Page 16 of Embers of You
“Stuck?” I cough.
“Yes, it doesn’t go back to how it should and when it’s really bad the vet has to fix it surgically.”
I have so many questions, but I need them both to know that he’s coming home with me. His issue doesn’t worry me, if he has to go to the vet for a penis surgery, I’ll make sure it happens.
“I can handle that,” I tell her, turning back toward Duke who is still looking up at me with his wide smile. “You want to come home with me, bud?”
Dukeand I get back to my house, and my first order of business is introducing him to Ma. We stopped at the pet store on the way home to get him everything he needs. I may have overloaded on toys and bones for him, but he was stuck in that cage for eight months, and he deserves to live the rest of his life spoiled beyond belief. And that’s exactly what I plan on doing.
“Ma?” I call out, walking through the front door.
“In here,” she calls back from a little further in the house.
I follow her voice and find her in her bedroom with photo albums open in front of her, and stacks of photos she’s putting in them next to her.
“Hi, sweetie. Oh, who’s your friend?” she asks as soon as she sees Duke. I keep him on the leash because I don’t want him to jump up on the bed and ruin her project.
“This is Duke, my new dog.” I smile.
“What a sweet boy.” She smiles, slowly getting off the bed. When I try to help her, she waves me off and slaps my hand playfully.
“Aw, thanks Ma,” I joke, which earns me a playful glare.
“I meant Duke. You’re about to be replaced by him you know,” she teases right back, and I act offended.
“I’m hurt. If I had known it was that easy to replace me, I would’ve gotten a dog years ago.”
“Oh hush.” She leans over to pet Duke, but I don’t like the way she’s hunched over. It isn’t good for her back. I know that if I try to say anything to her, she’ll just get mad at me, so I bite my tongue.
“I hope it’s okay for him to stay here with you when I’m working.”
“Of course, he’s welcome any time. In fact, he can just stay here when you’re not working, too.”
“Ma,” I scold jokingly, and she laughs.
“You’re over here hovering over me whenever you’re home anyway, I’m sure he’ll be with you.”
She’s not wrong about that. Though, I try to make excuses to be here around her rather than just being here to check on her, which is what it really is. Plus, I just want to help. I want her to know I’m here to support her, since I have been so absent for the last ten years. Even though we talked often, it’s different to actually be here.
“I am not,” I insist anyway. “I’m usually out doing work on the ranch.”
“Right,” she placates me, sitting on the edge of the bed while Duke rests his head lightly on her leg. “Speaking of helping, I do actually have a job for you.”
I perk up at the sound of that, only because she hasn’t asked me to do anything to help, despite my instance and I feel like this is progress.
“Yeah? What do you need?”
“My friend’s daughter, Summer, is going to camp and her horse she barrel races with is going to stay here and will need to be worked while she’s gone.”
“I haven’t run barrels in years,” I hesitate. I’d do anything for her, and she knows it. I’m just a bit worried about how out of practice I am.
“It’s like riding a bike, or a horse, rather.” She chuckles at herself, and I can’t help but smile. “It’ll be fine though; he’s a sweet gelding who shouldn’t test you too much.”
“Great, thank you for making me feel so much better,” I say sarcastically.
“Oh stop.” She swats me lightly. “You’ll be fine. Maybe you can even show off a bit at the rodeo in a couple weeks.”
I forgot the local Amity rodeo will be happening at the beginning of July. I used to always be in them, even though I never wanted to pursue a career in the rodeo. I never wanted to travel around or live that life. But the one time a year I would participate gave me a rush that I loved. Though, I’m older now and the thought of it makes me hesitate a bit.
