Page 32 of Gotta Dig Deep
“You’re like that battery bunny, Shammy. Where do you get your energy from?” Easing the quad runner to a stop in front of the shed, she gave him a moment to dismount before she parked the vehicle. After restocking the bags with everything she’d used that day, Glenna walked next door and stood for a minute staring down the aisle running the length of the stables.
Empty horse stalls stood on either side, reminding her she needed to finish her business plan for boarding animals so she could advertise the opportunity. Every little bit of income helped, and as Cooter had noted, they were near sprawling urban areas in a state where residents longed for olden times—but without the hardship, of course. After reviewing the offerings for stabling in and around Longview and Tyler, Glenna knew she was onto a good idea. “Now, I just have to make it happen.” Glancing around, then gazing out at the pastures dotted with the specialty breed of cattle she’d settled on, she shook her head. “Along with the other million things I’ve gotta do.”
A bark brought her back to the present and she felt the familiar weight of Shamu as he leaned against her leg.
“The thingswe’vegot to do. I know, I know. I shouldn’t dismiss your contribution, Shammy. But for now, let’s load up and go home.”
He beat her to the quad runner and danced beside it on nimble feet.
***
Horse
Horse saw a familiar head peeking around a tree and smiled. That’d be Marian, sister of Bane’s woman, Myrt, someone he’d become quite familiar with over the past couple of years. She was beautiful and sweet, and he’d come to realize that she could maybe be more than his friend.
The question was if he wanted to push it.
Marian had come to the Baker, Florida, group after being rescued from her own family. She’d been broken emotionally, and it had taken her months to lose the fear and expectation of pain that had followed her down from Kentucky. She’d slowly come out of her shell, and Horse had been glad for a multitude of reasons to visit the new chapter because each also granted him the chance to see her.
“Fishing tomorrow?” Her question as quiet and sweet, a soft request instead of a demand, and he smiled at her.
“You bet, little sister.” Her face lit up with pleasure, lips parting on a soundless laugh, and Horse reined in his imagination.Time for that later, when I’m alone in the guest bedroom.“I’m always down for fishin’, and have just the lure for that honeyhole Gunny’s always talking about.” He winced internally, hoping she didn’t see the innuendo that seemed so clear to him.Not what I meant, but I’d be ready for her in an instant if she’d only see me.“You had supper yet? I rolled in about fifteen minutes ago, stopped to say hello to Vanna and Truck first.”
“Not yet. Gunny and Sharon took the kids to the movies, my brothers included. I’ve got a roast in the oven, and it should be ready soon. Myrt and Bane were in their room, so I escaped the house for a bit.” She lived with her sister and Bane, and Gunny had bought a nearby house, so the three households made a little triangle compound of FRMC members. Her cheeks pinked up prettily and Horse had a good idea why she’d gone running. “I mean, I decided to take a walk.”
“Their noises ran you out, little sister.”
Face blazing red now, she shook a finger at him. “I know what you’re doing, friend, but you won’t get a rise out of me.”
Another innuendo rolled through his mind about things rising, but Horse managed to clamp his lips shut. “Who me?” He aimed at innocence, stifling a laugh at the way she rolled her eyes. “I’m glad we’re friends, Marian. I look forward to seeing you every time I come visit.”
All humor left her face as she studied him quietly for a moment. A smile finally parted her lips, the tip of her tongue touching along the bottom with a tiny side-to-side swipe. The gleam drew his gaze and blood started to run south, his cock chubbing up in his jeans.
Before things could become obvious, Marian slipped closer and slid her hand into his. “Remember that panic attack I had when we first met?”
“Yeah.”
Like he’d forget something like that. Battered black and blue from the fists of her father, she’d gotten startled and froze like a bunny, hoping nearby unseen enemies would miss noticing her. Horse had protected her, drawing her close until he could get her to a place she saw as safe. That had been the start of a continuing feud between him and Gunny, because the other man had seen him as a threat to the tenuous hold Marian had on any sense of security. He’d proven Gunny wrong time and again, but the man’s go-to attitude was to assume the worst of Horse.
Bane had put the kabosh on it multiple times, and Horse had bent over backwards to reassure Gunny, but the fact remained that his interest in Marian drew it from the man. Gunny saw her as a sister, his wife, Sharon, the same, and anything that had the potential to threaten her wellbeing, health or mentally, wasn’t something Gunny would tolerate.
“You make me feel safe, Horse. I like you visiting as much as you do. Keeps that safe feeling going, you know?” He gave her fingers a gentle squeeze when she leaned her head trustingly against his shoulder. “I’m glad you’re here, even if you tease me.”
“I only tease people I like. The more I like someone, the more I pick on ’em.” Angling his head, he watched a tiny smile play across those plump lips.
“You must like me a lot, then, because you always have a comment for me.”
If you only knew, darlin’.
The next morning saw them out along the creek in the deeper of the fishing holes, and he watched with a mix of pride and expectation as she pulled in fish after fish. Even Gunny showing up to spar verbally with him couldn’t dim his enjoyment of the time spent with Marian.
They’d walked back, Gunny on one side and him on the other, the conversation between the three of them free flowing and easy, and for a change, Gunny wasn’t jumping on everything Horse said, looking for a sideways barb at Marian’s expense.
That mood had been broken when Marian called out another man’s name, “Einstein,” and had taken off running, everything in her hands abandoned to the ground as she raced to throw her arms around the Bama Bastards nomad.
A hand settled on his shoulder and Horse glanced over at Gunny. The expression on the man’s face was solemn understanding, and Horse suddenly realized he’d likely been out of the running for months and simply hadn’t known.
“He’s a good one.” Horse banked his pain to offer the words quietly and Gunny nodded.
