Page 17 of Embers of You
“I’ll think about it,” I tell her, not wanting to completely shoot her down, but also thinking it’s not likely to happen either.
“Great, I got you all signed up this morning.” She smiles widely.
“Ma, that’s not me thinking about it.”
She shrugs with a smile, and it’s impossible for me to be mad at her when I know she’s just doing what she thinks is best for me. And honestly the thought makes me excited.
“Okay, well do you have anything else you volun-told me for that I should know about?”
She shakes her head with a smile.
“Okay, is there anything you need done around here before I get Duke all set up down at my house?”
“No, you do enough around here. Your father and I have managed just fine, you know?” She isn’t upset that I haven’t been around, and I know she means well, but I can’t help the way it stings that I haven’t been here.
“I’ll probably still check in with him, see if he needs anything.” I hide my grimace at the thought. I’m sure the last thing he’s going to want is my help, but at least I’m offering.
She sends me a small smile like she knows exactly how that conversation will go but doesn’t voice it.
“Let me know if you need anything or if something comes up. I’m just down the hill,” I tell her.
She’s waving her hand, shooing me out of the house. I take Duke, and we head toward the barn.
Once we get there, I look in to see my dad getting the dinner ready for the horses. I take in a silent breath of air, grounding myself before saying anything. “Hey, Pop, you need any help?”
He grunts in a way that isn’t an answer, and I grind my teeth slightly. He won’t even look at me.
“I can get more bales down if you need,” I offer, because the hay loft can be a bitch to deal with and I know it would be a lot easier for me.
“I got it.”
I want to argue with him, but know it won’t lead to anything good, so instead I just nod my head and take Duke to my house. I’m going to end up coming out here after dark and getting things done for him anyway.
He can be mad about it when I’m not around, but I’m here to help, so that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
CHAPTER 9
Sutton
I endedup researching how to groom a horse, and it isn’t that complicated. At least it’s not when the horse just stands there and lets it happen. Though, I’m not sure how common that is. I love grooming big dogs, but a horse is another level.
I’m also still unsure about spending any time alone with Jameson. He seems sweet, which is a scary thought because it would be so easy to fall into him. That’s something I can’t afford to do. It’s best to keep my distance and eliminate any risk of getting too close so I don’t fall into his trap.
I might be overthinking this. In fact, I know I’m overthinking this. I just can’t find it in me to care because it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Jerry Lee starts barking in the other room pulling my attention back again, and I realize I have a very large dog on my table that’s been standing patiently as I’ve been brushing the same spot for way too long.
“Sorry, buddy,” I apologize, though he just wags his fluffy tail like it didn’t bother him one bit.
The front door opens, and this time I’m not even surprised when I see who just walked in, but I am a little surprised to see that he has a dog with him this time.
Jameson looks over at me with a wide smile and I fight to return it with one of my own and probably end up scowling or making some ridiculous face in return.
“Whose dog did you kidnap?” I joke.
“No one’s, he’s mine,” he answers easily.
I lead the large St. Bernard off my table and put him in the back room to greet the cute pitty with the extremely hot firefighter.
