Page 57 of Embers of You
I feel like I barely dozed off when the noise of a phone going off has me shooting up. I realize Jameson is still here and it’s his phone. He grabs it quickly, answering, his voice groggy which tells me he fell asleep slightly too.
“Hello?” He’s quiet for a second, but immediately gets up and starts getting dressed. “I’ll be right there.”
I tighten the blankets around myself, feeling vulnerable. Maybe this is an excuse to leave, which is fine he doesn't owe me anything. He hangs up, pulls his shirt on, then cages me in with his arms on either side of my body, crowding me against the bed.
“It’s a recall, I have to go, but I don’t want you to think it’s because I want to.”
“Recall?” I squeak.
“They need some extra help, but I can come back.”
I shake my head. “No, no that’s okay. I’ll see you around.”
I don’t want to show the fear that’s caused inside me at whatever he’s being called in for needing extra people. It must be something pretty bad. But I’m not going to show it. It’s better if he goes now, gives me time to get my head back on straight.
“I’ll see you soon,” he insists, barely grazing his lips against mine. “And I’ll let you know when I’m back safe.”
CHAPTER 28
Jameson
We don’t technically runa horse therapy ranch, it’s something Ma has always been passionate about. Anything related to equine and mental health, really. She’s worked with kids and adults with disabilities, those suffering with mental illness, and people who have had an interest and love for horses.
It’s something she’s made clear she wants to continue no matter what happens to her. Even though I try not to think about her not being here, that’s something that I vowed to continue regardless. Not many people know the benefits to equine therapy, but recently I met Wes, an army veteran, and while he hasn’t admitted to it, I think he has some pretty severe PTSD. He doesn’t talk much at all, but has come here a couple of times to learn about the horses.
Juniper has taken a liking to him it seems and while he hasn’t gotten on any of the horses yet, he comes here for about thirty minutes, gives her some treats, pets and brushes her before leaving with a gruff goodbye.
I don’t ever push. I know if he wanted to talk about anything he would, and I’m not a therapist or here to act as one. The horses are, and I just monitor or answer any questions.
“See ya next week,” he says on his way out of the barn, which is more than he usually says.
“All good, see ya then.”
I wasn’t going to rush him, but there’s something I’m hoping to do today. Once I make sure everything is settled with the horses, I check on the goats and pigs before calling Duke over and he bounds toward me with his tongue flopping out of his mouth.
“C’mon, bud. We have someone we have to go see.” I lead him toward my truck, making sure to grab his harness from the main house on the way.
We park by the fire station, and I notice that Parker’s car is here, which is weird because he’s not on shift right now, or at least he shouldn’t be. I get Duke out, tucking the flowers and note I brought with us into his harness, and notice movement in the car. I walk up, knocking on the driver’s side window.
Parker jumps slightly, then rolls the window down. “What’s up?”
“What’re you doing?”
He looks around, hesitating, clearly not sure what to say and I just look at him waiting for an answer.
“I came by to get something I forgot.”
“Right. You weren’t going to go try and talk to a certain someone at the groomers?”
“No…”
“Come on.” I nod my head toward the building, knowing he’s going to follow.
I let Duke in, and he trots inside happily, but I don’t miss the bark greeting from the bird. I don’t step inside yet, even when I hear Sutton’s voice, “Just a second.”
My heart immediately pounds at the sound, remembering everything from the other night. The way that same voice sounded as she came for me. How beautiful she looked as she fell apart. I figured she wouldn’t reach out to me, even after I told her I was back home safe after the call. It was late, but she didn’t respond. I don’t take offense to it. I know she wants me, I just need her to let herself accept it.
“Duke, what’re you doing here? Where’s your dad?” Sutton asks, and I take the opportunity to walk inside with a wide smile on my face that grows when I see her. Every time my eyes drink her in I get lost in her beauty. She can bring me to my knees instantly and I don’t think she even knows it.
