Page 11 of Barry

Ciera came by and plopped down their plates and an urn of hot coffee. “Anything else I can get you?”

“I think this is good, thank you.” Barry smiled at her.

Ciera stopped and did a double-take. “You should do that more often.” She winked at Barry before clearing one of the booths.

“She’s right. Smiling don’t hurt.” Ryan lifted one of his big fluffy sausage biscuits and took a bite.

“Says you. I haven’t used these muscles in years. Believe me, it’s taken a lot of pain and suffering to get to this point.”

“Heard that last night,” Ryan said through his bite of food and put his biscuit down. “Didn’t mean to, but Dusty’s room was where I took cover until I could make my way to my cottage.”

Barry poured some more coffee from the urn. “Figured most, if not all, heard what was said. Can’t put that cat back in the bag.” He didn’t know what else to say. Baring his soul to his CO was one thing. Letting everyone else in on his personal failures was another.

“Let me tell you this about that,” Ryan said. “No one, and I mean no one in this world, is without fault. But what happened to you over there, that wasn’t on you. You need to let that blame you carry on your shoulders fall off and blow away. Everyone on that ranch has your back. We had it before last night and even more so now. You got friends even though you’re a prickly son of a bitch. And that’s all I’m going to say on the subject.” Ryan lifted his biscuit and took a massive bite out of it.

Barry took a bite of his biscuit and rolled Ryan’s words around his brain. If only it were that easy. If only he could drop the guilt and the anger that ran through his veins. Lately, he’d been able to shake the feeling for longer and longer periods of time, but it always seemed to come back, especially when he was alone with his thoughts. He tookanother bite of his food and looked across the street. The old men were talking to each other, drinking coffee, and pointing to trucks as they passed.

“How’s that horse taking to you?” Ryan asked, pulling him from his thoughts.

He shrugged. “Good, he’s taking treats from my hand. I think he’s getting used to me.”

“Now's the time to start walking him with a lead. First, in his stall, the one next to him is empty, so open it up to double the size and start getting him used to that.”

Barry nodded. “Okay.” He shook his head. “This way is a heck of a lot slower than Dusty’s method.”

“Dusty will probably break a bone or two with that stallion. These mustangs have been wild all their lives. His is rank, and I mean downright meaner than sin. Dusty isn’t ever going to make friends with him, but sooner or later, the two of them will come to respect each other. The horse you have is a bit younger. He ain’t had his own herd of mares, and he hasn’t had to fight away challengers like Dusty’s critter. You can gentle the Dun. It’ll take time, but once you and that horse are finished, he’ll be yours for life.”

Barry frowned. “I didn’t buy him. He’s not mine.”

Ryan looked up from his food. “Didn’t anyone tell you?”

Barry leaned in and asked, “Tell me what?”

Ryan took a sip of coffee. “Senior bought the Dun for you. He wanted you to have your own horse since we all figured you were here for the long haul. The other wasn’t sold at the auction, and since Dusty went with Senior tothe stockyard that day, Senior asked if Dusty thought he could handle the old man. Dusty was up for the challenge. Senior paid for the horse and gave it to Dusty.”

Barry leaned back. “What if I decide to leave?”

“Better buy a horse trailer and then figure out how you’ll tell Kathy.”

“You’re leaving?” Edna Michaelson asked as she passed the booth. She put her hand to her heart and stopped at their table, setting her purse on the edge of the table. “I hope it isn’t because of all of the things that have been happening around here. I know for a fact some old fools are convinced you’re responsible, but that is a load of horse dung, and they know it. You don’t need to leave. I think our Kathy would be heartbroken.”

“No, ma’am, I’m not leaving. We were discussing a what-if scenario.” He needed to make sure Edna knew the truth because he could only imagine how fast that bit of gossip would make it to Kathy or her mom and dad. “I’m doing well here, and I have no plans on leaving.”

“Well, that’s good.” Edna smiled and dropped her hand from her neck, hitting her purse and knocking it off the table. “Dang it.”

“I’ve got it.” Barry slid to the end of his seat and helped pick up her belongings. He lifted a photograph and stared at it. “What is this?”

Edna looked around. “You don’t tell anyone you saw that.” She tried to take the picture from his hand, but Barryhad a good grip on it. “Edna.” He looked at her. “Where was this picture taken?”

“I’m not telling anyone.” Edna tugged on the picture again. “No one believes me, and I have this evidence, and I’m getting more.” She tugged harder. “This is my photo, Barry. Let go of it.”

Barry glanced at the picture again and released his grip. Edna narrowed her eyes at him, “You can’t tell a soul.” She shoved the picture into her purse with a huff and marched out of the diner to where the other ladies were waiting for her.

“What was that all about?” Ryan asked, motioning with the fork he was using to eat his roll.

Barry blinked at Ryan and slid out of the booth. “I need to find Ken.” He pulled out cash for their meals and dropped it on the table.

“His SUV was at the station when we came into town. You need the truck?”

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