Page 8 of Waiting for Ru
Except Jasim could think of a way he could be paid. Not a suggestion he’d make, but his normally docile cock perked up. He didn’t even know if Ru was gay, but if he was… Even if he was, so what? Jasim took a deep breath.
“Did you just buy a horse?” David came up at his side with Samantha.
“Two horses. But I’m not going—”
“I can’t take them. I have nowhere to keep them,” Byrne whispered.
But you love those horses enough to offer to pay someone to buy them both?
“What’s your connection with them?” Jasim asked.
“I’ve looked after them for years. My… Felan Byrne is selling his farm. Selling all the horses. Those two are special.”
“Are you going to buy the farm too, Jasim?” David asked with a chuckle.
Jasim didn’t miss Ru’s shudder and wondered what that was about.
“Are the pair easy to handle?” Jasim asked.
“Yes. They’re quiet to lead, box, bridle, mount and ride.”
“Can I transport them with yours, David?” Jasim asked.
“Of course. Want me to get my girl to have a look at them?”
“Please. I’ll catch up with you. I need to pay.” Jasim turned to Ru. “Come with me.”
There was no reason to ask Ru to go with him, but Jasim couldn’t let him go. Not yet.
When Jasim handed over his card to the cashier, Ru pulled out an envelope full of money. “I want to help with the cost. I can’t believe you bought Joni too. I’m so grateful. I…” He choked up.
“Do you have a job?” Jasim asked.
“Not anymore.”
Don’t you fucking dare tell him you’ll give him a job.“You don’t need to give me any money. Put it away. Why is Byrne selling up?”
“He lost his leg in a quad bike accident.”
“Where are you living?”
Don’t do it.It would be like opening a window in a fire-filled house.And I’d burn.
“The UK…now. I came over to make sure the horses were all right. I fly back this afternoon. Would it… I’ll probably have to come back to Ireland at some point. Can I come and see them? Please?”
“To check if I’m treating them well?”
“Why would you treat them badly?” He gulped. “I don’t think you will. They’ll give you no reason to, though I suppose that doesn’t mean… Please be kind to them.”
“I’d never mistreat a horse. I promise.”
That won him a little smile.
“Once all the paperwork’s been done, they’ll be brought to my stables in Dorset.”
Jasim wasn’t surprised at Ru’s look of shock. No one in their right mind would buy two average horses in Ireland and pay to have them transported to the UK.
But shock turned to something approaching joy and the smile that lit up the young guy’s face stopped Jasim thinking what an idiot he’d been and started to make him wonder.
