Page 25 of For the Love of the Broken Man

Jase nearly swallowed his tongue at that news. If it was about Danny, Jase really needed to know. “Is Danny okay?”

“Not really. His mother passed this morning. Have Mickey call me.”

“Sure, as soon as possible.”

Jase wanted to be with Danny, but if no one in Holloway knew about the relationship the two of them were trying to build, then it wasn’t his place to tell Danny’s private business. He needed to find Mickey and ask his advice, yet again.

Jase hurried out of the barn and found Mickey and Meggie in the large, indoor arena. Mickey was leading Blossom, the little hinny from Josie and Chief. She’d be infertile, but she was still an impressive-looking animal. Chief was an Appaloosa, so she had his coloring, along with her mother’s dark mane and tail. Her ears were dark, but her face was shades of gray, making her appear to be fitted together from two different animals. It made her a “cutie” as Meggie described her.

Jase scanned the area to see Meg with her purple helmet riding around the arena on the outside rail with a bright smile on her face. Josie had recovered from her foot malady, and they’d hired another farrier who seemed to listen to Mickey when it came to the horses housed at the farm.

Jase was yet to meet Ham or Ally, but he was told it was because they were in the Hamptons with the Langley’s for the summer. Jon and Mickey had been invited to join them, but Jon was running the firm in his father’s absence, and they couldn’t disappear because of the pending adoption and the need to be available for the social worker.

Jase raised his hand as Mickey and Blossom started walking toward the front gate of the arena. “Hey, Jase. What’s up?” Mickey greeted him as they closed the distance.

Jase was sure it wasn’t something he could announce to the man with his daughter in earshot, so he walked through the gate, slowly approaching Mickey so as not to scare the donkeys.

“Mr. Moran called and asked you to call him back. Seems Danny’s mother has passed.” Jase stood next to Mickey, petting the small animal’s nose as it nuzzled into this stomach.

“Shit.” Mickey’s comment was quiet as he peered around to see where Meggie was in the arena.

“Can you get her off Josie and have Megan help you settle both into their stalls for the night? I’ll call Jonny at work and then call the boys at the Circle C. We’ll need to pack for a few days, Jase. Do you have a suit?” Mickey’s question startled him.

“No sir, I don’t. Why would I need a suit? Someone needs to be here to look after the horses.” Jase took the hinny’s lead rope.

Mickey walked over to Josie and Meg, stopping them. “Baby, we need to go to the house and pack. Kayley’s gramma passed away.”

Jase watched the little girl dismount the animal and take off the riding helmet. “Oh, no. That’s so sad, Daddy.”

“I’m gonna go call Matt and Tim. Can you help Jase get the girls settled in their stalls for the night? I’ll call Pete and ask that he and Todd come over to take care of things in the morning. After you’re done, can you go to the house and start getting things together to take to Holloway? No toys, okay? We’ll have plenty of toys at the Katydid. I’ll call Miss Katie. Just clothes, Meggie, okay? Ursula’s at the house, so ask her if you get stuck. Can you do that? Remember jammies and underwear.” The little girl nodded before she took Josie’s lead and started walking toward the stalls with her.

He turned to Jase. “After you get things buttoned up down here, go to the house and start packing. Remember jammies and underwear.” Mickey gave him a wink and a smile.

Jase was a bit confused. “Why would I go? I didn’t know the lady, and I think I’d be better here helping Todd and Pete.”

“You care about Dan and Kayley, right?” Mickey’s tone was instantly harsh.

“Of course, I do.” Jase put as much sincerity in his voice as he could muster.

“They’ll need friends, Jase, and you and Dan are good friends. Kayley loves you, and she’ll need you there. Go pack your shit. We’ll get what you don’t have on the way.” It was as much of an order as Mickey had ever given him.

Jason was hesitant because he’d never had anyone he knew or was close to die. It was a little bit scary to him, and he wasn’t sure how to handle it, but if Dan and Kayley needed him, he’d be there if he had to crawl. “Sure. I’ll help Meggie and get my stuff together. What about Terry?”

Jase and Terry had spent time together playing basketball on the driveway after chores were done, and then they’d take a swim before bedtime. They’d gotten to know each other better while playing, and Jase believed the two of them were becoming good friends. It was nice spending time with the kid, even if that same kid had stomped his ass into the ground on the court.

“Shit!He’s on that camping thing. I’ll try to… I’ll see you at the house.” Mickey ran out of the arena, turning toward the barn doors nearest the house.

Jase and Meg finished up with the horses and placed the tack in the large tack room. He sent her up to the house while he finished checking on the rest of the horses, ensuring they had feed and water for the night.

After he was sure everything would be up to Mickey’s standards, Jase locked up and went to Meg’s room to help her pack up some of her things. Ursula showed up a few minutes later with a navy dress that appeared to be crisply pressed, relieving him of his duty.

Jase then went to his apartment and sat down on the bed, his crappy cell phone in hand. He dialed Danny’s number, surprised when it went through. “Hi, Jase.” The sound of Danny’s voice made his heart skip a beat.

“I heard about your mom, Danny. How are you? I mean, are you okay?”

“Can you… Are you able to get away? Can you come here?” Dan’s voice had a quiver.

Jase held the phone away and cleared his throat. “Babe, I’ll be here as soon as I can.” He hoped he wasn’t being presumptuous, but he felt like the endearment was appropriate.

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