Page 44 of A Reckless Memory

“Birdie...” he whispered. He settled his head on the back of the chair and let his eyelids drift shut. “Congratulations.”

Concerned he was growing confused as we talked but terrified he knew exactly what he was saying, I asked, “For what?”

“Ansen. He’s a good kid.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. He wasn’t going to quit. “Yeah, Daddy. He’s a good kid.”

“He’ll take good care of you.” A shuddering cough. “You just have to let him.”

I’d let Ansen take care of me in the trailer and I’d run. Just because I’d been trying to justify my actions despite my very solid reasoning didn’t mean I was wrong to leave. If Daddy wanted to compare me to Mama based on my reaction to getting off with my ex while fully clothed, then I wouldn’t argue. Fleeing had been the right choice.

“He’ll make you happy.”

For fuck’s sake. Why not let it go? “I don’t doubt it, Daddy.” The only thing I had wanted Ansen to do was to love me, and I wasn’t sure he could. And if he was capable, I didn’t think I was the one he’d fall for. I’d had my chance, and I didn’t want to try again. I shouldn’t want to try again.

* * *

Ansen

It was the Friday after Thanksgiving, and I’d spent the holiday with Archer and his family. He’d invited just me, but another cousin, Liam, had stopped by with his family too. If I could meet my relatives one at a time, maybe it wouldn’t be as uncomfortable. Liam seemed like a laid-back person, and it was odd being in a room with guys who resembled me.

Now Archer was picking up Dad from the airport in Bismarck, and they’d stop out on the way here. For the first time since I left home, I didn’t dread seeing Dad. I didn’t have to steel myself against the tough inquiries only a concerned parent could have.

Dad was staying with Archer for two nights and flying out Sunday. Aggie was going to be gone all weekend, and she’d given me the okay to give him and Dad a tour.

First, I had an emergency appointment with Dr. Jake. One of the mares was biting at her belly and dropped little turds that weren’t her usual.

“That’s it.” Dr. Jake patted Downy’s neck. She wasn’t as nervous around him as the last time he’d been here, and considering she was in pain, I couldn’t be prouder of her.

Dr. Jake packed up his supplies, and we walked toward the barn to get out of the wind. I shoved my hands in my coat, putting “Get a heavier jacket” on my to-do list for the weekend.

“She’ll be fine. The laxatives are pushing through, and her heart rate’s going down. Keep an eye on her, and if she continues improving and her bowels are working, you can give her some hay. Glad you caught her early.”

I bristled against the hint of a condescending tone. I wasn’t a neighbor kid hired to do chores over the holiday. “She told me loud and clear something was wrong.”

He bobbed his head. “Good thing you’re around. Maybe I should’ve passed along the rescue’s information the other day. I got a call about an abused horse. Deputy was asking if I knew who to call to take it, but Aggie’s new, you know.”

“How do you mean?” Aggie was new to town and that was it.

Dr. Jake gave me the you know women look. “This rescue. I mean, taking five on right away. I would’ve kept calling around, but Tanya insisted.”

Tanya was also a woman and probably less of a dick. “Aggie knows what she’s doing.”

“Maybe,” he said noncommittally. “I passed on a call about a pig the other day, but I can give them your number.”

“Aggie’s the boss.”

“Yeah, but you know what you’re doing.”

“So does the three-time 4-H grand champion in the pig event who owns the rescue. And the five-time winner at the county fair in showing horses.” Irritation turned me into a cranky fucker. She shouldn’t have to pin her ribbons to her jacket to be taken seriously. “The only reason she didn’t place first her entire childhood is because her brothers were competing against her.”

Dr. Jake chortled. “It’s eastern Montana. She didn’t have anyone else to compete against.”

My pulse thrummed in my temples. I wasn’t joking. “You were ready with the compliments when you wanted to fuck her. What’s up with this attitude?”

He recoiled, surprise crossing his face. “I never—”

“You sure as hell did. Take it from another guy who wants to fuck her, I can tell. Look, you may not be used to a young single woman not showing interest in you, but Aggie’s serious. She won’t take on animals she can’t give one hundred percent to. Just like she wouldn’t have hired the guy who broke her heart if I wasn’t the man for the job.” My heart was racing like Downy’s had been a couple hours ago.

---