I turned slowly. “That’s right.”
Gossip spread like wildfire in small towns, so I wasn’t surprised he knew I had switched careers. The only thing that surprised me was that no one outside the Lodestar Ranch circle seemed to know about the incident with James. The Hale family was one of the oldest and most respected in Aspen Springs. They could have made my life hell, turned every client against me before I had even started, but they didn’t.
Maybe that was about to change.
Blaine studied me, his dark eyes serious. “My dad said you were over at Sunshine Rescue a couple weeks ago.”
The tension in my shoulders ratcheted up a notch. The Gunnell family had been in Colorado almost as long as the Hales. They had come through here as freed slaves turned cowboys, moving cattle from Texas up to the north after the Civil War, and ended up sticking around, some settling here in Aspen Springs, and others going to Five Points in Denver. As the vet, Jacob’s job had a certain synergy with my work. We saw each other frequently, and I respected him. I wanted him to respect me, too.
Goddammit.
“I’ve been a lot of places, Sunshine Rescue included.” I leaned against the truck and folded my arms. “What of it?”
Blaine tilted his head. “Just thought it was interesting, that’s all. He was impressed with your work. The mare they took on…he said her feet were some of the worst he had ever seen, and wasn’t sure a new farrier like yourself would be up to the challenge. He was surprised at how much she’s improved.”
I grunted. “My mentor, Terry. He’s the one overseeing my work until I get certified. He has…” I rolled my lips, searching for the right word. “…exactingstandards.”
“Huh.” Blaine’s eyebrows quirked. “Well, that’s new.”
“What’s new?” I asked, not following.
“I’ve never known you to share credit, that’s all.” He smirked. “Not that there was much credit for you to take, as I recall.”
I rolled my eyes and huffed. “I was a good trainer, Blaine.”
“James is better,” he shot back.
“James is better than all of us,” I returned. After a brief hesitation, I allowed, “Myself included.”
He laughed. “I’ll tell her you said so.”
“Don’t,” I said reflexively. I winced. “I just mean, there’s no point. She doesn’t want to hear my name.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “I didn’t hurt her on purpose. It seems stupid to say that, because I made herfallon purpose, so what’s the difference? Iwasstupid. I didn’t fucking think. Just saw her in the ring, doing the thing I couldn’t do, saw the bridle, and acted on impulse.” I shook my head, still furious and disgusted with my own behavior. How could I have fucking done that? “Seeing her crumpled against the fence like that, unconscious? Worst moment of my fucking life.”
Blaine considered that. “I’m not saying an apology will magically make everyone forgive and forget, but it might go further than you think. You should try it sometime.”
I barked a laugh. “Oh, hell no. I’m not going anywhere near James.”
“Because Adam will beat the shit out of you?” Blaine smirked.
“I think it’s fair to say that with all three Hale brothers currently living on the property, my chances of making it out alive are slim. But that’s not why.” The day at the library six months ago, when Chloe had stripped me raw with her words, James had been there, too. And shit, when she saw me? She fuckingflinched. It haunted me. “She doesn’t need my apology. It would make me feel better, but it wouldn’t do shit for her. The best way for me to show her I’m sorry and that I’m not a threat is to stay the hell away from her.”
Blaine frowned at the ground, his hands on his hips. “Maybe you’re right,” he said at last.
“Did you…” I swallowed roughly. I hated asking this, but I couldn’t stand the thought of Terry finding out what happened at Lodestar. People wouldn’t trust me anymore. “Did you say anything to your dad about me? I understand if you did. I just…need to know.” If he had told his dad, then eventually that information would circle back to Terry. It would be better for him to hear it from me.
“No, I didn’t say a word to my dad about your time at Lodestar or what happened with James. I’m not going to wreck another man’s livelihood without a damn good reason. In this economy? Fuck no. I figured I wouldn’t have to. You’d show your true colors soon enough.” He rocked back on his heels, studying me. “Maybe you already are. See you around, Steven.”
“Sure,” I said, because I liked the kid.
But I really fucking hoped not.
7
CHLOE
Dad
No need to come over Monday. Your mom is feeling much better this week, and you deserve a real day off.
