Downton Abbey

Lost in Paradise

Disclaimer: I will say the normal stuff of course I don't own anything just borrowing Mr. Bates and Anna for a while… I also barrowed the Title from a song by Evanescence. There is No copy write infringement intended with the use either…

Summary: There is no one who could love the way John and Anna love each other but, is love enough? This is a modern and AU fic … Happy Reading!

A/N: I'm sorry this chapter took forever to write, but life is what it is. I hope you enjoy it… Also I'm not good with math or conversions so forgive me. Just FYI this fic is not beta'd so any and all mistakes you may find are mine. Please PM me if you find any.

A/N: 2 Awesomegreentie IT'S HERE! Sorry couldn't resist… lol

Chapter Four

The sun rose over the rolling hills of H&A Farm at 5:30 that next morning. The house was already getting on with it's day when Anna peered out of the old room. "Good Morning." She greeted Amelia as she passed by the door.

"Good Morning Anna, if you're hungry there some eggs and biscuits on the table and the coffee is fresh."

"Thank you," Anna smiled through a yawn. In her bare feet she walked on the hardwood floor and into the living and kitchen area. True to her word the food was spread out on the oval kitchen table that rested by the far wall leading to the back door. Looking over the array of food Anna chose toast, scrambled eggs and a jam spread known as 'preserves' . Taking a seat in a cushioned oval backed chair she began to eat. It was nice to have a few moments to herself on the first official day of their trip. Taking a bite of her toast she made her way to the waiting coffee pot. Pouring the steaming liquid into a chipped mug. Walking back to her chair she sipped the steaming brew and smiled. It would be night time in England now. She thought of John as she played with the pendant that dangled and rested against her neck. Upon hearing sluggish footsteps pound the wooden floor Anna smiled as it was undoubtedly Mary who was about to enter the room. "Good morning, Mary."

"Morning," Mary replied. Making her way to the breakfast table she yawned and grumbled to herself. Surveying the table full of food she grabbed a plate and a napkin, selecting a piece of toast and preserves she slumped down in a chair opposite of Anna. "What are we to do today?" Mary asked as she nibbled on her toast.

"We are watching the horses run, after that we go through the finance and contracts with Haley, and then we have lunch."

"What do you make of her?" Mary asked.

"Haley, what do you mean?" Anna asked as she drank her coffee.

"Do you like her?"

"I think she is nice."

"Yes, well I'm going to get dressed, I'll meet you by the track." Mary told her as she put down her food and made her way out of the room.

Getting up slowly Anna dropped her empty cup into the empty sink and went to her room. The sun beamed through the window heating up the hardwood floor beneath her feet. Stepping toward the wardrobe she opened the door and searched for her clothes. Choosing a cardigan a pair of jeans and riding boots she made her way back to the living room and out of the back door. Holding the old wooden door she pushed through the glass – screen door before it snapped closed on her. Looking forward she found a gravel path that led to an old barn. The track barn it was called. Haley and her husband Ryan could be seen from where Anna stood brushing off a chestnut colored horse who stood there without care. Picking up her pace Anna made her way toward them. "Good morning," She greeted the pair, before walking towards the horse.

"Good morning," Ryan greeted her as he continued his work.

"Hello," Haley called from her position next to the hind quarters of the horse. "I do hope you slept well?"

Rubbing the horses nose Anna answered her, "I did rather." She smiled stepping around the horse to see Haley rubbing the animal's legs down. "The horses seem to take to you."

"I have a way with them. Don't I boy?" She asked patting the horse's side. Dropping the rags she held into a bucket by her side she rubbed her hands against her jeans. "Every animal I've ever been around seems to be drawn to me. I really don't know why?"

"Sweetheart," Ryan interrupted. "He's ready." Her husband told her as he unhooked the two leather straps that held the horse in place and began leading him around the back of the barn. "The practice track is just back here." He called over his shoulder.

"I'll show her," Haley called. Pushing a button on the control of her chair Haley began moving behind him. "Anna if you'll come this way."

"Of course," Anna said. Walking beside Haley they made their way to a round dirt covered track enclosed by a white bored fence.

Holding the horse with his left hand Ryan opened the gate and walked the horse inside. Anna took in how they two seemed to work in tandem. Haley closed the latch behind him and watched as he and a stable hand loaded Ryan and the horse into a large racing regulated starting gate. Anna rested her arms on the fence and watched as the horse waited.

"There you are," Mary called from behind them.

Turning Anna nodded toward her friend, "You're just in time Mary."

Pulling out a digital stop watch Haley looked over at the two ladies before yelling out. "Let it GO!"

With that the horse was released and began the quarter mile run. Ryan was hunched over the horses back and dirt flew as the horse's hooves pounded the ground. The horse came around the circle toward the final stretch and they watched as the horse made its way past a large white pole that indicated the finish line. The click of the stopwatch was loud to the three woman. Looking at the oval clock in her hand Haley smiled and looked at Mary and Anna "25 flat."

Ryan was still astride the horse slowing down to a trot as he called out, "How'd he do?!"

"25 flat honey,"

"Ok," He said dismounting the horse and walking him toward the gate. "I'll take him to the cool down walker and I'll bring back the other horses." Ryan told her.

Holding out her hand Haley stopped him. Reaching up she wiped dirt from his cheek. Smiling he leaned down awkwardly to kiss her lightly before continuing toward the barn. "Alright," Haley called after him. Turning back toward the two ladies she blushed, "I'm sorry about that."

Mary waved her hand in the air glancing in Anna's direction, "Her husband works for my father, we're used to working with couples, aren't we Anna?"

"I should say Mary." Anna replied. It took only a few moments for Ryan to bring the four other horses to the track and all four had similar times as the first. There morning lasted past 11 am.

"I'm going riding on the back ridge after we settle the financing," Haley said as they headed for the barn. "Would either of you care to join me?"

"I'll join you," Anna piped up as she put an unruly strand of hair behind her ear, "Mary?" Anna said expectantly.

"Of course," Mary said although she didn't seem very pleased.

As they made their way towards the front of the barn Haley leaned over to speak to Anna quietly, "I'm not sure you're boss likes being here."

"It's just Mary, she's very stubborn." Anna explained with a smile,

Giving her a knowing smile Haley went ahead and made it inside of the barn and into her office. The barn was built in the 1800's just as the house had been. Over the years the interior of the barn had been retrofitted to keep up with modern times. The office had been used for tobacco stripping until Haley's father had turned it into the office for the farm. Following her inside the open wooden door. Haley gestured to the padded oak chairs in front of her cherry finished desk. "Please sit."

Driving her wheelchair around the desk she pulled into it and began typing on her laptop. "Alright so," Haley said staring at her spreadsheet the buying price was 150 thousand for each horse…"

"Yes," Anna said going through her briefcase and pulling out their contract. Which they all could clearly see converted to 488027.7 in GBP.

"Is this agreeable?" Haley asked the two woman in front of her. She noted Mary's look of skepticism, but for five horses that were as fast as these worse they were getting them for a cheap price.

"Mary," Anna said waiting for her final approval.

"Yes," Mary said with a slight grin, "It is agreeable."

"Great." Haley said with a smile. Dropping her glasses she grabbed a golden fountain pen and signed the contract before sliding it across the dark wooden desk for Mary's signature.

"Thank you Haley." Mary said kindly as she and Anna stood from their chairs.

Backing away from the desk Haley came around the desk, "Thank you," She said as she shook each of their hands. "We have time before lunch, let's take that ride."

"Yes," Anna replied as they made their way back into the main barn.

"Ryan," Haley called to her husband.

"Yeah," He said not looking away from the horse he was attending.

"Can you saddle "Midnight" and two other horses for me?"

"Sure, just let me finish with this one ok?"

"Alright." She said. Turning back to her guest who were standing behind her observing the conversation. "He'll be done in a minute."

"It's no bother." Mary assured her.

"Sorry to keep you waiting ladies," Ryan said with a smirk.

Rolling her eyes at her husband's flirting Haley laughed, "Thanks honey,"

Opening a stall door with a decided tug Ryan hooked a black silky- skinned horse to a halter and led him into the walkway. Though the sun was high in the blue country sky the barn was lit with track bulbs in the ceiling every few feet. "Come on boy," Ryan cooed at the animal as he hooked him to little latches to hold him in place. Walking over to a back room just off to his left Ryan returned with a special saddle. The leather seat was like every normal saddle, but it also had a manmade cushioned back with a leather bound Velcro strap. "You ready babe?" Ryan asked Haley.

"Oh yeah," She told him with a smile.

Mary and Anna watched quietly as this tall broad shoulder man kneeled down in front of his wife and carefully took her from her chair and lifted her high upon the horses back. Once he was satisfied that she was balanced and the strap was secured just above her waist he gently put her feet in the stirrups and placed a leather strap behind the heel of her brown lace up boot. Squeezing her thigh he watched his wife grab the saddle horn before leaning in for a kiss. "Are you sure you don't want me to come?"

"We'll be fine honey," Seeing his worried scowl Haley repeated herself her in a more forceful tone, "I will be fine, Ryan you know that… I'll see you later."

Clicking her tongue against her lips she rode her horse out of the barn. Anna was next then Mary who rode very well. "Are you ready?" She asked them as they rode their horses up to her.

"Lead on." Mary said as they slapped the reins and the horses began to trot forward toward the south edge of the property.

All three horses kept pace with each other as they climbed small hills and rocky areas to come upon the old ridge. Stopping the ladies padded their horse's necks, "Haley," Anna said.

"Yes," Haley said looking over to her right.

"We couldn't help but, notice you're husband, he seemed worried."

"Oh, that's just Ryan, he worries." She told them over howling winds.

"That sounds like my John." Anna told her.

"Yours too huh," Haley said with a laugh. "I usually don't go riding without him, but I wanted to go and I knew he had things to do." Haley explained. "No I love him for worrying, our lives have not been easy, but here we are."

"Yes he is just like John." Mary said. They looked out over the property and took in its simple beauty saying nothing for a few moments.

"I do hate to go, but it is time for lunch and we shouldn't keep the others," Haley said tugging on the reins turning her horse.

Making their way back toward the barn slowly as Mary remarked, "It is no Downton to be sure, but this place has its beauty."

"Thank you," Haley said as she glanced at Anna wondering if that was in fact a compliment.

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