John’s eyebrow shot up. “Really?”
Ashley nodded and crossed her arms in front of her as she leaned against the doorjamb.
Chloe laughed and slapped her knee as if she were part of a vaudeville show. She let out a snort and we all mused at Harry’s misfortune.
“He’s inside getting cleaned up. I showed Judy where the washing machine is.” Chloe caught her breath and let out a big sigh. “That was hilarious. It stunk.” She held her nose and grinned at Ashley. “But I don’t think he thought it was so funny. He turned all red.”
“Oh my,” I said. “Maybe we shouldn’t be laughing about it.”
Chloe skipped over and dust billowed into the air like tiny puffs of smoke just before a volcano blows. She yanked at my hand and whispered in my ear. “That’s what he gets for trying to impress a girl.”
A smidge of guilt came over me for finding humor at Harry’s expense, but Chloe’s observation was priceless. John and Ashley led the horses into the barn.
Ashley called over her shoulder to Chloe, “Hey, you want to help me?”
Chloe skipped into the barn behind her, staying clear of Mocha’s back end. She went over to the shelves and grabbed a brush to groom Mocha’s freckled hide. John took the saddle from her back as Ashley slid a halter over her head. Chloe stroked Peaches’s nose while Ashley showed Chloe how to get the mud out of the horse’s hoof.
“You should face your horse,” Ashley said in soft, yet firm voice, picking up the horse’s hoof. “Looks like you guys went through some mud.”
“A little bit at the bottom of the trail,” John said. “At least there wasn’t standing water like last week. That was a mud bath.”
Ashley looked up with a smile. “But it sure was fun getting dirty.”
Chloe brushed Peaches’s coat and as she did, Peaches’s eyes softened and her tense muscles relaxed. Walter skipped into the barn holding an orange Popsicle in one hand and a grape one in the other hand.
“Harry’s just about clean. Mom said we shouldn’t laugh at him anymore when we get back to the house. You want a Popsicle, Chloe?”
Chloe raised an eyebrow as she inspected the treat. “No, I’ll get one later. I’d rather brush Peaches.”
Walter skipped over to where I sat.
“You want one?” he asked.
“I think I do,” I said. “What color do you think I would like?”
Walter held out the purple Popsicle.
“Good choice. And thank you.”
He sat beside me licking his cold treat while I nibbled on mine, thankful for the snack. My stomach grumbled.
Ashley cleaned Mocha’s feet while John fiddled with her bridle. Her shiny coat shimmered as the sun filtered through the dark barn.
“What else happened besides Harry’s little problem?” I asked.
Walter inspected the orange drips on his pants. “Nothing much.”
I finished my Popsicle and tossed the stick into the trash.
Chloe appeared to be disgusted. “You didn’t even read me the riddle on the stick,” she said.
“Sorry.”
“Remember how I couldn’t read those last summer?”
“How could I forget? Remember how many Junie B. Jones books we read together?”
“How could I forget?” She giggled to herself. “I love that girl.”
“My nieces read those stories.”
Chloe stroked Peaches’s neck with the brush. The horse raised her chin in the air with a heavy sigh. Chloe scooted in and brushed her chest. Peaches closed her eyes and relaxed her hindquarters. “Yeah,” Chloe told Ashley, “Maggie helped me read better. Actually, she’s helped me do a lot of things better.”
Walter picked up a chunk of orange ice from his jeans, plopped it into his mouth, and then sucked on it until it was gone. “I’d read you mine, but I can’t read that good yet.”
“It’s okay. They’re usually stupid anyway,” Chloe said, taking a comb to Peaches’s mane.
Leaning back against the wall, I watched Walter toss his stick into the trash.
“I may not be able to read so well, but I can make a basket.” He licked orange drips from the back of his hand.
“Maybe we should get you cleaned up for dinner,” I said.
“Whatever you say, but it’s really just my hands.” He held up his sticky fingers. “See.”
“Yeah, okay.” I stood up, stretched my legs, and walked over to the corral where John leaned up against the fence. I rested my arms on the split rail then laid my chin on my hands. “I think I’m going to take Walter in and get him cleaned up for dinner.”
“You glad you went to see the cattle today?”
“Yeah, I got more than I bargained for.”
Sunnyside Up came to the fence and nudged me with her nose.
“In a good way, I hope,” John said, running his fingers through her mane.
“Yeah, in a good way.” I winked.
“So what are you waiting for?” He took a deep breath.
I shrugged. “I don’t know.” I sighed, taking in his whole body that pressed up against mine just hours ago. A cool breeze picked up as I thought about our afternoon kiss.
John tugged at the front of his Stetson. “Did you feel that?”
Tiny goose bumps prickled my arms. “Yeah.”
“Good,” he said.
Chloe came out of the barn and wiggled her way through the slats of the fence to see Sunnyside Up, brush still in hand. “Thought she might like a good brushing, too.”
Leaning against the fence, I marveled at her charm. Sunny loved the attention. Her momma Ray watched from a distance. “Must be magic.”
John rubbed his stubbly chin that was looking more and more like his dad’s each day. “That, and a little bit of trust.”
“Yeah, must be.”
Chloe spoke to Sunny as she worked her way around her. “I think I’m getting better at this. Wish I had someone to brush my hair every day. Maggie did my braid today.” Chloe showed Sunny her braid. “It looked way better this morning, but like anything, it gets wrecked and you just have to do it over again.”
Sunny pawed the ground with her hoof.
“Okay, I’ll get back to brushing,” Chloe said.
I repeated Chloe’s words in my head. Just like anything, it gets wrecked and you have to do it over again.
Chloe produced a sugar cube from her pocket and held it in the palm of her hand just like John showed her. While Sunnyside Up devoured her treat, Chloe’s belly shook with laughter. “Your lips tickle.” Sunnyside Up nudged Chloe. “Okay, okay, you can have another one.” Chloe dug into her pocket. Sunny swished her tail with delight when Chloe showed her the treat. Sunnyside snatched up the treat then whinnied.
“So do you think my lips tickle when I kiss you?” John whispered in my ear.
I peered at him out of the corner of my eye. “Truth?” Scrunching my lips together, I thought about how nothing seems to matter when he’s kissing me.
“Truth.” He rested his foot up on the bottom rail.
My belly tingled when I thought about his touch.
“So do they?”
“You’re not going to let this go, are you?”
“Nope.”
“Fine,” I said. “Kind of, but in a different way.”
John’s brow furrowed as he studied Chloe and Sunny. “What’s that mean?”
“Promise you won’t laugh?” I asked.
“Scout’s honor,” he said, holding up three fingers.
I scowled at him. “Were you even a scout?”
He frowned.
“You were never a scout.”
“Okay, okay, so you’re not the only liar around here.”
“Hey, don’t judge. I only fib when it’s necessary.”
John smirked. “Okay, neighbor lady,” he said with a laugh.
“Geez,” I said, picking at my thumbnail.
“So …?”
“So what?” I shot back
.
“Come on, you were going to tell me a secret about how you feel when I kiss you.”
His eyes sparked with excitement. I wondered if I had that same infectious aura. “It doesn’t tickle. It …” I took a deep breath and held his gaze. Why was it so difficult to just say the words? Why was it so damn difficult to just feel? I covered my eyes with my hand and put my head down like an embarrassed child. John poked my side making me jump. His cackle, a deeper version of Chloe’s laugh. “All right.” I composed myself then reminded myself to breathe.
“Geez, you’re a mess.” John rubbed his jaw.
“Thanks for the boost of confidence.” I said. “Not everyone is as outgoing as you.”
“Seriously,” he said with a straight face.
“Seriously.” I looked away then swallowed the foolishness at the back of my throat. “It makes me feel alive. I haven’t felt that in years.”
John touched my cheek.
“There, I said it. Now what?” I asked, lowering my gaze.
“That was a good first step.” He seemed quite pleased with himself. “I think I heard someone say that everyone blooms in their own time.”
I wrinkled my nose at him. “Um, I think that was me.”
John pressed his lips together and brushed the end of my nose with his forefinger. “You should listen to yourself. You’re a pretty smart lady. Your time will come.”
The corner of my mouth lifted as the sun struck our backs. His words lingered in my head just like all the other silly ideas, fears, and notions that came my way, the emphasis on the word, trust.
Chapter 15
While staring out the window at the kids, I rinsed off dinner dishes in the kitchen sink. Outside, the boys played and skipped rocks across the creek. Chloe snuggled with French Fry in a chair. I was feeling the ride in my hindquarters, but ignored the ache in my backside. Judy brought me a Beltian White.
“I love this beer,” I said. “We need to take some back to Michigan with us.”
“It’s a peace offering,” she said, “in case I needed one.”
“You don’t need one. I think I’m over it.”
“I didn’t mean to push you. Obviously, you need your space.” Judy sipped at her beer.
I cleared my throat, wiped my hands on the dishtowel, and then took a long swig of the ice-cold beer. “Damn, this stuff is good.” Good enough to move out here for. I kept that tidbit to myself. Getting Judy started again was not my intention.
“Come on, finish those up already,” Judy prodded. “It’s getting dark and John’s making a bonfire.”
“I’m going as fast as I can. This is the first time in—” I stopped to think. “Forever that I’ve actually been able to slow down, enjoy the days.”
Judy leaned against the counter. The curve of her back hugged the edge of the granite. “Yeah, it’s different out here. The air, the tick of the clock.”
“I know,” I said. “Pure nature sure does beat fertilizer for the perfect lawn, pollution, people, and cars. Even the thistle is pretty. Things seem slower and in a good way.” I loaded the last of the silverware in the dishwasher, added the soap, and then closed the door and started it.
“You’re thinking about it, aren’t you?” Judy asked pointedly. “I’m sure it’s scary, Maggie, but damn it it’s real.”
Sipping my beer, I raised an eyebrow at her. “We got any more of these in the refrigerator?”
“Yeah, lots. John heard you say you liked these and bought a bunch when he went out to check the ditches yesterday.” Judy inspected my every move. “Just tell me you’re at least thinking about it.”
I picked at my thumbnail. “Whatever I say stays between us.”
Judy scooted closer as I spoke.
“I mean it,” I said.
She put up her free hand and backed away. “All right. Must be serious if you’re so testy about it.”
I sipped my beer in silence.
“Doesn’t it get tiring beating the same old drum?” Judy whispered.
I pinched her bicep. She had muscular arms for a petite woman. I held my breath and thought about her wealth of gumption. She could handle a Suburban, two boys, and a frisky husband without batting an eyelash.
“Yeah, it kind of does.” The admission, lightening my load.
Judy choked on her beer. A few drops even came out her nose.
“Excellent. That was a better reaction than I imagined.”
Judy wiped her nose with the back of her hand.
“Oh, now I know where Walter gets it from,” I said.
Judy wrinkled her brow and grabbed a napkin from the basket on the island. “You know, you’re kind of mean,” she said with a glint in her eye.
“Well, when you hang out every day with seven-year-olds, you learn a thing or two. It’s not always a bed of roses, or a bowl of cherries, lots of times you get the thorns or just the pits,” I said.
“I know you love your students, or you wouldn’t get so worked up about everything. They’re lucky to have you.”
“Maybe, but in some cases, I just wish I knew my efforts made a dent.”
Judy pinched my bicep as I flexed my muscle. “I think you’re getting buff hanging around here. Ashley told me that your metabolism works harder here cause of the elevation.”
I finished my beer. “Maybe that’s why I’m so hungry.” I put the can in the sink and asked for another.
“Have as many as you like. I think John might enjoy seeing you tipsy. Maybe you just might let that guard down of yours just a teensy bit.”
I popped the top and sipped the foam from the lid. “Ha-ha. You’re so funny. I don’t think so. I don’t know how to even do that.”
Judy cleared her throat. “From what I saw, I beg to differ.”
My stomach flip-flopped. “Yeah, maybe I need a few more of these.” I jumped when Walter’s piercing squeal resonated through the kitchen.
Judy set her beer down and rushed to his side. “What’s the matter?” She pushed his hair back, inspected his face, checked for blood, but only discovered leftover orange Popsicle residue. “What’s the matter?”
Walter’s lower lip quivered. “Harry said he was going to put horse poop in my shoes when I go to bed. Can I sleep with my shoes on?”
“Why would he do that? What did you do to him?” Judy asked.
“Good question,” I said.
Walter’s dark glare warned me.
I lifted the beer to my lips and sipped slowly.
“I didn’t do anything,” Walter said. “Harry’s just mean.”
“He isn’t going to put horse manure in your shoes and, no, you can’t sleep with your shoes on. I’ll talk to him when I get out there.”
Walter surveyed the clean counter. “I’m hungry.”
“Me, too.” I set my beer down and checked the cupboard next to the refrigerator. “Maybe we better have a s’more before bed.”
Walter’s mood lightened at the mention of food. “Good idea, Maggie.”
Judy went outside. I could see her talking to Harry who was pleading his case by the look of his hand gestures and creased expression. I knelt down beside Walter. “Seriously, what did you do to make him mad?”
Walter’s sheepish grin validated my instincts. “Promise you won’t tell? Stick a needle in your eye?”
“Sure,” I said.
He stuck his balled-up hand in my direction with his pinky pointing directly at me. “You have to pinky swear.”
He eyed me like a hot fudge sundae. Crap. He was going for the gusto. I hesitated, but then stuck out my pinky and hooked it with his. “Now, what did you do?”
“I told Ashley that Harry loved her,” Walter said proudly.
I raised my eyebrow at him.
“What? It’s true. He tries to act all grown up around her and that’s no fun. It’s just stupid. Even Chloe thinks so. Do I still get a s’more?”
I thought about rewarding him with two, but I decided against abiding a mi
dget criminal mind at work. His capability exceeded his size and he had Judy wrapped around her little finger. “Sure.”
Judy came back in. “He says you started it, Walter.” She planted her hands on her hips.
I pretended to zip my lips behind her back then I reached around her to get the graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows.
“I did not. Are you going to punish me for telling the truth? Is that what they do to you in court when you tell the truth?”
Judy grunted. “You’ve been listening to your father too much. Could you do me a favor and just stay out of Harry’s business?”
“What?” Walter’s voice squeaked. “He really does love Ashley.” He pressed his lips together and pouted like a puppy dog.
“Thanks for the info. You just indicted yourself,” Judy informed him.
“Oh man,” he said, shoving a marshmallow in his mouth.
I handed him another marshmallow. “Better luck next time,” I said. “You almost got away with it.”
Judy grabbed his ear and he stared up into her dark eyes. She meant business. “Look, mister, you are going to apologize to your brother, then when he’s not around, you are going to apologize to Ashley for embarrassing her, too. Someday you’re going to feel the same way about someone and you’re not gonna want me around announcing it to the public, or do you? ’Cause I can remember this for a long, long time.” Her voice grew deeper and more serious with each word.
I stepped back.
Walter grimaced. “Okay, okay, I get it. Can you let go now? That kind of hurts.”
Judy bent down and met her youngest son on his level. “Oh, you have no idea the damage I can do.”
Walter stepped back then glanced over at me. I pretended to zip my lips for other reasons now.
“All right. I’ll apologize,” he said.
Judy patted him on his rear-end and sent him out the door.
“Nice job,” I said, clinking my can with hers. “I might be mean, but you are a little scary. I like it.”
Her wicked smile, infectious. “We’ll see if it works.”
“Nothing is ever foolproof,” I said.
“Yeah, you’re right about that. I have to say, they’ve been pretty good.”
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