by A. C. Wilson
“That’s me.” Blake couldn’t contain his smile and didn’t try to hide it. He only hoped he wasn’t coming off as a crazed lunatic stalker. That wasn’t quite the persona he was trying to project to the world.
Bailey stepped around him and he saw the brush she carried to Liberty’s back. With long strokes, she took the brush to the coat and the horse stood there. Blake watched Bailey and admired the ease and grace with which she worked. She was sure and at ease with the horse. Even with their size difference, Bailey never looked out of place alongside the huge animal. Blake thought Liberty even liked being brushed and with each stroke, he wondered what magic Bailey could work on his own skin. Abruptly he had to shut down that train of thought before he embarrassed himself. Still he wondered at it. It had been forever and a day since he had actually thought that way. Relationships were never his thing and if he was smart, he would back away.
The top to bottom brushing was therapeutic to watch and soon he was throwing good common sense out the window.
“You look as if you have done this for a long time.” Blake felt foolish trying to make small talk when all he wanted to do was step closer to her. Bailey nodded and kept brushing.
“I have had Liberty for ten years. She’s family.” Bailey patted the horse’s rump and Liberty swished her long white tail. Skirting the horse, Bailey started to brush on the other side and Blake looked furtively over the top of Liberty. He was trying to be casual about it, but he figured she knew what he was doing by the blush that stained her cheeks.
“This looks like a nice place.” Blake got a slight nod for his efforts at conversation. He tried again. “Are you a patient here?” Light brown eyes snapped to his and he guessed that he had assumed too much.
“I work here.” Her tone was rather terse and he nearly thought about giving up and going to find Declan. Still he reminded himself of going home to stare at four walls and go stir crazy alone. Prodding Bailey seemed like a better use of his time.
“That’s great. Declan was giving me a tour.” He grimaced at the sad, pathetic track this was taking. He caught Bailey’s half shrug.
“Are you staying for therapy?” Bailey’s softened tone snagged more of his attention. He opened his mouth to say no, but instead he shrugged too.
“I would like to get to know Liberty better. She’s not nearly as imposing as I thought horses would be.” He brushed his palm over Liberty’s nose.
“It is all perspective. It is how you approach the horse. If you treat her with respect and gentleness, then she will do the same for you.” Bailey patted the horse’s neck lovingly. There was definitely shared feelings here.
“Too bad people can’t be that way.” Blake said under his breath more to the horse than to Bailey. Bailey stopped brushing. She took a deep breath and then let it out.
“Yes, there are some bad people, but the majority are not.” Her words were careful and measured. Her emotions were not. From the glistening in her brown eyes, Blake figured she was trying to believe the words she spoke besides trying to convince him of them.
“You’re right. People aren’t all bad. I guess we all need to be reminded that the good far outweighs the bad.” Blake offered a smile and he watched Bailey blink her eyes quickly. He watched her pull her emotions back in check and continue brushing. Blake suddenly thought about what Rayne said about making his time here enjoyable. Perhaps coming to the center would be a good thing.
“Hey Blake! Hi Bailey! I see you two have met.” Declan came around the corner of the barn and smiled a goofy grin looking from one to the other. Blake backed slowly away from the horse and offered an apologetic smile to Bailey.
“Yes, we did.” Bailey stepped to the front of Liberty and pulled on the lead rope tethering the horse to the fence. She backed Liberty up and turned the horse towards the front of the barn. Blake felt something inside of his twist as she walked away. Whatever it was gave him pause. He looked down at his feet trying to pull himself out of the fog.
“It was nice to meet you again, Blake.” Bailey’s voice touched his ears and his jerked up. She was already rounding the corner and he couldn’t help but smile. Declan began to chuckle.
“What? Why are you laughing?” Blake felt defensive and he didn’t know why he should. Declan shrugged and began walking towards the parking lot. Blake shook his head and followed all the while wondering when he could see Bailey again.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Declan had finished his shift as Blake was preparing to leave the center. He had proposed dinner at The Well and Blake thought there was merit in that idea. He wasn’t crazy about eating dinner at a place he had only dined at yesterday, but it was better than being alone. He quietly wondered if he would ever be able to enjoy solitude again without fighting off the demons that coursed through his blood.
“That would be a no.” Declan smirked under his breath and Blake snapped to attention. Lifting a dark brow in question, he put a fry into his mouth. Declan only grinned.
“What would be a no?” Blake asked as he swallowed and pulled the ketchup bottle closer to him.
“You don’t know who she is.” Blake opened his mouth to question his meaning, but Declan hurried on. “I’m talking about Bailey.”
“I just met her yesterday by accident.”
Maybe by grand design.
Blake tried not to float away with that thought.
“You were the guy that changed her flat tire.” Declan looked a bit surprised. Blake nodded. “She called the center looking for Matt, but he wasn’t there. I couldn’t go and leave the participants alone.” Declan pursed his lips in thought and brought his soda to his mouth.
“It was a tire. It was no big deal.” Blake tried to play off the incident, but he couldn’t deny his heart rate picking up speed. Bailey had become a fascination he couldn’t seem to set aside.
“She would never say that it was a big deal, but Bailey appreciated it. I know she did.” Declan took a bite of his burger. Blake tipped his head forward and tried to shake the giddy feeling. He liked being needed. He had learned to like working as a team and it seemed that Bailey had needed him. He had not questioned it.
“Do you know much about her?” Blake wasn’t sure about taking this tact, but it was better than wondering. Declan seemed to be a good sport and more than willing to have a new friend. A deep dimple came out on Declan’s cheek with the million dollar smile Blake received. Blake struggled not to roll his eyes and wave off whatever comment was coming.
Declan tipped his head to the side and bit a French fry in half. Blake took a bite of his cheeseburger and waited. He wondered if this girl was so complicated that Declan had to pick through a host of issues.
“I can give you the basics, because that’s really all I know for sure. Her name is Bailey Campbell. She’s lived her entire life in Hot Springs. She has a younger sister and her mother passed away some years back.” Declan’s information seemed rather sparse for a girl who had grown up in the area. Blake thought he could gather this much information doing a Google search.
What exactly do you want to know?
Blake was starting to hate his inner voice. Sometimes the things you wanted to know most about a person were things you could only get by being around them. He definitely wouldn’t mind having more conversations with Bailey Campbell.
“You said that you could only tell me those things for sure. Is there more?” Blake asked taking another bite of his cheeseburger, using his finger to wipe the drop of ketchup from his chin. Declan chewed slower with a thoughtful look on his face. It caused Blake’s anxiety to rise. This was certainly out of character for him. He wasn’t sure why it mattered, but it did. It did and he might chicken out if he looked too closely at it.
“Well you know how small towns can be. People think they know everything that goes on and well, if they don’t they make things up.” Declan furrowed his brows and lifted his hand apologetically. Blake didn’t really know how small towns worked. He did know how rumors were made and
he knew that they weren’t often based on fact.
“Rumors, huh?” Blake mumbled and tucked away his napkin. Declan pursed his lips and nodded.
“It sounds like her stepfather is a real piece of work. People say the family is bad blood and they aren’t as easily accepted as other people are.” Declan sighed. “It’s all rumor. I don’t know about her family, but Bailey is super sweet and kind. She’s shy and people do exclude her.”
For the first time in a while, Blake felt anger well up inside him, but for someone other than himself. It was as refreshing at it was agonizing. He really hadn’t come to Hot Springs to champion young woman. He had come to find his family. There was an inner stab of torment and he really wished he could think of finding a place to belong without feeling bad.
“People can be cruel. She seems like a great girl.” Blake kept his tone nonchalant, but inside he was more than curious. He was partially jealous of Declan’s working relationship with Bailey. Declan gave a shout of laughter and Blake looked at his new friend like he had grown two heads. Other patrons glanced their way too.
“It’s okay to like her. She’s beautiful and single.” Declan grinned deviously and waved his index finger at Blake. “Yeah, don’t think I didn’t know where the line of questioning was going.”
“I was…well…I was only…ah, heck! Declan keep your voice down, man! Remember the small town comment you made?” Blake felt his cheeks heat with general embarrassment. Declan quieted down, but was still grinning like a fool.
The conversation was nearly dead after that. The quiet wasn’t uncomfortable, but Blake was not sure what else to say. Declan may be a mind reader, but he was an annoying one. They finished their meals and waited for their bills. The waitress seemed to have her hands full with a group of rowdy high school boys. Declan glanced their way and then lifted his brows.
“They are just being boys. Hormonal and pig-headed, but boys nonetheless.” Declan tried to play off the inconsiderate behavior. Blake wasn’t so inclined to be forgiving. The waitress brought the table their drinks and she successfully evaded a couple of grabs. She was nearly finished when one of those idiot’s paws grabbed her butt. She jerked back, spilling the last glass of soda on another guy, and looked as if she would rather run screaming as the whole table erupted in laughter. Blake fisted his hands. Declan touched Blake’s shoulder.
“Hey man, don’t worry about it. Bradley will handle it.” Declan was trying to diffuse the anger that his friend was feeling, but Blake could only watch the scene unfold. He tried to sit tight. He tried to wait to see what would happen. The waitress had disappeared quickly enough into the back. She reappeared with a worried look on her face. It certainly didn’t look like the manager was here.
“She shouldn’t have to put up with that. Do you see this Bradley guy?” Blake asked Declan, barely concealing his contempt. Declan glanced around and then shook his head. The table got louder and cruder in their banter. Enough was enough.
Blake got up from his seat, followed closely by Declan and they went up to the counter. The tormented waitress looked wary and embarrassed.
“I’m sorry. I know you are waiting for your ticket. Please give me a minute to put it together.” Her voice cracked as she dug into her apron to produce the order pad. Blake couldn’t stop himself as he reached out and set his hand on her arm. She was trembling. It only served to heighten his anger at the boys.
“It’s okay. Is your manager here?” Blake jerked his chin towards the back where the kitchen was placed. Her luminous eyes widened and she shook her head. It was exactly as he thought. There wasn’t anyone here to deal with the idiots at that table.
Well there is now.
“Blake do you think this is a good idea?” Declan said rather loudly behind him. Blake knew it would take some finesse, but he wasn’t beyond that tact. He had had to be diplomatic at times. It probably wasn’t a hat he wore well just as inaction wasn’t easy for him.
“Have you started their orders?” Blake asked the waitress who was busy collecting herself.
“No, I haven’t put it in yet.” She sniffed and stood a bit straighter. Blake offered a smile.
“Good. Don’t put it in. They are going to be leaving.” Blake turned around and Declan grimaced but followed anyway. They walked up to the boys at the table and it was a couple of minutes before anyone noticed them standing there. The Grabber was the first to direct attention to Blake and Declan.
“Can we help you?” The sarcasm that dripped off those words was sadly not helping their case. Blake felt a hard grin spread across his face.
“We regret to tell you that the kitchen is now closed. You’ll have to go elsewhere to get your dinner tonight.” Blake said it as indiscriminately as he could, but another rude jerk just glared at him.
“You’re kidding. We just ordered our food.” The Grabber smirked. The Jerk still glared.
“I’m not kidding. You need to leave.” Blake straightened to his full height. “You are more than welcome to try me. Or we could give the local cops a call. I’m sure they would love to file sexual harassment charges. Maybe assault?” Blake watched at the less brave boys backed down quickly. The Grabber and the Jerk didn’t seem as phased until their crew diminished in strength. Slowly the group got up from their chairs, grumbled their way out of the building and it was silent as they went. As soon as the door closed behind them, the other patrons began to clap. The applause had Blake glancing nervously around and Declan patted his shoulder.
“Thank you.” The waitress smiled up at him and Blake nodded. Now he wasn’t sure what to say. Luckily Declan got their tickets and soon they were outside. Blake felt jittery after the applause and the confrontation. It had been some time since he had put himself in a situation like that and he wondered if it was long enough.
“Full hero mode, huh?” Declan smiled as they walked across the parking lot to their vehicles.
“Hero mode?” Blake asked, looking askance at his new friend. Declan nodded.
“Yeah, you have a hero mode. It’s good to see.” Declan unlocked his car and gave Blake a wave. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” Blake asked waving back.
“Tomorrow at the center. I’ll see you there.” Declan laughed and got into his car. The engine started and Blake watched the irritatingly perceptive man drive away.
Blake couldn’t deny he hadn’t thought about dropping by the center tomorrow just to see if Bailey was there. Now it seemed like a plan.
***
There was a wild pitch and the scoop of straw and horse manure missed the wheel barrow parked in between the stalls in the barn. Liberty huffed from next door and Bailey shook her head.
Where the heck are you, girl?
She knew exactly where she was and it didn’t sit well. Those blue eyes housed a great deal more than just curiosity. Even now she could feel the kinetic pull from him and her desperate need to touch him. The short dark brown hair, the chiseled jaw line, the definition of his biceps and the sinful curve of his backside. Bailey shook the pitch fork handle as if she were throttling someone’s neck. If she were smart it would be her own. Lord knew she had enough misery to pull it off.
“Damn him.” She growled as she threw another load towards the wheel barrow.
“Hey! Watch out!” The indignant male voice shouted and Bailey threw her head back in self-disgust.
“Sorry, Matt. I wasn’t watching what I was doing.” Bailey felt her cheeks flame with embarrassment. Matt Johnson cocked his head and lifted a brow. He gave a slow nod.
“No harm done.” He stood in the stall door and leaned against the wood. Bailey tried to slow her heartbeat. She didn’t know how one guy, a stranger no less, could unseat her so much.
“How’s everything on your end? Is Andy all right?” Bailey thought this was a safe topic. She had always liked Matt’s wife, Andy. They were getting ready to have a baby. Any day she could pop.
“Lots of false alarms.” Matt ran his palm over hi
s face. “I’m exhausted and I can’t even imagine how Andy feels.”
“I can’t imagine either. I am sure it will be fine.” Bailey offered a confident smile even though her stomach clenched. It was too easy to think about losing someone. Death had a way of haunting a person and Bailey had no idea how to turn it loose.
“Thanks, I appreciate that.” Matt readjusted his hat and put his hands back into his pockets. “I’m sorry I have been dropping everything on you and Declan. You didn’t sign up for full responsibility, I know.” He looked sad and worried. One look into his blue eyes and she knew he was miles away.
Blue eyes.
“It’s okay. We understand.” He made to argue, but she continued on trying to offer support. “You gave me a place to live, Matt. I’m grateful. Since I don’t pay rent, I’m more than happy to watch out for things around here.” She only wanted him to stop worrying about the center. Andy and the baby needed him more. Besides Matt’s father, Travis Johnson was around when she had questions. Sometimes his brother, Garrett was too, although that was less and less lately.
“Thanks.” Matt offered a half smile and nodded his head. “Clean up and get out of here, huh? Maybe go have some fun.” He looked over his shoulder and she saw a small spark of humor. She took a big breath and shrugged.
“If you promise to go home and get some rest.” She knew he was ready to fall over. She wasn’t going to promise to go out. She simply wouldn’t tell him that she had decided to stay in.
“Sounds good. I will see you later.” Matt waved as he walked away and out of the barn. Bailey leaned out of the stall door to watch him go. Liberty huffed as she leaned her head over the half door and Bailey smiled at her.
“Men.” She smiled at the mare and patted the soft nose. Turning back around, Bailey determinedly cleaned the rest of the stall. She put fresh bedding down and filled the water bucket. She dusted off her hands once she had closed the stall door and looked at her horse. Liberty pivoted her ears as she focused on Bailey.