Page 36 of Love Me Back
“Oh.” I could feel the flush rising up my neck. I spun on my heels and marched to the refrigerator. Grabbing a handful of baby carrots, I stuck them in my pocket without anyone seeing.
“Do you want breakfast, Jessie?” Addie asked carefully.
I poked my head up over the door of the fridge and smiled. “Actually, I think I’ll take a walk first.” I let the refrigerator door close and rushed out the back and down the stairs. I could feel their curious stares boring into my back as I left.
I knew where I was going this time and headed straight for the barn. The doors weren’t open today, and I grabbed the handleand struggled for a few minutes before it finally opened enough for me to squeeze through.
The horses were all outside, except for the one I was looking for. His gate leading outside stood open, but he was in his stall as if he were waiting for me.
“Hey there, big guy. I brought you a snack.”
He shook his enormous head as I laid the carrots along the top of the stall door. This might only be the second day, but I was enjoying our little visits. I just wasn’t brave enough to put my hand close to his mouth. As far as I knew, horses were herbivores, but just in case I was wrong, I was being careful.
“Who the hell are you?”
I jumped at the angry voice and spun around. A man stood there; one I didn’t recognize. I hadn’t met all the ranch hands, but I was pretty sure they had all been told who I was and why I was there.
“I’m Jessie.”
As he walked toward me, the first thing I noticed was his limp. The way he compensated for it had to be a knee injury, and I couldn’t help but wonder what had happened.
“What are you doing in here?”
“I just came to visit the horse.”
The closer the man came, the more agitated the horse was. His hooves stomped on the floor, and he snorted. The man sneered at the horse, then turned back to me.
“You don’t belong here,” he snarled, and the horse stuck its head over the stall door and snorted. His hoof pushed on the door as if he was trying to open it, and I thought about letting him out.
“Get the fuck out of here and don’t come back!” he shouted.
I made the choice to walk away. Could I have overpowered the man? Yes. My concern was upsetting Grayson by laying out one of his ranch hands.
I backed away from the horse and the angry man who was glaring at me. Maybe I would ask Addie about seeing the horses and see if she knew any reason why it would be a bad idea.
When I got to the barn doors, I pushed with everything I had and still was only able to open them just enough to squeeze through. Once outside, I took a deep breath.
Instead of going inside, I walked around the side of the barn to the paddock fence. I stood there for a few moments and smiled when the horse made its way outside, as if it could sense me.
Horses had always fascinated me. But they also terrified me. I stood by the fence and watched him trot around. The way he seemed to be performing for me had me smiling more than I had in a long time.
When he made his way toward me, I tried not to be afraid. He stopped just before he reached the fence and shook his giant head.
“I’m sorry our visit was interrupted, but I won’t let the grumpy old man scare me away.” I lowered my voice and said, “Next time, if the doors are closed, I’ll come to the fence. I had trouble opening them, anyway.”
I slowly reached my hand out as I closed my eyes. If he were going to bite me, I would rather not see it coming. My body trembled when I felt his breath as he snorted against my fingers. I opened one eye to peek, and he was just standing there.
Waiting.
“Okay, I get it. I have to make the first move. You men are all alike,” I joked.
I reached out and touched the top of his nose, and he nudged my hand. I let my fingers slide further up his snout to rub between his eyes.
Something startled him, and he reared back, causing me to step back and glare at him. He was like Grayson. Trying to draw me in, but the minute I let my guard down, he changed his mind and pushed me away.
“I already have one ornery male in my life. I don’t need another.”
Turning around, I marched back to the house. Grayson sat at the kitchen table, and I glared at him. His brow pulled betweenhis eyes, and he asked, “What the hell did I do now?”
