I can’t stop myself from wondering if Ellie’s part of the reason, or has someone has said something to her? I was expecting Mabel to be cruel to me for a lot longer,I abandoned her, so I was expecting worse.
The Mabel I once knew could hold a grudge for months if she saw fit. Maybe becoming a mom has softened her?
I finish up the last stall for the day and move the horse safely back into her home. I give her a pat; she’s a pretty looking thing.
Realising I’d be here a lot longer than expected, I took Storm into one of the horse fields to let her roam about and eat some grass just after my interaction with Mabel and my new nemesis, Stallion. I walk past his stall, and he lets out a snort.Stubborn asshole.
I shake my head at him as my phone vibrates in my back pocket, pulling it out I see a text from Colter...
Colter; You done?
Me; Just finishing up...
Colter;Come up to the big house... You deserve a beer ;)
The man don’t have to tell me twice. I’m done in; I haven’t worked that hard in years.
Walking out of the barn door I stop in the place that I’d knocked Mabel onto her back and the place she turned to me and waved moments after. I shake my head from side to side, removing the smile creeping across my face.
I’m getting way ahead of myself.
I make the walk up to the barn, looking out towards the east, to our field. I’m pleased to see the Riggin’s hasn’t built there. Nostalgia sinks in at the feeling.Maybe she wouldn’t let them?
Reaching the gate securing the big house’s garden from the rest of the land, I push it open and see Colter already sitting on the porch, hiding his chair in the shade, beer already in hand.
A cool box sits in between his chair and the one I plan on occupying. Taking a seat next to Colter, I take my hat off my head and place it onto the side table next to me, running my hands over my face with my already dirty shirt to try and remove some of the sweat from my face.
Colter leans into the cool box and pulls out an ice-cold bud, handing it to me which I take willingly. I pop the cap off and take a hard gulp of the almost frozen beer. Placing it onto the table when I’ve had my fill, I lean forward and kick myariats off my feet which causes Colter to snicker at my actions.
“When was the last time you done that?” he asks.
“Too long, brother.” I smirk back at him, moving my boots over to the side of the chair, letting the breeze run through the gaping hole in my sock that formed at some point today.
Hearing the door slide from where we both sit, I notice Jane and Wyatt come out through the door. I look at them, holding my breath.
These people have always been like family to me; I need to apologise to them as much as anyone else.
I stand from my chair and hold my hand out to Wyatt; I feel the shakes in them without looking down at them.
“Come here, son,” Wyatt says, before pulling me into an embrace. I return the short hug and turn to look back at Jane with a tear forming.
“Maverick, you look well, honey.” Jane takes hold of me; her cheeks spread in a welcoming smile.
“Aunt Jane, you’ve not aged a day,” I say, winking at her as I hear Colter scoff. Releasing myself from her tight grip I walk back over to Colterand sit back down in my chair, reaching for my beer. Jane and Wyatt take the seats in front of us as I keep my eyes locked on the door.
Maybe she’ll come out as well?
I see Jane giving me that knowing look she used to when I was a kid and looks behind her, back at the door and smiles whilst shaking her head. She looks back at me and gives me a wink, the heat in my cheeks from being caught, you can never pass anything through her or my mom.
Colter shifts in his seat, and I turn my head back to face him as he clears his throat.
“So, Mav, tomorrow you don’t have to be here ‘till six in morning,” he starts as I listen, giving him my undivided attention.
“We’ll saddle up and check on the herd first thing. Jimmy’s watching the herd for the rest of the day due to the celebrations.” I let out a growl at the mention of that man’s name.
“Then, back to do the barn work that needs doing,” he says as I nod back at him in response, doing my best to ignore that man’s presence in their home.
“Then, it’s back up here to help me set up,” Jane shrieks, clasping her hands up to hide the excited smile spreading across her face. I laugh at her, looking in her direction.
