Page 39 of Redemption

I sat on the porch step and inhaled the coffee, the strong scent waking me up like nothing else. I nearly groaned as I drank it. About ten minutes later, Kat appeared looking fresh and stunning in a white tank top and jeans with rips in the knees and thighs, just teasing me with a hint of tanned, smooth skin.

“I’m sorry Jack, I should have mentioned a time,” she said, not looking me in the eye.

I stood up. “No need to apologize, I’m ready when you are.”

“Six is fine each day.”

“Great,” I replied. She was busy pulling her damp hair into a knot at the top of her head and still hadn’t looked at me. “What shall I do with…” I trailed off, waving the mug around, not wanting to go inside the house but also not wanting to leave it dumped on the porch.

Kat finally looked my way, her navy stare frowning when she spotted the mug.

“August,” I said by way of explanation. Kat’s lips pulled into a thin line of displeasure before she took it from me and put it back inside the house. When she returned, she jogged past me down the porch steps.

“This way,” she called over her shoulder.

I met Gus at the stables, and Kat shared that he would be around for a couple more weeks until he retired. Chatting to him briefly, I learned he had worked on ranches for thirty years. He was pretty old, had a few teeth missing and more hair on his face than he did on his head but he seemed like a nice guy.

“We gotta clean everyone out today so grab that wheelbarrow and start shovelling,” Gus rasped.

The stable block was large with six individualstalls and a tack room. Five of the stalls were filled with horses that had plaques above them with their names. Marshmallow was a white thoroughbred stallion who was mischievous and playfully head-butted me. Fitzwilliam was all black with white splotches on his ears and seemed pretty standoffish. Pickles was white with gray flecks over her coat and kept whinnying at the horse in the stall next to her, who was called Sunshine and was a beautiful caramel-colored mare. Finally there was Chester, a chestnut stallion who had the biggest stall and huffed anytime someone walked past him.

“Don’t get behind them,” Gus called over to me. “Best way to get yourself kicked and we don’t want that.”

Kat shot me a look that suggested she wouldn’t mind if I did. I got to work, Kat helped me to start with. She was efficient and detail-oriented, and minded the horses, speaking to them every now and then. It was wrong to enjoy the baby voice she used but sue me. After helping with two of them she left me to it.

By the time the fourth one was completed, I was sweating buckets and my whole body ached like a son of a bitch. I hurt but it was kinda nice. I knew I was working hard and putting my body to use in a way I hadn’t been able to in…ever.

August appeared at one point and crooned at Marshmallow who was apparently her horse and a very good boy. “You’re doing a great job,” August whispered as I trudged past her with another wheelbarrow piled with horse shit.

I smiled. “Thanks, August.” It was nice to have someone rooting for me.

Kat glared at me as I walked past, and I wiped the smile from my face. My throat dried as I took in the damp column of her neck, pale blonde strands clinging tothe skin.

“When you’re done here, we need some help in the pasture.”

By the time the evening kicked in, my feet were dragging but I was trying not to show any fatigue. Kat still looked amazing, not tired at all, she was glowing.

“We’re finished for the day, Jack,” she said.

God, is it fucked up that I loved how she said my name?

“Sure thing,” I replied, trying to sound casual and not seconds from collapsing. I needed to get fitter and stronger, quickly. She turned and began heading back to the house. I followed behind her, not trying to walk with her, she was too quick for me. Instead I got to watch her round ass bounce along with each furious step she took.

I growled internally and forced my gaze away.

“Have a good evening,” I called when she was on the porch. She turned and nodded her head in acknowledgement but didn’t respond.

I rounded the house and sighed with relief when I saw the cabin. I wished there was a bathtub, but a semi warm shower would do. I stripped the second I got in the door and stood under the shower, letting the warm water wash away the mud, shit, and hay. My muscles ached and I groaned as I dug a hand into the hard knot in my shoulder.

I wrapped a towel around my waist, not bothering to put more clothes on. I was only going to quickly eat something then crash out in bed for the night. I stroked the dog, who I’d now discovered was a boy. His tail thumped wildly from his place on the couch and had me smiling at how at home he’d made himself. It was nice to come home to someone.

I was heating some beef and potato soupon the stove, trying to keep my eyes open when I felt something prickle the back of my neck. I looked around the room but didn’t see anything. Then I cast my gaze out the window and I once again locked onto that navy stare that was driving me crazy.

Kat was watching me from the main house.

She didn’t move, I think she thought I couldn’t see her. I stood up straight, interested in her boldness.

“What game are you playing, sweetheart?” I murmured as I moved closer to the window. She didn’t move, it was like she was in a trance. My dick stirred underneath my towel, begging for some one-on-one time but I ignored him.

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