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Chapter One
Bill Regan leaned back in his chair and sighed. Things had been so much easier when the Bob-Whites were around full time. Granted, he had to remind them of the horses sometimes but they were thorough in the grooming and loved the animals. Now the students he taught to ride were mostly upper class society kids, primarily girls who wanted to learn to ride sidesaddle like their mothers, or their mothers insisted. None of them really loved horses, or could appreciate the beauty of his favorite gelding, Jupiter, or the roan Strawberry. But he doubted any of them could truly appreciate the gallop of the animal, muscles moving as poetry in motion, wind whipping through their manes. How many of those society kids enjoyed the sweet scent of hay in the morning? Pure joy, for a man like Bill Regan. If only Jim had opened his school here! Like the Bob-Whites and their families, he had eagerly anticipated Jim opening the boys school at Ten Acres, not in the woods of Vermont. The Bob Whites of the Glen, once the tightest group of seven young friends, were now split. Trixie, Honey and Dan were still in New York, But Jim, Brian, Mart and Di were off to Vermont, running The Great Outdoors School of Learning. Jim's dream of a school for orphaned, abused and abandoned boys had come into its existence last year. But it was far away from where they had all thought it would be. Nothing had really happened the way it should, he thought with a sigh, his green eyes drifting to its usual place, an 8x10 framed photo of the Bob-Whites. It was taken shortly after his nephew Dan had arrived in town, the night of the ice carnival, when he had joined the club. There were other pictures of the Bob-Whites over the years, including all of the high school and college graduations, but he always ended up staring at this one. Maybe because it was such a turning point in both his and Dan's lives. "Hey, Regan," Bobby Belden poked his curly blond head in the door, "there's a chick here asking for you as William." Regan smiled affectionately at the fifteen year old. "Lady, Bobby, say lady, not chick." Bobby rolled his bright blue eyes. Regan just shook his head and smiled, his six foot three frame rising from his desk. The trouble finding, adorable boy had grown into a trouble finding, heartbreaking teen. Not unlike his older sister with the trouble finding part. Strolling outside, he stopped, sizing up his visitor from the back. A ponytail of long, wavy, golden blonde hair fell down her back, not quite to her waist. Regan's couldn't help but let his eyes travel her well formed body and the way her jeans hugged her curvy figure. Her brown suede jacket was tailored to her, and her shiny brown boots were new. What really surprised him was her height. First he guessed about five ten, but as he got closer, he realized she had to be a full six feet tall. And she wasn't a stick, he thought, a smile twitching at her lips. Her shoulders seemed a bit broader than the average female but realized she made them look graceful, and she was most definitely in proportion to herself. Leaning against the railing, watching Jupiter graze, she seemed unaware of him watching her, but he had a nice view of her backside. "Ma'am?" he didn't intend to startle her but he did. Turning, she stared at him, her ocean blue eyes were startled. "Mr. Regan?" she asked hesitantly. "Call me Regan. No Mister," he smiled at the pretty girl, trying to tear his eyes from her. As he did, she stepped up, hand out. Regan was startled by the firm grip of her shake. "Ayla Martin," she said. Regan tried not to stare at her fair complexion, the pretty lips with just a hint of some brownish, shimmery color. Other than that, no make up, which pleased him. And that surprised him. Usually he didn’t pay attention to women’s makeup. He caught a glimpse of an ivory blouse under the suede blazer but kept his eyes on her face. "Pleasure, Ms. Martin," he smiled. "What can I do for you?" "Ayla," she replied dryly. "Fair is fair." Regan grinned and waited to find out why she was here. Ayla had to gather her wits about her after she turned and saw the tall, handsome redhead staring at her. The smell of horses that had made her nose twitch suddenly wasn't even there. In fact, Ayla was suddenly very disoriented all together. Nice and tall, and a sturdy frame that she knew had to be muscled from working with these horses on a regular basis. Bright red hair, growing out from a cut, she thought, but he was probably oblivious to it. Emerald green eyes sparkled at her, and even his light tan couldn't really hide the freckles. Jeans hugged his muscular thighs and long legs, and his green plaid flannel shirt not only displayed strong arms and broad chest, but made his emerald eyes electrifying green. "I, uh, need to learn how to ride by next week," she blurted out,
feeling very awkward. "By next week?" he looked her over again, this time to size her up for a horse. She looked strong, but she didn't radiate with a horse lovers enthusiasm. "Is it possible?" she asked anxiously. "Sure, if you have a lot of time open. I don't just throw my students on a horse and let them take off," he said mildly. She sighed but looked determined. "I can be here as often as you want," she answered, her eyes drifting back towards Jupiter. "Mind me asking why you want to learn?" he asked. "Usually my students are a bit more . . . enthusiastic." Ayla smiled at him and Regan almost lost his balance against the railing when she did so. Something lit up inside of her and took his breath away. The smile vanished quickly as she spoke. "I have to go some stupid weekend party in the Hamptons," she said gloomily. "And there's supposed to be some big ride or something. At any rate, I don't want to look foolish not knowing what I'm doing and I definitely don't want one of the guys trying to feel me up while helping me on the horse," her gray blue eyes suddenly went dark as she scowled. Regan bit back a laugh. The reluctant society girl, he thought. She certainly didn't strike him as the usual snooty ones he encountered. That's not fair, he thought quickly. His partner and former boss, Matthew Wheeler had gotten lucky with his daughter, who had earned the nickname Honey because she was so sweet. "Well, you won't be jumping fences by next week but I'll have you at least getting up on your own and staying in the saddle," he smiled. She grinned back and again, he lost his breath for a moment. "Have you ever been on a horse?" he asked. With a twisted smile she answered, "Other than Disneyland?" Regan laughed. "Once," she admitted. "Big black thing like that one," she pointed to Jupiter who was wandering over towards them. "I wasn't supposed to be near it. Got up on it, and the next thing I knew I was waking up in bed. My dad grounded me for a week." Regan chuckled, remembering another young blonde who ignored his order to stay away from Jupe and took a header as well. "That's one thing I have to make to clear," he said in a firm voice. "What I say goes, when it comes to these animals." She nodded. "Why don't you start tomorrow morning?" he suggested. "I'll have the paperwork ready." "Sounds good," she smiled up at him and there was an awkward moment. "Oh, do I have to wear one those habit things?" Regan shook his head, grinning. "Jeans are fine. I'd recommend a pair that’s stretchy, or pants you can move easily in. And a sweatshirt, or layers. Something you don't mind getting dirty. And no sneakers or sandals. If you have some boots with a heel, that’d be best. Good arch support is critical." Ayla winced but nodded. "You got it. Tomorrow then?" "Yep, tomorrow, ‘bout nine," he nodded, his eyes lingering on her.
She smiled again, shyly, and walked away.
Regan surprised himself by staring after her, his eyes glued to her hips that swung just enough to keep him intrigued. Long legs, he thought, and shapely ones at that.
The first years Dan was around, Regan hadn't dated much. The teen was on probation until he was eighteen, and Regan wanted to set a good example. Plus, he was naturally shy around women. The giggling and eye batting set him on edge, the covert body language confused him. Horses were much easier to understand. And a lot quieter.
After he found Joan again, they had tried a relationship. But the years had changed them both, and they had mutually agreed they were better off as friends. They weren't the young teens in love anymore, and their outlook on life had changed dramatically.
Plus, to date, meant he'd have to meet people, which meant going into town, which meant getting in the car. Too much hassle, he settled himself in for a life of bachelorhood. Then the Bob-Whites starting going off to college. First Jim and Brian, then Dan and Mart. And finally, the girls. Only little Bobby and the Lynch boys were left, and once discovered not all girls were icky, even they weren’t around as much. Bobby spent most of his days with Terry and Larry Lynch.
Regan missed the Bob-Whites. So did Miss Trask, who had eventually become the Wheeler's estate manager. So did Tom, Mr. Wheeler’s chauffeur, and his wife Celia. With the Wheeler's in the city most of the time now, Tom had started up his own chauffeur business. Celia, who had been one of the Wheeler's maids, managed the house for Honey, since her parents weren't there. Miss Trask had become Madeleine’s Wheeler’s personal assistant.
Regan returned to his office, brooding again at the quietness of the stables. There were no students tonight, he figured he'd go check on Maypenny. The old man was getting on in years, and Regan knew Dan worried about him.
As he'd made his dinner that night, he slipped into his usual evening brooding.
He missed them. He missed Jim Frayne, the orphaned, beaten young man Matthew and Madeleine Wheeler had
adopted the summer they moved out here to Sleepyside-on-the-Hudson. Jim loved animals, especially horses, and was the only rider Jupiter truly liked, other than himself or Matt Wheeler. He missed Brian. The oldest of the Bob-Whites and Jim's levelheaded best friend. Quiet, thoughtful, studious, he had become a doctor, doubling up in subjects in school alongside Jim so they could open the boys school. Brian was always there to watch Regan tend a horse, as willing to learn about animals as he was humans.
And Mart. Mart with his lopsided crew cuts, immense vocabulary and insatiable appetite. Mart was a clown but a good boy who more than once bailed his sister Trixie out of trouble.
Trixie. Regan adored the bright, enthusiastic girl, and the summer she had met Honey, changed them all. Under her influence, Honey blossomed into a lovely, healthy girl, dragged into Trixie's mysteries. Then Jim had gotten the foolish idea of opening the school in Vermont. Breaking everyone's heart, but worst of all, Trixie’s. Instead of getting an engagement ring, she got a shattered heart the night of her graduation.
Then there was pretty Diana, married in the fall after graduation to Mart. Mart, the only Bob-White male with the cajones to tell the girl of his dreams how he truly felt. Unlike Jim and his damn fond looks towards Trixie. Brian and his respect for Honey. It had taken them years to finally admit their feelings, and then it all got tossed away so the boys could go to Vermont.
Regan sighed. He had always thought if he found the perfect girl for him, he'd hang on and never let her go. But at twenty nine, he was pretty sure it wouldn't happen now.
And yet his mind wandered back to that afternoon, to laughing with Ayla Martin. He figured her to be about his age, and she was certainly more than pretty, and appeared to have a good head on her shoulders. Seemed to be stuck with her life and wanting more. Regan knew she wanted adventure, he could see it in her eyes. But he had seen enough of the rich side of life to know women like her probably ate men like him for breakfast.
Pushing her out of his mind, Regan headed out to visit Maypenny in the preserve.
Author Notes
-Welcome back to the Never Too Late Universe!
-A huge thank you to Robin, my editor!
-Word Count, 2,159
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