Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Caden
“Hey,” I said, as I walked up to Ensley, who was shoeing one of the horses. “Working here today, huh?”
She glanced up and smiled. “Yeah. Emeline asked if I could help out with some things on this side of the ranch. Just getting the job part of my job over first.”
Nodding, I leaned against the wall as I watched my sister work. Just like Emeline, Ensley seemed to sense what the horses were feeling. When Ensley told our parents she wanted to be a farrier, no one was surprised. From the time Ensley was old enough to walk, she was in the barn with my mother, grandmother, and the horses. She was the animal lover in the family. The one who brought home every stray she found and rescued every wild animal.
“I’ve always wanted to ask you, why do you grab their tails?”
“They like it. Other horses in the herd will mess with each other’s tails. It’s like we’re buddies and this is a secret handshake.”
I smiled. “Cold forging still?”
“I can’t stand using a hot forge. Plus, the smoke smells like horse shit, so then I walk around smelling like that all the time.”
She made a horse noise as she got back to work.
“You speaking to her?”
Laughing, she said, “Why do you think they trust me so much? They think I’m a horse.”
“Would you ever see yourself doing something else?”
Ensley straightened and looked at me with a curious expression. “Never. I love my job. Why are you asking me all these questions?”
I shrugged. “We don’t talk much.”
Her brows drew down. “Caden…is everything okay?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
She motioned around her. “You’re asking questions like I’m a stranger.”
I sighed. “We used to be so close, Ensley. I told you everything, and you did the same. But I feel like for the last few years, I’ve pushed everyone away. I guess I’m just tired of doing that.”
Winking, she said, “You’re tired of being a grumpy asshole, you mean.”
“Something like that.”
She went back to work. “Can I be honest about something?”
“Always,” I said, as I bent and handed her the hammer.
After she pounded in a few nails, she looked up at me. “You’ve changed. In a good way. And I can’t help but notice that it was after Lilibeth spent a couple days trapped in that snowstorm with you.”
I couldn’t help the smirk on my face as she raised her brows.
“She’s part of the reason, yes. I think…after spending those days with her, she helped me move on from the hold that Rachel had over me.”
“That’s good.”
I nodded. “It is.”
“There’s nothing there between you guys?”
“Oh, there’s something between us. But we both decided it was best to walk away while we’re still friends.”
The sound of a horse riding up made me look over my shoulder…only to see the very object of our conversation.
“Speaking of,” Ensley mumbled with a slight laugh.
I watched as Lilibeth rode up and dismounted right outside the barn. She looked our way and waved.
“Hey, Lilibeth!” Ensley called out.
Marshall walked out and took the horse from her. She thanked him and started our way.
“How was the ride?” I asked, frowning as she grew closer. She looked tired, with dark circles under her eyes. And I’d swear she also looked like she’d lost weight over the last five days, since I’d seen her in Granby at the Greek restaurant.
“It was good. I needed the fresh air.”
“How’re you feeling?” Ensley asked.
Before Lilibeth could reply, I asked, “Are you still sick?”
“Stomach flu got me pretty good.” She cleared her throat and looked at Ensley, then me. “Caden, do you have a few minutes to talk?”
Clearly intrigued by what she wanted to talk about, I said, “Sure.”
“Emeline’s in her office, having a meeting. Is there somewhere else we can go?”
From the corner of my eye, I could see Ensley watching us. “If it’s privacy you want, you can use Mom’s office,” she suggested.
I looked at Lilibeth for an answer.
“That would be great. She wouldn’t mind?”
Motioning with my hand to head farther into the barn, I replied, “She won’t mind at all.”
“Thank you, Ensley.”
My sister smiled and gave her a nod. “Sure thing.”
As we walked through the barn, a few of the horses that were stabled poked their heads out in greeting. Lilibeth made sure to stop for each one and give them a pat or a kiss. A couple of times, she pulled out a peppermint to treat them. Once we got to my mother’s office, I opened the door and motioned for her to enter.
I shut the door, then frowned as she started to pace in front of the desk.
“Is everything okay?” I asked, crossing over to sit on the edge of the desk.
Now Lilibeth was wringing her hands as she paced.
“Lilibeth?”
She jerked to a stop and stared at me. I could see tears welling up in her eyes. I started to stand up, but she held up a hand.