“It’ll pass,” he encourages. “Can you grab the halters from the equipment room?”
“Can do,” I answer with a thumbs up, then march off toward the barn in search of halters.
I’m not entirely sure what a halter is, but I’m sure I’ll figure it out.
Treading into the barn, I’m struck by the tranquility inside. Usually, one of the horses nickers as soon as they hear footsteps.
But there’s nothing.
They all must be too tired.
Turning the corner toward the equipment room, I find that I’m not alone.
“Hey Abbott,” I greet with a smile. “What’re you doing here?”
Abbott shifts a case from one hand to the other. “Just picking up some equipment.”
After Walker implemented the buddy system, Levi moved some of his veterinary equipment to Falling Sky. Santiago cleared a room in the barn for Levi to work in, but Abbott has taken over most of the day-to-day back at the clinic.
Abbott looks at me expectantly, but I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do. So instead, I give him an awkward wave.
“Okay. Well…See you later.”
“Actually,” Abbott rubs the back of his neck, and his eyes dart to the floor. “I was wondering if you’d maybe like to get a cup of coffee sometime.” Abbott’s ears turn pink, and his grip on the handle tightens.
My brows shoot up. “Oh. Um…”
“Just to catch up,” he adds.
“I’ll let you know,” I compromise.
“Thanks.” Abbott scurries past me with long strides.
Maybe it’s not the best idea to get coffee with someone I once dated in high school. Especially after I learned that my guys have a jealous streak.
Finally entering the equipment room, I search for something that could be considered a halter.
I should’ve asked Javier what a halter is…
The click of boots from outside the room has me turning around to face the open door. A shadow creeps up the wall as the last person I expected to see comes into view.
“Manny?”
“Hey, Blake.” He stops in the doorway, resting his shoulder against the frame, and smiles at me politely.
What is he doing here?
I stumble over my words. “I thought you were…”
“Fired?” His smile fades into an empty expression. “Guess he decided to give me a second chance.”
“That’s good.” I nod my head. “Wouldn’t want to be out of a job.”
“I’m sure you wouldn’t.”
Something in his tone nags at my senses like a splinter beneath my skin.
“What?” I question with a frown.
