Page 62 of Embers of You
“Hot guy, Jameson.”
Thank you, Jerry Lee.
“Welcome to living in a small town,. She winks. “And Jerry Lee. Are you done for the day?”
“Yeah, just cleaning up, unless you need me to do anything else.”
“Nope, you go enjoy the rest of your day, and maybe spend some time with a certain someone.”
“He’s on shift.” I chuckle.
“Oh is he?” She starts humming as she walks away and I want to explain, but realize there’s nothing to explain. I’m sure anything I say will just get twisted and shoved into the gossip mill around here anyway. Seems to be the case for a small town, if Trish is actually hearing things.
Though, I guess she probably just heard from Lily since she seems to share stories about anything and anyone all the time. I mean, how else would I have learned about her friend having a nice ducking time with bondage duck man, and her thoughts on popes masturbating.
CHAPTER 30
Jameson
Sutton saidshe would come over for a horse riding lesson, so after I get home from work, I take a nap. I can’t help but think that this is just an excuse she can use to keep that little wall up between us. Which is fine by me, I’ll take any reason to see her and be happy about it.
Duke perks up at the sound of tires outside and I go out to greet her, with him following happily, probably hoping his friend came along. We get outside and Sutton is already exiting her Jeep and letting Bennet out of the back. The dogs greet each other happily as I approach her.
“I’m glad you came.” I wrap my arm around her back to pull her in for a hug. I can tell it catches her off guard, but the need to touch her was just too strong to resist and she doesn’t fight the action. She wraps an arm around me as well, returning the quick embrace.
“Hoping I don’t regret it,” she teases.
“You think I would let anything happen to you?” I pull back, worried she doesn’t trust me.
“No, weirdly I don’t think you would. You seem like the kind of guy to take off your shirt, and lay it on a puddle so I don’t have to get my shoes wet.”
I nod, easily. “You’re right, I would do that without hesitation for you. And so much more.”
Her gaze softens up at me, but she looks away quickly. “So what horse am I going to make friends with today?”
“You get to ride the sweetest mare we have,” I explain as we walk toward the barn. Bennet and Duke are already ahead of us, running around and playing with each other.
“Yeah? Who is she?”
“Her name is Sandy, she was Ma’s old riding lesson horse when she would teach.”
“I didn’t realize that’s what she did.” I catch Sutton’s subtle smile.
“You never asked, but I’ll tell you anything you want to know. Ma’s passion has always been helping people with horses. She would teach anyone. She loved helping with kids, disabled adults and children, people with mental health concerns. If they need help, Ma has always said horses can help them.”
“She’s amazing.”
I nod. “She really is.”
“Is she going to be okay?” Her voice is quiet as she hesitates to voice the question that has my heart pinching in my chest.
I answer the only way I know how because I can’t fathom thinking about the worst case, even if it’s the reality. But I’m not going to lie, either. “I don’t know.”
Her hand slides into mine easily and the shot of electricity between us is so prominent as our fingers slide together. “I’m sorry.” I grip her hand tightly, loving how they fit together and how she grounds me.
“It’s okay. She’s here and loves to cause me distress and embarrassment.”
Sutton chuckles. “She does seem really good at that.”
