Page 39 of Finding English

“It is when you meet the right one,” Cruz said.

Henry knew he hadn’t had an easy start to his relationship either. In fact, Calder and Dax hadn’t, and neither had Will, Nate, or Zin. Perhaps that was why they all seemed so strong now.

Knocking on the roof of the car, he nodded. “Yeah, perhaps that’s it.”

Wanting to get home and have breakfast with his girls, Henry said goodbye with a promise that Cruz would call as soon as they had any information and vice versa.

As he drove toward home, a heavy sense of dread descended on him. Bunce wasn’t going to stop until he had Cassie. That was something he simply wouldn’t allow to happen. No matter what the cost to himself, he would make sure Cassie and Michaela were safe. The alternative wasn’t something he’d consider.

As he pulled into the farm, he noticed his dad moving Domino, his prize stallion, into the far paddock. It was the live cover paddock and Henry knew they had a mare coming in for cover which would be staying until she delivered. She’d be shipped back once the stand and suck clause had been fulfilled.

Exiting his car, he walked to his dad, who was settling Domino with his hand on the halter. Henry reached out slowly, letting the beautiful bay sniff him before he gave his neck a rub. As stallions went, Domino was calm, but he certainly had his moments.

“What time is the mare due?”

“Around five this evening. Wanted to give this boy time in the paddock before she gets here.”

He nodded as he stroked the animal, the wildness in him somehow calming Henry.

“Out early this morning, boy.” His dad cocked his head in question, his eyes slightly hidden by the hat he wore to protect him from the sun.

“There was another murder.” Henry’s words were heavy, and he heard his dad suck in a breath. “Husband and wife, grandparents from the pre-school where Michaela goes.”

“Bunce?”

“Yeah, he left his usual calling card.” Henry left out the magazine not wanting to freak his father out. He’d have his mum on the next plane to the UK if he thought she was in danger and that would end in a fight because his mum wouldn’t leave them now.

“Your mother and the girls safe here?”

His father seemed to read his mind; his brain always one step ahead when it came to protecting his wife and those he loved. “Yes, as safe as I can make them. Nate and Aubrey are with them at all times and Zin is patrolling the perimeter fences. If Cassie goes into work, then me or Jack are with her. Will is flying the drone over constantly to secure the grounds. He won’t get to them, Dad, not while I breathe.”

“Hmm, best you keep breathing then son, cos I ain’t prepared to lose anyone of you.”

His father’s gruff words meant the world to him. Like most fathers and sons they’d had a rough time through the teenage years, but they’d come through and were closer than ever now.

“Think you’ll make the move when this is over?”

Henry walked beside his dad as he opened the gate for Domino to stretch his legs in the bigger field.

Henry looked up, squinting as the sun caught him in the eye. “Cassie and Michaela are here and where they are, so am I. I just have to find a place for us to live once I’ve talked to Cass.”

His dad settled his hat on his head as he watched Domino gallop free, the image one of beauty. “I’m happy for you, son. Cass and Mic are wonderful. Not sure I could have picked a better girl for you, and your mother is in seventh heaven.”

“Thanks, Dad, that means a lot, and for the record, its mutual. Cass loves you both and so does Mic. I think she likes you more than us.”

“It’s what grandparents are for.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

“As for a place to live, this is your home. If you guys want to revamp that side of the house into a private living space for you all, we’d certainly have no objection. But whatever you want to do we’ll support you.”

Henry hadn’t considered that. The house was huge and half of it would be enough for a family of four or five and they would have all the outdoor space to run around in. It would be worth sounding out Cass about it when the time came.

“Thanks, Dad, I’ll talk to Cass when the time is right.”

They turned and walked back to the house.

“The ranch hands are itching to get back to work. Any chance we can get them cleared for work?”

Henry nodded slowly as he thought about it. “Yes, I can ask Will to run checks on them, but they need to be aware of the risks and new protocols around here.”

“We can do that.”

Henry had never felt luckier than he did right then to have this man as his dad.