“They sense fear, and it’s pouring off you,” he grunts, like it explains everything.
“Not fear, agitation,alarm,” I correct.
The creases in his forehead deepen.
“And for the record, pretty sure I’ve heard that before,” I add.
Silence.
Everything about this moment feels too intimate for a man I don’t know. His body less than a foot from mine, rubbing the fatigue out of his mare’s muscles.
“The bit about animals sensing fear,” I clarify. “My grandpa used to say that.”
“Smart man.” He grimaces.
“He was a dairy farmer. Probably still is, though I haven’t spoken to him…” There’s that sting again. “In ages.”
More silence.
“It was a long time ago,” I say. “I should be over it.”
He stops, wetting his lips and drawing my eyes. “Never believed in shoulds.”
Can’t disagree. I nod, eyes blurring as I continue combing, slower movements now, intentional breathing and focus.
Finally, he lifts a hand, and I pull back the brush, expecting a thank you, anything. Instead, he wordlessly leads her back to a stall.
Trevor never quits talking, especially on whiskey. Now, I’m with a guy who wouldn’t vocalize a five-alarm fire that started on his sleeve.
“What’s her name?” I call after him.
Nothing.
Right at the moment I’m certain he didn’t hear me, he mutters, “Dolly.”
“And this beauty?” I ask as he brings the other back around.
“Dasher.” He says it like every syllable costs him something. I get a feeling he’s not used to visitors around here.
“As in the reindeer?” I chuckle, scrunching my nose.
He glares stony-faced.
“Where’d you get them?”
I wait for it … the aloof silence.
Instead, he grumbles, “Slaughterhouse auction.”
A shiver runs down my spine. “Really? But they’re beautiful? Why would anybody…?”
“Nice and easy,” he scolds as I step forward. “More skittish than her sister.”
“Great.” A little puff of air escapes my lungs.
“You’ve been warned,” he growls. But Dasher nuzzles him with her nose, begging for pets and scratches he gives stoic-faced. Like she’s calling him on his grumpy bluff.
“Dasher doesn’t seem too intimidated by you,” I chuckle.
