“I’m worried he’s taking advantage of you. I don’t trust that guy.”
“He’ll be gone soon,” I said. “But he doesn’t seem to have anyone around here to help, so I’ll drive over and get him.”
Gone was the heady softness in Miller’s eyes. “Call him a cab.”
“I can’t. What if he undersold his injuries and needs help?”
“I’ll get the sitter to stay longer, and I’ll go with you.”
“No, I’ll handle it.”
“Hattie—”
I reached up and brushed my lips against his. “Thank you for caring. But this is my problem, and I want to handle it my way.”
Miller took my hand and pressed his mouth to my palm before holding it against his heart. “I’ll tell the captain to turn us around.”
My breath caught at the look in his eyes, and a thousand sensations flooded me at once. If I needed to guard my heart around anyone, it was Miller. I thought I could stay detached and simply enjoy his company, moment by moment. But a girl could get used to this, especially one who fell too easily like me. Dropping my guard had always led to devastation, hadn’t it? “Miller, this was an incredible night.” Had any man ever made me feel this cherished and important? “Thank you.”
“Hattie…” His lips returned to mine again. “We’re just getting started.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
The next day I squinted against the sun and waved goodbye to the lingering members of my afternoon group. It was a special Saturday session we offered, and as of today, it now included three different classes.
“Solid work in every session,” Ernie said.
“Thank you, Ernie.”
“I meant the vets.”
Laughing, I gave the man a playful punch on the arm. “You’re so good to keep my humility in check.” I pressed my hand to the small of my back and worked a knot. “The people from the state are coming in about an hour to do a final walk-through for the grant.”
“They should’ve come when we had sessions going. What are they gonna learn from an empty arena?”
“I’ll be sure and tell them to stop and talk to you. Block off at least two hours.”
“Even your punch lines are tired today.”
Ernie wasn’t wrong. “Garrett’s moving a little slowly this afternoon.” I pointed toward the arena, where he still stood with his horse. We’d had the groups walk their horses in some patterns today, and it had provided some interesting challenges for both humans and animals. “He’s determined to finish today’s assignment.”
“Seems to be taking his time, as we’ve taught him.” Ernie nodded and looked on with pride. “Did Garrett tell you he volunteered to coach flag football at the Boys & Girls Club?”
“Is that right?”
“He was pretty proud of himself.”
“It’s a lot of noise and a lot of people,” I said, already worrying about Garrett’s specific triggers. “Do you think he’s ready?”
“You tell me.” Ernie’s rough face broke into a rare smile, and I followed his focus back to the arena. Garrett’s horse Harvey lay in the dirt, docile as a cat by a fireplace, while Garrett reclined beside him, resting his head on the horse’s side. It was a posture of absolute surrender and trust. “We’re making a difference here, Hattie. Janie Smith said her doctor cut her pain meds in half. Juan Jiménez actually laughed yesterday. Billy Johnson’s wife said they’re talking again. The list goes on.”
The stories of large and small gains were starting to trickle in, and when I got overwrought with stress over Buck or sidelined by panic over the most perfect lake cruise date, I thought of how far our veterans had come here at Hope Farms.
“You were dragging this morning,” Ernie said, with his usual lack of concern for a smooth transition. “You barely got here before our first group, then yawned the whole way through it.”
“Late night.”
“Hmm.” That was it. Just a nasally huff that, from Ernie, could’ve meant anything from disdain to rabid enthusiasm. His feelings only ran on a spectrum of grumpy.
