Page 58 of Gotta Dig Deep
A few minutes later, he had a good handle on what was needed, and a few things she hadn’t thought about, like a sprinkler system in case of fire, which could also be used to dampen dust from the center aisle during the heat of summer. The manual labor for the projects wouldn’t be an issue. Anything that was beyond his skills, he knew there was a brother around who could pick up the slack. The money for the upgrades wasn’t a problem either, because he had a healthy bank account. Living at the clubhouse meant his expenses had been limited to his bike and dues, and like most officers, he had a weekly payout from the club coffers.
Glenna still had a faraway expression on her face, so Horse knew better than to bring up any of that right now.
But it was in his head. All of it. Including her genuine regret at selling Penn’s horses.
Chores were next on the list, but all the while they threw hay squares and checked on cattle, an idea was brewing in Horse’s mind.
Glenna had phone numbers written on a piece of paper thumbtacked next to the phone in the kitchen. While she showered before dinner, it was the work of moments to find what he needed and enter it into his phone.
Water was boiling for noodles when she got out of the bathroom. He also had sausage frying in a pan, ready to be drained and have the heated spaghetti sauce added. She stood next to him, slicing a loaf of bread nearly through, then tucking squares of butter inside. He already had the foil out, and she quickly had the bread wrapped and into the warm oven. With them working in unison, the meal came together with impeccable timing. Horse grinned as he made a plate for Glenna and handed it over, her reaching across the table to put a piece of the toasted bread on his plate.
“We’re a pretty good team,” she remarked as he sat. Feeling the weight of her gaze on him, Horse looked up in time to catch a fleeting smile on her face.
“I like that,” he told her honestly. “I like a lotta things about you, Glenna.”
“Backatcha, mister.” She picked up her fork and spoon, skillfully twirling a mouthful of noodles. “I like you too.”
He watched her for a minute, then shook his head with a smile. Silence descended on them as they ate, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. It was as if they’d done this a thousand times already, reading each other’s needs without words.
This is what a relationship feels like.
He decided he was definitely a fan.
The next day, it was easy to find a few minutes alone to make the needed call. Horse didn’t want to, but when there was only one source of information a man had to suck up his ego and reach out, no matter if he disliked the other person or not.
“Hello,” the voice on the other end of the call answered, an uptick of question at the end of the word.
“Cooter, this is Graeme Nass.” Silence fell, this a crawling uncomfortable one, and he sighed audibly. “Don’t hang up. I’ve got a few questions for you about Glenna and Penn.”
“Reggie.” Finally, the man said something, and Horse understood that as he’d withheld his club name out of the man’s mouth, he wasn’t going to be given the green light to use the nickname. That single word was cold as a New Jersey winter, but Horse hadn’t expected anything less.
“Reggie, got it.”
“What do you need from me?”
“You’ve known Glenna for a long time. Was her anchor all through the pain of Penn’s diagnosis and death. She’s talked fondly of you and how you helped her deal with everything.”
“Fondly. Sure.” Sarcasm sat thick on Reggie’s voice. “She’s fond of me.”
“She is, and while I know that stings, you’re the only one who knows her well enough to help me out.”
“Why would I help you with anything?” Pain dredged along each rough sound. “Why?”
“Because you care about her, and this won’t cost you anything. Not even your pride. I’m looking to find out who bought the horses they had to sell. Penn’s horses, specifically. She said they picked the people with particular ideas about why they’d be a good fit for each horse. If they’re local at all, I hoped you’d know who those buyers were.” Horse paused, giving Reggie time to interrupt. When he didn’t, Horse continued, “She’s talked about opening boarding stables. I want to give her that if I can. But part of what I want to give her is a little bit of her husband back. She said she regrets selling his horses. Didn’t say this flat out, but I got the sense she’d do nearly anything to take that one act back. This is me trying to see if it’s doable.”
Reggie cleared his throat once, then a second time. When he spoke again, his voice was low, quiet, and holding a little less pain than before. “Yeah, I know who bought their horses. All of them. It was me. I asked other ranchers to conduct the transactions, picking up the horses and all that, but all five of them are living the life of Riley on my little ranch.”
“You did that for her.” Horse shook his head in disbelief. “Without knowing if she’d ever thank you, you did that for her.”
“I’d do pretty much anything for her.” Reggie’s voice was stronger, certain. “And if that means me stepping back for a good man she feels for, then I’ll do that. Not gladly or willingly, but I’ll do it.”
“You’re a good man, Reggie.” Horse nearly called him brother, surprised at his own eagerness to believe in this man. “Let’s see if we can come to an understanding about the horses. She said she doesn’t care about the two that were hers, but if you’ve got all five, then we’ll deal all five.”
“It feels halfway wrong to take any money for them.” There was a pause, then Reggie laughed. “But if it’s all the same to you, I’d be happier knowing you paid for them. That way there’s no question in my own mind about what’s happening here.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’m all about setting boundaries so there aren’t any misunderstandings later.”
Ten minutes later, they’d come to an agreement, set a date for the horses to be returned, and ended the call.
