Page 14 of Embers of You
“Do you only groom dogs or do you do other animals?”
My face scrunches up in a grimace. This man better not ruin the sweet image I have of him in my head and ask me about grooming him.
“Uh, only dogs and cats. I’ll trim bunny’s nails though.” I give him a skeptical look, waiting for the other shoe to drop. Or punch line to this inevitable joke.
“What about horses?”
I look around, down to the yorkie, and then up to Jameson. “There’s no way a horse would fit in here.”
He laughs, it’s deep, guttural, and sends a wave of pleasure between my thighs, where I should not be feeling anything for anyone right now. “No, the horse wouldn’t come here, you would have to come to the ranch.”
“Oh.” It’s all I can say, my cheeks flaring slightly at my initial thought and how dumb I probably seem. “I don’t…um, I wouldn’t know how to groom a horse.”
“Doesn’t seem much different than grooming a dog, just a bit bigger.” He lets out a small laugh, almost like he’s nervous. Especially when he takes off his hat, running his hand through his dark hair before replacing the hat back on his head.
I shake my head. “I don’t know if I could do that, I’m sorry. You could ask Trish when she’s here, maybe she will.”
“I’d rather it be you.” He smiles.
“Why’s that?”
“Hot guy, Jameson,”Jerry Lee calls out, and I drop my head to hide the red spreading onto my cheeks.
“Well, for one, you taught him that.” He chuckles.
“I didn’t. He said that when I started here, someone else taught him,” I insist.
“Right.” His tone is disbelieving, and I roll my eyes. “But I think you would do well. The horses are sweet, and I can pay double whatever you would want to charge me.”
I narrow my eyes at him, the persistence has me feeling like there’s an ulterior motive hiding somewhere in his words. On one hand he seems sweet and genuine, but on the other hand he could be planning to kidnap me and hold me hostage on his ranch.
Stranger danger and all that.
“I don’t think I can do that, I’m sorry. If you have a dog that needs groomed though, you’re more than welcome to bring them to me here.” I smile widely, though it’s fake.
“I don’t have a dog, but I was thinking of getting one. Is there a breed you’d recommend?”
“Um…” Again, I look down at the yorkie who’s sat down and is looking up at me wiggling her tail like she’s extremely entertained by all of this. “I would say get whatever dog speaks to you. There’s no better bond or love from a dog.”
He nods. “I’ll remember that. Think about the offer, though, because it’ll stand.”
“Okay,” I agree, though I don’t know if I could ever groom a horse, or what that even means.
“Have a good day, Sutton.” He smiles as he leaves, and I watch, though the second he’s out the door I let out a long breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
Looking down at the dog again, I shake my head. “Do you know what that was about?”
I wish she could answer and give her two cents on what she just witnessed, but instead, she’s jumping up trying to give me kisses again and I laugh. “Okay, let’s get you finished so you can smother your mommy with your kisses.”
After I get homefrom work, I go check the mail and see an extremely tall woman with dark blonde hair at the bank of mailboxes. Walking up, I smile. “Hi.”
She looks up, doesn’t smile, but doesn’t frown either, her face remains passive. “Hey.”
“I’m Sutton, I just moved here,” I greet, attempting to socialize with someone other than the good-looking firefighter or my boss.
“Bailey,” she introduces.
“Nice to meet you.” I smile wider.
