Page 49 of When the Storm Breaks
I was the opposite. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I was out for the count. “That’s not good.”
“It’s just the way it is. Are you a good sleeper?”
“Like a fucking baby.”
“I’m kind of jealous. How do you do it?”
“I kick all my problems out the bedroom door and slam it shut. Rest assured, they’re always waiting for me the next morning.”
She laughed. “Maybe I should try that.”
“Dwelling on all the shit in your life has never solved a single problem. All you do is end up losing sleep and making your problems seem bigger than they really are.”
“You’re really smart.”
“Never been accused of that before.”
“Is it okay with you if I visit the foal tomorrow morning? Just to check and see how she’s doing.”
I glanced at her. “Fine by me. But just so you know, the vet will be coming by first thing in the morning. Glenn, one of the guys who works for me will be around and so will Chris.”
“And what about you? Will you be around?”
“I’m leaving in the morning.”
“You’re going away?”
“Just for a few days. I’m doing a training clinic just outside of Abilene.”
“You take your skills on the road?”
“When the money’s right. I have a few training clinics lined up for the summer. Some are here. Some at other ranches.”
“It’s all about the hustle.”
“Guess you’d know something about that.”
“Yeah, I do.” We stopped outside her door. “You were pretty impressive tonight, you know that?”
“Didn’t do much of anything. The mare did all the work.”
She placed her hand over my heart. “You got the filly breathing.”
“You weren’t too happy with my methods.”
“I didn’t know you were supposed to drop a baby on its head.”
I laughed. “Not such a good idea for human babies but animals are different.”
She smiled. “Well, good luck. Guess I’ll see you in a few days.” She put her hands on my shoulders and stood on her tiptoes to kiss me goodnight. It was just a sweet little kiss and ended all too quickly. Seconds later, she was inside, the door closed behind her. I headed back to the barn to check on Cayenne and her foal before I fell into bed, my alarm set to go off in four hours’ time.
* * *
“I still don’t getwhy you won’t let me stay home,” Ridge muttered on the way to school the next morning.
“I want my house to still be standing when I get back, that’s why.”
“This blows. Walker said I could’ve stayed with him.”
