by R. J. Layer
Monday evening after a grueling ten-hour day, she cooled off with a cold drink of water on the back deck. As she sat absorbing the peacefulness that surrounded her, her thoughts drifted, unbridled, to Maria. Following dinner, when she was at the computer checking her email, she searched the Internet for information on autism. For more than an hour, she read numerous articles with facts and misconceived notions about children with autism. She wondered if she hadn’t been told Maria’s son was autistic, if she would have guessed. At their first meeting, the only things obvious to Jo were that he appeared very shy and attached to his mother. Of course, he didn’t speak, but a lot of terribly shy kids didn’t, she reasoned.
She recalled having watched a news story about children with autism interacting with animals. Grabbing a beer, she researched the topic further, finding an article about therapies and read countless parents’ stories that praised the positive effect animals have on these children who seemed otherwise locked in their own little worlds. Remembering Maria’s mention of taking Matt to the zoo when she dropped off her house-warming present, she decided she was going to make it a priority to get Maria and Matt out for a visit with her horses. She’d call later in the week and maybe, just maybe, they’d come by over the weekend.
Before Jo had a chance to call Maria, though, Maria left Jo a message to please call when she had a few minutes. Jo’s heart pounded in her chest like horses’ hooves in a full-out gallop. She gulped down a beer to calm the nervousness unsettling her insides. Out on the front porch she returned the call, disappointed when it went to voice mail. She left a message, tucked the phone in her jeans pocket, tipped her head back and closed her eyes to let the effects of the beer completely relax her. Ten minutes later her phone vibrated in her pocket and her heart started hammering again.
“Hi!”
“Hi!” Maria replied. “I’m sorry I missed your call. I had Matt in for his bath.”
Jo hadn’t given any thought to how busy Maria would be with Matt when they were home. “Don’t give it another thought. I’m sure you have responsibilities I can’t even wrap my head around.”
Maria sighed. “I wouldn’t trade motherhood for anything.”
Jo didn’t doubt that for a minute. “So, were you calling to take me up on my offer to visit the farm for some relaxation?”
“Actually I am.”
Jo’s heart danced a rhythm faster than she thought possible.
“I thought we could stop out sometime on Saturday if that would be okay.”
“We?”
“Matt and I. That won’t be a problem will it?”
“Heck no! Bring whoever you want.”
“Is there a time that would be better than another?”
“Nope. Come whenever. I’ll be around all day.”
“If anything changes and we’re not coming, I’ll call, but I’m pretty sure at this point you can expect to see us in the late afternoon after my appointments.”
“Great! I’ll see you Saturday.” Jo was simply giddy.
“I’m looking forward to it. See you then.”
* * *
Saturday couldn’t arrive soon enough for Jo. She worked in the room that served as her office, trying to put it in some kind of order, but failed miserably at the task because she couldn’t stop going to the window to watch for Maria’s car. By three she was so fidgety she gave up on the office and went to the barn. She grabbed a two-way radio, told Tucker she was going for a ride out towards the reserve and to call if her expected guests showed up. She and Cobalt had just passed through the gate to the field between the pasture and reserve when the radio on her hip crackled with Tucker’s voice.
“Hey, boss, if you’re expectin’ someone in a little black car they’re here. If not you have an unexpected guest.”
Jo keyed the radio. “Thanks. Hey, Tucker, would you ask them to wait for me at the fence beside the barn? I’m on my way in now.”
Jo hurried back through the gate and ran Cobalt as fast as he wanted to go. She caught sight of the two figures standing hand in hand as she neared and eased back on the reins to slow Cobalt to a trot. She was breathing as hard as the horse, and he’d been doing all the work. When she stopped shy of the fence, Cobalt danced around and something like fear sparked in Maria’s eyes. Tucker ambled over as she dismounted and wrapped the reins around the fence rail.
She hopped up on the fence. “Glad you made it.” Maria smiled apprehensively, keeping her eye on the stallion. “Can you tell if Matt’s afraid of the horse?”
Maria’s eyes never left Cobalt. “I don’t think so. He’s been tugging on my hand since he saw you ride up.”
Jo straddled the fence. “But you’re afraid.”
“Yes, I guess I am.” Maria swallowed.
Jo made a click so Cobalt would raise his head. She patted and rubbed his neck. “They really are gentle giants.” She noted that Matt’s eyes were fixed on the horse. “Would you like to pet my horse, Matt?”
He didn’t utter a sound but pulled free of his mother’s grasp and approached the fence. Maria remained frozen in place, terror in her eyes.
“It’s okay, he won’t hurt him.” She continued to stroke the horse’s neck. “Tucker, could you help him up on the fence?”
Tucker scrambled over the fence and lifted Matt up to stand on the fence so he could reach over the top rail.
Jo talked softly. “Cobalt here loves to have his chin scratched.” Jo held Cobalt by the bridle and demonstrated where to scratch him. “I promise he won’t hurt you.”
Matt reached out tentatively and mimicked Jo’s motion. When Cobalt lifted his head slightly and whinnied his pleasure, Matt jerked his hand away, but only briefly, before returning it to the horse’s soft coat. She looked at Maria watching her son intently. When Maria’s gaze drifted to her, Jo smiled.
“I think my horse made a new friend. You wanna…” Jo tipped her head toward Matt and Cobalt.
Maria shook her head. “I’m perfectly content to watch from right here.”
It was tough not staring at Maria. She looked nothing like the professional businesswoman today. Her dark hair hung loosely around shoulders exposed by a white sleeveless blouse. Her longer than usual full skirt billowed every so often in the warm breeze and on her feet were flat-soled sandals. She looked comfortable and like she belonged on the farm.
“Whoa, boy.” Cobalt was backing away and Matt could no longer reach him, but continued to try. “I think he’s had his fill of chin scratching. How would you like to meet another one of my friends, Matt?”
He turned and looked at his mother. Maria’s face lit up as she looked back at him. When Tucker helped him down, he returned to Maria’s side and tugged her hand.
“I’ll unsaddle him and meet you on the porch.”
Maria coaxed Matt toward the house.
When Jo trotted Cobalt into the barn, Tucker took hold of the bridle. “I got this. Go visit with your company.” Jo slipped into the tack room, returned the radio and met Tucker in the doorway carrying her saddle. “The boy is handicapped in some way?” Jo nodded. “He sure seemed to like the horse.”
Jo smiled. “It appears so.”
Tucker dropped the saddle on the stand. “Well, it’s a right nice thing you inviting him out here.”
“Kids deserve happiness.”
Tucker lifted his hat and wiped his forehead. “Can’t argue that.”
“Have you seen Jake recently?” They walked out into the barn.
“No, but he’s been keepin’ an eye on somethin’ I’m pretty sure is livin’ under the tool shed out back.”
Heading out of the barn, she whistled loudly and by the time she got to the porch where Maria and Matt stood, Jake came running around the corner of the house. He stopped at her side and she grabbed his collar when he barked at the strangers on his turf.
“Jake,” she scolded. “I told you that’s no way to greet company.” His tail wagged his whole body as he pulled her toward the steps. Matt escaped Ma
ria’s grasp, dropped to his knees at the bottom of the steps and let Jake proceed to lick his face.
“Jake, stop!”
Maria smiled. “He’s fine. I’m sure dog saliva isn’t hazardous to his health.”
Jo stepped beside Jake and brushed her fingers over his back. “It’s not that. I’m hurt that he doesn’t kiss me like that anymore.” She frowned and Maria laughed. She joined Maria on the steps. “What can I get you two to drink? I have water, juice and of course beer.”
“I’d love a beer, but—”
“The horse thing has your nerves a little jangled.”
“Yes, but Matt and I will share a juice.”
Jo removed her Stetson once inside, ran her fingers through her damp hair in an attempt to make it look presentable in some fashion and returned to the porch with a juice and two beers.
“I shouldn’t,” Maria said right away.
Jo put the cold bottle in her hand. “A few sips couldn’t hurt. Whatever you don’t drink, I’ll finish.” She sat the juice on the steps. “Here’s a cold drink for you, Matt, and don’t worry, Jake doesn’t like juice.”
Jo motioned Maria to the lawn chairs while Matt and Jake continued to get acquainted. She took a long drink of her beer, noting the look of indulgence on Maria’s face as she sipped her own.
“So, uh…uh…” Jo gulped a drink of beer and cleared her throat. “Where are you originally from ‘cause I can’t imagine it’s Ohio?” Jo could not take her eyes off Maria.
Maria took only a small sip and placed her beer down on the porch. She shifted in the chair to face Jo. “I was born in Mexico. We moved to Texas when I was four, so I grew up in the United States. My younger sister was born in Texas, and we have two older brothers.”
“Ohio’s a long way from Texas.”
“I married right out of college.” She hesitated a moment. “His work and family brought us here.”
Jo hoped she wasn’t being too nosy. “And Matt’s father, what does he do?” The light in Maria’s eyes faded.
“Sales in the beginning, but he’s a regional vice president now, so he travels quite a bit.” With sad eyes she looked down at her son. “It’s just me and Matt a lot of the time.”
She seemed happier talking about her biological family so Jo changed the topic back. “So, two older brothers, were they tough on you?”
Maria gave a little smile. “Actually, they weren’t that bad. They were pretty protective when they weren’t wrestling me in the dirt.” Jo felt a pang of envy, which turned into regret when Maria continued. “They don’t approve of my husband so we’ve lost touch since the wedding. My parents and I don’t talk often either. They moved back to Mexico a few years ago to help take care of our grandparents. It might be different if they could talk to their grandson, but…”
“Do you ever wish you’d grown up in Mexico?” Jo asked, looking to move their conversation to a less painful topic.
Maria’s gaze drifted to the tree-lined drive. “No. We lived so far south that we were almost at the border. When we were young, we used to spend a month every summer with our grandparents in Mexico, so I feel like I got plenty of exposure to my culture and heritage. I had opportunities in the states I wouldn’t have had in Mexico. I do find as I grow older, I miss the quiet where we grew up.”
Jo recalled her first taste of “peacefulness” that summer she spent at camp, far, far away from the sounds of the city. It was then she decided she wanted to live in the country when she grew up.
She inhaled the fresh air. “The country sure had its advantages.”
Maria turned her attention to Matt seated on the bottom step, juice in one hand and the other repetitively stroking Jo’s big gentle dog. “Yes, I suppose it does.” She reached down for her beer, but stopped. “So how is your business doing here in Ohio?”
Jo talked with more confidence than she was feeling about things that had been going on since relocating. Maria listened intently. When a dusty brown car with the red and blue beacons on its roof rolled slowly up the drive a short time later, Jo sidestepped Matt and Jake and met Kate half a dozen feet from the porch. When Jake barked, Matt pressed his cheek to the dog’s head and continued petting him. Jo frowned at the dog, looked at Maria with one brow raised and turned her attention back to Kate.
“Deputy.”
Kate tipped her chin up. “Hey, Jo.” She looked past her at Maria seated on the porch. “Sorry to interrupt.” When Jo said nothing in response, Kate shoved her hands in her pockets. “Uh…some of us were going to go out, uh…you know, for a few drinks tonight. Anyway, I uh…thought I’d ask if you wanted to join us.”
Jo slipped her hands in her back pockets. “Thanks, but I can’t.”
Kate looked past Jo again at Maria. “Oh, sure, maybe next time.”
Maria stood. “Jo, don’t let us keep you from anything. We should be going.”
Jo spun on the heel of her boot and met Maria’s eyes. “You’re not keeping me from anything.” Jo rolled her eyes, hoping that Maria would somehow read her mind. “I do have things to do later this evening.” Maria gave a slight smile and sat back down, and Jo faced Kate again.
“Well, if you change your mind, Jo, we’re going to a little place called Whispers up in Prescott. It’s right on Highway 10 as you head into town. Hope to see you.”
Jo stayed put until the patrol car was headed down the drive.
“Not to sound school-girlish, but I think the deputy likes you, Jo,” Maria said teasingly. Jo closed her eyes and shook her head. “Did I read something wrong?”
Jo sighed. “God, I hope so. I’ve got enough on my plate already.”
“Really?”
Jo waved her hand around the farm even though her property was only a tiny portion of what was presently causing her plate to overflow, and Maria nodded.
Jo dreamed of Maria again that night and then on Sunday shared another agonizing dinner with her parents. On the drive home, she found herself recalling the day before with so much clarity that it warded off her usual depressed feelings. The sight of Maria waiting by the fence yesterday had nearly stolen her breath. She was that beautiful. Jo couldn’t help smiling every time she thought of Maria. She didn’t want to.
Chapter Eight
A week passed without anything from Maria. Jo wanted to call her but resisted the temptation. It seemed Maria had found the farm relaxing and that Matt found a kinship with her animals, so…with an open invitation Jo could only hope they would return. Of course Kate didn’t stay away. She stopped in Saturday afternoon with another dinner invite. Jo finally accepted, but only because she planned to use the occasion to let Kate know that she wasn’t looking for any involvements.
They had a pleasant time, actually. Jo liked talking with her, and when she broached the subject Kate appeared okay with the fact that Jo wasn’t interested in dating. Back at the farm, Kate walked her to the door. Jo placed a chaste kiss on her cheek and thanked her again before slipping into the house—alone.
Way to go, Jo. That is the stupidest thing you’ve ever done. First tell Kate you’re not interested in anything beyond friendship and then send a mixed signal like that kiss.
She dropped her head back against the door.
When two weeks slipped past and she still hadn’t seen or spoken to Maria, Jo began to wonder if maybe Maria had been put off by Kate’s surprise visit and the reality of Jo’s lifestyle. Maria’s teasing comment could have simply been a way to cover her discomfort. Jo was sitting on the porch fretting about it and nursing a beer when Kate pulled in. She drained the last sip as Kate got out of the car, a familiar brown bag in her hand and a smile on her face.
“Dinner break.” Kate raised the bag as she stepped on the porch. “Thought I’d see if you want to join me.”
Kate didn’t lack tenacity. She was also focused and driven, both qualities Jo respected. And it was kind of cute how nervous Kate got when she was around her, in complete contrast to her tough cop bravado. She waved her inside
.
“Wow! Still can’t decide what to put where?” Kate eyed her makeshift bed, now located on the couch.
“I’ve had other, more pressing things to deal with.”
“Oh? Like the woman that was here a few weeks ago?” Kate asked pointedly.
Jo bristled. Kate’s tone hinted at jealousy. Did she think that they were such good friends that she was entitled to an answer? Jo pushed a bottle of water across to Kate, but she motioned to Jo’s beer.
“I think I’d rather have one of those.” Jo opened the beer and handed it to her. Kate took a gulp. “Is that Hispanic woman one of your more pressing things?”
Jo stared at her for a long minute before answering. “Not that it’s any of your business, but that woman’s son is autistic. Do you know anything about autism?” Kate shrugged and shook her head. “He’s essentially locked inside himself. I can’t even begin to imagine what that must be like, but he seems to enjoy animals. So there’s an open invitation for him and his mother to come out here. Is that enough of an explanation for you?”
Jo knew she sounded antagonistic, but she didn’t much care, dammit. Kate had no right to pry into her personal life. Jo’s crush on Maria had nothing to do with her inviting Maria and Matt to come to the farm whenever they wanted. That was purely time for them. Hell, maybe she should forget all about boarding and training horses and teaching riders. Maybe she should get herself a stable of horses and offer services to kids like Matt who needed something in their life that made them smile the way Matt smiled around the animals.
“Whoa, I was only asking.” Kate took a quick gulp of beer, keeping her eyes pinned on Jo’s. “That’s pretty unselfish of you.”
Jo decided to let it go. She couldn’t handle even one more stress, and Kate seemed earnest. As they enjoyed their food, Kate talked about the bar in Prescott and suggested none too subtly that Jo check it out when she wasn’t so busy.
“You seem different tonight, Jo. I don’t know, kind of sad. Everything okay?”
