Page 96 of Every Good Thing
Even so, I hate that she’s educating me about my husband. It’s a good thing I don’t know Dot and Cherry’s jail-proof murder plan.
Lauren beams. “I’m glad we got to talk, Lena. Enjoy the rosemary.”
She front-steps away, careful of her stilettos.
Twenty-Seven
BEN
The familiar scent of hay and horses greets me at the barn. Lena tacks up Shadow, tethered in the alley. The dogs, always quick to announce my arrival, don’t distract her from her task. She doesn’t acknowledge my presence.
All day, I’ve longed to see her. But the sweet lightness of yesterday is lost on her now. She’s busy and upset.
“What’s wrong?”
“Lauren Riley paid me a friendly visit,” she says in a way that doesn’t sound friendly at all. “I want to discuss it, face my problems head-on, yada yada, but I need to calm down first. Ruthie’s upstairs with Dot. Dinner’s in the oven. I’m going for a ride. I need to think and clear my head.”
She heaves the saddle onto Shadow’s rotund midsection but struggles with the girth, one-handed. I assist, securely tightening the thick strap’s belt latches so the saddle won’t slip.
“Thank you,” she breathes, reaching for the leather bridle. She eases the bit gently into Shadow’s mouth and attaches the headgear over his ears. He grunts and flaps his thick lips. She secures his reins in her casted hand while I take hold of the other.
I caress her fingers between my hands, gently insisting on eye contact. She gives in, but anxiety pumps through her like pressure through a hose that’s liable to burst.
“I’ll get River. Let’s ride together,” I say, leery of her riding with an injury and in this worked-up condition. Horses play off their riders’ emotions.
She huffs. “Now you want to ride with me? Is this what it takes for you to opt in? Me getting upset? Or are you simply curious about Lauren?”
Her harsh look softens with immediate regret. She takes a breath and forces a smile. “See? This is why I need to calm down.”
“Let me come with you. We don’t have to talk until you’re ready… Please.”
She nods reluctantly. She doesn’t want me to accompany her, but once again, she’s accommodating me.
Thirty minutes later, we ride side-by-side at a slow, walking pace down the lane toward the outer trail. Production has shut down for the day, but hollow-eyed, pale-faced, and black-garbed witches remain throughout the woods, suspended from intricate pulleys. The trees no longer look like atypical pines but blackened obelisks, bleeding through their bark. Gauzy drapes form thick cobwebs between branches, entwining mummified corpses. It’s a much different riding experience than usual. But the change of scenery is enjoyable, especially with the sun setting behind the branches and glowing against the gold in Lena’s hair.
Touring the property on horseback reminds me how much I adore Saddletree and what she’s created here.
What we’ve created here.
“You should take the job. It’ll be good for you.”
Her calm tone surprises me. She even sounds encouraging. “I’m confused.”
“Why? I’ve thought it through. That’s why I needed the ride—to consider the pros. There are so many pros… I mean, if you want my opinion.”
“Yes, I do, but tell me about Lauren’s visit.”
“She popped in, brought a plant, and reassured me that… it’s the right thing.” Her voice cracks slightly on this last part. I study her as best I can from my side angle. She glances over with a soft smile, and the L clear between her brows.
A downed tree blocks the path, staged for the movie. She steers Shadow over it, and he grunts his disapproval at having to jump. River picks up his pace, wanting to jump it. I pull the reins back, navigating around it instead.
When Lena and I merge together again, she says, more sincerely this time, “If you want it, I want it.”
“I don’t know what I want.”
“Ben, you can’t turn down this job because of me. You can’t.”
“There are multiple factors. We discussed this. What does this have to do with Lauren?”
