Elsa Winckler - The Whisperer

“Well, you tell that man that I’m not impressed,” her mother said but she was smiling. “We’ll see you next weekend though, right? And Imke, you know you’re always welcome.”

Cilla gave her mother a hug. “Of course. We love coming here, Mom. As you know, Imke doesn’t cook and I rarely have time, so we’re always looking forward to your lovely meals.”

“Thanks, Mrs S, but the younger members of our staff are going to Hermanus next weekend and I’ll be joining them. Cilla, didn’t you also agree to go?” Imke asked.

“Oh, my goodness, yes, you’re right. I’ve completely forgotten. A whole weekend in Hermanus sounds lovely, but I don’t want to disappoint the kids and not be here on Saturday. I know we have students who help out, but some of the younger ones are still very unsure of themselves.”

“I could help out …” her mother said.

“No, you are not also going to work over weekends. You are busy enough during the week.”

Her mother smiled. “I’m not over the hill, yet, dear and you know I love to help with the kids.”

“I know, but I can always join them in Hermanus when I’m done.”

“Where are you staying?” her dad asked. “You know you’re always more than welcome to use our beach house.”

“Thanks, Dad, but I think accommodation has been organized for everyone. But I promise to check on the house. I have a key.” She turned to Imke. “Would you mind coming with me tomorrow when I have to visit the horse again? I’ll understand if you don’t want to …”

“Wild horses won’t keep me away! Of course I’m coming with you. I have to see what this gorgeous, sexy, attractive guy looks like. Any man that makes you frown, I have to meet. I can’t remember ever hearing you talk about any man for such a length of time, don’t you think so, Mrs S?”

Her mother smiled. “I want to hear every single bit of detail, Imke. Make sure you don’t miss anything. It’s high time someone bothers my daughter a little bit.”

Cilla snorted. “You are going to agree with me, wholeheartedly, Imke. He is a chauvinist and one of those men who can’t believe a woman is capable of doing anything right. I can’t wait to see what your reaction to such a man will be.”

“Where’s the house?” Imke asked while leaning forward. It was just before eleven and they were driving down a neatly cobbled road towards the big farmhouse.

“It’s just beyond that row of blue gum trees,” Cilla said, pointing towards the trees. “You should be able to see it at any moment now … there it is.”

“Wow, it’s beautiful. And look, from here one has a glimpse of the sea. I didn’t know that would be possible. You didn’t say a word about the house or the view.” Imke wiggled her eyebrows.

Cilla scowled. “I was so angry with the man I completely forgot about the lovely scenery. I’d really like to know why he’s changed his mind. Yesterday he was convinced that I’d cast a spell on his horse and today he wants me to help the animal. He must be desperate.”

She steered her car down the small road. The beginning of a headache was brewing behind her eyes and she was so irritated. She’d hardly slept a wink. Not even the gallop on her favourite horse late yesterday had helped her to fall asleep quickly.

The moment her eyes had closed, a hundred pairs of dark blue eyes were watching her from all sides. Some were smoldering, some were pleading, one pair was even trying to seduce her … Damn it, all of them kept her from falling asleep. She honestly hoped after today she never had to lay eyes on Cameron Rahl again.

She parked her car in front of the house, and even before she opened the door, the front door opened and two men stepped out.

Imke inhaled sharply and started fanning herself. “Oh, my goodness, Cilla, look at all that gorgeousness – who are these sexy men? And why didn’t you tell me there are two of them?” She was clearly in awe.

“Come on, Imke, seriously. It’s not as if you’ve never seen an attractive man. The one in the blue shirt is Cameron, but I don’t know who the other one is. They look alike, probably brothers. My mom did say there are two boys.”

Imke blew out a heartfelt sigh. “And fortunately for us, they’re not boys any longer.”

Cilla got out slowly. Cameron was walking towards her. He nodded in Imke’s direction, but his eyes never left Cilla’s. When he reached her, he put out his hand. She swallowed and waited a second before she shook his hand. Was she going to have a similar I-know-what-your-fingers-feel-around-mine-like experience to the one she had yesterday, or had that only been her imagination?

His fingers closed around hers and, rattled, she met his gaze. She recognized his hands, she knew how they’d feel, even the heat travelling up her arm was familiar, something she’d experienced before.

Quickly she tugged her hand from his and motioned in Imke’s direction.

“This is my friend. Imke,” she said and turned towards her. And blinked. Something very strange was going on. The man standing in front of Imke had taken both her hands in his and his fingers were playing with hers.

“Imke?” Cilla asked, completely stunned.

Blushing, Imke pulled her hands away. “You haven’t told me the men around here are such smooth talkers,” she giggled, her eyes still on the big man in front of her.

“My brother, Philip.” Cameron said. “The charmer of the family.”

Philip smiled and greeted her. “I have to be, he’s the grumpy one,” he said, slapping his brother on the back.

“I know,” slipped out before Cilla could help herself.

Cameron frowned but ignored her remark. “If you don’t mind, could you look at Bravo before we have lunch?”

“Of course, he’s the reason I’m here,” Cilla said.

“Do you want to join us?” Cameron asked Imke.

“Yes, please. I would love to look at your horses and I enjoy watching Cilla when she works. You should listen to her, she knows what she’s doing.”

Cameron rubbed his face. “Look, I have a BSc degree in Agricultural Science. I know farm animals, I know when they’re ill and I know what to do about it. I rely on facts, on things I can see and understand. What Cilla here proposes to do, I find …”

“… weird was one of the kinder words you used yesterday,” Cilla said with a straight face.

A ghost of a smile turned up one of the corners of his mouth. “Strange is the word I was going to use. My dad had horses when we were little but I can’t remember ever having a horse as ornery as this black stallion. I’ve tried everything I can think of. At this point I’m willing to try anything, even listen to your strange and okay, weird ideas.”

He started walking in the direction of the stables. Cilla fell into step next to him.

“What made you change your mind? About asking me. Yesterday you didn’t want to listen to anything I had to say but then you phoned me?”

“Another farm hand is now also in hospital. Ken suggested I phone you again.”