Josephine Cox 3-Book Collection 2: The Loner, Born Bad, Three Letters

Her father laughed at that, but warned her all the same, ‘I know I promised you could have him next year when you’re eighteen, but I’ve changed my mind. That stallion is lethal. He’s wild and unpredictable. I’m taking no chances with you, Lucy love. We’ll get you another, calmer horse.’

‘Dad, I don’t want a calmer horse. I love Madden.’

In too much pain to argue, her father let it go. But his mind was made up. As far as he was concerned, his precious daughter would never be allowed on that black hell-devil’s back. He would issue that same directive to all concerned, and after what happened today, the sooner it was done, the better.

Chapter Twelve (#ulink_6c3193b7-96d9-5314-a3e1-4a0c667d65be)

‘WHAT ON EARTH have you been up to now?’ The elderly doctor had served the Thomson family for many years, and he felt the right to chide his patient for his foolhardiness. ‘I told you that beast would get the better of you one day, and I was right.’

Raising Frank Thomson’s foot to the stool, he set about cutting his sock off. When the full extent of the injury was revealed, he announced with some satisfaction, ‘You’ve managed to break your foot, in two places if not more.’

To prove his point, he prodded a finger on the swollen arches, looking up through the edge of his spectacles when Frank cried out, ‘Steady on, man! You’re enjoying this, aren’t you, you sadist?’

The doctor gave an aside wink at Lucy. ‘Anybody would think he was in pain.’

Shaking a fist, the other man yelled and cursed, declaring, ‘You’re too old and crotchety to be a doctor! You are bad mannered and rough, and you relish other folks’ pain. I reckon you should have been struck off years ago.’

Ignoring his rantings, Doctor Montgomery took charge of organising things, and within twenty minutes of his arrival, he had Davie in the front of his big Humber car, and Lucy and her father in the back. ‘And don’t start any of that moaning and complaining,’ the doctor warned him. ‘I need to concentrate on the road.’

‘I’m not surprised!’ Frank retaliated. ‘You can barely see straight even when you’ve got your glasses on.’

‘Behave yourself, Daddy!’ Lucy had witnessed these two bantering for too many years, and now if they didn’t do it, she would be worried.

Half an hour later they arrived at Bedford Hospital. Davie and Lucy helped Frank hobble to a seat, while the doctor went in search of assistance.

Frank’s foot was now swollen to twice its normal size. To distract himself from the pain, he turned to Davie. ‘It’s as well you were there, my boy,’ he told him. ‘You did a foolish thing, though … turning Madden like that, and putting yourself in mortal danger.’

‘There wasn’t time to think about being in danger,’ Davie said honestly. ‘It was an instant reaction.’

‘All the same, if you hadn’t been there, I’m sure that mad bugger would have trampled me on the road.’ Reaching out, he shook Davie by the hand. ‘I’m very grateful to you. Thank you, young man.’

‘I’m grateful, too.’ When Lucy smiled up at him, Davie thought how lovely she was; soft-natured and with a smile warm enough to melt any man’s heart. And just for the briefest moment, he thought of Judy. But it was a different kind of thinking; protective and caring, and feeling responsible, while with Lucy there was a stirring of something else – a sensation he had not experienced before.

‘What were you doing around here in the first place?’ Frank’s voice cut through his thoughts.

‘I was looking for a place called “Greenacres Farm”.’

Frank looked surprised. ‘Were you now?’

‘Who do you know at Greenacres?’ That was Lucy.

Taking out the box, Davie removed the piece of paper given to him by Eli and passed it to Lucy. ‘I was told this man might find me work, and a place to stay.’

Lucy read the note and quickly handed it to her father, who cast his eye over it. ‘So! You were looking for Ted Baker?’

‘That’s right.’ Davie had noticed the look that passed between father and daughter. ‘Do you know him, by any chance?’

Momentarily brushing aside Davie’s question, Frank informed him, ‘I own most farms hereabouts, including Greenacres Farm.’

‘So you do know Ted Baker?’ Davie was greatly relieved. ‘Do you think he’s in need of an extra labourer?’

‘I don’t think he needs anything right now,’ Frank said respectfully. ‘Ted Baker passed away last year … I’m sorry, son. The farm is now being run by another of my tenants. I’ve amalgamated the two farms, and as far as I’m informed, he has more than enough help at the minute.’

Seeing how the news had sent Davie into a sombre mood, he suggested, ‘You obviously have a way with horses, so, if you’re interested, I might have need of a strong young man myself.’

He quickly explained. ‘I have six farms including my own. Five of them are tenanted out; of those, three of them are crop-producing and two are cattle-rearing. Mine does neither, because it’s entirely turned over to breeding horses and, though I say it myself, it’s one of the best studs in the country. My father started it in a smaller way some many years ago, and I was fortunate enough to have it handed down to me. It wasn’t the biggest or the best then.’ He smiled proudly. ‘But it is now.’

‘Everyone knows Thomson’s Stud Farm,’ Lucy added. ‘Daddy’s worked hard and sometimes he’s been knocked back, but he’s never been swayed from his goal.’

‘Lucy’s right.’ Frank had not forgotten the bad times. ‘There were moments when I thought I should give up.’ He paused, then said, ‘I lost my mother soon after Lucy was born. Some three years later, my father died too.’ His loving gaze fell on his daughter. ‘In that same year, my beloved wife Ruthie fell ill and never recovered.’

As Lucy’s hand reached out to hold his, he told Davie, ‘For a while, I could think only of what I had lost. My heart went out of my work, and things started to fall apart. But then I began to realise the wonderful things they had all left to me. My father left me his beloved farm, and the wisdom and experience he had learned through his life. My mother left me with a well of love and devotion that would carry me through every new day for as long as I live.’

He turned to smile on his daughter. ‘And Ruthie left me with the most precious thing of all – my darling Lucy, the light of my life.’

Addressing Davie, he went on, ‘Instead of thinking of what I’d lost, I suddenly realised what I had gained, and I began to count my blessings. And now I’ve done what I set out to do; I had a dream, and I stayed with it.’

He nodded, as though congratulating himself. ‘Yes, it’s taken a lot of work and courage to build my empire, and I don’t mind saying, I’m proud of what I’ve achieved. I breed the best horses and I have a reputation for being a fair and honest man. Once Lucy left school, she learned typing and book-keeping, and she pulls her weight in running the business.’ He squeezed her hand fondly.

Looking back for a moment, he was lost in the struggle he’d encountered in the early years. ‘It’s been a hard road,’ he murmured. ‘But I made it, and by God, I’m not finished yet!’ Pride shone from his face. ‘At the last count I had thirty-eight fine mares all in foal, and every foal already sold for a handsome profit. I have sixteen magnificent colts growing on for breeding stock; and I own twelve of the most prized and proven stallions you could find this side of Ireland or America.’

Davie was duly impressed, not only with Frank Thomson’s determination, but also with the man himself.

‘I admire you for what you’ve done with your life.’ This was the first time Davie had met anyone who had actually realised their dream. ‘Some day, I mean to build an empire myself.’ As yet, though, he was still floundering in the dark. ‘I’m not sure what direction I might take, or what it is I really want to do. All I know is, I need to make my mark on the world, and I won’t rest until I’ve created something to be proud of.’

Frank gave no answer. Instead, he discreetly observed Davie, and knew instinctively that something must have happened in his short life, to make him grow up before his time. For someone so young he had a manliness about him; the kind of strength that only comes with pain and courage. There was a loneliness too, a deep-down loneliness that sets a man apart from the crowd.

He also saw the glint in Davie’s eye and heard the passion in his voice, and he saw himself as a young man. ‘Come and work for me,’ he suggested quietly. ‘I’ve an idea you and me will get on all right.’

Lucy had been surprised at how quickly her father had taken to Davie; she was pleased, as she knew he did not suffer fools gladly. She too had been drawn to take notice of this stranger who had entered their lives. There was something about him, something special and driven. He spoke with conviction and he had that certain way with him, that instinctively made you feel you could trust him. ‘Are you very disappointed?’ she asked. ‘About Ted Baker?’

‘I am, yes.’ Davie could not deny it. ‘It seems such a pity,’ he answered thoughtfully. ‘After Eli spoke so highly of him, I was really looking forward to making his acquaintance.’ Coming all this way south, only to be told that Ted Baker was long gone, had been something of a setback. But here he was being given a chance to work, and that was some measure of compensation.

‘You will come and work at the farm, won’t you?’ Realising she didn’t even know his name, Lucy asked, ‘What do we call you?’

‘Dave.’ He surprised himself by the shorter name he gave, and yet in that moment, here in this place, it was somehow very right. ‘My name is Dave Adams,’ he told her proudly.

The child ‘Davie’ was gone for ever. He was a man now. With a man’s work ahead of him.

‘I’m Lucy Thomson.’ When she reached out to shake him by the hand, he instinctively hesitated. She was so lovely, so enticing, and he had never been more nervous than he was right now.

Gathering his courage, he shook her by the hand. He held that small soft hand in his, and his heart quickened.

‘And I’m Frank – Mr Thomson to you.’ The big man had a stern look in his eye. ‘It’s best you know from the start – I insist on respect from the men in my employ.’

‘Not from the women though, eh?’ Lucy laughed.

Her father gave her a scathing glance. ‘If you’re referring to Maggie, I’ll have you know she’s been treading a fine line; that woman is far too bossy for her own good.’ He scowled at Dave. ‘One of these days she’ll get her marching orders, you’ll see if she won’t!’