“No. Not that I’m aware of. Most guests arrive on a Saturday. Maybe Claire is expecting someone.” I don’t see who gets out of the cab as I say goodbye to the guests and concentrate on getting the horses settled back in their stalls. Hearing a knock on the stable door, I turn to see a woman in the doorway.
“Hi, can I help you?” I walk toward her, wiping my hands on my jean shorts.
“I’m looking for Jack. Jack Davis. Is he here?” My eyes widen and an uneasy feeling washes over me as I hear her British accent.
“Erm… no. Not right now.”
“Great! I’ve flown halfway across the world and he’s not even here!” Her voice is laced with irritation and she reaches up and wipes the back of her hand across her forehead. “Is it always so hot here?”
Her words swirl in my mind and nerves settle in the pit of my stomach. This can’t possibly be Zara, can it? She’s stunning, even after a fourteen-hour flight. “Is Jack expecting you?”
“Well, no.” She places her hands on her hips. “But still, he should be here.”
“I can call him?” I offer.
She raises her eyebrows and looks me up and down. “You have his number?”
Folding my arms, I stare at her. She’s not making a great first impression. Not that she seems to care. “Yes. I have his number.”
She pauses before answering. “Well, I’ve tried. He’s not picking up.”
“Oh, okay. Maybe he’s driving. I’m Aria. I didn’t catch your name.”
“Zara.” My stomach drops as she confirms what I already know.
“I’m sure he won’t be long. He’s been gone a while. You can wait on the porch swing until he gets back.” I probably sound rude, but I have no idea how long Jack will be and I don’t want to make small talk with her. I gesture to the house behind her and she sighs.
“Fine. I hope he’s not too long.” She turns on her heel and marches away from me.
Sliding my phone from my pocket, I hit Jack’s name and pray he answers. I can’t believe Zara has just turned up here, and I know Jack is going to be pissed.
Jack
Sitting in the coffee shop in Marble Falls, I groan inwardly as my phone rings in my pocket for the fourth time. I almost don’t reach for it, knowing the last three calls were from Zara. I don’t want to speak to her today. Something makes me though, and I breathe a sigh of relief when I see Aria’s name flashing up on the screen. Smiling, I hit the answer button and put the phone to my ear.
“Hey, Aria. Everything okay?” I ask, standing up and gesturing to my mum that I’m going to take the call outside. She nods, and I make my way through the crowded coffee shop as I wait for Aria to answer me.
“Not really. How much longer are you going to be?”
I pull open the door and walk out into the street. Her voice is weird, and fear prickles up my spine. “Not long. We’re just having an early lunch in town. What’s wrong?”
“You have a visitor. Zara is here, Jack.”
I stop dead and pull my eyebrows together in a frown. I can’t possibly have heard her right.
“I could have sworn you said Zara was there,” I say, a nervous laugh leaving my mouth.
“I did. She’s sitting on the porch swing.”
“What?” My voice is barely a whisper and a wave of nausea washes over me. “Are you sure?” I ask, my voice a little louder.
“I’m sure.”
“I’m on my way.” I end the call and turn around, rushing back inside. I’m at the table in seconds, and I scoop Jacob into my arms, pressing a kiss on his head. “I need to get back to the ranch. Now.” My mum stands up, knowing by the tone of my voice that something isn’t right.
“What’s wrong?”
“Zara’s there.”