Like I’d had a choice. I said a small prayer of thanks that it had worked out. “Miller said you came out of retirement for this job.”
“Yep. He also says this gig’s only good for six months, so I thought I could put my fishing pole down long enough to do some honest work.”
I knew when there was more to the story, but I didn’t press. Instead I nodded toward his hat. “How long were you in Vietnam?”
“Too long.”
“I’m sure that was a difficult time.”
The horse stepped back as if reading the tension that now radiated from Ernie.
My new partner petted Carol B to calm her, then cut me a look. “Don’t think you’re gonna get in this head of mine, girl. It’s a scary place to be, so you stay out. I’m here for the horses and the vets you’re gonna help. I don’t need no shrink, no therapy, and no questions. Okay?”
“Absolutely.” For now.
His focus strayed to something behind me. “Boss’s niece is coming. That one’s carrying around a heartache or two herself.”
I turned to find Ava, Miller’s oldest niece, slowly meandering our way. Carol B quit chewing her carrot long enough to inspect the girl, the horse’s big brown eyes watching Ava’s every step as she got closer.
“Hi, Ava!” I instantly regretted the overabundance of cheer in my voice. “How’s it going today?”
“Fine.” The girl said, eyeing the horse warily.
“Ernie here was just telling me how excited he is to work with me. Did you know he cries when he’s deliriously happy?”
When Ava’s lips curved into a small smile, my heart did a victory lap. “This is Carol B. Want to pet her?”
“No. I don’t like horses.”
“Whoa.” I put a hand over one of Carol B’s big ears. “Don’t listen to that, Carol B. Ava will come around. Would you like to see some of the other horses—from a distance?”
She shook her head,her red hair swishing. “My dad liked horses. Always tried to get me to ride one.” A heart could’ve broken a few times in the space of that girl’s pause. “Just never my thing.”
Carol B, apparently bored, moseyed away to join the others in the pasture.
“I wasn’t aware we had a therapy meeting this morning.” Miller walked toward us, towering over the niece he put his arm around. He kissed the top of Ava’s head, but his stormy expression was just for me.
What was that about?
“Mornin’, boss.” Ernie dipped his head in a gruff greeting.
“I see you two have met.” Miller clapped Ernie on the back. “No matter what time I get out here in the mornings, this guy’s here earlier. What do you think of his horses, Hattie?”
“They’reourhorses, and I still wish I would’ve been allowed to pick them myself.” At Ava’s rounded eyes, I gentled my tone. “But I can’t find fault with one of them so far. Ernie did a good job.”
“Darn right, I did,” the older man said before wandering toward the ring without so much as a goodbye.
“School bus will be here in a few minutes,” Miller reminded Ava. “Unless you want me and Poppy to drive you?”
“I’ll take the bus.” And with that, Ava headed for the house like a tornado of preteen angst and fruity perfume.
That left just Miller and me.
“I have some clients I need to contact,” I said. “See you around.”
“Ava is not one of your clients.”
That stopped me in my tracks, and I turned back to Miller. “Okay.”
