Chapter 26

Rachel and Caroline were both tired when the party returned home. For Rachel, it was a satisfying tiredness of a milestone reached, but weary nonetheless. After the horses were rubbed down, fed and stabled, all four happily took to their beds for a brief nap before dinner, which was later than usual by mutual consent. Dinner was a simple affair – nachos and savoury mince, with fresh fruit to follow.

Caroline and Geordie were keen to know Rachel’s reaction to the day’s experience. She confessed that she had been a little ill at ease to start with, but the easy gait, and Trixie’s understanding of her needs, soon had her more settled. To say nothing of Matt’s encouragement and guidance alongside her. In all, she felt a growing, almost overwhelming, connection with horse, countryside and family.

“Talking about family,” Caroline interposed. “Now that it’s settled you are joining our family, do you have a date in mind for the wedding?”

“Would you believe, Matt and I have barely discussed it; life has been so busy,” she replied. “We sort of vaguely suggested King’s Birthday at the end of October, which gives us a 3-day holiday break. And of course, we have the Queenstown vouchers to put towards our honeymoon. But that’s about it.”

“What are your mother’s thoughts?”

“We haven’t raised it at all with her yet. It’s taken her a while just to become accustomed to having a son-in-law.”

“You’re right though, Mum. This should be a major topic for discussion when she visits next weekend,” Matt said, resigned to the likelihood that the three women would probably form a committee, leaving him and Geordie to drum their heels.

“How does the saying go?” he asked. Ruefully: “Man proposes, and then the women take over.”

After the laughter died down, Caroline poured a final round of tea, and for a few minutes the four sat in companionable quiet, the day’s memories settling in like embers after a fire. Rachel leaned back, half-drowsy, contented.