Page 19 of Devoted Enough

Poking my head around her, I laughed as I saw tears streaming down her face. Haven quickly wiped them away and nudged me with her elbow. “Go away and let me cut this!”

“That is exactly why I hate cutting onions. My mother told me once to cut them by the running water.”

Reaching for the faucet, Haven turned on the water, and I laughed again. This time louder. I could hear her sighing before she resumed cutting.

Once Haven finished the onion, I handed her a container to put it in and left some out for the omelet. Haven took it and put it in the refrigerator.

“Do you mind if we have some cantaloupe as well?”

I looked up from where I was whisking the eggs. “Have at it.”

Haven took it out and placed it on the counter. “Where are your plates?”

I pointed to the cabinet next to the stove using the spatula. “Plates and bowls in here. This drawer is all the silverware.”

“Thanks. Did you want cantaloupe as well?”

“That sounds good,” I replied, moving around the veggies as they cooked. “There should be some orange juice in the fridge if you want some.”

“Should I go get the beer we left downstairs?”

Turning to look at her, I screwed up my face. “You want a beer with eggs?”

Haven laughed, and I tried to ignore how I felt hearing that laugh. That laugh had haunted me for way too many years.

“No, I mean, should I go dump it out?”

I waved her off. “Nah, it’s okay. I’ll get it later.”

Haven made the toast while I finished up the omelets. Sliding them onto each of our plates, I asked, “Sit in here at the bar or the dinner table?”

She glanced over her shoulder. “Do you mind if we eat at the table?”

“Not at all.”

I took our plates and walked them to the dining room table. Haven set the bowl of cantaloupe and plate of toast down onto the tabletop.

“Do you want any jelly or jam or anything?” I asked before sitting down.

“No, this is all wonderful, thank you.”

She took a bite and moaned. I couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s just eggs, Haven.”

“I know, but I didn’t realize how hungry I was. I spent much of today with Lady and Clover.”

“Clover?”

Haven finished chewing. “Your mom helped me find Clover a few months ago. She was a rescue horse. They were going to just send her off to some horse farm in Idaho, but your dad worked out a deal so I could take her. I didn’t have to buy her, which was good for my pocketbook since every dime I have is going to the dog park. Then your parents offered to board her and they’re not charging me near enough, so I try and help out around the barn when I have some free time.”

“I didn’t know you were boarding a horse with them.”

She shrugged. “You wouldn’t unless you asked about Clover.”

Rubbing the back of my neck, I said, “I guess that tells me I don’t go see my folks nearly enough.”

Haven chuckled. “To be fair, they have a lot of horses. Especially once word got out about how good Lily and Maverick are with troubled horses. Clover adores Maverick. He’s really helped her come out of her shell.”

I smiled. “I did know that Maggie got a new pony.”

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