I looked at Rose, eyeing me over the rim of her coffee.
“Well, if feeling like I’m standing stark raving naked inthe middle of Times Square after leaving her office means I’m getting something out of it, then yes.”
June grinned. “That’s good. Growth and comfort do not coexist. Remember that.”
“If that’s the truth. I should be healed.”
June’s head angled to the side. “Does Rose makes you uncomfortable?”
“Yes. In a good way, though, I’m coming to understand.”
“Says a lot for a former Marine.”
“War I could handle.”
“Being stripped of your armor, you can’t.”
“Rose is the first to do it.”
“She’ll be the last.”
I met Rose’s gaze across the table, where she’d set down her fork. A smile crossed my lips. June was right. Rose would be the last.
A moment slid by as Rose and I smiled at each other.
June clapped her hands, grinning now, too. “Alright then, now that we got that out of the way, tell me Rose, anything new on EAT?”
“What’s EAT?” I asked.
With that, the conversation slipped seamlessly from the third degree to the business proposal Rose had mentioned earlier that morning, between herself, June, and Kline and Associates. I listened to Rose talk about Equine Assisted Therapy and the healing power of horses, watching the passion as she spoke, her eyes lighting up at how many people the therapy could help. They’d asked my opinion on the proposal, and as I spoke about my business, Steele Shadows Security, I realized how much I missed it. It reminded me not only of the passion I had for my business, but also that I was damn good at it. It felt good, sitting there at the breakfast table, discussing business over a plate offlapjacks.Ifelt good, being able to help and provide insight.
And I realized then, Rose was bringing me back to life.
Rose, single-handedly, was healing me.
After breakfast, Rose wanted to show me the stable where she intended to conduct the therapy, to which I agreed because I didn’t want to leave the place. It felt like home, in a weird, different way. Like a family.
Like my future wife.
We took off down a rutted road that cut across the fields. The rain was coming down in sheets now.
“So what did you think?”
“Of breakfast, or of June?”
“Both.”
“Both could hold their own at any table.”
Rose smiled.
“She reminds me of you,” I said. “The mannerisms, the quick wit, the way she says so much with only a few words.”
Rose laughed. “Oh you have no idea. Her mind games are epic. Something always means something deeper. She’s hell on wheels.”
“Well, the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree there.” I winked. “She’s also fiercely independent. Like you.”
A line of concern ran between Rose’s brows. “She’s been alone for two decades. I worry about her.”
