“She’s sleeping. And it’s no secret to anyone in this town that I can’t keep my hands off my beautiful wife.” There’s a loud kissing sound and another smack.
“She’s awake, you fool.” Her tone is nowhere near as harsh as her words, and a low laugh follows. “Now, be a good host and get that bread on the table. Butter, too.”
Well, I guess I’ve been found out, but between not knowing where I was at first and kind of wanting to see how this little scene played out, pretending to be asleep seemed like the right choice.
Ignoring the pang in my chest at how sweet their entire interaction was, I clear my throat. “Morning.” Opening my eyes, I pull in a long breath, noting that my nausea is gone and my headache is nothing but an annoying twinge now.
“Hey, you.” Josie’s already smiling when I look up at her across the room to the open kitchen. “Feeling better?”
Sitting up slowly, I nod. “Yes, thank you.”
“Good. Now, are you normal, or do you drink herbal tea in the mornings, too?” Shoot. I guess she knows I heard the whole conversation.
“I’d love a coffee, please.” I stand and tidy the blanket and pillows I slept with, and when I approach the kitchen, there’s a hot cup in front of the vacant chair at the table, a steaming loaf of bread and some butter in the middle, sugar, cream, and milk sitting out. It looks like something I’ve seen in movies, with the soft sunlight pouring through the sheer curtains and a nice-looking couple sitting together for breakfast.
“Good morning. We weren’t properly introduced yesterday. I’m Beau.” The gentleman with sky-blue eyes and patches of gray hair around his temples smiles up at me.
“Nice to meet you, Beau. I’m Alice. Thank you so much for letting me stay here.” At that, Josie taps the table, nodding to the empty seat.
“Alice. That’s a lovely name.” She reaches for a slice of bread and bites into it without any butter. “Eat up,” Jo says around her mouthful as Beau chuckles into his coffee mug, eyes never leaving his wife.
I guess I might as well enjoy this before facing the realities of being homeless, starting a new job, and figuring out what to do with my sick grandmother and her uninhabitable house.
FOUR
ask for forgiveness, not for permission, right?
Alice
Beau and Josie asked surprisingly few questions, other than where I’d be working and what I do. The look they exchanged when I mentioned the ranch was quick but pointed. I don’t know what it meant, and I didn’t bother asking. I need the job, and I’m not going to give myself any reason not to take it when the owners seem like they’re decent people.
Not wanting to overstay my welcome, I thanked Josie and Beau again and promised I had a place to stay. I didn’t tell them that place would be a hotel thirty minutes outside of town because everything in Ojai is overpriced. They’re on a need-to-know basis, considering they’re practically strangers.
After a hot shower, a long stretching session, and another painkiller to make sure this headache doesn’t make a comeback, I check over the folder I put together with everything I need for my new job. I was nervous about taking this because, being an occupational therapist, Idon’t always get to choose the patients I’ll work with, but Owen and Maeve have decided to offer hippotherapy at their ranch, and it was always my dream to help people and be around horses all day. Once I discovered the peace that horses brought me, I had to pursue a career where I’d get to be around them.
I’d been at my last job for six months when I got the call that Gran had nearly burned her house down and would likely need to be moved into an assisted-living facility. It was impossible to make that happen from hours away, so here I am. Everything happened so fast, I hardly had time to register that in the two weeks since that call, I had emptied my apartment, quit my job, gotten a new one, and found a new roommate. Well, until last night, that is.
Regardless of yesterday’s drama, I’m glad I’ll see some horses today and set foot in a stable again. It is my happy place, after all.
I’m on my way there now, to sign paperwork and meet everyone in person. I’ve had a few calls with Rosemary, the Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor in charge of hiring me and Owen, one of the owners. His wife will also be there to meet me today, along with most of the staff. It’s a small team for now, which I’m kind of excited about. As excited as I’ll allow myself to get for this temporary position, anyway.
As I pull in, I take in the field of wildflowers to one side, a farmhouse in the distance with what must be an amazing view of the sunset over the mountains, and finally, the main barn.
I take in a deep breath the second I step out of my Jeep, allowing myself a moment to appreciate the sun on my face and the fresh air.
The crunch of gravel snaps me out of it, and I exhale slowly before facing whoever is headed toward me. Thankgoodness for video calls to prepare me for this moment, because the very tall, very blond man walking over here is drop-dead gorgeous. I knew he had a nice face, but whoa. This is… a lot. And he has a baby attached to him.
Goodness gracious.
My brain chooses this moment to remember strong arms and gentle brown eyes. The warm, spicy scent that enveloped me when I sat next to the man who managed to turn my day around with easy conversation and a slow dance. Until I went and messed it all up, anyway.
I shake myself out of my stupor and refocus on my new boss.
“Alice, hey!” He waves, and as he gets closer, stretches out a hand. “It’s so nice to finally meet you in person.”
Giving him a firm handshake, I smile at him and the adorable baby blowing raspberries on his chest. “Hi, Owen. Great to meet you as well. And who is this?”
“This is Douglas, our youngest.” His eyes soften as he gazes down at his son before looking up at me. “You ready to meet the crew? Maeve’s been very excited to meet you.” I swear his eyes sparkle when he says his wife’s name. What is in the water here, with all these couples happily in love? “Our head honcho isn’t here today. He has some training to attend and we’re looking to acquire some more horses and expand the stables, so he’s going to be working unusual hours for the next week or so.”
