She reached her hand out and took the plate from me, shoving a few chips in her mouth.
“Another beer?” I asked her.
She nodded.
I reached into the cooler and handed her one. She popped the top, took a sip, and then placed the can between her legs so she would have a free hand to eat.
My eyes lingered on the can. What would I give to be that can?
“Can I join you?” I asked, referring to the raft next to her.
She eyed it and then me suspiciously. She looked down at the food she was slowly shoving into her mouth like a chipmunk. My heart thudded at that.
While it was a small gesture, Emma had appreciated it. I had listened to what she said and then did something thoughtful and unexpected. I was rewarded with the adorable scene I just witnessed.
Then she nodded.
I was content to sit in silence with her on the water. I would prove to her that I would be a good man; I just had to. It was no longer about the farm. It was about fixing something I had broken, and that something deserved to be whole. Emma had no idea I was hoping to fix her while fixing myself.
Thirteen
Emma
Iretired to my trailer that night with my mind reeling from Riley’s apology. He had followed me home in his truck and stayed while I fed and brought in the rest of the horses.
While I had challenged him to do better, it didn’t mean I would make myself emotionally available to him.
We worked in silence, with him respecting my wishes. After the work was done, I put on a clean tank and PJ shorts. Then I heard the first boom of thunder and groaned.
I had been distracted all day by Riley, and I didn’t mentally prepare myself for the storm. I turned off and unplugged all the electronics in the trailer. I always seemed to lose something during a storm if it was left plugged in.
I grabbed my dad’s sweater out of the clean clothes pile and grabbed Mom’s ring off the table, where it’d sat since the last storm. I grabbed the umbrella, not yet needing it. The thunder was ahead of the rain, but it would be here shortly.
I quickly made my way across the yard with the sweater still in my hand.
I opened the door, and Riley was sitting there. I turned around to walk out.
“Don’t walk away, please,” he said.
I stopped with my back to him.
“If you want to be by yourself, I will leave. This is your space, your ritual. I just thought you could use a friend.”
A friend.
I didn’t need a friend. I needed my parents back. I needed the life that was ripped from me by the stupid decisions of another.
“If you want me to go, just say so,” he said softly.
Did I want a friend? No. Did I want to be alone, after being alone for so many years? No. Quiet company had felt nice, while I had it.
I turned around and walked back to the hay bale, sitting down next to him.
“Tell me what you need,” he said softly.
“I don’t know what I need,” I said honestly.
“Do you need to hate me, like I needed to hate you?” he asked.
