Page 86 of A Montana Secret Admirer
Maddox leaned back in his seat. “The fast-track program director wants it to be more accessible all around the country. To do that, they need to offer other options for people who are working with horses already. You know, like you were. Ranchers. Cowboys. That sort of stuff.”
Reese stared at Maddox, letting his words sink in. It was a good idea. People all around the country would benefit from the information he was learning on how to use horses to help people with stress and anxiety. “What about it? Are they opening other locations?” That would be helpful. If he could find a location closer to home, then maybe he could relocate and see Serenity more often.
Maddox shook his head. “Nah, man. They’re going to offer like ninety percent of the training online. Then they’ll expect peopleto come for the hands-on training for a week-long conference. Or something like that. It was in the newsletter. They’re asking for people to volunteer to take the courses online.”
Reese’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“Yeah, but you have to be approved. They want people who are driven and know how to manage time.” Maddox chuckled. “Makes sense, I guess. Some students really need to be in a class to stay accountable, you know?”
Reese nodded absently. If he could be approved for that online program, he could go home. He wouldn’t have to continue stressing over Serenity finding someone else—someone who could be there for her in person.
He was tempted to snap his book shut right then and there and go searching for the information to apply for the change in the program. Something told him his professor wouldn’t approve of such a thing.
Besides, there would be a lot of logistics to work out. The funding that went into his tuition and housing would have to be considered. Would it be refunded? What would Jane think of his relocating?
Leo would probably like it, seeing as he and Kate were still at odds with each other the last time they spoke.
Throughout the remainder of the class, Reese couldn’t focus. He continued thinking about the possibilities of what moving home could mean for him—for Serenity. By the time class was over and he was heading home, he could barely contain himself.
He’d have to, though. Reese couldn’t exactly tell Serenity that he was coming home for good when he didn’t know if it wouldhappen. But maybe he could tell her he planned on visiting for the holidays, and he wanted to take her out.
A smile tugged at his lips as he stepped into his apartment. As usual, his roommate was gone. Tate didn’t usually get in until the middle of the night sometimes.
Reese dropped his bag by the front door and headed for the kitchen to start on dinner. He’d moved on from frozen dinners to canned soups. Occasionally, he branched out and made himself a sandwich. What he wouldn’t give to have his mother’s cooking.
The clock ticked slowly by, and he waited for it to reach eight o’clock so he could call Serenity and the boys. The more time that passed, the more anxious he became. It occurred to him that he could tell his brother, but then he thought better of it. Leo wouldn’t be able to keep a secret. He’d end up telling his family, who would tell Noah’s family, and then Jane would hear about it.
No. It was best to keep this secret to himself.
At seven-fifty-eight, his phone rang. Reese glanced at the time, and his smile grew. She was early. They kept as close to a schedule as they could so they didn’t miss one another. Tonight was Serenity’s turn to call, and the warmth in her voice when he answered was like a boon to his ragged heart.
“Hello, beautiful,” he murmured.
“Hey,” she said just as softly.
He grinned. “How was your day?”
“Is that Reese? Can I talk to him?”
Reese chuckled at the sound of Tegan’s voice. The kid had finally come around. Serenity didn’t give much in the way of details,she’d only said that he had started to miss Reese, and maybe that was a sign for better things to come.
Serenity’s voice came through the speaker. “Not yet, buddy. Mommy gets a turn first.”
Grumbles came through next, followed by Serenity’s laugh. “They’ve been begging me to call you for the last hour.”
Right here, right now, it felt like they could be a family. Reese could feel it in his bones, in his very soul. And he wanted nothing more than to tell her that very thing. “You know, this isn’t so bad. You and me. What we have?”
She went quiet, and the warmth he’d felt only moments ago seemed to chill. “Yeah, it’s been working out.”
He cleared his throat, “Do you want to talk about?—”
“You remember Wendy? The girl I work with?”
Once again, he cleared his throat, trying not to be disappointed that she yet again avoided talking about the fact that their relationship still seemed very much intact. “Yeah, I remember. Is she finally dating someone so she can stop asking you about us?” He tried to keep his voice light, teasing, but it was hard when he could all but feel the walls Serenity put in place.
“Not yet. But I think I found a different solution.”
“Oh?”
