Chapter 366 - Meeting Whites (5)

Jeff and JoAnna went to change into riding outfits. Jeff wanted to have someone escort JoAnna into dressing room for women, but she said it's not necessary.

Few young women followed JoAnna into the dressing room and waited for her to come out from her private booth after changing. JoAnna guessed that there will be some who will use this chance to approach her and she was not disappointed.

JoAnna looked at four young women and observed that Lindsay is not with them.

After few awkward moments of silence, one of them stepped forward. "I'm not sure if you remember me. My name is Pearl."

"I remember" JoAnna gave them all a chilling smile. "Is there a reason four of you gathered here in front of me?"

Seeing JoAnna's arrogance, four ladies took a step back.

"We were just wondering if it's true that you and Jeffrey are engaged." Pearl spoke in a timid voice.

JoAnna found this question strange. She is not sure about two out of four ladies, but she knows that Pearl and the girl next to her with long red hair were at the same table with her when Elanor made her announcement. Still, JoAnna decided to play along and not expose them. "Does that have anything to do with you?"

The girl with long red hair fidgeted for a second and then spoke. "Jeffrey White is one of the best bachelors in the area, of course we want to know if he is taken or not."

JoAnna was surprised, "And you are?"

"Olivia." Girl timidly responded.

"Olivia..." JoAnna repeated. "I appreciate honesty. How about we take a seat and you can ask me whatever you want." JoAnna pointed to the seating area. "I promise to respond honestly."

Olivia went there and took a seat right away, other three reluctantly followed. JoAnna took a seat opposite them. "Yes. We are engaged. He is taken. What else do you want to know?" JoAnna was addressing Olivia.

"How did you meet?" Olivia asked.

"He was a patient in a hospital I worked at."

Whatever those four planned, it became a question-answer session between a girl named Olivia and JoAnna. Other three listened carefully. Few minutes later, JoAnna's phone rang. "Just a minute.", she took the call. "Yes, I'm still in. Don't worry, there are no problems... Yes... Five minutes."

JoAnna hanged up and focused back on Olivia. "Sorry about that. We have five more minutes until Jeff barges inside."

"Oh, I forgot I'm holding you back. I really apologize..." Olivia was flustered. JoAnna thought how Olivia seems to be a nice person. The one with name Pearl also didn't look at her with any hostility, it looked more like curiosity. The other two appeared just confused.

JoAnna smiled, "No problem. We have few more minutes if you want to know anything else."

Olivia was embarrassed. "Now that I think about it, I feel silly sitting here and asking all these questions. I'm really sorry if we came at you looking hostile. We were just curious."

"I believe you." JoAnna was again pleasantly surprised how honest Olivia is. Surrounded by all these girls displaying fake smiles, Olivia was like a fresh breeze. They might even become good friends. "Do you want to exchange contact information?"

"Oh, yes..." Olivia looked delighted. "Having personal number of Mrs. White is definitely a good thing."

JoAnna laughed.

When they got out, Jeff saw JoAnna chatting and laughing with Olivia. His heart came back into its place. He was concerned that something happened. Even with JoAnna saying that it's all OK over the phone, he was still worried.

JoAnna saw him and admired how her man looks handsome in a black polo shirt, white pants and knee length black riding boots. It took her some time to realize they are wearing matching clothes, probably because club provides these for guests.

"What took you so long?" He was next to JoAnna in an instant.

"I made a friend." JoAnna nodded toward Olivia.

"I noticed you are easy to get along." Jeff glanced at Olivia and noticed that she is staring at him. He decided to ignore her and looked at JoAnna. "Come, let me introduce you to Golden Legend. He should be ready."

...

JoAnna faced a majestic white horse whose coat shimmered in golden hues under the sun.

The horse happily trotted to Jeff who patted him lovingly. "Goldie, you should greet your Mistress."

As if he understood him, horse looked at JoAnna few seconds and then lowered his head to her.

JoAnna glanced at Jeff, and then back at the horse. "He is magnificent!" Her expression matched her words as she extended her arm and patted the horse on the head.

"It seems he likes you too." Jeff laughed seeing that the horse nuzzled JoAnna's hair.

Stableman brought one black horse for Jeff. Both horses were saddled and ready.

JoAnna traced with her fingers over saddle rig and frowned for a second before getting up in the saddle. JoAnna observed a group of young people who were loitering nearby. Olivia was there, and they exchanged slight nods. JoAnna's gaze met Lindsay's who sneered at her. JoAnna shook her head, 'How childish... this is worse than middle schoolers.' JoAnna really didn't like this Lindsay person.

Jeff and JoAnna rode horses next to each other, between two rows of tall oak trees. Sunlight was cutting through lush treetops, creating a breathtaking show of sunrays which danced at the beat provided by a light breeze. It was a sight that came out of a brush of master painter. Even among all that natural beauty, Jeff and JoAnna had eyes only for each other.

Two of them were quite a distance from everyone else.

"Are you up for a race?" Jeff taunted JoAnna.

"That horse can't compare to Golden Legend. You should know that... and I'm not sure if my saddle can handle it."

Jeff frowned feeling that there is something dangerous hiding behind her words. "What is wrong with it?"

Instead of answering him, JoAnna pulled on the reins, making her horse prop itself on hind legs. Front straps of her saddle snapped, and she fell off the horse in the low grass.

"Anna!" Panic flushed over Jeff as he leaped off his horse and rushed to her.