Page 25 of Embers of You
“I’m worried about you,” she says suddenly. I’m taken aback because if anyone should be worried between the two of us, it should be me when it comes to her.
“Why?”
“You saying that I come first. I love you, son, but when you find the right woman, she needs to be your priority.”
“If that ever happened, you both could be my priority.”
“You’re such a sweet man.” She takes my hand in hers, patting the top of it. “Someone must’ve done a good job raising you.”
“Yeah. My ma did a pretty good job.”
“She did. You should reward her by getting married and giving her grandchildren.”
“Okay, we’re done with this conversation.” I shake my head.
“Good, I’m done out here. So, you go back home and get some rest while I hide away in the only place you’ll allow me to be.”
“Oh, stop.” I pull her in for a half hug.
I assist her inside, where Duke greets me lazily after getting up from the dog bed I set up in my parent’s house for when I’m working. He ends up following me back to my little house on the property, though I try to tell him I’m not going to be the most fun. He doesn’t care, and it’s evident when he plops down on the bed.
At least I’m in good company.
I didn’t see my dad out on our walk home, which is for the best. I can really only handle him on days I didn’t just get off shift. The exhaustion makes my fuse even shorter when it comes to him and our relationship.
As I lay down on my back, folding my arms across my chest, I’m planning to just take a short nap. My phone dings, and I glance at it to see another response from Sutton. Knowing I’m going to see her tomorrow makes it easier for me to relax.
Sutton: I’ll be there around noon.
CHAPTER 13
Sutton
“I really hopeI don’t regret this,” I tell Bennet as we drive down the dirt road that supposedly leads to Jameson’s property.
He sent his address and explained how to get to the barn, but I’ve had to talk myself out of canceling no less than five times since I woke up. I don’t know how to groom a horse, and I don’t know how it’s going to be spending time with Jameson.
I drive past a large house, and I’m wondering if it’s where he lives. I continue down the unpaved road until I reach the barn. There’s a couple of horse trailers parked outside of it, so I park near them.
Bennet jumps out of the car after me, sticking to my side like he usually does as I walk inside. I find Jameson standing next to a gorgeous white horse with black spots and a striped mane.
“Hi,” I greet, trying to hide the hesitation in my voice.
“Hey, I’m glad you’re here,” he says easily.
The soft tapping of another dog’s feet on the concrete has me looking over to see Duke coming over to greet us as well. Himand Bennet sniff each other as I watch and wait to see how they’ll react to each other. Luckily, they seem to be immediate friends.
“I think they like each other,” Jameson says, pulling my attention to him.
I give him a close-lipped smile. “Yeah, so who’s this?”
“This is Juniper. She’s really sweet and is really good with getting her body clipped.”
“Hi, Juniper,” I greet, rubbing my hand on her nose. She’s standing in cross ties, which my research just taught me.
“I’ll be doing work around the barn in case you need any help. She’s clean and shouldn’t be a problem.”
I’m acting a lot more confident than I’m feeling as I nod and say, “I shouldn’t.”
