“You never went horse riding?” Robert asked in surprise.
“Is that so strange?” Cora responded, standing next to a light brown mare.
“If this was the area I had been growing up, I would have been out here every weekend on a horse.”
Cora remembered the day one of her friends went horse riding and came back with a spinal cord injury. She shivered at the thought of it. “It just never happened, I did other things.” She looked up at the mare.
The handler stepped towards her. “I will help you up.” He continued in a softer tone. “This mare is very gentle and she will follow your lead easily.”
Cora gave him a thankful look and let him help her up. She saw Robert looking at her, once she sat up. He gave her a smile, and guided his horse towards her.
“We will start slow, it’s not that hard, follow the movements of the horse and you will be alright.” He leaned towards her and kissed her cheek.
“Be careful.” Cora exclaimed, when Robert went off at a high speed. The handler was still holding the reins.
“She will follow in your pace, don’t worry.”
Cora let out a deep sigh and urged the horse to follow. She would have loved the handler to come with her, but she knew she needed to have faith.
Robert had slowed down and was waiting for Cora to come closer. They continued at a slower pace. “This is one of the best feelings in the world.” Robert said. “Surrounded by beautiful nature, on a majestic animal and in the best company I could wish for.”
Cora coloured, but gave Robert a radiant smile.
Robert felt warm inside, this morning they had continued where they stopped last night. Cora had surprised him by waking him up with kisses on his chest. It had turned into a steamy morning. He was grateful Cora was feeling this safe in his arms. She deserved to feel loved and he was determined to only give her the best.
He held back a little, Cora didn’t notice and she rode on. Robert watched her move with the horse. She was so elegant. Her dark brown hair was blowing in the wind. She had let it down this morning and scolded Robert when he couldn’t stop playing with it.
“What are you waiting for?” Cora had turned around and looked at him with raised eyebrows.
Robert came closer again. “I was admiring you.” He admitted.
Cora chuckled.
+++
“I will bring the horses back.” Robert said when they returned to the cabin.
Cora kissed him softly. “I will start making dinner.” She leaned against him for a second and then watched him ride off. He was so handsome, high on that horse, with the other next to him. Her cowboy, she thought.
Back inside she lit up the fire and started on dinner. She was almost finished when Robert returned. She knew instantly something was wrong when she saw his face. She turned down the heat and stepped towards him. “What is wrong?” She asked, putting her hand on his arm.
Robert shook his head and was fighting against the tears.
Cora guided him to a chair. “Something bad happened?”
Robert looked up and locked his eyes with Cora’s. She saw a deep pain in them. “It’s my dad.” He started, but his voice was thick with tears.
Cora got up to get a glass of water. Thankful Robert drank and continued. “I need to go back to London as fast as possible. Hopefully I can be back in time to see my father one last time.”
Cora’s eyes grew big. “We are booking our flights right now.” She got up to get her tablet.”
Robert put his hand on her arm. “You don’t have to come with me. I thought you could go back to your mother and spend some more time with her.”
“I will not let you go home alone. No, I am coming with you.” Cora said resolutely.
“Oh Cora.” Robert’s eyes filled with tears.
Cora pulled him close and let him cry.
+++
They managed to get a flight the next morning. The flight had gone smoothly. Robert had been very quiet from time to time, but also had moments he told Cora about his dad. Cora had let him talk, she didn’t push him when he didn’t say anything for hours. Those moments she only took his hand and brushed his hand with her thumb. In the meantime praying they would be on time.
At Heathrow airport, a car was already waiting for them. Cora hadn’t realized Robert hadn’t booked a cab, but that this was their own chauffeur. Before she realized, the car stopped in front of a big house. Robert got out and walked towards the front door. He stopped when he noticed Cora wasn’t following.
“Cora?” He put out his hand. “Are you coming?”
Cora looked up at the house, she was in shock. She had been anxious Robert would be overwhelmed with the house in New York, but she never realized he came from a wealthy family himself. “I better go home, Robert.” She said.
Robert walked back and took her hand. “I want you next to me.” He looked at her. “Please.”
Cora almost melted by the sight of his puppy eyes. “I will come inside with you.” She took his hand, his fingers wrapped around hers.
They walked towards the house in silence, at the door a man was waiting. “Milord.” He said welcoming Robert and nodded towards Cora.
Cora grabbed his hand a bit more firmly, when she realized what the butler had said.
“Thank you Molesley, are they upstairs?”
“They are Milord.”
Upstairs, Robert let go of Cora’s hand and walked in the room where his family was.
Cora waited in the hallway, not wanting to interrupt. She saw Robert hug Rosamund and a woman who must be his mother, then he sat down next to the man laying in bed. They exchanged some words. The man let out a last breath, when Robert said it was alright to go.
Verhalen van Traan 