12

“So, you didn’t even stay for dinner?” Gramps asked.

“I just couldn’t.”

“But they invited you.”

“I know, but Jack was done for the day, and there were still two hours until dinner. I just decided to leave.”

My grandpa took a bite of his lunch without a reply. I could tell he had something to say but he was giving himself time to soften it up.

It was Wednesday, a workday for me at the diner and Grandpa’s weekly visit. My break was over though, and I decided to cut out while I had the chance, so I gave him a kiss goodbye and returned to my tables. Meryl spent time with him after that, and then she took him back to Brookside Gardens.

My shift was completed two hours later. I went home and worked on schoolwork, and then I sat at my computer to spend time on my application essay. I’d had the stupid thing for almost two years now, and I was always reading it over to see if I could make it better. I did make a couple of minor changes, and then I stretched across my bed to study.

“Quantitative comparison,” I murmured. “Determine a relationship between the two quantities...”

Relationships. Quantity A... Quantity B... A is greater than B... A for Austin... Relationships...

“Ugh! Are you kidding me?”

I slammed the book shut, and rolled onto my back. Why couldn’t I get him out of my head? It didn’t matter where I was—school, the diner, with friends, or home—he was always there.

Maybe I just felt bad that I’d blown him off on Saturday, but I was there to do a job. I did skip out on dinner, asking Jack to relay the message that I needed to get home, but I left things with Austin unfinished.

I looked over university information for an hour but decided I needed a bigger distraction, so I called up Amelia. She was shocked I was calling her to do something on a weekday, but she didn’t fuss about it when I told her I just needed some time away from books.

When Friday rolled around again, I was nervous. I arrived in Bakersfield at nine, and met Jack in his office. With him was another vet the Gaines’ also used, a woman who was probably in her late fifties. Jack thought it was a good idea for me to get to know her, as well.

Lori was pleasant enough at first, but she didn’t have that sense of humor and fun personality like Jack did. She also seemed more hesitant to let me do anything. Jack would just ask if it was something I was familiar with, have me do it, and if I had a question or a problem, I would ask. But not Lori. She also seemed put off that I didn’t know too much about horses in general. I was just fine with the anatomy and biology of a horse, but she felt I was at a disadvantage by not knowing the species well.

I agreed with her, but was reassured by Jack, who told me I’d learn what I needed to soon enough. I was glad he was the main vet at Harmony Acres.

Later, Jack passed me off to Clara in the guesthouse. She was the sweetest woman and took a liking to me right away. I’m sure she was that way with every guest, but after two minutes, I already felt lucky to know her.

She showed me my room for the weekend and the ins and outs of the home. Rule number one: clean up after yourself. Clara managed the home, but she made it clear she was not the maid. She did the cooking and general cleaning, but she refused to pick up after other people.

There were eight bedrooms in the guesthouse, and four of them were occupied full time by Harmony Acres employees. The other rooms were for guests who came and went—like me—and Clara said there would always be a new face or two for me to say hello to.

After dinner, I took a walk outside. I purposely strolled past the far end of the stables so I could see the garage to the main house. I knew I was being ridiculous, but I was even more upset with myself for being disappointed Austin’s car wasn’t there.

I stopped at the fence by Field One and watched its occupants. I tried my luck at remembering names but was pretty sure it was a different group of horses. I did recognize Sam’s horse, Sadie Liz, and I thought the gray one was Nellie. Then something caught my eye in Field Two. It was Austin’s racehorse, Need for Speed, and he had the entire field to himself.

“What a dick,” I said to myself while I walked over, clicking my tongue at him. He barely gave me the time of day. “I bet you’re not even fast,” I sneered at him. He turned his ass to me and continued to graze, so I decided to leave the stuck-up thing to himself and headed toward the guesthouse for the evening.

I did remember the horses in Field Four, though: Bad Whiskey, Okie Dokie, Down and Dirty, Happy Appy, and Inky Black. Inky was the first one to come to me since he was closest to the fence.

Then I tried Austin’s little whistle tune, and Down and Dirty lifted her head from the far end of the field. She looked my way for a few seconds, but I probably wasn’t the sexy male owner she was hoping to see. However, she started walking my way, and when she reached the fence, brought her head over so I could pet her.

“Hey, there. You’re a much friendlier choice than his other horse. I’d pick you over Stuck-on-Himself any day.” I rubbed her face and behind her ears, and then Inky was there to remind me of his presence, too. “Oh yes, I like you also,” I told him, patting him at the same time.

I remembered I had dog biscuits in my pocket, so I reached inside to give them each one. I’d seen Jack do the same thing to his horse, so I didn’t think it would hurt. They both gobbled the treats up, and seemingly begged for more. Down and Dirty stuck her head through the fence at my waist and nudged my pocket.

“Hey, watch it, chick. You get out of my pants.”

I heard a chuckle from behind, and it scared me. I turned around to meet an unfamiliar face approaching from the guesthouse. He was maybe my age, but because of the dark hair and familiar smile, I instantly assumed he was Austin’s younger brother.

He came up to the fence and stood next to me, giving Bad Whiskey a rough pat on the neck. “You must be Nova?” he asked.

“You must be Jeff.”

“Yep. Nice to meet you.”

“You too.”

We remained quiet for a few seconds while Down and Dirty tried for my pockets again.

“She’s got one thing on her mind, and it’s usually food,” Jeff said. “You’ve probably just made a friend for life, but now she’s always gonna search you for treats.”

“Uh-oh. Does that mean I should be prepared with food, or go straight to weaning her from the idea?”

“She’ll never forget, so be prepared to be felt up no matter what.”

Okie Dokie was now adamant for attention, so Jeff rubbed behind his ears. “How come you’re not inside playing poker with the rest of ‘em?” he asked.

“Oh, are they playing cards? I guess I walked outside before they started.”

“You’re not purposely trying to avoid the crowds?”

Surprised, I shook my head. “No, not at all. Does someone think that?”

“Nah, they were just wondering if you wanted to play, but you disappeared. Jack sent me to find you so I could introduce myself.”

I slightly nodded.

“You wanna play with us, though?” he asked.

“Well, I only play poker with my grandpa, so I’m probably not a fierce competitor.”

“Ah, that doesn’t matter. Sami’s playing and she sucks.”

“Okay,” I laughed. “But don’t expect too much.”

I didn’t see Austin on the ranch at all that weekend, and if he was around, he was steering clear of me. I kept busy with Jack anyway, and besides another riding lesson with Sam on Saturday afternoon, I only worked.

But it didn’t mean I wasn’t thinking about Austin in between everything.

I spent time with Lori on Sunday morning while she went over vaccinations and medications with me. I still didn’t like her much, but I convinced myself that any experience in the field was good experience.

I was getting ready to leave that evening when I met Austin’s dad. Jack introduced me to Dave when he breezed past us with another business-looking man. Dave said goodbye to the other guy, and turned his attention to me.

“Ah, so you’re Nova. I’m Dave, it’s nice to finally meet you.”

“You as well.”

“I’ve been gone the last two weekends, so I didn’t get to meet our newest arrival. How are things going so far? You familiar with everything?”

“I’m working on it.”

“If Jack is a handful, just let me know. I’ll fire him, and you can take his place.”

“Don’t tell her that,” Jack scoffed. “She’s good enough to do it.”

“Well, I don’t want to take anyone’s place,” I argued, but I was beaming on the inside from the compliment. “I love your ranch and I’m just happy to be here.”

“We’re happy to have you. Any friend of Austin’s is welcome in any capacity here.”

“Oh...thank you,” I replied, not sure what “any capacity” meant.

We talked for a few more minutes, and after Dave left to take care of some business in the stable office, I said farewell to Jack and headed for home.

The next two weekends were almost the same. By the same, I mean that Austin was not in Bakersfield. I didn’t know what it meant, but I was determined to take advantage of it and get my studies in at the ranch. I achieved what I wanted, but couldn’t get Austin’s face out of my head. Or his voice, or his smile. He even popped up in my dreams.

Waking up hot and bothered put a stupid grin on my face, but my romantic fantasies about him needed to stay out of my way.

By the beginning of May, I was on a consistent schedule with Jack. I loved being on the ranch, and I enjoyed the people I was around. I was still trying to get used to Lori, but since she wasn’t there much, I told myself to suck it up.

During the second weekend of the month, I was sitting in the backyard of the guesthouse, studying for my upcoming finals. It was Saturday, and Jack was gone for the afternoon, but since there wasn’t anything else for me to do, he told me to take the rest of the day off. I was just quizzing myself for my chemistry exam when the growl of an engine came up the road. I could see most of the lengthy driveway that came up to the ranch, and that Camaro was unmistakable.

My heart doubled in speed while I listened to it continue to the main house. I was pissed my stupid body was betraying me with a physical reaction.

I couldn’t concentrate after that, so I set the book on the chair and walked toward the fence. Bad Whiskey was nearest, and she came over to greet me.

“I should just hop on you to clear my mind, huh Whiskey? Should we go for a ride?”

I knew Sam was gone for the day to a horse event with her parents, and I was actually bummed I couldn’t go riding with her. I was told several times I was welcome to ride certain horses any time I wanted to, but I still didn’t feel comfortable doing much on my own. I was the new kid, and I didn’t want to overstep my bounds.

I returned to my chair and re-opened the book. I faltered through twenty minutes of studying before Clara stepped onto the back porch and said, “You’re needed at the office, sweetie.”

“Oh, okay. Who’s there? Lori?”

“Oh, not that office. The main house.”

My heart seemed to thud extra heavy. “Is everything okay?”

“I believe so. Probably needs paperwork from you or something. Can’t tell you how many times I’m summoned. I’m just special,” she said in a haughty voice, trying to hide a smile.

I smiled because of how much Clara did do, and I knew she kept track of all kinds of things to run the guesthouse efficiently.

I took my book up to my room, but while I was there, glanced in the mirror to make sure I looked presentable. I was barely upstairs for a minute before Clara called up and asked what was taking so long.

With an embarrassed smile, I descended the stairs. “I had to put my book away.”

“I’m teasing,” she said, handing me a dish with a lid. “Can you give this to Austin for me? Poor baby doesn’t have his mommy to cook for him today.” She spoke it sarcastically, but I knew Clara jumped at the chance to feed just about anybody.

By the time I made it to the main house, I had two dogs and a cat following me. Tilly and Max were at my side, and Swamp Grass the cat was at my other side. I wasn’t sure where they thought they were going with me, but they kept me good company while I waited for someone to answer the door. Finally, I just went inside, knowing other people did the same when they were at the business end of the house.

I set the food in the fridge, and then knocked on the office door.

“Yeah, it’s open,” Austin called.

My nerves worsened after hearing his voice. Just the thought of being face-to-face with him again made me want to retreat.

I took a deep breath before opening the door, and slowly peeked into the office. He was standing at the desk but leaning over it, writing something down. He looked up when I stepped into the room, and we both froze. I didn’t know what was going through his mind, but I hadn’t seen him for four weeks and my heart was jumping for joy just from the sight of him.

“Hey,” I finally said.

“Hey.”

We were both quiet again, and still pretty much motionless.

“Did you need something?” I asked.

He straightened, and dropped the pen on the desk. “I did, but I don’t even remember what it was,” he replied, taking a couple of steps toward me.

I mechanically shut the door behind me, just because of the way he was looking at me. Apparently, he had on his mind what I had on mine because I could feel it from him. And when he stopped in front of me, I was sure he could hear my heart pounding in my chest.