Page 37 of The Breakdown

“I didn’t mean anything bad by it,” Vaughn said, sliding her phone back into her pocket. “You just seem to know a little about a lot of things. Like you’re well read.”

“I do love to read. It’s about all I do when I’m not working.”

“It shows.”

Natalie brushed her bangs away from her eyes and smiled. She seemed pleased at Vaughn’s assessment of her. It made Vaughn curious as to just how many times she had heard something nice about herself. She reckoned she hadn’t heard too many compliments. It was a shame because she deserved them. She was a bright and beautiful woman and she should be treated accordingly.

Vaughn pulled on her gloves, determined to move on with her thoughts, and encouraged Natalie to put her gloves on too. She grabbed her fence cutter and her fence stretcher and got to work with Natalie by her side. She showed her how to first wrap the wire ends around the fence cutter and then wind the ends back onto the same line. They moved on and Natalie did everything she was instructed to do. She caught on very quickly as she knelt next to Vaughn and helped her work.

“Thank you,” she eventually said.

Vaughn glanced up at her. “For what?”

“For the compliment. If it was meant as such.”

She’s still thinking about that compliment. I really ought to make sure she hears more of them. “It was.”

Natalie smiled again as the wind carried her long bangs across her eyes. She tucked the strands behind her ears but they refused to stay. So she tugged her glove off with her teeth and ran her hand straight back over her head, finger combing her hair away from her face.

Vaughn caught herself staring for a moment, moved by her beauty and graceful actions. She refocused on the task at hand, tightening the wires.

“Are you still upset with Gram about the things she told me?” Natalie asked softly, grabbing hold of the wire for Vaughn after slipping back on her glove.

Vaughn continued to tighten. She didn’t respond. Wasn’t sure how to. The question was personal, one she didn’t appreciate, but she thought back to what Gram had said, about her behavior leading to assumptions and more questions.

“It’s been settled,” she said, hoping to drop the matter.

“It wasn’t her fault, you know,” Natalie said. “I pressed her for an answer. I don’t think she wanted to tell me. She seems to respect your privacy.”

Vaughn said nothing, taking the statements in. Maybe she’d been too hard on Gram. Maybe she was the one who owed her an apology.

“Thank you for telling me,” Vaughn said.

They finished working on the fence in silence and Vaughn was grateful. She enjoyed just sitting in the cool breeze across from Natalie as they worked to repair the fence. It was nice and it brought a peace to her she hadn’t experienced in some time. Had it been one of the boys she’d been working with, she knew that she wouldn’t have been able to work in such peace. They would’ve talked up a storm. But Natalie, thankfully, respected her need for quiet.

Vaughn had Natalie join her on her side of the fence as they finished. “That should do it,” she said, testing the tautness of the wires. It was a good repair and she appreciated the help. “Thank you.”

Natalie pulled off her gloves. “Don’t mention it.”

They picked up the supplies and headed back to the Gator. Vaughn drove them along the fence line to double-check for more damage. Natalie made small talk, asking a few questions here and there, but overall, it was a nice ride. And thankfully, they hadn’t found any more holes or cuts in the fence.

Vaughn steered them back to the stables, thankful, for not only Natalie’s help, but for small favors.

Chapter Fifteen

Natalie brushed down O’Malley at the edge of the corral as Vaughn and June spoke to the police. Vaughn had warned her against talking to the officer, since the fire inspector had come looking for the driver of the burned out vehicle. She hadn’t wanted to give the cops, or any authority, any reason to believe that she may be harboring someone. She also warned Natalie that the police would most likely ask her about her bruises. Though they had almost completely faded, Natalie knew that cops were trained to look for signs of abuse. So she decided to work in the corral like any other employee, straining to hear details of the nearby conversation.

“And you believe you know who cut your fence?” the young officer asked, scrolling through the pictures Natalie had taken on Vaughn’s phone.

“I’m pretty damn sure,” Vaughn said.

The officer returned the phone and readied his pen. He looked at Vaughn questioningly as he waited.

“Come on, Theo,” Vaughn said. “You know as damn well as I do who did this.”

“I can’t speculate, Vaughn, and I won’t.”

“Oh, come off it,” June said. “You gonna get all professional on us now?”

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