The Little Dale Remedy: A Clean Romance

CHAPTER ONE

MADDIE SANK WEARILY into the well-worn, ancient chair by the open fireplace. The grate was black and cold, heaped high with ash and half-burned logs that had once brought warmth and cheer. Now the room was empty and kind of sad, an alien environment. A wave of homesickness washed over her, flooding her mind with images of her mum and dad and the comforts of home, making her question, yet again, why she’d moved here, so very far away from all she knew.

Guilt niggled as she remembered how hard her parents had fought her spontaneous decision to leave behind the love and care they’d lavished upon her, especially since the tragedy turned her whole world on its head. She’d been so determined to try to regain some independence and self-esteem after the accident, though, that getting away was all she’d been able to think of. Perhaps she’d been stupid; perhaps she should have stayed in their care longer. Perhaps it was too soon for this.

Impulsively, she reached for the car keys in her pocket. Of course she could just climb into her car and drive home. But then where would she be? Back in the protected cradle of love that stifled her dreams—that’s where. Well, she wasn’t prepared to give up on her future...not yet. Fate may have moved in unexpectedly to shatter her dreams on a lonely road in the pale light of dawn, but she wasn’t about to give up on everything that mattered to her because of one bizarre accident. If she was focused enough, then anything was possible. She just had to hang on to that thought and keep believing it. She’d worked way too hard to regain even half of what she used to be to give up on the next stage just yet.

Dropping her keys on the small oak coffee table, Maddie took a deep breath and stood up. She pressed a palm to her back to fight the pain that flared up, waiting a moment to let it settle before going into the tiny kitchen to fill the kettle. The sound of water starting to bubble and the fresh aroma of the coffee she unpacked from the box of groceries her mum had provided brought familiarity and contentment, reestablishing the single-mindedness that had brought her this far. This was the right decision; she was sure of it. She had overcome so much already, and she was determined to find a place again in the life she loved...or she’d die trying. Maddie’s every instinct told her that Sky View Stables held the key to her future. All she needed was the strength to see her plan through.

Returning to her chair, she sipped her coffee, reflecting on the new job that was just a stepping stone to what she really wanted. She may only have been hired as a general home help, but she intended to gradually try to work with, and eventually ride, the horses there. It might not be the promising horse-racing career she had been forced to abandon, but it was a start, at least. The doctors and consultants had told her riding again would be impossible, and her parents would have a heart attack if they knew what her real goals were but in Little Dale no one knew her history. Here, she had a chance to prove them all wrong; no one would watch her every move, no one would judge her and no one would look at her with sad sympathy in their eyes.

A loud knock took her by surprise. Who could be at the door? She didn’t know anyone from around here. Draining her cup, Maddie headed slowly down the hallway with a sense of unease and a sudden awareness of her isolation. The noise came again, louder and more intense as she approached the front door and opened it just a crack. A tall, dark, angry-looking man in his early thirties was on her doorstep, his hand raised high to begin the tirade of knocking yet again. A large dog stood behind him. Hurriedly, she slipped on the chain, gasping in relief as it slid easily into place.

Yes? she said, her voice deceptively cool. Can I help you?

What do you think you’re doing in my house? the man roared. I want you out. Now!

Maddie felt her anxiety drain away as her anger rose. No one was going to speak to her like that. She’d paid good money up front to rent this place, so what was he talking about? She had every right to be here. That knowledge lent her confidence. "What the hell are you doing here is more to the point," she retaliated, meeting his gaze through the crack.

The ferocity in the man’s dark eyes swayed her slightly, making her aware yet again of how alone she was out here.

This is my house, he insisted. And my guess is that you’re squatting, so if you don’t get out right now, I’m calling the police.

Maddie held her ground, knuckles turning white on the door handle. And you will look like a fool, she told him. "I’ve rented this place for three months, and I’m fifteen hundred pounds down, so I’m going nowhere. Call the rental company if you like, but I’m not leaving until my lease is up. So stop harassing me...unless you want me to call the police."

What do you mean? His whole frame deflated just the tiniest bit. What rental company?

Sensing the shift in his demeanor, Maddie held his gaze with fresh confidence. "Shouldn’t you know that?"

He paled beneath his tan as he turned abruptly away. We’ll see, he said, striding off toward the lane without a backward glance.

Maddie shut the door and quickly bolted it, her whole body shaking. There had been something so fiercely intense about the man...and the huge, silent dog behind him had seemed to echo his master’s expression. Yet again, she felt so alone. What if he had tried to break into the house? And what did he mean, anyway...it was his house? If he was really the owner, then surely he’d have known the cottage was rented out.

Hurrying to check the back door and all the windows, Maddie wondered about calling the police herself. He hadn’t really done anything wrong though, had he, so what could they do? She peered through the narrow window beside the front door and saw the tail end of his travel trailer pulling away. Well, at least he’d gotten the message for now. She’d just have to see what tomorrow brought.

Walking wearily into the kitchen, she poured herself a strong coffee and sat down at the small table, determined to put her annoying visitor firmly out of her mind.

Maddie’s thoughts wandered back to how she’d come to be here, all alone in this cottage in the middle of nowhere. She’d felt jittery on the long journey from Devon to the Lake District, she remembered, driving on automatic, her head crowded with doubts and apprehension. It was only when the sign finally loomed out at her, penetrating the fog that clouded her brain, that her spirits lifted. Little Dale—at last, the place that she hoped held a brand-new start.

The moment she’d seen the sign, she’d felt everything beginning to click into place. Now though, after her encounter, she was not quite so sure. A pain shot down her back, almost on cue, as if it had been sent to strengthen her doubts, making her wince and worry. She realigned her position, wondering how long it was going to be before her body felt whole again. And what if it never did? She pushed that thought straight out of her head; there was no place in her life for what-ifs.

Was she crazy to even contemplate having a career with horses again? Her parents had certainly thought she was making a huge mistake by going back to work too soon, especially when the job she’d found was so far away from home. She’d felt so guilty when she hugged her mum goodbye. The image of her strained, worried face in the rearview mirror had left a heavy weight in Maddie’s heart. But this was her life, and she knew what she wanted...had always known. Horses had been her entire life for so long, and the buzz of competition was ingrained into her soul; she couldn’t just let go of that.

Rose Cottage had sounded really nice in the ad, and when Maddie arrived in Little Dale, she decided it was probably one of the prettiest places she’d ever seen. The buildings were all gray stone, apart from the village store, which was painted white. They surrounded a small village green with a lovely old church on one side, and there was even a river running through the center of the town, with ducks waddling and quacking on the bank. The town seemed like a friendly place to make a fresh start.

She’d driven another mile before Rose Cottage appeared around a bend. It had felt instantly welcoming, small and quaint with a tiny front garden, standing all alone in beautiful surroundings. The view of the Lakeland hills and wide open sky beyond was amazing.

After arriving at Rose Cottage, Maddie had headed over to Sky View Stables to see Cass Munro. Maddie was starting her new job there tomorrow, helping Cass with chores and with her eight-year-old stepson, Robbie. Cass had turned out to be slightly built, very friendly and approachable and obviously pregnant. She had swung back her shiny dark hair and smiled at Maddie. Now you know why I need help, she’d said, patting her stomach. And I didn’t want some experienced old nanny type looking down her nose at me, so I hired you.

Maddie had smiled back at her. Well, I’ve certainly had no experience, so you’re okay there.

Perfect. I’ll show you round. Do you know much about horses?

Maddie had considered telling her the truth. Oh, yes. I was once a promising young jockey, engaged to my boss’s son, working with Thoroughbreds and looking forward to a long and successful love affair with the racing industry...until some prat knocked me off my bike early one morning, leaving me for dead on the side of the lane...

Biting her tongue, though, she had just smiled and given a little shake of her head. No sad, pitying faces and no one to judge her. That’s why she’d come here, and it meant keeping quiet about her past, no matter how nice Cass Munro seemed to be. A bit, she’d said, not wanting to be totally dishonest.

Now, three hours later as nighttime hovered, sitting alone in the secluded cottage after her disturbing visitor left, Maddie tried to focus on how much she was looking forward to tomorrow. Seeing the stable yard at Sky View had reinforced her passion to ride again, maybe even compete in some way, and she wasn’t going to let some rude, obnoxious, deranged man upset her. And he had upset her, if she was honest with herself, and had frightened her a little. Glancing around the cold and empty cottage, she picked up on a vibe she hadn’t noticed earlier. A sad and lonely vibe, as if someone had suffered here.

Taking a deep breath, she lifted her chin and stood up. This was ridiculous; she’d come here to put her future straight again and drive away the emptiness and fear that had filled her life for the past year and a half. It was her own vibe she could feel, simple as that. All that the cottage needed was a glowing fire in the grate, a good cleaning to sweep away the cobwebs and the aroma of the stew her mother had insisted she take.

* * *

OVER AN HOUR LATER, tired and aching but feeling so much happier, Maddie surveyed her handiwork. She’d found wood neatly stacked right outside the back door, and now flames flickered red and gold in both the kitchen log burner and the open fire in the small sitting room. The enticing aromas of wood smoke and stew simmering on the stove drifted through the cottage.

She pushed the vacuum cleaner back into the cupboard beneath the steep, narrow staircase then sank into a chair in the kitchen to try to ease the nagging pain that spread through her back and down into her left leg. She’d overdone it; she knew that by the way her leg was suddenly refusing to do what she told it to. Damn her stupid injuries and damn the man who’d caused them. She’d eat the stew and have an early night, she decided—build up a bit of strength for her big day tomorrow.

And as for the fierce and angry man who’d unsettled her with his unexpected visit...well, she’d just have to hope the rental company would sort it out when he called them in the morning. With a bit of luck, she wouldn’t even see him again. If he did come back to harass her, she’d just ring the police. And tonight she’d check that all her windows and doors were locked yet again...just to be sure.

CHAPTER TWO

A GRIPING, FAMILIAR pain in the region of his heart made Ross Noble lighten his foot on the accelerator of his big, old pickup truck. How could he have believed he would be able to just drive back into Little Dale as if nothing had happened? As the vehicle slowed down, he glanced in the rearview mirror at Meg, his six-year-old daughter. Come on, Dad, we’re nearly there, she cried, her eyes alight with excitement.

Perhaps we should just turn around and go back home to Scotland, he suggested.

Her face fell. "But you said that this was my real home."

And it is. He sighed. It’s just...

For Ross, the area held nothing but sad memories. He had vowed never to set foot in Little Dale again, but his daughter had been born here, and she had a right to know her heritage. She might not remember her mother, Jenny, or her grandma, Anne Maddox, but Little Dale was the place where they all used to live when she was a baby and Ross was only too well aware that Meg longed for a proper family life and other kids to play with. Suddenly, though, he was questioning his decision to bring her back here and questioning his own ability to get past all the bad memories.

Stalling for time, he pulled his truck onto the shoulder and jumped out. Seems like Red needs to stretch his legs, he told Meg, who was peering out of the window impatiently.

Next to his daughter, his huge copper-colored dog whined softly. Ross opened the back door and let Red out, kneeling down and cradling the dog’s big face between his palms. His heart ached with regret. Am I really doing the right thing, lad? he murmured. Or should we just turn around and get out of here?

Well used to his master’s ramblings, Red pushed against him, eager to get out of the confined space. I know. Ross sighed, giving the dog one last rub behind the ears before slamming the back door. It’s the right thing to do...for Meg’s sake. She deserves to know where she came from.

Memories assailed him, of Jenny, his sweet young wife, when she was whole. They had been so in love back then; how had he let it all go so terribly wrong? Perhaps her mother was right; perhaps it really had all been his fault. If he hadn’t been so selfish then maybe she’d still be alive today to watch their daughter growing up. He’d been too engrossed in his work, though, to realize how ill Jenny was becoming, how much she struggled with depression after Meg was born...until it was too late.

Ross climbed back into the driver’s seat, closing the door with a heavy clunk. How he felt was irrelevant. He’d lost the right to be selfish. Now it was all about Meg. When Jenny died, he’d sworn to dedicate the rest of his life to his daughter’s happiness, and he intended to keep that promise. He couldn’t expect her to live in a trailer forever, especially not now, when a real house awaited them.

Well, Meg, he said, reaching across to ruffle his daughter’s hair. You’ll soon be home.

Home, Meg echoed, her bright little face shining. Isn’t it your home, too, Daddy?

The powerful engine rumbled into life and he nosed the big vehicle back out into the lane, glancing in his wing mirror to make sure that the travel trailer, their home for the past six years, was clear of the verge. I hope so, Meg.

The little girl grinned, pressing her face against the window, eager to take in all her surroundings.

It would be strange, Ross thought, as the landmarks became ever more familiar, to stay in one place and live in a house again, especially one where so much had happened. But Meg was school-age now, and she needed that stability. When they found out Anne Maddox had left Rose Cottage to her granddaughter, it was as if it was meant to be.

The sign for Little Dale appeared ahead of them. Well, Jenny, he said under his breath, are you waiting here for us, watching our every move?

Who is waiting? Meg asked, overhearing.

Ross smiled at her. Your mum, I hope. She’ll be watching over you from heaven, I guess.

Meg nodded slowly. She’s still with Jesus, though, right?

He cleared his throat to cover up a sudden rush of the emotion he rarely showed. Yes...she’s still with Jesus. She’s helping look after him.

Ross drove slowly through the village, overcome by memories. He’d first arrived at Little Dale from his native Scotland to take a job on a farm. Sutcliffe’s, a sheep farm farther up the fell. That’s where he first met Jenny. Anne Maddox’s sister, Dora, was married to Ian Sutcliffe, and Jenny often came to the farm to visit with her mum. She’d been just nineteen and he twenty-four when they’d met.

Swallowing hard to ease the dryness in his throat, he glanced across at Meg. She smiled at him, and he ruffled her chestnut curls. Nearly there, Nutmeg.

She wriggled on her seat, squirming in excitement. How long will it be?

Five minutes, I guess, he told her.

She started to count. How many seconds is that?

Three hundred or so. Start again and count slowly.

Clasping the sides of her seat, she closed her eyes tightly. When I open them we’ll be there, she cried. One...two...three... Tell me when to open them.

The cottage looked just the same, Ross thought with a lurch of surprise. A bit more run-down and uncared for, perhaps, but there were the same low front door, the same small, paned windows, same backdrop of rugged hills and glorious sky. He pulled over, cutting the engine, staring at the place that held so many memories both good and bad. Shame it was the bad ones that stuck in his mind.

Are we there? asked Meg, sneaking a peek.

Seeing a movement from inside the window, he hesitated. There was a small car parked outside, too. Well...yes, he said. This is Rose Cottage...but I think someone’s here.

Meg’s wide grin filled her whole face, and she grabbed his arm. Can we go inside now?

He opened the driver’s door slowly, fighting off the demons that urged him to get back in the truck and drive away.

Just stay in the truck for a few minutes while I have a look around, he told her firmly, letting Red out the back door. The big dog slipped in behind him as always, silently faithful.

Ross walked slowly down the narrow path toward the cottage, stopping outside the front door and breathing in the heartrendingly familiar smell of wildflowers and gorse. He’d been told that the key was underneath a plant pot on the window ledge—as if he didn’t know that; it had always been there.

The plant pot revealed nothing...why wasn’t he surprised? Well, whoever was in there could get out right now. Anger rippled inside him. This was Meg’s place...and his. No one had any right to be here. He hammered on the door, his fist reverberating with a satisfying thud. The face that peered out at him as the door slowly opened, however, took him totally by surprise. A young woman, probably mid-twenties, stared at him with alarm in her wide eyes. Can I help you? she asked.

What are you doing in my house? he responded angrily.

They exchanged heated words, but Ross soon understood that this woman wasn’t going to budge, no matter what he said. Blood boiling, he turned on his heel and headed back toward the truck.

Red pushed his nose against his master’s hand as if in understanding. What am I going to tell Meg, boy? He sighed as he saw his daughter’s eager little face pressed against the window.

* * *

MADDIE SLEPT FITFULLY despite her medication and woke at dawn with anxiety fluttering inside her. She’d thrived on anxiety once, but it had been offset by the adrenaline that had coursed through her veins as, mounted on a bulging mass of muscle and raw energy, she’d waited for the race to start. Closing her eyes, she allowed her mind to slip back to those giddy days when success had called her at the start of each race, the smell of horses, sweat and fear like a cauldron around her until suddenly the gates opened up and her body took over. And then she’d fly, leaving fear in the stalls, just her and the horse beneath her, battling to win.

A sigh rose in her chest and tears flooded her eyes, making her lids feel heavy. She’d known the risks, the danger. All the jockeys did. And she’d