Page 23 of Rough Stock
They both seemed startled, and Jensen knew they’d never understand. “Oh! Well, you’re welcome,” SammyJo said. “By the way, that big bay mare, Rhubarb?is she yours?” Shyanna nodded. “Beautiful horse, and so sweet too. We were brushing her down a little while ago and she just kept trying to kiss us,” the blond girl said with a grin.
Shyanna beamed like a proud mama. “She’s a good girl, but when the rubber meets the road, she’s a fierce competitor.”
“Always good,” Amber said.
“Yep,” Jensen added. “Shy, it’s probably time we went back to the house and got some rest, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, probably so,” she answered, and Jensen could tell she didn’t really want to go. Being there with the horses was where she felt most comfortable. Oddly, she seemed pretty comfortable with the two students too, and that was a surprise. “We’ll probably see you two tomorrow if you’re around.”
Amber untied Cobra’s lead from the cleat on the wall and waited as Jensen ran a hand down the dun’s neck in goodbye. “Oh, yeah, we’ll be around, especially after classes. So you guys have a good night.”
“Good evening to you too,” Jensen told her and SammyJo. “Thanks for taking care of them.”
“Our pleasure,” SammyJo assured the two as they turned to leave.
As soon as they were in the truck, buckled in, and he’d started the engine, Jensen dropped a hand on Shyanna’s thigh and smiled over at her. “Do you feel okay leaving her now that you’ve met some of the students?”
Shyanna gave him a tiny nod that matched the slight smile she wore. “Yeah. They seem to really like the horses.”
“They do. I think they’re in great hands with those two.”
“Does Roger know I have a felony conviction? I’m not supposed to be around schools,” Shyanna said, and he could hear the humiliation in her voice.
“I told him. He said if anyone asks, he checked to see what the conviction was for and decided it was okay for you to be there. Your conviction had nothing to do with anyone underage, so I think we could get by with it. That okay?”
“Yeah,” she said quietly.
“Good.” Jensen threw the truck into gear and spun the wheel toward the drive out of the facility. Shyanna was at ease with the helpers at the barn, and that would let her get a good night’s sleep.
And he knew she needed one.
Dora and Rolandwere in bed when they got back to the house. They’d stopped along the way and gotten ice cream, something he’d discovered Shyanna loved.
Leo was sitting in the living room when they stepped inside. “Hey! Everything okay over at the university farm?” he asked.
“Yep. They’re taking good care of the horses,” Jensen said as he hung his hat on the coat tree by the door. “Babe, you want to shower before bed?”
“Yeah, I think so. Do you mind?” she asked, and when Jensen shook his head, she darted up the stairs.
Leo seemed to be checking to make sure she was out of earshot before he said, “She’s a quiet one.”
“Been through a lot,” Jensen offered as he pulled off his boots and sank back into the softness of the sofa.
“What’s this ‘a lot’ she’s been through?” his younger brother asked, and Jensen knew it wasn’t about judging Shyanna. Of the two brothers, Leo had always been the more sensitive one. He got the distinct impression Leo didn’t want to say something that would hurt Shyanna in any way.
“Parents were drunks. Nobody gave a shit. Didn’t have any friends because of it. Wound up in an abusive relationship where she got the shit beaten out of her and was almost killed, then went to prison for jacking up the bastard when he tried it again.”
“There’s no justice in the world,” Leo mumbled.
“My thoughts exactly,” Jensen agreed. “So what have you been up to?”
“Working around here. Pop’s almost up to a hundred percent, but he still needs to take it easy. So how serious is this thing between the two of you?” Leo asked, and Jensen could see he planned to refuse to let the conversation take a different turn.
“What ‘thing?’” Jensen asked, hoping he could smoke screen.
“You know damn good and well what ‘thing’ I’m talking about. You can fool some people, but you can’t fool me. Spill.”
“I really don’t know what to say.” He was telling the truth. What was the “thing” between them? They were sleeping together. Was it more? He’d like for it to be. “Let’s just say we’re taking it slow and we’ll see where it goes.”
