Page 70 of Nate

Nate smirked. “You use more muscles riding a horse than a workout in a gym. It takes all of your muscles to ride a horse. Trust me on that.”

When Jarrett shrugged, Nate shook his head. He really wanted to punch the man.

“Markie, when are you leaving?”

“As soon as I finish my coffee, Mom.”

“I hate to see you leave so soon. We could have spent today together. I’m sure Jarrett and Nate could find something to do.”

Nate laughed. “Yeah, like finish the conversation from last night.”

Knowles walked toward him. “I’m going downstairs to work out.” As he passed by Nate, he lowered his voice. “I’m not afraid of you.”

“So you said.” Nate stared him in the eyes.

Knowles looked at Markie. “Come say goodbye before you leave.”

Markie just stared at him, then muttered. “Yeah, that won’t be happening.”

“Are you all packed?” Nate asked her.

“Yes. I’m ready when you are.”

“Markie, when will you be back?”

“I’m not sure, Mom, but you can always come visit me.”

“Well, I would love to see where you moved to.”

“Come anytime, but just you, so we can have some quality mother-daughter time.”

“I’d love that.” Stella walked toward Nate. “It was wonderful to meet you. You seem to have made my daughter very happy,” she said, then hugged him.

“It was my pleasure, Stella. I hope we’ll see each other again.”

Markie hugged her mother, then Nate walked upstairs to get their bags. When he came back down, she and her mother were standing by the door.

“We’ll see you soon, Mom. Happy birthday. It was a great party.”

“I’m glad you could make it. Both of you. Be careful driving back.”

“Yes, ma’am. Happy birthday.” Nate put his hat on his head, opened the door for Markie, but her mother hugged her again, and said something making Markie laugh.

“Bye, Mom.” Markie walked out the door and then Nate followed her.

After climbing into the truck, Nate started it and backed out of the driveway. He saw Knowles staring out a window on the lower level. Nate grinned, touched the brim of his hat, backed onto the street and headed home.

“What did your mother say to make you laugh?” Nate asked.

Markie shook her head and laughed. “She said, she could tell how happy you made me after we went to bed.”

Nate chuckled. “I told you the pillow didn’t do much good.”

“I’m thirty-eight years old and never screamed like that before.”

“Glad I could be of service.” Nate laughed when she did.

After stopping for breakfast, they got back into the truck, and Nate drove them home.

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