TOTSS
"So Far Away"
by Beckers
**Chapter 5**
"Come here, my beauty." Isabelle approached the stall, her hand held out to the mount, attempting to touch him and show that she was still there to take care of he and his friends, even if only for a few more short days. She noted that Dante and his other equine companions seemed nervous, upset even. "Are you all angry with me?" she asked, forlorn, feeling the animal calm immediately under her soothing hands, "I wouldn't blame you." she whispered, "Dante, I should have been better prepared. But I just never dreamed …"
"Dante?" Is that his name?" came the curious bleat of a very young voice.
Startled, Isabelle looked beyond Dante and into the stall. A child, probably not more than eight or nine years old, stood near his right flank. She wore a white straw hat and a pretty yellow dress. No wonder Dante and the other horses had been so nervous. They had an intruder in their midst. "What are you doing in there?" Isabelle opened the stall door, passing Dante, and took the girl by her slightly soiled white gloved hand. She led her out of the stall and scolded, "That's very dangerous. You could have been injured. You don't know how a …"
"Daddy says he's going to buy me a horse and I wanted to look them over before I made my decision."
"Well then, you should have an adult with you." Isabelle reprimanded. The child spoke well and was precocious. And yes, from the look of her she did indeed come from a family with great wealth.
"None of the adults I'm with were interested in taking me down here." Her wide blue eyes looked about, "Too dirty for them, I guess."
"If you're missing then your family are probably worried out of there minds." Isabelle reached for the girl's hand again, "I better take you …"
"You say his name is Dante? Is he a stallion?" The girl reached over to pat the horse's long neck, effectively avoiding Isabelle's hands.
"Well, no. Not quite."
"Do you ride?"
"I did. I mean, yes. I do. Dante here used to belong to me."
The child's eye grew even wider and she looked up at Isabelle, "He's so beautiful. How can you give him up?"
"A bit of bad luck, I'm afraid." Isabelle's tone took on a whimper of misery she didn't intend. Clearing her throat and adjusting her resolve, she once again reach for the girl's hand and caught it this time without interference. "But never you mind about that." She pulled her back and, with her free hand Isabelle pushed stall door shut.
"I'm taking riding lessons but my instructor doesn't know a bridle from a stirrup. I hate him."
"You shouldn't say such things." Isabelle admonished, "It's not easy to teach a girl as young as you to ride. I've taught a few people, some were five times older than you, and *that* wasn't easy."
"You teach?" The girl beamed, awe stricken and inspired.
"Miranda!" A young male voice - on the verge of just beginning a change - called, "Father is go to have puppies if he finds you down here. He has Williams searching all over the ship for you." The boy approached Isabelle and the girl, looking not quite a teenager but tall and quite striking. He bowed ever so slightly for Isabelle, showing off his manners. "Please to meet you. Timothy Wilke's the name, Miss."
"Tim, she knows how to ride -- and she teaches!" Miranda revealed enthusiastically.
The boy sighed, "Mir, that's great but Father …"
"Okay look," Isabelle raised her voice to quiet the children, "Why don't I take you both out of here and back to your family." She glanced at Master Timothy and smiled, "Your father *is* going to be livid, I'm sure, but maybe we can convince him to bring you down here later."
"Disturbed but not livid." Cheery, an older gentleman approached, dressed quite smartly and balancing his portly figure with a cane.
"Daddy!" Miranda called and both children went to their father and hugged him on either side, "This lady knows horses!"
"Does she now?" Smiling, he reached forward to shake Isabelle's hand, "Thank you for watching out for these scamps, Miss …"
"Reed. Isabelle Reed. And they're both lovely children." she complimented.
"Thank you. I am Lord Henry Wilke."
"Nice to meet you."
"My daughter here says you know something about horses. I did promise she and my son an animal of their own on this trip and, if you don't mind, I would sincerely like your opinion. What do you consider a good buy out of this lot for a young man and woman like Miranda and Timothy?"
Isabelle considered a moment, rather pleased the distinguished gentleman thought enough of her at first sight to ask for a judgment. "Miranda, I think, would be more suited for a pony …"
"No, no ponies! I want a horse!" The girl responded.
Wilke nodded, "She's persistent." he remarked in a tired fashion, as if they had all been through it before. "This is why I'm insisting she take riding lessons. She's very stubborn but if my little girl is going to ride I want her to know what she's doing." Then, slightly lower, "*Is* there an animal here that's gentle enough for an eight year old?"
Isabelle glanced once at Dante, "Yes, there is and I think I can make a recommendation for Master Tim as well."
Wilke stared at Isabelle for a moment. He knew good, honest people when he saw them and this young woman seemed on the level. He glanced down at his daughter, who was holding her hand and appeared quite taken with Miss Reed. Even Timothy, who was not yet comfortable around either horseflesh or women appeared less timid than usual. "Alright then, give me the benefit of your experience." Wilke lifted a hand, indicating the horses. "Lead on, Miss Reed. Lead on."
Isabelle chuckled and nodded.
John O'Finney, who had been watching Lord Wilke and the woman, frowned.
***
"Can't believe these docking fees," Mauriri complained, glancing down at the receipt, as he and Grief left the harbor office. "I've been told no one but thieves live in Australia and I'm beginning to think it's true."
They had settled into the harbor, Space #213, only an hour ago but already the sun was beginning to set.
"Were only going to be here for a few days." Grief stated, his expression composed. "Once I find Isabelle … Well, it shouldn't take long to find out if this was a blunder."
"It's the *finding* her that will be tough. Australia's a big place."
"She didn't get that big of a jump on us and I don't think she had anything particular in mind when she got here, just to get a lead on a job and make quick cash."
"Do you think she really intends to go to America?"
"I don't know. She may have just been speaking to hear herself talk."
Mauriri looked at Grief's profile as they walked from the waterfront into town. He was driven but also nervous. Finding Isabelle meant one of two things: She'd either tell him it was a mistake and he should leave immediately or Grief's life would change entirely when she told him what Mauriri thought was the truth; she was in love with him. Either way, the situation would take an emotional toll on the usually contained Captain David Grief. "Where do we start?"
When they reached Bush Street, in the Main artery of the seaside community, Grief looked from one side of the busy circle to the next. "You go east and I'll go west. We'll meet back at The Rattler before midnight and compare notes."
"Fine." Mauriri said, thinking of a few matters he needed to attend to himself. "Remember David, no drinking."
Grief automatically lifted a hand to his head in memory. "You don't have to tell me twice, Mo." he said and parted company with his friend.
****
"Keep your heels up, Tim!" Isabelle called to the young man as he rode Captain around the circular corral his father had set up for he and his sister. Watching the boy and listening to the excited giggles of his sister, as she scrutinized her brother and tugged on the right leg of Isabelle's gray jodhpurs, Isabelle could not believe where fate had taken her. One moment she was giving an elderly Lord advice on horseflesh and the next moment he was hiring her to teach his children the fundamentals of riding.
Of course, Isabelle realized she was going to be more than a riding instructor. It seemed the children had gone through several governesses over the past year, lost due to illness or marriage, and Wilke - along with his wife - could not find anyone adequate for the job. Isabelle quickly told him she was not governess material, she was not as well schooled as was required for such a position, but Lord Wilke told her she would do fine until someone better came along. Isabelle nearly refused until he said the magic words that, despite her new found pride, made Isabelle reconsider:
"I pay very well."
"How well?" Isabelle questioned with a smile and accepted the job the moment he tossed a very impressive figure in her direction.
Two days had passed and tomorrow the horses were going to auction. Isabelle had convinced her employer that Dante and the horse she had named David, then renamed Captain, were the right horses for Miranda and Timothy. Both were her favorites, having a gentle demeanor and were fast learners, and it warmed Isabelle to know they would be going to a good family, a wealthy family, that would treat them right.
Unfortunately, Lord Wilke missed the initial round of bidding that occurred early on, sight unseen, when the horses were still sailing to Australia. He would have to bid along with everyone else, in Sidney, once the auction started. Isabelle had little fear that he wouldn't score Dante and Captain. The children, particularly Miranda, loved them. And, since the horses were stabled on his own ranch, Isabelle took the liberty for some impromptu lessons.
She had been a little taken aback when it was discovered that none other than John O'Finney was the family's stable master and foreman but, all things considered, he was rather good with horseflesh, even if he was an impatient man. He flirted with her outrageously during the ride into Wilke Ranch and Isabelle would hardly be a female if she hadn't been flattered by his attention, although she pretended otherwise. He was, after all, a very handsome man. But it would never go any further than flirtation, she decided, because Isabelle had known too many men like O'Finney, and the trouble they could cause. Besides, there was still something about him that caused her to feel ill at ease. Isabelle couldn't put her finger on it but red flags popped up every time he asked her to take a walk. She had yet to accept.
But really, when Isabelle considered further, it might be her own imagination trying setting up a block to *any* male that might find her interesting. She was still nursing a broken heart, albeit one she had ordered, and would continue to do so for quite sometime. A woman could not be with a man like David Grief, feel his loving embrace, and expect to get over him in a few days. "Or ever." Isabelle whispered, preoccupied.
"What?" Miranda asked, looking up at her, blue eyes wide with inquiry.
'Distracted again.' Isabelle thought with a mild smile and touched the girl gently atop her blond head. "Never mind. You're up next, Miranda." Isabelle watch O'Finney lead Timothy from the corral and help him dismount. Another ranch hand brought in Dante and he helped the girl to sit on top the large gelding. "Take it slow, Miranda. Let the horse lead you for now." Isabelle advised.
Timothy came up beside her and O'Finney followed, "How was I?" he asked, a small shine of accomplishment accentuating the boy's slightly freckled complexion.
"Very good, Tim. You got Captain up to a trot and that's saying a lot considering it was your first time on a horse."
"First time?" O'Finney scoffed, leaning his bulky weight against the fence, "Is that what you told her, lad?"
Timothy shied away from the stable master's amused stare. "Well, maybe not my *first* time." he said.
"Maybe your tenth time, fraidy-boy?"
Embarrassed, Timothy glanced up at Isabelle. "I'm just not much for horses. They make me nervous."
Isabelle frowned when she realized what was happening. "It's okay."
"Nervous!" O'Finney laughed loudly, "Boy, I've seen you grow pea-green sick when you've been asked to do more than …"
"Excuse me." Timothy walked away from the corral, in the direction of the great ranch house.
Isabelle couldn't be certain but she thought she heard the boy sobbing. Angry, she glared briefly at O'Finney then looked back at Miranda as she went through her paces. "That was rude. Not all children learn to ride quickly. It takes more time for some. I think you should mind your own business in the future, Mr. O'Finney, and apologize to Timothy."
The cheer in the stable master's expression lessoned and he scrutinized the children's new riding teacher. "Missy, I've been here a lot longer than you. It should be me telling you not to intrude where you are not wanted."
"I think I am wanted here or Lord Wilke wouldn't have hired me." Isabelle replied.
O'Finney snorted sarcastically, "I think we all know why he hired you."
"I beg your pardon?" Isabelle turned slowly, instantly catching the stable man's drift, and clamping down on her temper. If Miranda hadn't been there, watching them as she rode, Isabelle might have punch the glorified stable boy in the jaw.
"Just watch your step, Missy." O'Finney moved slowly away, toward the stables, "That's all I have to say."
The threat was not lost on Isabelle and she gradually began to see John O'Finney for what he truly was. When he wasn't trying to impress her or attempting to get her into his bed -- he was a bully. The red flags instantly came up again. The man could be very dangerous if not watched.
***
Midnight arrived and with it came good news.
"Mauriri, you're brilliant!" David Grief took the weathered auction flyer from his friend's hand and read it in the lamp light. They had met, as previously discussed, on The Rattler and both were exhausted from their efforts.
"It's just seemed logical to me. We know how Isabelle feels about Dante. Naturally, she'll want to see him auctioned."
"She'll be there without a doubt. I can't believe I didn't think about that first."
"You've been sidetracked lately, David." Mauriri slapped his friend gently on the back, "We're going to find her and everything will be fine. You'll see. Let's get some sleep. Tomorrow's going to be a big day."
'Sleep.' Grief sighed. He hadn't seen Isabelle for nearly a week and she was all he could think about. Sleep would not come easily to him this night. His thoughts would be of her and their impending meeting.
****
((The big reunion is coming soon …. Stay tuned!))
"So Far Away"
by Beckers
**Chapter 5**
"Come here, my beauty." Isabelle approached the stall, her hand held out to the mount, attempting to touch him and show that she was still there to take care of he and his friends, even if only for a few more short days. She noted that Dante and his other equine companions seemed nervous, upset even. "Are you all angry with me?" she asked, forlorn, feeling the animal calm immediately under her soothing hands, "I wouldn't blame you." she whispered, "Dante, I should have been better prepared. But I just never dreamed …"
"Dante?" Is that his name?" came the curious bleat of a very young voice.
Startled, Isabelle looked beyond Dante and into the stall. A child, probably not more than eight or nine years old, stood near his right flank. She wore a white straw hat and a pretty yellow dress. No wonder Dante and the other horses had been so nervous. They had an intruder in their midst. "What are you doing in there?" Isabelle opened the stall door, passing Dante, and took the girl by her slightly soiled white gloved hand. She led her out of the stall and scolded, "That's very dangerous. You could have been injured. You don't know how a …"
"Daddy says he's going to buy me a horse and I wanted to look them over before I made my decision."
"Well then, you should have an adult with you." Isabelle reprimanded. The child spoke well and was precocious. And yes, from the look of her she did indeed come from a family with great wealth.
"None of the adults I'm with were interested in taking me down here." Her wide blue eyes looked about, "Too dirty for them, I guess."
"If you're missing then your family are probably worried out of there minds." Isabelle reached for the girl's hand again, "I better take you …"
"You say his name is Dante? Is he a stallion?" The girl reached over to pat the horse's long neck, effectively avoiding Isabelle's hands.
"Well, no. Not quite."
"Do you ride?"
"I did. I mean, yes. I do. Dante here used to belong to me."
The child's eye grew even wider and she looked up at Isabelle, "He's so beautiful. How can you give him up?"
"A bit of bad luck, I'm afraid." Isabelle's tone took on a whimper of misery she didn't intend. Clearing her throat and adjusting her resolve, she once again reach for the girl's hand and caught it this time without interference. "But never you mind about that." She pulled her back and, with her free hand Isabelle pushed stall door shut.
"I'm taking riding lessons but my instructor doesn't know a bridle from a stirrup. I hate him."
"You shouldn't say such things." Isabelle admonished, "It's not easy to teach a girl as young as you to ride. I've taught a few people, some were five times older than you, and *that* wasn't easy."
"You teach?" The girl beamed, awe stricken and inspired.
"Miranda!" A young male voice - on the verge of just beginning a change - called, "Father is go to have puppies if he finds you down here. He has Williams searching all over the ship for you." The boy approached Isabelle and the girl, looking not quite a teenager but tall and quite striking. He bowed ever so slightly for Isabelle, showing off his manners. "Please to meet you. Timothy Wilke's the name, Miss."
"Tim, she knows how to ride -- and she teaches!" Miranda revealed enthusiastically.
The boy sighed, "Mir, that's great but Father …"
"Okay look," Isabelle raised her voice to quiet the children, "Why don't I take you both out of here and back to your family." She glanced at Master Timothy and smiled, "Your father *is* going to be livid, I'm sure, but maybe we can convince him to bring you down here later."
"Disturbed but not livid." Cheery, an older gentleman approached, dressed quite smartly and balancing his portly figure with a cane.
"Daddy!" Miranda called and both children went to their father and hugged him on either side, "This lady knows horses!"
"Does she now?" Smiling, he reached forward to shake Isabelle's hand, "Thank you for watching out for these scamps, Miss …"
"Reed. Isabelle Reed. And they're both lovely children." she complimented.
"Thank you. I am Lord Henry Wilke."
"Nice to meet you."
"My daughter here says you know something about horses. I did promise she and my son an animal of their own on this trip and, if you don't mind, I would sincerely like your opinion. What do you consider a good buy out of this lot for a young man and woman like Miranda and Timothy?"
Isabelle considered a moment, rather pleased the distinguished gentleman thought enough of her at first sight to ask for a judgment. "Miranda, I think, would be more suited for a pony …"
"No, no ponies! I want a horse!" The girl responded.
Wilke nodded, "She's persistent." he remarked in a tired fashion, as if they had all been through it before. "This is why I'm insisting she take riding lessons. She's very stubborn but if my little girl is going to ride I want her to know what she's doing." Then, slightly lower, "*Is* there an animal here that's gentle enough for an eight year old?"
Isabelle glanced once at Dante, "Yes, there is and I think I can make a recommendation for Master Tim as well."
Wilke stared at Isabelle for a moment. He knew good, honest people when he saw them and this young woman seemed on the level. He glanced down at his daughter, who was holding her hand and appeared quite taken with Miss Reed. Even Timothy, who was not yet comfortable around either horseflesh or women appeared less timid than usual. "Alright then, give me the benefit of your experience." Wilke lifted a hand, indicating the horses. "Lead on, Miss Reed. Lead on."
Isabelle chuckled and nodded.
John O'Finney, who had been watching Lord Wilke and the woman, frowned.
***
"Can't believe these docking fees," Mauriri complained, glancing down at the receipt, as he and Grief left the harbor office. "I've been told no one but thieves live in Australia and I'm beginning to think it's true."
They had settled into the harbor, Space #213, only an hour ago but already the sun was beginning to set.
"Were only going to be here for a few days." Grief stated, his expression composed. "Once I find Isabelle … Well, it shouldn't take long to find out if this was a blunder."
"It's the *finding* her that will be tough. Australia's a big place."
"She didn't get that big of a jump on us and I don't think she had anything particular in mind when she got here, just to get a lead on a job and make quick cash."
"Do you think she really intends to go to America?"
"I don't know. She may have just been speaking to hear herself talk."
Mauriri looked at Grief's profile as they walked from the waterfront into town. He was driven but also nervous. Finding Isabelle meant one of two things: She'd either tell him it was a mistake and he should leave immediately or Grief's life would change entirely when she told him what Mauriri thought was the truth; she was in love with him. Either way, the situation would take an emotional toll on the usually contained Captain David Grief. "Where do we start?"
When they reached Bush Street, in the Main artery of the seaside community, Grief looked from one side of the busy circle to the next. "You go east and I'll go west. We'll meet back at The Rattler before midnight and compare notes."
"Fine." Mauriri said, thinking of a few matters he needed to attend to himself. "Remember David, no drinking."
Grief automatically lifted a hand to his head in memory. "You don't have to tell me twice, Mo." he said and parted company with his friend.
****
"Keep your heels up, Tim!" Isabelle called to the young man as he rode Captain around the circular corral his father had set up for he and his sister. Watching the boy and listening to the excited giggles of his sister, as she scrutinized her brother and tugged on the right leg of Isabelle's gray jodhpurs, Isabelle could not believe where fate had taken her. One moment she was giving an elderly Lord advice on horseflesh and the next moment he was hiring her to teach his children the fundamentals of riding.
Of course, Isabelle realized she was going to be more than a riding instructor. It seemed the children had gone through several governesses over the past year, lost due to illness or marriage, and Wilke - along with his wife - could not find anyone adequate for the job. Isabelle quickly told him she was not governess material, she was not as well schooled as was required for such a position, but Lord Wilke told her she would do fine until someone better came along. Isabelle nearly refused until he said the magic words that, despite her new found pride, made Isabelle reconsider:
"I pay very well."
"How well?" Isabelle questioned with a smile and accepted the job the moment he tossed a very impressive figure in her direction.
Two days had passed and tomorrow the horses were going to auction. Isabelle had convinced her employer that Dante and the horse she had named David, then renamed Captain, were the right horses for Miranda and Timothy. Both were her favorites, having a gentle demeanor and were fast learners, and it warmed Isabelle to know they would be going to a good family, a wealthy family, that would treat them right.
Unfortunately, Lord Wilke missed the initial round of bidding that occurred early on, sight unseen, when the horses were still sailing to Australia. He would have to bid along with everyone else, in Sidney, once the auction started. Isabelle had little fear that he wouldn't score Dante and Captain. The children, particularly Miranda, loved them. And, since the horses were stabled on his own ranch, Isabelle took the liberty for some impromptu lessons.
She had been a little taken aback when it was discovered that none other than John O'Finney was the family's stable master and foreman but, all things considered, he was rather good with horseflesh, even if he was an impatient man. He flirted with her outrageously during the ride into Wilke Ranch and Isabelle would hardly be a female if she hadn't been flattered by his attention, although she pretended otherwise. He was, after all, a very handsome man. But it would never go any further than flirtation, she decided, because Isabelle had known too many men like O'Finney, and the trouble they could cause. Besides, there was still something about him that caused her to feel ill at ease. Isabelle couldn't put her finger on it but red flags popped up every time he asked her to take a walk. She had yet to accept.
But really, when Isabelle considered further, it might be her own imagination trying setting up a block to *any* male that might find her interesting. She was still nursing a broken heart, albeit one she had ordered, and would continue to do so for quite sometime. A woman could not be with a man like David Grief, feel his loving embrace, and expect to get over him in a few days. "Or ever." Isabelle whispered, preoccupied.
"What?" Miranda asked, looking up at her, blue eyes wide with inquiry.
'Distracted again.' Isabelle thought with a mild smile and touched the girl gently atop her blond head. "Never mind. You're up next, Miranda." Isabelle watch O'Finney lead Timothy from the corral and help him dismount. Another ranch hand brought in Dante and he helped the girl to sit on top the large gelding. "Take it slow, Miranda. Let the horse lead you for now." Isabelle advised.
Timothy came up beside her and O'Finney followed, "How was I?" he asked, a small shine of accomplishment accentuating the boy's slightly freckled complexion.
"Very good, Tim. You got Captain up to a trot and that's saying a lot considering it was your first time on a horse."
"First time?" O'Finney scoffed, leaning his bulky weight against the fence, "Is that what you told her, lad?"
Timothy shied away from the stable master's amused stare. "Well, maybe not my *first* time." he said.
"Maybe your tenth time, fraidy-boy?"
Embarrassed, Timothy glanced up at Isabelle. "I'm just not much for horses. They make me nervous."
Isabelle frowned when she realized what was happening. "It's okay."
"Nervous!" O'Finney laughed loudly, "Boy, I've seen you grow pea-green sick when you've been asked to do more than …"
"Excuse me." Timothy walked away from the corral, in the direction of the great ranch house.
Isabelle couldn't be certain but she thought she heard the boy sobbing. Angry, she glared briefly at O'Finney then looked back at Miranda as she went through her paces. "That was rude. Not all children learn to ride quickly. It takes more time for some. I think you should mind your own business in the future, Mr. O'Finney, and apologize to Timothy."
The cheer in the stable master's expression lessoned and he scrutinized the children's new riding teacher. "Missy, I've been here a lot longer than you. It should be me telling you not to intrude where you are not wanted."
"I think I am wanted here or Lord Wilke wouldn't have hired me." Isabelle replied.
O'Finney snorted sarcastically, "I think we all know why he hired you."
"I beg your pardon?" Isabelle turned slowly, instantly catching the stable man's drift, and clamping down on her temper. If Miranda hadn't been there, watching them as she rode, Isabelle might have punch the glorified stable boy in the jaw.
"Just watch your step, Missy." O'Finney moved slowly away, toward the stables, "That's all I have to say."
The threat was not lost on Isabelle and she gradually began to see John O'Finney for what he truly was. When he wasn't trying to impress her or attempting to get her into his bed -- he was a bully. The red flags instantly came up again. The man could be very dangerous if not watched.
***
Midnight arrived and with it came good news.
"Mauriri, you're brilliant!" David Grief took the weathered auction flyer from his friend's hand and read it in the lamp light. They had met, as previously discussed, on The Rattler and both were exhausted from their efforts.
"It's just seemed logical to me. We know how Isabelle feels about Dante. Naturally, she'll want to see him auctioned."
"She'll be there without a doubt. I can't believe I didn't think about that first."
"You've been sidetracked lately, David." Mauriri slapped his friend gently on the back, "We're going to find her and everything will be fine. You'll see. Let's get some sleep. Tomorrow's going to be a big day."
'Sleep.' Grief sighed. He hadn't seen Isabelle for nearly a week and she was all he could think about. Sleep would not come easily to him this night. His thoughts would be of her and their impending meeting.
****
((The big reunion is coming soon …. Stay tuned!))