_Kiwi Dreams-

-Bella-

_Three Years Earlier_

"Hey, how about if we don't find anyone in three years we emigrate together? You think you could put up with me in New Zealand?"

As soon as I said the words I wanted to drown myself into my goblet glass, now empty from the double gin and tonic he had brought for me earlier.

I had meant for it to be a playful joke, however, what Edward didn't know was that I was perfectly serious. We worked together, the two of us sat alone in a pub where all our colleagues had bailed to go clubbing some more. I was waiting for an hour for my next train home; he waited with me, out of choice. I told him he didn't have to, even though secretly I wanted him to. I had developed a huge crush on him at this point…

You know the story…

Girl meets guy who is total opposite to him, girl watches all her female colleagues fawn over him and denies that she will ever become one of them. The only difference between me and my female workers back then was that I am of a different build as a woman. I don't believe in casual sex nor do I want to be groped by strangers in clubs that go on till the early hours of the morning. I am not a prude by any means, I guess you could say that I was fussy but in a good way. I wanted to be dated and chased and I wanted at least one conversation with a potential boyfriend.

With Edward, he drove me insane; he was so shy that he put up a permanent barrier with everyone. He was a mystery to me, every day I would try hard to peel down at least one of his layers each day at work. I wanted to make him comfortable but his mood swings, they gave me whiplash. He could do a mood like no hormonal woman ever could. However, I couldn't stop thinking about him, couldn't stop yearning to see his smile every day. It was his smile that attracted me to him the most. Whenever we worked the same days, it made me stupidly happy…

More than words could ever express.

"Okay."

I stopped breathing in that moment, I wasn't sure whether he was answering my question or talking to one of the waiting staff that briefly passed by our table.

"Bella … You okay?"

"I…Yeah, sure." I stammered, "Seriously? I mean you wouldn't find it … Weird to be going to New Zealand with a thirty year old and you only twenty five?"

"No. It's not that weird, at least not to me."

"So you'll let me know in three years, huh?" I joked; standing up, ready to go to the bar to get another drink.

"Sure will."

_Now_

"Hey Bells! You got a sec?"

I looked up at Rose, my best friend, calling me from the farm. I put down my horse brush, pat Willow's nose and head back up to the farm.

"What is it Rose?"

"Charlie's got a call from Sherriff Hales. Turns out, one of their workers got sick and they need someone to look after their shining star."

"You don't mean that thoroughbred that they are training, the one they just brought?"

"Yeah, they named her Artemis. Turns out she is quite a handful but this isn't the first time you've cared for a temperamental horse. I mean, look at Willow. That girl wouldn't go near anyone when she first got here and now, she's every rider's dream."

I thought for a moment, we all knew the people from Sherriff Hales. The family were as self-centred as any you would ever meet, their farm has been in their family for six generations and they believe that no one can ever match up to them. I found it extremely hard to believe that the head of the family, Victoria, would part with such a beloved and expensive animal.

"Victoria has agreed to this?"

Rosalie let out a small chuckle, "I don't think she has much of a choice and of course, she asked after the best handler, here."

"Rose, you and I have each trained successful horses, who have won equal amounts of competitions. Besides, there shouldn't be a competition between us, there never has been."

"Well, I am busy with another horse so this job I'm afraid will have to be yours."

"Oh yeah … The horse that happens to belong to the family of a Mr Emmett Riley?"

"Shut up!" Rosalie laughed, pinching my arm. After, she links her arm in mine and we both head back down to the stables. "I can't help it if I bring in some business and some eye candy to match. Besides, he comes from riches and I come from manure and hay. There is no comparison between us."

I laughed, "You sound like someone out of a film, Rose. Who cares where you both come from, if you both like each other …."

"Now who sounds like they're from a film?! Anyway, are you going to do it?"

"I'll have to, I mean if Charlie has already agreed that I would."

"You know he wouldn't ask you without talking to you, first, Bella. Look, how about I take Willow out for her morning ride and you go and speak with Charlie?"

"Are you sure? You wouldn't mind?"

"Not at all. Go and see him, he has to go and seal the paper work at Hales in about an hour or so. It would be the best time to see him."

"Okay, I'll see you later."