Page 13 of Captivated
He sighed. “I can see why you left that part to the end. What exactly am I gonna be studyin’?”
Robert took a drink from his cup. “I did a little research after Derek mentioned this therapy. I didn’t find out all that much, and what I did find wasn’t helpful. You’ll see what I mean whenyoufall down the rabbit hole too. But it did give me an idea why Derek might want to pursue this.” He pulled his phone from his pocket, scrolled, and clicked. When Zeeb’s phonepinged, Robert pointed to it. “I’ve sent you some links. Work your way through them, and then we’ll talk some more.”
Zeeb blinked. “Want me to start now, Boss?” he quipped.
Robert chuckled. “Of course not.” A moment later his eyes twinkled. “After you’ve finished your coffee.”
By the time Zeeb had reached the last page, he’d gone through a lot of coffee, his head was spinning, and he was none the wiser.
I can see what the boss means about all this not really helping.
He typed a short message.
Hey Boss… got a minute?
Robert’s reply was swift.I’m up at the house. Join me. Beer on the porch?
Zeeb stared at the screen. Okay,thatwas new.
Sure, he typed back hurriedly before the boss could change his mind.See you in a sec.Outside he heard chatter and approaching footsteps.
I guess they’re done for the day.Zeeb glanced at his phone.That time already?
The hours had flown by.
A moment later, the door opened and the four guests trooped in, accompanied by Walt, Teague, and Butch. Zeeb only had to look at their smiles to know it had been a good day.
Butch glanced at him with a smirk. “Well, hello there, mister Gentleman of Leisure. Have you worn yourself out doing nothing all day, whilesomeof us have been working?”
Before Zeeb could fire back a sarcastic retort, Teague shook his head.
“Leave him alone. He’s been doing something for the boss.”
Zeeb stared at him, open-mouthed, and Teague bit back a smile. “Why’d you think I didn’t ask you to come out on the trail today? I knew you had more important shit to deal with.”
Zeeb stood. “Just goin’ up to the big house to see him.” And because he couldn’t resist poking the bear, he added “And have a beer while I’m there.”
Butch gaped at him. “What exactly are you doing for the boss? Robbing a bank for him? Drawing a map to a goldmine?”
Zeeb cackled. “Like I’d tell you.” He swaggered out of the bunkhouse and took the path that climbed the hill to the boss’s house. As he drew closer, he spied Robert on the porch, sitting in one of a couple of chairs, a bucket between them. He smiled as Zeeb stepped onto the porch.
“I think you need that beer now.”
Zeeb snorted. “Hell yeah.” He sat, and Robert reached into the bucket to hand him a cold bottle. Zeeb drank about half of it, then pressed the icy surface to his neck. “Oh God, that hits the spot.”
“Okay, what conclusions did you reach?”
Zeeb took another drink. “The therapist who suggested this… Were they any good? Because from what you sent me, most of the studies done about equine therapy haven’t come up with a lot of evidence to show it actually works. Not enough data. Andwhile the studies don’t suggest it was harmful, they don’t say it achieved much.”
“That was my conclusion too.”
“And another thing. They say it requires specially trained horses. We don’t have that. A therapist on site who knows about this kinda therapy. We don’t have that either.”
“Agreed.”
Zeeb frowned. “Then why are you offering it?”
“I’m not.”
