals or we didn't eat. Somehow, by some miraculous miracle, we suddenly have money and I have to help run a small country. It's not easy for me. I'm just trying to help. I know you can afford it but so can I." He pulled his hand from hers.

"Pin, I didn't mean..."

"I know you didn't. Just try thinking before you speak. I don't know how to do this whole duke thing. This whole dating thing."

Ok ouch. Definitely not how she thought the rest of the evening would go.

___________________________________
Author note: ♥️
New chapter up this week (5/11) xx