“Yes. I have an older sister.” I replied.

“And what does she do?” Adeline joined in the new inquiry.

“She is a horse trainer.” The beautiful older woman smiled brightly at me.

“English or western?” Adeline questioned.

“Show jumping, actually.” I replied through tiny mouthfuls of the delicious feast I was unfortunately not getting to enjoy.

“Do you ride as well?” I had clearly peaked Adeline’s interest now.

“Yes. My parents started us in riding lessons at an early age and we just loved it. I showed for many years before I went off to college. I was never as good as my sister, though. She has a very clear gift.”

“A gift like that is indeed special. I too am an avid equestrian. I mainly own dressage horses now, but I used to dabble in the jumping world. I will have to show you the stables after dinner.”

“I would love that.” Adeline Wellington was quickly growing on me. At first I found her closed-off and intimidating but now I was seeing a new side to her.

“Jenna’s sister actually won the Rolex Grand Slam last year. She’s exceptionally good.”

“I dare say she is, to win such a prestigious competition.” Lars added.

“That is impressive. I would love to meet her, Jenna. Does she live in Huntsville too?”

“Yes she does. She’s married and expecting her first child in the next few months.”

“Oh, how wonderful. Do they know what they are having?”

“Yes, a girl.” I beamed thinking of my new niece that was coming soon.

Adeline’s clear approval of my sister’s profession and inquiry into my sister’s life was too much for Ethan who had been relatively mum all evening. He quickly stood up slamming his chair backwards across the marble floor and made a hasty exit. If Adeline knew the reason for his displeasure she didn’t let on, she merely ignored him and continued the discussion about horses with Violet, who also was an equestrian owning dressage horses, like Adeline. But if Adeline had missed Ethan’s hasty exit, Jamieson certainly hadn’t. He was visibly upset at his brother’s reaction. This made me uneasy so I quietly finished my dinner and only participated in the conversation when prompted.

When dinner was finally over, Uncle Phillip demanded that Lars and Jamieson play a game of poker with him. I was hoping that would allow me to return to our room where I could have some much needed alone time. I was just about to head toward the stairs when I heard Adeline call my name. Shit….

“Jenna, I would love to show you the stables now.”

I looked at Jamieson for reassurance but he only smiled softly. “Sure, just let me grab my coat.”

I ran upstairs and grabbed my navy blue down coat and a pair of cream gloves.

I met Adeline at the front door and she was also bundled up in a warm jacket that complimented her beautiful silver hair. “Ready, my dear?” she asked holding the door open for me.

The stables weren’t far from the main house. I hadn’t seen them when Jamieson and I arrived the night before but now I could see the palatial building Adeline lovingly called “the barn.” As we entered, the sweet smell of hay and sawdust struck my nose. I loved that smell. Horses had always brought me great joy, they centered me somehow.

I follow Adeline down the row of horses, listening contently as she explains about each one. They were all truly magnificent and gorgeous. I could tell she also draws that same sense of calmness from the horses. It made me like her that much more.

“So tell me Jenna, what are your intentions with my son.”

Her statement caught me completely off guard. I did not see that coming at all and the look on Adeline’s face said she knew it.

“I uh, I don’t really know how to answer that question.” I stated plainly.

“I know that.” She replied simply. “What I’m really asking is how do you feel about my son?”

This question also caught me off guard and I felt my cheeks instantly turn pink. I didn’t know how to answer her. If I told her the truth I risked looking over eager, but if I played it too cool I may seem disinterested.

“You love him don’t you?” she hadn’t even let me try to answer, she just called me out.

“Yes,” I decided to be brave and level with her.

“Does he know that?” She asked.

“I don’t know. I think so, but I haven’t come out and said the words to him.” I felt my cheeks turn a deep shade of red.

She didn’t say anything in response for some time she simply just stared into the stall of a beautiful bay stallion. “I wasn’t completely honest with you earlier Jenna. I lead you to believe I didn’t know you had a sister, but the truth is I did know. I also am very aware that she had a relationship with Ethan some time ago.”

“Oh,” is all I could muster in response.

“My sons are complicated creatures, Jenna. Their daddy was a complex man and I’m sure you can tell his brother, Phillip is also that way. My husband once described himself and his brother as an intense mixture of light and darkness. Unfortunately, my sons have also inherited these traits. Jamieson has always been much lighter than Ethan. Ethan has always struggled in the darkness much more than his brother. Had I had the chance to meet your sister Jenna I would have told her this very same thing I am about to tell you, loving such a man is a hard life. One can easily lose themselves in the process, so if you’re not willing to risk that it is best to end things now.”

I let her words sink in for a moment. At first I felt a bit defensive at her directness but as I let the conversation fully wash over me I understood more what she was saying. I respect her for her candor but my response was almost instant. “That is a risk I am willing to take.”

“I thought you would say that, dear. I said the very same thing to my mother-in-law over forty years ago.” She smiled at me and guided me out the side door of the stable.

After my unusual visit with Adeline in the barn I retreated to my bedroom. Jamieson was playing poker with Lars and Uncle Phillip still but it was late. I started to get curious about his extended absence so I decided to go investigate. I made my way down the large hallway until I came to the open foyer that overlooked the grand living room. I could hear voices down below so I peered over the edge to find Jamieson talking with his uncle. I could tell even from far away that it was a strained conversation. Jamieson’s body language was rigid and cold. Phillip was leaning forward and seemed animated. I moved closer to the railing trying to listen to their conversation.

“That was not the plan James! She is not the plan!” Phillip scolded.

“I don’t care, Uncle!”

“Fine, I guess the company will just go bankrupt and we will lose everything.”

“There has to be another way.”

“There is no other way! The banks won’t loan us any more money. Our only hope is Lars and the nightclubs.”

“I won’t do this to her.”

“You don’t have a choice, James, not unless you want to give up everything you have worked so hard for, everything your father worked so hard for.”

“I won’t give her up.”

“I know you don’t think you can, but you will. You are just distracted. You have always struggled with staying focused. You need to keep your eye on the prize, James. Your family needs you. Are you going to turn your back on us?” Uncle Phillip spat, then stood and stormed off.

I quickly stepped back from the balcony not wanting to be discovered and landed smack into something hard.

“Careful. Eavesdropping in this house can lead to the discovery of some truly ugly things.” Ethan drawled in my ear still holding me tight.

“I was just… just looking for Jamieson.” I stuttered trying to wiggle loose from his grasp.