Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83777 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
I spent several days recuperating and even took a few days off work. I tried to keep up on class assignments and whatnot, but I mainly rested and watched movies. It was nice for the first day or so, but I was starting to get a little stir crazy. Jameson thought it would be good to get out for a while. And he was right.
Even though he’d been wonderful and attentive, I was beyond tired of being stuck in the house. When he suggested going out to Preacher’s place and seeing the horses, I was all in. The kids were, too. We loaded up and half an hour later, we were pulling into the drive.
He’d told me about the stables, and all that Tabitha and Preacher had done here, but I never expected it to be so incredible. The stables were state-of-the-art with enough stalls for thirty or more horses, and they had several workers, including a couple of the girls from the club. Together, they worked to give these horses a second chance, and I couldn’t imagine anything more wonderful.
“They’re beautiful. It’s hard to believe they were ever at a kill pen.”
“That’s what a little TLC will do for ya.”
“I’m serious.” I looked at all the beautiful horses, and I couldn’t imagine why anyone would want to put them down. “How has she managed to do all this?”
“It’s taken a lot of work, and Tabitha isn’t afraid to hurt feelings to get these guys what they need.”
“I love her.”
“Yeah, she’s pretty great.”
I glanced over at the kids and smiled. They were with Tabitha, laughing and talking as they fed a couple of the horses some carrots. For a moment, it felt like life was finally slowing down, and things were getting back to normal.
And that led me to turn to Jameson and say, “You know, you have quite a few acres over at your place. There would be plenty of room for a barn and a couple of horses.”
“Yeah, there’s plenty of room. No doubt there.”
“You should do it.”
His brow arched, and a slow smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Only if you and the kids move in to help.”
“Ummm, what?”
“Move in with me. We’ll set it up any way you want to, and we can get a barn and as many horses as you want.”
“Jameson…”
“I want you there. I want you all there.” He stepped closer and slid his arm around my waist, pulling me close. “I want to come home to you and have you in my bed and your coffee mug next to mine. I want to hear your kids fussing in the next room. I want all of it.”
There was no use fighting the tears. They started streaming down my face the second he said he wanted to come home to me. I wanted the same thing. I’d wanted it for so long, and now, it was finally happening. “Are you sure?”
He reached up and brushed away a tear that trickled down my cheek. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
I wound my arms around his neck, and as I hugged him, I let myself imagine waking up next to him, rushing the kids out of the house and off to school, only to come back home to a house that we’d made a home. I wanted that. I wanted him, so I said, “We’ll have to talk to the kids, but yes. We’ll move in with you.”
“Let me talk to them.” I was about to argue when he added, “They need to know that their opinion matters to me, and out of respect, I want to ask them the same way I asked you.”
“Okay, but can I be there?”
“Absolutely.”
We hugged for a moment longer, and I wiped my tears away just as Preacher and Tabitha walked up. Preacher had his arm draped over her shoulder like it belonged there, and it struck me how easy they made it look to just be together. It was like it was them against the world, and they were winning.
“Looks like the kids are enjoying themselves.”
“We all are. This place is amazing, and your horses are just beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Tabitha was practically beaming as she said, “We are very blessed to be able to do what we do. I just wish we could do more.”
“More,” Preacher scoffed. “You trying to put me in an early grave?”
“Don’t give me that,” Tabitha scolded. “You love them just as much as I do.”
“They’re alright.” Preacher gave her a wink. “Until I have to clean out a stall. Then, I wouldn’t give two cents for any of ‘em.”
“Oh, it’s not that bad.”
“Tell that to my aching back.”
Jameson tilted his chin toward the back of the barn, where a young girl was brushing down a feisty pony. Her movements were careful but sure, like she’d been around them her whole life. “How’s Gabby doing?”