Sunlight streamed through the stables as I un-rugged Sterling, my Arabian. It was a light rug just to keep his shine, nothing heavy in the LA heat. A few other horses neighed as I feed him breakfast.

"What are we going to do Ster?" Yes I talk to my horse, he listens and doesn't talk back. He kept all my secrets "Mrs Callun is definitely selling this place, where will we go?" The stables were on prime real estate and an investor had finally made an offer too good to be true.

"Alice says I will have to think about selling you" I grab my bottom lip to stop it quivering, making myself more upset and Sterling nuzzles my side, pushing me slightly wanting my teary eyed attention, he stops and lays his head on my shoulder. "You know don't you, my man" I've exhausted my search for vacate stables and land within a 30 mile radius nothing was available, no stables to house my baby.

"I'll keep looking, we have a month, that should be enough time to sort something-right?" Trying to convince myself is the best I can do lately. That and posting wanted notices in service station windows and on local shop walls. Sterling neighs as I leave his side and lock him into his day yard. "I'll come for a ride later fella"

As I stroll through the complex I can't help looking over the ten other horses that have to relocate along with Sterling. We are all in the same boat, some more tears fall and I have to gather myself before hitting the sidewalk and the making the walk back home.

Swinging the wrought iron outer gate closed, I turn when I hear a car pull up behind me. A big Lincoln sedan sits at the kerb and John's driver steps out from behind the steering wheel and approaches the stables, meeting me at the gate. Wiping my tears away with my thumbs he seems embarrassed that he has caught me at an emotional time.

"Mr L asked me to pass this along to you.... I'll be in the car" The burly man slips back behind the wheel and waits patiently as I scan the note.

Beth,

Sorry 'bout the drunkard last night.

Can you come with Dan to mine I need your opinion on something.

Sober,

JL

Ps. Alice is ok to open the damn bar!

PPs. I asked him!

I opened the front door of the Lincoln and climbed in, Dan giving me a quizzical look, nodding he started the car and pulled away, I guess I'm going to John's.

Ten minutes of traffic and then suburbs along the coast and we arrived, not that far from the bar at all. I watched the houses get bigger and set further back on the properties til high fences and gates took over the view, a gate of brown timber edged by steel sat in front of the Lincoln then Dan pressed the 'magic' numbers and it slid silently open. We drove into, and down the driveway, a bungalow coming into view after being well hidden among palms and tropical plants.

Dan parked and I slowly stepped out, the place was huge and very beautiful, more building were lost behind even more palms and shrubbery set further back, nearly out of sight. John's driver disappeared and I was left alone to glance around.

"Morning Beth" He wandered out not a hangover in sight, just a smile and a fag ready to be lit. Jeans and white T fitted his lean body and I remembered his fingers touching my skin. The thought of his hands on me, creeping under my shirt, making me blush under his gaze.

"You requested my presence" I bowed and scraped recovering from my girly blush, making him snigger and walk closer as I played about. His swagger was as cool as he was. Casually he threw his arm over my shoulder and turned me around to walk further down the driveway away from the main house. "What, no coffee or bagel?"

"Nope, not yet, just come 'ed" We walked and walked, the place was massive, the gardens immaculate and a full sized tennis court and massive pool were passed.

"Where are we going Lennon, I need to get back"

"I told you in the note you're off the hook, playing hooky with me today!"

We stopped and I spun from his side, out from under his arm and faced him, ready to complain, but the look on his face and the nod of his head made me turn and face the direction he nodded toward.

A stable and paddock stood in front of me.

I was silent.

I was jealous.

"Shut that mouth of yours, you'll dribble all over my foot" John smiled and propelled me forward toward the stable, he stopped at the door as I wandered around looking in the tack and feed room, gawking over the stable doors and wandering around the paddock that attached to the stable. I was in love with it and it wasnt mine. "Like it?"

"It's perfect, I'm sure your horse will be very happy here, it's a great setup" I walked back over toward the door and he let me pass him by, his aftershave tingling my nose.

"I don't own a horse, silly. You.... Beth. You can use it luv" John was smiling as I turned to face him, stunned and mute at his words.

"How did?..." I thought back over the last week only Dean, the security guy, knew cause he was the one that told me of the sale, and Alice knew "Alice told you?" John nodded and I started crying, all my fears flooding out... selling my baby, losing my confidant, my friend. It was all overwhelming me as I saw that, sliver of hope come alive.

"Awww don't cry, you're supposed to be whooping it up luv! Awww Beth it's ok" John strode over quickly and hugged me tight, swinging me slightly as we stood together. I bawled more.

I was so emotional, a mess, my legs felt like they would collapse from under me "I thought I had to sell him, I couldn't find anywhere for him to go" I started up crying tears of relief and all my fears again and he pulled away from me wiping my eyes with the pads of his thumbs.

"How much do you want?"

He smiled so sweetly at me, at me.. Beth the dag. He was being so wonderfully caring "I just want a happy Beth that's all" Holding me close I calmed enough to smile and kiss his cheek thank-you. "That's better, bring him anytime, the beach is only over the hill too"

Words tumbled as I explained all the chores, this was too much, it would be invasive almost "You know I have to feed him and exercise him all the time; like, I have to come everyday" I fretted, I was digging a hole, surely all the times I'd be here would be a bother. I finally took a breath and really looked at him.

He was grinning like the Cheshire cat.

"Oh you sneaky devil!" I jumped on his back and he piggy backed me a short distance til he conked out half way up the hill.

"Sorry luv I'm not 15 anymore" John took my hand and pulled me up the path to the house we had started out from "Coffee right?"

"Yes please. Then business" We walked through the main living area to the kitchen and it was like the outside was in, palms were so close I could touch them, hibiscus flowers just out of reach. "Beautiful"

"Thankyou, I do cardio"

"Not you and what about the piggy back?! Liar, liar pants on fire! I meant the garden" I strolled toward the doors to the deck and John followed with two steaming mugs of coffee. "I thought you would be a tea drinker through and through"

"Oh well when the heads a bit blurry, coffee is the ticket" Pulling up a chair John sat and reclined on the timber deck as I strolled about touching plants.

"You were slightly under the weather" My eyes strolling over his features, his long legs, his trim tum, looking my fill, slowly soaking him up.

"You like it, you buy it"

"Arr" I waggled a finger at him "but is there a refund policy!?"

"Good one" In one fluid movement he was beside me, touching my hair as I stood stock still. "I remember it all you know.... You owe me a ciggie" He grinned devilishly and walked away, picking up his cup and taking a sip.

After enjoying the coffee with sober John and taking a stroll through the garden with him as he fired off one liners of comedic hilarity.... I just couldn't wait one minute longer.

"I'm sorry I just have to go get my number one big boy" As the words rolled out I just knew John would tag a laugh on to his retort, he didn't disappoint.

"Luv, LUV  I'm right here" He made a grab for me and I dashed off, towards the car, that had appeared like magic.

"I said number one John, not number 32"

"That's just plain nastiness Bethany! At least number 4, please"

"Ok number four but you're not my big boy..............yet......" I was gone before he could hit back with an answer to that particular proclamation.

I rushed back into town to Sterling, packed all his gear and loaded my car with what could fit. Alice would drive up to collect me and drop off everything when I rang to say I was at Sterling's new home.
Feed tins, grain, vitamins and chaff needed a ute so Dean, my trusty security guy, offered to lend me his.

It was a wonderful ride toward his new home, I couldn't stop smiling. The day was getting better and better and after passing through the front gate and clip clopping along the asphalt drive, we arrived at the stables.

Sterling, my big boy, was settled into his new home by lunchtime that very same day.