Page 26 of Embers of You
I try to remember everything I watched about grooming horses, and it’s not much different than shaving down a large dog. Just add in a few hundred extra pounds. Before I end up chickening out and leaving, I set my bag down and get my tools out. I approach Juniper, letting her smell my hand like I would with any other animal before beginning.
While I’m running the clippers over the horse’s soft fur, I think about talking to Jameson. I feel like I should try to make conversation with him in some way since we’re both in here working. Maybe I could get to know him.
But that could lead to him wanting to get to know me and I don’t know what I could share, because telling him why I’m here is off the table.
The weather is great, huh?
That sounds ridiculous, even in my own mind.
I continue to debate on if I should say anything, but nothing manages to come to mind. And Jameson checks in periodically.
“How’re you doing?”
“Good.”
Then he smiles and goes back to whatever he’s doing. I hear him tossing things around when there’s a thump, and I’m sure it’s a hay bale.
I fight the urge to seek him out as I keep my entire focus on the large animal in front of me. I’m probably more meticulous than I need to be. I manage to get through grooming Juniper fairly easily. She does well standing for me, all while Bennet and Duke play through the hall of the barn. After I’ve finished shaving the extra fur off her, I’m running a brush through her soft mane and Jameson comes around the corner, leaning against the wall. Sweat is beading his brow, and his dark T-shirt is molded to his body.
“How’s it going?” he asks.
“Good, I’m just about done, I think.”
He steps forward, walking around and examining the horse. “She looks great.”
“Thanks, I guess it’s not too bad for my first time,” I say proudly.
“Glad I can help you expand your resume.” He starts undoing the ties and taking Juniper back to her stall. “Do you want a tour of the property?”
“No, I should head home. I’m sure Bennet is tired.” I look over at the dogs who are currently wrestling and don’t look tired at all.
“I think they’re friends, which means you’re really doing them a disservice, not letting them hang out.”
“Was this your master plan all along?”
“I have no master plan, just a horse that needed grooming and you’re the professional.” He smiles innocently.
“Mhm, right. We really should be going.”
“Jameson,” a female voice calls out, and I furrow my brows at him because if he’s married or lives with a woman then he’s a piece of shit, and I’ve been right about keeping my distance from him.
“In here, Ma!” he calls out, and I don’t even have time to wrap my head around the fact that he said “Ma.”
I want to make a run for it. I shouldn’t be here meeting his parents, but it’s too late when the older woman appears in the entryway of the barn. She has a scarf around her head and is wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt that looks like it may have fit her previously, but she’s now drowning in the fabric.
“I didn’t know we had a guest. Hello, I’m Emily, Jameson’s mother.”
“Hi, I’m Sutton. It’s so nice to meet you.” I meet her for a handshake and her cool soft hands feel fragile in my own.
“Did you walk all the way down here?” Jameson asks the woman.
She waves her hand at him and rolls her eyes so only I can see, and I hide my light laughter. I may be nervous about meeting her, but I like her already.
“I had to come down and see my favorite child.”
“Aw, you’re not just going to sweet talk me.”
“I wasn’t talking about you; I was talking about Sandy.” Emily walks up to another horse in the first stall, and feeds her a carrot she pulled out from her pocket.
