Page 21 of Captivated

“I thought you might be out here having a smoke.” Sol commented as he joined Zeeb.

He let out a wry chuckle. “I gave ’em up, remember? It’s been over a year now.” He felt better for it.

“So you’ve met Nate?”

Zeeb nodded.

“First impressions?”

He took a drink from his bottle. “Looks like he’s hurtin’. He says he don’t talk much.”

“That’s okay. We’ll see how he is after a week. You know what to do?”

Another nod. “I let him lead. I don’t push. And if he wants to be alone, I let him.” He smiled. “But I also get him around the horses. If he wants to paint someplace, I take him there.”

“At some point I’ll introduce myself. But I don’t want him to think he has to talk to me.”

Zeeb bit his lip. “And if he wants to talk to me?”

“Be there for him. Don’t judge. Just be a sounding board if he needs one. And that goes for you too. I’m here if you need me.” Sol patted Zeeb’s back. “I know this is new, but from what Robert says, Nate’s dad is pinning a lot of hope on this.”

Zeeb had gotten that impression too.

“I’m ready. We’ll start with the stable, and take it from there.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

Zeeb glanced at him. “What doyouknow about Nate?”

“No more than you do. And I think that’s a good thing. We’re both going in with an open mind.”

He took another drink. “Wanna hear something weird? There’s something about Nate that reminds me of someone.”

“Who?”

Zeeb sighed. “Me.”

Sol turned to face him. “Okay, that’s interesting.”

He guffawed. “Sorry, Sol, I’m not about to climb on your couch or whatever it is you counselors use. I got rid of my demons a long time ago.”

“Oh? How did you manage that?”

Zeeb grinned. “I hit ’em with a shovel an’ buried ’em.”

Somewhere between Idaho to Montana.

Chapter Seven

July 14, 2024

Nate typeda short message to Zeeb.Finished breakfast.

A moment later, Zeeb pinged back.Great. I’ll be with you soon.

Nate’s heartbeat raced. He wasn’t sure why he was nervous. All he was going to do was meet some horses, for God’s sake.

At the stables. Where there’d be more people.

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