It had been a long week for Lauren because she was wrapping up two projects, and she’d missed a workday last Monday because of our extended first date.
Unfortunately, my schedule had been heavy, too, and I’d had a ton of things to attend to with a few of my investments.
Nevertheless, I wished I could have taken on the job of exercising Millie’s horse off her hands, but that wasn’t possible. My aunt owned a delicately built Gypsy Vanner horse that wouldn’t appreciate a big rider like me.
Most of the time, Millie could get out and ride, but the winter cold had been hard on her arthritis this year.
Lauren and I had done our morning exercise at my place, but we’d cut our sessions a little short because we’d both had busy days ahead.
Other than that, we hadn’t seen each other in person.
We hadn’t had our second date, and that was unacceptable to me.
I almost wished that I hadn’t agreed to spend our Friday night with my cousins, but I consoled myself with the knowledge that we’d be spending the rest of the weekend together at my place.
The family was all having dinner at Tanner’s so they didn’t have to drag the baby out into the cold.
The temperatures had been unusually brutal the last few days, especially at night.
Me:Anything I can do to help?
Lauren:Not unless you want to help me shower and get dressed.
Fuck!I wasn’t quite sure if that comment was suggestive…or not.
With Lauren, sometimes it was hard to tell.
Most of her comments weren’t meant to be sexual because she was still so damn innocent.
Me:If I did that, we’d definitely be a lot later than you are already. In fact, we’d probably never show up for dinner at all.
Lauren:Pervert.
I smirked.
Me:Youhave no idea how depraved I can be. Be careful driving home. I’ll see you shortly.
“I take it that you’re getting ready to leave,” Asher said as he finished the beer he was drinking and tossed the bottle into the trash. “I noticed that your horse trailer is hooked up to your truck. Are you moving your Arabians somewhere?”
My brother had stopped by after work, and we’d taken some time to catch up.
It was the first time we’d seen each other all week.
I shook my head. “Nah. I’m going to move Lauren’s horse, Daisy, from Tanner’s barn to mine. The weather is supposed to get a little warmer this weekend. We’ll probably try to get in a ride. It just makes more sense to keep Daisy here so Lauren can ride her more often.” I paused before I asked, “So are we officially done searching our property?”
Asher nodded, his expression regretful.
“I think we should try doing Millie’s. At least the route that someone would have traveled from our place to hers. Do you think our father abused Mom?”
Lauren had filled me in on what Millie had said about our mother and their relationship.
I’d just finished sharing that information with Asher before Lauren’s text.
“He did,” Asher answered. “She hid it, but I saw those bruises on her face, too. I also remember how he used to treat her and how cruel he was to her. I can’t say I’m surprised that she wanted to leave him.”
“I don’t think she really wanted to leave us,” I replied.
Asher shook his head. “She didn’t. She loved us. If she left, I have to believe that she would have taken us with her. I don’t think she ever left the ranch, Cole. Millie said she didn’t think Mom was planning on leaving immediately. I guess we should give that route on Millie’s property a try. I’ll talk to her next time she stops by.”
