The Awakening (21 page)

“We thought we’d go horse riding with the children for the afternoon,” Elizabeth told Carmen as everyone moved back to the front porch where Louise, Todd and their three children were tumbling from the silver land cruiser.

“Oh, but I can’t actually ride,” Carmen looked to Andrew.

“That’s fine, Carmen, “ Will said, touching her arm. Instinctively she stepped away from his touch. Beneath the warmth of his hand she felt the steel in his heart. She knew what was about to happen. “We’ll find you an old horse, a safe mount. I’m sure someone as athletic as you will take to it like the old duck to water.”

Carmen smiled tightly. “I’m sure you’re right, Will.”

Andrew grabbed her hand. “Hey, it’s just a horse, Hon. We’re heading to the stables next door. Old friends. You’ll love it. Bring the pups.”

“Did you know about this?” Looking into his eyes, Carmen wasn’t sure. Could she trust one but not the other?

“It’s no big deal, Carmen. You know that,” Andrew kissed her cheek. “Go and put on some jeans and boots.”

Will was talking to Jack Bright, the neighbour and horseman when Carmen and Andrew arrived. Carmen recognised him from the papers. A well known breeder, he had made his fortune training thoroughbreds.

“Jack and I’ve talked, Carmen and we’ve got just the horse for you. Come this way,” Will took her to a large grey stallion. To Carmen’s eye he looked to be in his prime, if not a bit jittery and not the quiet little old horse she needed. Will patted the horse. “This is Pale Rider. A great horse, Carmen. He’s very responsive and will be kind to you.”

Carmen wasn’t sure. Her instincts told her that this was not a horse to be trusted, no matter how accomplished a rider you were. Still, she would go along with this little game. If Will was testing her she would find out as much about him as he would about her. “He looks very big to me, Will. I think he would easily over-power a novice like me.”

Will smiled. “No, you’re actually better off with a big well trained horse who can make up his own mind and get you out of trouble if it arises. A bit like a big car.”

Carmen was not convinced. But what could she do? The others were all mounting their rides and settling in comfortably. She let Will give her a boost up. “He’ll keep you up with the others. See they’re off already.” Carmen settled into the saddle and almost felt okay. Then Will slapped the horse’s rump and he took off like a rocket, as Will knew he would.

Carmen swayed and felt her heart thumping in her chest and sweat forming on her brow. But she was not surprised. This was not a gentle horse, in fact she knew he was the rogue of the stables. She clung on for dear life and steadied her breathing. In the distance she heard Will laughing and saw Andrew’s astonished face as she galloped by. She dug her knees into the animal and leant forward: he would not throw her easily. Her breathing steadied and her heart rate returned to normal. She could feel the strength in the horse: he liked to run and was used to a firm hand. She moved her mouth close to his ear. “Now you have a choice, my friend,” she began. “Either you can be nice to me and slow down and stop trying to throw me or I’ll show you who I really am.”

Pale Rider shook his head and kept moving like the wind miles well ahead of the other riders on their safe, well mannered mounts. Carmen looked around to see how close any was: she was well clear. She moved forward in the saddle, sitting more like a jockey, her knees in tight and her elbows in close to Pale Rider’s neck. “You’re not listening to me,” she said. He whinnied and kept galloping, who was this woman to try to tell him what to do? “Okay then, my foolish young horse.” From deep inside her, from the part that Victor knew, the core of her that was awakening came a deep dark roar, a noise of ferocity and power. Her nails thickened and sharpened. She flexed her fingers and as she began to dig her claws into the horse’s neck he shuddered and slowed to a canter. “Now we’ll let the others catch up and you’ll behave perfectly or I’ll rip your heart out,” Carmen hissed into his receptive ear. Pale Rider snorted and nodded his head. He understood her. He recognised her and would not dare hurt her, despite the urgings from his owner and Will Adams. Carmen’s power was darker and stronger than theirs.

In a matter of moments Andrew caught her. He seemed relieved that she was okay. “I thought he’d have thrown you by now.”

“Was that meant to happen?” she glared at him.

Andrew shifted in his saddle. “Don’t be silly, Carmen. Why do you think people want to hurt you? No, I meant the way the horse took off I felt sure he was about to throw you. But you’ve got him completely under control.”

Will was beside them on an equally large and powerful horse. “I’m so sorry about that, Carmen. I didn’t think he’d take off like that. Are you all right, my dear?”

Carmen looked at Will, at those flinty grey eyes and saw the hatred. His mouth smiled and his words sounded sincere but his eyes said what was in his heart. This was a test, but had she passed or failed? She returned his gaze with her own steely stare. She thought he nodded in recognition. Did he know who she was? Was Will like Victor, someone who had known from the moment he met her that she was far from ordinary? She smiled at Will, making her eyes as warm as her smile. He need not know what she suspected. She veiled her heart to him. “Looks like I’m more of a rider than I thought.”

“You certainly seem to have a way with animals,” Will nodded.

Andrew was nodding too. “Let’s trot on together, Honey. We’ll leave Will to the grand children.”

Carmen agreed readily, pleased to be freed from Will’s disturbing presence.

They rode for some time in silence. Carmen and Pale Rider were now in complete agreement about who was in charge. Andrew seemed happy to be just together. He was getting used to Carmen’s need for quiet. It made a refreshing change to all those chattering girls he had known in the past. He looked at her in the saddle, all long legs and ram rod back. She seemed as one with the horse. How unexpected in someone who had never ridden before in her life. Still, he considered, she was closer to those dogs than any human, including her mother. Perhaps Carmen was like that horse whisperer guy and had a natural affinity with animals?

Andrew stopped at a clearing near the edge of the water. “Let’s walk for a while, you and me.”

She jumped down and took his hand. They tethered the horses to a tree and Carmen told Pale Rider to stay exactly where he was.

“Did you want to get me alone?” Carmen mocked.

Andrew nodded. “Yes I did.”

“Is everything okay?” Carmen stopped walking and faced him. Could she trust him or not? The time for certainty was at hand: she needed to know the truth of Andrew’s heart

He sighed. “Look I just want to let you know a few things. Before the whole big wedding thing overtakes us tonight at dinner. Will can be pretty scary. But he needs to make sure the family stays strong. I guess that was what the horse thing was about. Seeing how calm you are under pressure.”

“It was a bit sick, Andrew. I could have been seriously hurt.”

Andrew hung his head. “I know.”

“Did you know that was going to happen, Andrew? Did you let your father expose me to such danger? Did you?”

Andrew sighed and shook his head. “I know you don’t understand, Carmen. You never had a family. Well, I know you did. But this family means something. I’m sorry, I know how bad that sounds.”

“What are you trying to say, Andrew?”

“I can’t just marry anyone. Being in love with you isn’t enough. My family expect things of me and therefore of my wife.”

“You mean you’re going into politics and I have to be able to cope with the pressure and this weekend is some sort of test to see if I can cut it.”

His mouth dropped. “How?”

Carmen shook her head. “I had lunch with your mother, remember? She did this big number on me about your future, but said you didn’t really have any plans yet. I thought you were just after Victor’s job, not the big one in Washington.”

“It’s true. I was after Victor’s job. I wanted to prove to Will that I could make it on my own in a field unrelated to him. He was a difficult man to grow up with.”

“But they dote on you, the only beloved son.” Carmen took him by the arm and they began walking along the shore.

“Will wanted the highest office. He was all set. I was about nine or ten. We used to take these beautiful family shots, Will and Elizabeth with their beautiful girls and handsome son. He was endorsed. Won some primaries and then something happened. I don’t know what to this day. But it stopped him dead in the water. It was all over.”

“So it falls to you? Very Kennedy clan, I must say.”

“They’re not the only political family in the country. We’re far more establishment than them, but less glamorous. And, yes, he expects me to make it. So the girl I marry has to measure up.”

“Do I have to have a fertility test too?”

Andrew laughed. “Sounds silly, doesn’t it?”

“Only if it’s not what you want, Andrew. Only if you chose me because I can help you get elected.”

“Oh, Honey. No.” Andrew stopped to look her in the eye. “No. Don’t think that. Did Mom say that?”

Carmen shook her head.

“I love you, Carmen. You do believe me.”

“Prove it,” she said. It was the only way for her to be sure of him.

“Here?”

“Just kiss me, idiot.”

Andrew took Carmen in his arms and pulled her in tight. He buried his head in her hair and inhaled that familiar, wonderful smell of clean hair and musky perfume. It always made him feel so good, so alive. He kissed her neck and squeezed her ass with his hands. She ran her hands through his hair. He pulled her head back to expose her throat to him. He looked at her golden skin, taunt lean neck and bit her softly, making her squeal in delight. He moved his mouth to hers, hovering just above the full pinkness of her lips. His tongue flicked her lips and pushed quickly in and out of her mouth before he pushed his mouth fully onto hers. She felt his body press right into hers as his tongue explored every bit of her mouth, her teeth and tangled with her tongue. She felt her breath shortening and her juices begin to mobilise. She wanted him to run his hands over her breasts and push his hand into her panties. She rubbed her breasts into his cotton shirt.

“Make love to me,” she whispered as his mouth separated from hers.

“Here?”

She moved his hands to her breasts. “I want you.” I need you now, she thought, now is the test. I have to know. She would believe her reactions to him, the purity of her desire would tell the truth.

“I want you too, Honey. I’ll always want you.” He pulled up her t-shirt, pushed her breast from her bra and bent his head to suck at her nipple.

There was a shout and scream some way behind them. Andrew stepped away from Carmen who quickly reorganised her clothing.

It was James, Andrew’s fifteen year old nephew running towards them.

“What’s happened?” Andrew asked as Andrew caught his breath.

“Come. You have to come with me. Bethany’s been thrown.”

“What can we do?” Andrew asked. “Has someone called a doctor?”

“Grandad says Carmen can help.”

Andrew looked at her. “Why?”

James shrugged. “I don’t know. He just sent me after you, saying Carmen could help. Can you?”

Carmen shrugged. “I don’t know. Possibly.” This was too dangerous. Her powers were too new and not under her control at all and certainly not ready for a public demonstration. And if she used them then Will would have his suspicions confirmed and Andrew would ask too many questions. Perhaps Beth was only bruised?

“Come on. She’s down here.” They ran after James and soon found the others in the clearing where they’d left their horses.

Bethany was lying on the ground, her leg at an awkward angle to her body. She was crying and holding her grandfather’s hand tight.

“Ah, there you are.” Will was relieved to see them. “Come closer, Carmen I want you to examine her.”

Carmen bent down to whisper in Will’s ear. “I’m not doing anything in front on an audience. Got it?”

He nodded. Whatever test this was his love for his grandchild was paramount and it was clear that she was in a great deal of pain. “Andrew, take the kids away. Go and see how the horses are.”

“What happened, Will?” Carmen felt Beth’s leg not really knowing what she was looking for but hoping she would know when she found it.

‘She went to get on Pale Rider.”

“Well that was stupid.”

“I know,” Will hung his head. “She’d seen you and thought she could ride him too.”

“But she’s only eight.”

“You couldn’t ride at all this morning.”

Carmen looked at Will Adams. “It’s all very well to play games with me, but your granddaughter?”

“Yes, all right. I know. But you must understand,” he hissed, “I have to know if you are who I think you are.”

“Why? Are you my enemy?”

“You’ve become very forthright since I last met you.” Will squeezed Beth’s hand. “It’s okay, sweetie. Carmen’s here.”

“A lot has happened since I saw you last.”

“I can tell,” Will grunted. “Now can you help her?”