Way Back To You

Chapter 2 -Fireball called Calla

As Emma walked towards the house, her eyes roamed and saw how it suffered without its master. But she also noticed some repairs and improvements, especially on the fences. Then she saw her beloved horse, Thunder. She was so relieved to see him and ecstatic at the same time.

She approached her horse with care because it had been ten years since he saw her again. He might not remember her or her smell. She stretched her arms slowly, careful not to spook him, and touched him gently while whispering his name.

" Thunder," she murmured and reached out to touch him. " How are you, champ?" She asked tearfully. Thunder must have realized it was his old person and was so happy to see and smell her again. He whined and nodded his head eagerly.

" Hey! I am happy to see you, too, champ." Emma laughed excitedly, smoothened Thunder's mane, and kissed him. She climbed the fence to hug her horse correctly and see if she could still ride him. She was about to mount Thinder when a small, commanding voice stopped her.

" What are you doing, and who are you? Are you going to steal my Thunder?" The little voice asked. Emma halted and turned slowly to see who the little yet commanding voice belonged to. She was shocked to find the cutest and most adorable little girl standing a few meters away with a stern and curious face.

" Hi, I'm Emma. And to answer your question, I am not stealing something that belonged to me initially." Emma replied with a smile. She was so amused with the seriousness on the little girl's face but was also intrigued as to who she was and what she was doing on the farm.

" What's your name, little Miss? Do you live around here?" She added.

" My name is Calla. I live here, and that is my horse." The little girl answered sternly.

" Well, the last time I checked, Thunder belonged to me," Emma answered amusingly and patted Thunder's head.

" No! He is mine! Nana Lily gave him to me because her granddaughter left him and ran away. My daddy and I cared for him because he was so sad." Calla argued.

Emma felt guilty and embarrassed at what the little girl said. She did leave hastily without saying goodbye to her best friend, Thunder.

She rubbed the horse's neck and told him how sorry she was.

" What are you whispering in his ear? Can you stay away from my horse, please? He usually doesn't like people touching him other than my daddy and me." Calla walked towards the fence, stumping her little feet on the ground.

Emma can't help but be amused with this cute little girl still looking at her sternly and pouting lips. She looked so adorable in her little cowgirl outfit. She is wearing a black hat on top of blonde braided hair and black boots.

" How old are you, Calla?" Emma asked with a smile.

" I'm five," she answered grudgingly.

" You're way too smart and way too mature for your age. Do you live in the farmhouse?" Emma was curious about the little girl's identity and presence at the farm.

" No. We live at the guesthouse at the back. My daddy is a vet and takes care of the animals here. Nana Lily asked us to stay at the farm and wait for her granddaughter to return, but I don't think she ever will. She's too heartless and ambitious, my daddy said. So we must stay and care for the farm and the animals until the new owner arrives." Calla tattled, uncaring of the person she was talking to.

Calla's words were like a spear in Emma's heart. It pierced right through her heart. She felt like crying. But she was more mad at the little girl's father for judging her and commenting without knowing the real her. He had no right to judge her actions and call her heartless.

" Well, little girl, your daddy couldn't be so wrong. I am back, and I intend to stay. I am not as heartless as he made you believe I am. Where is he anyway? Why is he allowing you to roam the farm alone?" Emma got irritated at the absent father.

" He went to buy stock for the clinic and some groceries. I am old enough to be left alone on the farm, just so you know." Calla retaliated cockily.

" That is so irresponsible of him to leave a five-year-old alone on a farm. What if there are wolves or a bear? What would you do, and how would you defend yourself?" Emma expressed angrily.

" There are no wolves or bears on this part, silly. Besides, I have Bruno with me, so I am not totally alone here." Upon mentioning his name, a huge labrador came rushing towards the girl and stood protectively before her. Surprised at the dog's sudden appearance, Emma stepped back a little.

" Hello there, buddy. It's nice of you to show up. Well, I was chatting with your little boss here. No harm was done, I promise." Emma commented amusingly. Pretending to be scared of the dog, but she knows Bruno when he was still a puppy.

It took the dog a while to recognize her, but when he did, he ran towards her and jumped in her arms. Bruno was wagging his tail and licked Emma's face happily. Emma laughed and gave the dog hugs and kisses of her own.

" I miss you too, buddy. Look at how big you've grown." Emma scratched the dog's ears and tried to dodge his wet tongue.

" Bruno, what are you doing? She is the enemy! Some bodyguard you are!" Calla reprimanded the sweet dog. Bruno realized what he had done and returned in front of Calla but continued to wag his tail and looked at Emma happily.

" Why do Thunder and Bruno seem to know you? Who are you?" Calla was curious now and looked so confused. Emma smiled and sat in front of the confused-looking girl.

" Well, Calla, as I said, my name is Emma. Emma Lamphrey, to be exact." Emma introduced herself.

" Lamphrey? Nana Lily is also a Lamphrey. How are you related to her?" Questioned Calla.

" Well, little girl, I am the heartless granddaughter your father was talking about," Emma replied. Calla's eyes grew big, and they stared at Emma with an open mouth.

" You're grandma Lily's Emma?!" Calla exclaimed and stared at Emma in disbelief.

" Yes, I am. It's a pleasure meeting you, Calla, and thank you for taking care of Thunder and Bruno for me when I was gone." Emma replied and extended her hand with a smile. Calla stared at the woman in front of her, and instead of accepting her hand, she burst into tears.

Emma was flabbergasted and did not know what to do. Bruno also looked at the girl confusingly and tried to console the crying Calla. But the little girl continued to bawl her eyes out.

Emma went to the girl and tried to soothe her, but she refused to be touched by Emma. Instead, she cried even more and shouted for her father. Emma panicked and looked around to see if anybody could help her.

Even Bruno looked stressed when his person didn't stop crying. He was confused about what to do to make her stop crying, so he did his best. He cried with Calla and started to howl, adding to Emma's distress.

" Was it really your hobby to hurt and make people cry, Emma?" A manly voice commented at Emma's back, making her freeze. She knew that voice. How could she forget? It haunted her for years, even when she was in New York. She slowly turned around and stared right into Carter Cassingham's accusing eyes.