Mystery at Brightfields

Chapter 27.

Zoe and Pin woke up from the bumping of the plane wheels hitting the ground. It had been a 7 hour flight from Toronto after the 6 hour flight to get there from LA. Zoe didn't even remember which day it was due to the time change. It was actually light outside. Probably mid afternoon there.

Grandpa was meeting them at the airport to drive them to the island ferry then home to his house. Their shipping container with all of their things was shipping straight to the island and would be there in a few days. Meaning they would be moving into their new house in just a few days. Eek!

She was excited to have her own space again and have something bigger than her mom's old room in grandpa's farm house. It certainly hadn't been updated since then.

Customs fortunately didn't take that long, even with a dog in tow. He slept the whole plane ride and was starting to get anxious in his carrier. They were grabbing their luggage and Pin took a call. Dukes back in town, guess responsibilities are back too.

Zoe had liked having normal Pin back, even if it was just for a little while on their trip. She knew that there was going to be a new normal now. He was going to have to go on trips and take special meeting and attend council. She wondered if that meant he was going to be around his mother. Definitely not a question to ask him now.

Zoe lugged her giant suitcase (mostly full due to her new saddle pads and Pins) and grabbed Pin's small bag from behind hers. She turned around to find him and he was standing the the corner nodding on the phone. She couldn't see his face to see if it was good or bad. Hopefully he'd tell her about it later. Then again maybe not.
Pin wasn't really a good communicator. In fairness she wasn't either.

They all met outside and Baxter finally was allowed out of his crate. He let out some good stretches before heading to a bush to pee on it. Grandpa's old station wagon pulled up and he popped the back open for the luggage.

"Might be a little tight for all of us but we will make it, we can always.leave one of Rosie's suitcases here!" He jokes and winked at Rose. Who hugged her luggage closer.

Zoe and Pin got settled in the back of the car next to 2/3 of Rosie's bags. pin had opted to just hold his bag on his lap so he would at least have a little room for his legs. He smiled at her as they left the airport.

"What was the call about?" Zoe asked.

"Oh you know business and plans and stuff.."he trailed off. Turning to look out the window not wanting to talk with a half smirk on his face.

But not in a bad way. In a "I have a secret" way.

"My dear sweet wonderful Pinny boy. You realize that I know you right? You can't hide from me. Spill it. Come on! You have 45 minutes in the car with me and you know I'll be relentless" she smacked his leg.

"I really can't! They told me not to say anything until everything is officially announced. I really don't even know all the details. And I think I'll try to keep this secret this time. I'm a locked box. Try me." He smirked at her again.

This man.

One of her biggest pet peeves were people who bragged about know things she didn't. What's did he mean? Duke related? Horse related?

She pouted her lip at him.

"Really I can't! Don't do that to me." He lowered his voice and glanced at Huck to make sure he didn't hear. "I'll bite that lip if you don't knock it off."

Surprised at how un-Pinlike that sentence was she dropped her jaw a little bit.

He laughed at her response and rested his hand on her leg, giving it a squeeze.

He leaned over to whisper in her ear.
"It's good news I promise. Just be patient" he kissed her temple and she scrunched her nose at him. Knowing full well that patience wasn't her strong suit.

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Zoe didn't even let Grandpa drive them all the way home. He dropped her and Pin at Brightfields drive and they took off running to the stables. They split at the corner of the yard and he ran to Elvis's pasture and she ran to Raven's stall.

Flinging the stall door open surprised Raven mid afternoon nap, but he perked up once he saw her. She threw her arms around his neck and wrapped her fingers in his long mane. Home. Finally.

It had felt like weeks more than the few days they were actually gone. But they made it. And now they were actually home, no leaving, no questions. Home.

Zoe didn't realize how long she had been in there, Raven had fallen back to sleep on her shoulder. Figures.

Pin knocked lightly on the stall door.

"Oh sorry, didn't want to break things up. Feels like you might like that horse more than me" he jabbed with a smile.

"Ha. I like this horse better than I like myself. So unfortunately you would be right on your side. How's Elvis?" She questioned back.

"Fine. Looked a little pissy to see me but that's only because he knew he was going back in to work."

Zoe laughed. "Want to go check on the foal?"

"After you" he held the door open.

Laycee was flat out napping as the nurse mare munched on hay. Her belly was obviously full and she saw that someone had gotten her a new halter with a nameplate on it. Zoe was just thankful to not have to do feeding shifts anymore. Not that doing them with Pin would be a bad thing. Cuddled up together all night and maybe some kissing here and there...

"Earth to Zoe?" Pin said, squeezing her shoulder. "You're out of it aren't you? I need to head home to Dad and you should probably get going too. Nap for a few hours and then back for an evening ride?"

Zoe nodded and shut the stall door.
She turned around and Pin was close. He leaned down to kiss her softly.
She kissed him back and could feel herself getting jet lagged with every second. Maybe she was just lost in the kiss. Pin pulled back.

"I did have a great time with your family. It was nice to go you guys. Although it felt selfish packing s of your thing. I just wanted to get you here permanently as soon as possible."

"Definitely selfish." Zoe replied laughing. "I'm sure everyone was thankful for extra help though so it helped us more than you."

"We should get going, the sooner we catch up on sleep the sooner we ride"

"You read my mind"

Pin kissed her hand and pulled himself away from her.

"Oh, and I just wanted to tell you that I heard what you said. And. Well. I think I feel the same."

Zoe's jaw dropped and she felt her cheeks flush.
"What?!"
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