Page 8 of Ever's Last
I’m not excited about this at all. Don’t get me wrong, the big house is beautiful, it always was. And the inside is as well, almost like it belongs in a museum. I’m dreading being here now. It could be the glares I’m getting from Ivy. Even Shane has directed a few looks my way. I do deserve them, though.
“You’ll feel better when you meet the girls,” Brick says as we head down to the ‘let’s get this started’ BBQ.
“Maybe.”
“We can go for a ride if you want,” Brick offers. That might help. I used to ride all the time. I wonder if Ever still has Hughie. He was a good horse. He was gentle and easy, never spooked. And he loved his sugar cube treats.
“Okay,” I say as we make a beeline for the barn.
“Hi,” Brick says to a man whose back is to us. He’s putting hay in the stalls.
“Oh, hey.” The man turns and I recognize him. Lincoln Stiles. I heard he and Ever became friends. I don’t remember them hanging out when I was around. But then again, I was always in my own little world.
“We were wondering if we could take the horses for a spin?” For a spin? Really, Brick? The guy grew up here and that’s how he asks? I almost want to slink away from pure embarrassment.
“I’m sure you know how to saddle some horses.” Linc gives me a hard look.
“It’s been a while for Memphis.” Brick laughs.
“It has, but I’m sure I can figure it out,” I say as I head to what I believe is the tack room.
“I’m a big fan,” Linc stops me and says, “of your fighting. Not of what you did to Ever.” I wondered when that was going to come up. Didn’t take long.
“Thanks.” I don’t know what else to say. Nothing I can say to change what I did to her.
“Hope to see you back in the ring, soon.”
“I hope so too.”
We mosey on down through the barn, gazing at the horses until we find two that look friendly enough and easy to ride. Next step is to get the saddle and giddy on up. Really? I’m so glad I didn’t say that out loud with Cowboy Dan looking at me.
Linc knows his stuff and right now I look like some city slicker with no clue. I can only hope it’s like riding a bike. We saddle the horses, Brick riding Sammy and mine aptly named Turbo, and head for the outdoor arena. It’s small but I’m not ready to take on the trails yet. Long time ago, I could navigate the backwoods on a horse blindfolded. Yep, I’ve been gone for a long time.
“Ease off the reins. You’re pulling too tightly,” Linc instructs, as if I have no idea what I’m doing. Though I can’t seem to get it right. I thought it would be like riding a bike, once you get back on, you’re on. I can see Brick riding around the ring, enjoying my plight.
I still can’t seem to get the horse under control. Linc is trying to tell me what to do, but I can’t hear him because I’ve now fallen off this stupid horse and the ringing in my ears is overpowering.
And then I see her, an angel with black hair and grey eyes.
“Am I dying?” I reach for the pretty woman.Wait, I know those eyes.
“He’s okay.” And that’s Brick.
“Stay still. Once the ringing stops, we can sit you up.” The woman has the most melodic voice. I must have hit my head pretty hard.
The girl snickers as I try to rub my head. Really? She’s laughing at me? I know that laugh, though. How do I know that laugh? Is she from my past? That’s a stupid question because everyone here except the crew is from my past.
The ringing stops and I sit up while the doctor on-hand comes in to check me out.
“I’m fine. I’ve taken worse in the ring.” I brush off the doctor off. I want to know who that girl was.
“Take it easy tomorrow,” the doctor advises. What does he expect me to do? All I need to do is stand there and look pretty.
“Let’s get you some food and then to bed.” Brick helps me up.
“Who was that girl?”
Brick says nothing. Maybe I imagined her.
