Deleilah by Bowes K T

Author:Bowes, K T
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: small town, new zealand, modern romance, best selling author, ebooks mystery and suspense, multicultural interracial novel, stunning new zealand wilderness
Publisher: K T Bowes

Chapter 31

Love in Strange Places

Leilah drew up in front of the house and slammed the ute door, hearing the springs ping back into place on the driver’s seat. Vaughan leaned with his bum against the fence, calling instructions to a small female who trotted around the paddock on the chestnut mare Corey liked. A smart SUV occupied the space in front of the porch steps and Leilah stood for a moment, watching as Vaughan walked towards the girl saying something about her reins. “They look like washing lines,” she said out loud, doing an impression of his deep voice and guessing what he might be saying.

“Pardon?” A tall, blonde man stepped from the other side of the SUV, hands pushed into expensive trouser pockets and a golf shirt covering a slender chest.

“Oh, nothing.” Leilah felt embarrassed and dipped her head, running up the porch steps to the house.

“Don’t suppose I can use your bathroom.” The man bit his lip and Leilah sized him up. He didn’t look like a threat to her well-being but natural wariness made her pause.

“I guess so,” she said. “But I don’t know what state it’s in.”

“Doesn’t matter. I’m desperate enough not to care.” He smiled and green eyes sparkled from wide sockets.

Leilah nodded. “Ok. You’ll just have to close your eyes if the boys have messed it up. I can vouch it looked fine this morning, but I’ve been out.”

She waved a hand towards the long hallway and watched as the visitor removed his genuine leather shoes and padded to the bathroom. When Leilah heard the door close she relaxed and filled the kettle, slapping a tea bag into a mug and sniffing the lidless bottle of milk from the fridge. The toilet flushed and the man padded back, thanking her and eyeing the mug.

Leilah smiled and waited for him to leave, not liking a stranger in her space. “Do you live here?” he asked with forced chattiness, pushing his shoe around with his toe.

“For the moment.” Leilah’s guard slammed the blank mask over her face, praying he wasn’t a journalist looking for Dee Hanover and his next big scoop. She turned her back on him and poured boiling water into the mug, keeping the kettle within reach in case she needed a ready weapon.

“My wife and I divorced earlier this year. I brought my daughter here for a holiday and she loves horses. The lady at the bed-and-breakfast recommended Vaughan for a few lessons.”

Leilah turned towards him and fixed a wooden smile on her face, not wanting to scare away an income stream for her friend. “Would you like tea?” she asked, the words sticking in her throat. “I can bring it to you outside.”

To her alarm, the man plonked himself on Vaughan’s sofa, facing the French doors and the mountainous view. “That would be wonderful,” he replied.

Leilah made the drink he chose; tea with a splash of milk and half a teaspoon of sugar. Handing it over, she made sure not to touch the manicured fingers.

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