Will I learn braille? Possibly at some stage, but I’m currently looking into screen readers and voice assistants.
How will I get around? That one is still up in the air. Silverstone doesn’t have much in the way of public transit, so I’m most likely going to have to rely on ride-share apps.
Verity jolts upright with a gasp, like the realization has only just hit her. “What about your work, Jackson? You won’t be able to ride horses, will you?”
“Of course I will,” I reply defiantly. “I know that sanctuary like the back of my hand. I’m currently mapping everything out so I know the distances between places. Besides, I can use verbal cues, routine, and touch to interact with horses. It’s not all visual.”
“But, Jackson, come on. It’s a safety thing. Surely you can’t?—”
“I’m not listening. So please stop, Verity.”
That is one thing I willneverbe ready to accept. Horses aren’t just a passion for me; they’re my life. My connection to them runs in my blood. If I have to make some modifications so I can do my work, fine, but I’d rather die than stop working with them.
“I’m sure Maverick will do everything he can to help. He’s a good guy.” Pip sniffs, dabbing his eyes again.
Clancy nods in agreement. “He’s a really good guy.”
“Supports the wrong baseball team, but apart from that, he seems decent enough,” Chris supplies with a grin.
My lower lip starts trembling.
They’re right. Maverick is a good guy.
A good guy I can never be with.
An hour later, my phone buzzes.
Clancy, Verity, and Sib are sitting on lean chairs in the backyard, watching Chris and Tim toss a football. Pip and I are at the patio table. Pip’s still grazing. I’m still not hungry, even after getting my big announcement out of the way.
“Is that him?” Pip asks.
After everyone went outside, Pip hung back and told me how much he loved me, how he’d never forget what we did for him,and how I can always, always,alwaysrely on him for anything I need.
I check my phone, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. “Yeah. It’s him.”
“Are they coming over?”
I bring the phone close up to my face to read the texts.
Maverick: Hey. Checked with Wagner. He’s happy to come over to yours.
Maverick: I may have asked him in front of Sammy who lit up with excitement which made it near impossible for Wagner to say no.
Maverick: Sorry!
“Yep, he’s coming,” I tell Pip, who lets out an excited whoop.
“Awesome. I’ll go tell everyone.”
He gets up and presses a hand to my shoulder before skipping down the steps with a grin, eager to share the news.
Me: Don’t be sorry. We invited you.
Maverick: We?
Me: Okay, technically, my meddling sister did. She didn’t physically hurt you when you went out to her car, did she? You don’t have to say anything. Just reply with a sad-face emoji if she did, and I’ll take care of it.
Maverick: She was fine. The perfect blend of love and overkill. She’s a good sister.
