“I’ve been patient and understanding…”
I scoff. Major is none of those things.
“Are you telling me my time here is done? You brought me here to get better, and since I’m not, you’re kicking me out?”
“No.”
“I’m never going to ride a horse again, Major. Get that through your thick skull.”
Silence follows that statement, and I assume Derrick walked away. I wonder what happened to him to make him never want to ride a horse again. He’s a cowboy. I thought that’s what they do. I don’t agree with Major’s approach. I understand how frustrating it must be to watchyour sibling hurt when you can’t do anything about it, but forcing someone to get better is not the right move.
I stay where I am for a little longer, afraid to make too much noise and call their attention to my accidental eavesdropping.
Only when I’m sure they're left do I move to the last pen to clean up. This time, I don’t even see time passing by. My mind is back on the brothers, especially on Derrick.
When everything is done, I drag my feet back to the house. I want nothing more than a shower, but my stomach growls, demanding food. The walk to the house isn’t bad, but the sun beats down on me, and I’m sweaty on top of everything else by the time I make it.
There’s no one around when I let myself in, and I’m thankful for that. I don’t have it in me to talk. I almost run straight to the shower, but I stop short when I see a lonely sandwich on the table.
Made with my gluten-free bread.
There’s no mistake, the cut is different from the regular ones they eat. This has to be for me, yet there’s no note, nothing. My stomach growls again, and I end up sitting down and taking a bite. It’s a ham and cheese sandwich, very simple, but I moan when I start eating. There’s nothing better for a hungry belly than food waiting.
Just as I’m finishing it off, Jesse and Derrick come in. I wipe my face of the crumbs and stand, heading to the bedroom.
“Going?” Jesse asks as soon as his eyes land on me.
I edge closer to the hallway. “I’ve shoveled shit for the last few hours. You don’t want me around.”
Jesse flinches. “I wondered what Major had in mind for you.”
I wave his concern off. “It’s fine. The animals are cute.”
“That’s one way to think about it.” Derrick chuckles.
He looks in good spirits, and I try not to compare his tone now to the one he directed to his brother earlier. I’m not a good liar, and Iblush even if I’m only thinking about something I shouldn’t know. I need to make my exit before they realize how much I heard before.
“Err– I’m going to wash myself. Thank you for the sandwich.”
Jesse frowns. “For what?”
“The sandwich?” I point dumbly at the now empty space at the table. I made sure to load the plate into the dishwasher.
“I love getting credit for cooking for you, sweetheart, but I’m afraid it wasn’t me this time.”
My eyes flick to Derrick, but he’s already shaking his head. It’s impossible. I’m far more inclined to believe that a ghost made that sandwich than to believe Major left it for me.
“I’m going to take a shower,” I say again, shaking my head.
I leave them be, but the question still follows me to my bedroom. Maybe Major made a sandwich for himself. I brush that possibility off quickly. No one who can have gluten would try gluten-free bread just for fun. It never looks yummy compared to the real deal. Or maybe that’s just me and my gluten cravings. Well, I’ll know if I hear him shouting about it soon.
No shouting makes its way to my bedroom. Later, I come out for dinner, and I’m face-to-face with the grumpy cowboy himself. I wait for him to accuse me of stealing his sandwich, but he doesn't. All he does is try to feed me again.
twelve
Major
My whole body vibrates with tension when I spot Carver’s motorbike approach, red dirt lifting as he crosses under the Wilde Ranch sign. The fucking tractor broke this morning, and there’s no one to call but Carver.
