Foster took on the rest of her day with a renewed optimism. She knew that it would be over in a couple of hours and Karen’s pep talk helped her get through. She could go through a week if it would get better after that.
The fourth stop of the day was at a smaller ranch that had no sign in the front of it. “So what is this place called?”
“Trent never wanted a name on it, but everyone knows that he is the place to go to get a horse trained.”
“Do you work for him a lot?”
Karen nodded. “He likes to get all of the horses checked out before he starts working with them. Trent wants to make sure that there is no injuries to worry about that will affect the horse’s performance or change their demeanor. Horses are just like humans whereas they get a little grouchy when they are in pain like we do.”
Foster followed her to a freshly-painted barn and her eyes started to adjust to the darker interior. Her nose was already accustoming her to the smell of manure. It was apparently the smell of the west or the west that she was part of.
“Ah, Karen. Glad to see you.”
Foster turned around to the deep voice coming from behind her. Her eyes took in the man in front of her. The shadows playing over her face, so she had to pay more attention to the strong build and sure stance. The man’s jeans perfectly molded to his strong thighs and even though she couldn’t see his face very well, Foster could see and feel his eyes just fine on her.
“Hey, Trent. I didn’t see you out here. Which ones are we looking at today?”
“The last two in the back. They just came in over the weekend and I wanted to make sure they were fit to train. So you have a new assistant?”
“Yes, Trent this is Foster. Foster this is Trent. Like I was telling you, we do a lot of business with him, so we will be here often.”
He smiled and started walking where he had gestured before. Foster was still not so sure about horses. They were huge and they made her nervous, but she didn’t want to appear that way to him. As she walked next to him, she got a better look at his face and he had a strong jaw line with generous lips. There was a darkness in his depths when he looked at her, but she looked away quickly. The horse nuzzled her hand and she jumped, making the man chuckle at her discomfort.
“You’ve never worked with horses before?”
“Trent, be nice. Foster is new to all of this. She comes from the east and this is her first day with me so don’t you dare scare her off.” Karen cautioned the man, knowing he liked to jest. Foster was more serious than she was and Karen didn’t want to lose her helper. Not many people could keep up with her and Karen liked the girl and she wanted her to stay around awhile.
“Yes Ma’am.”
Karen gave him a look and he gave her one of innocence back, but they both knew that he wasn’t very innocent. “Well if you are going to live in Cross Junction, you will get used to them. I think there are more horses than there are cars in this town. Where do you come from?”
“Chicago.”
His face screwed up and she was the one that almost laughed. He was so serious-looking one minute and then animated the next. “I never could do the city. Too many people and not enough fresh air and trees. What brought you out here to the middle of nowhere if not horses?”
It was an innocent question, but it was one that she was not prepared to answer. Foster blinked back a tear from her eye and looked down. “I came here with a friend and decided to stay.”
Trent looked at her strangely for a moment. He knew the look in her eye, having felt it before and he didn’t push. Karen watched the two interact with each other and she started to wonder if the new assistant was what the tall, brooding man needed. He was the sweetest man, had a heart of gold, but it was one that had been broken too many times. It left Trent distant and ever since Karen had known him, she had wanted nothing more than to see him happy and settled.
“I need to go get a few things from the truck. Foster, why don’t you help Trent get them out of the barn and into the corral so we can look at them properly?”
Foster nodded and did as the woman asked. She avoided eye contact with Trent, still trying to get the thoughts of why she was there out of her mind. Why was she still there? Was she holding onto that place because it was her only connection to her dead mother and was she just fooling herself that it was where she wanted to be?
“Sorry if my question bothered you before Foster. It wasn’t my intention.”
“No, no. It’s okay. I have just had a long day I guess.”
“It will get better.”
“That’s what Karen says, but my arms seem to differ.”
“Well that will sort its self out, the rest just takes time.”
She didn’t answer him or comment back, but it was as if he almost knew what she was going through. When she finally met his dark blue eyes, she had the distinct feeling that he knew too well. That was the look she had not recognized before, loss. Foster was sure that it was just as clear on her face as it was on his. “I sure hope so.”
Karen came back in through the barn and even though the two young people were quiet, Karen had a good feeling about things. She showed Foster how to check the horses and what they were looking for. One of the horses what looked to be a sprain, the other one was ready for training. While Trent would usually go off to take care of his work, he stayed around and watched the new assistant. He even invited them to stay for dinner, but Karen was in a rush to get home. Foster would have stayed, but she thought it best to go with Karen. “Thanks for all of your help Foster. I hope to see you again real soon.”
***
“Well that went well. Don’t you think? Seemed like a good end of the day.”
Foster stared out at the darkening sky. It looked like there was a storm blowing in and she wasn’t sure if she was happy to see it or not. The blackness matched her mood though after Trent had reminded her of her mom by asking the very same question that she had been asking herself. Why was she there?”
“Are you okay Foster?”
“Yes. Sorry, I was just looking at the clouds. They are moving fast and it looks like it is going to be quite a storm.”
“Have you seen one here yet?”
Foster nodded. “I stayed her with my mom for a few months and we saw some really bad storms. I guess they are just different then what I am used to back east. Here the skies are bigger and it seems like the storms are just as big.”
“I have lived here my whole life and have always loved a good thunderstorm. You be careful driving home in this.”
“Thank you for being so patient with me today. I will pick up on it.”
“I am sure you will. You have done great so far. I will see you in the morning Foster.”
She waved to her before she got out, the first rain drops hitting her shoulders as she got into her own car. Foster made it home just in time before the big downpour. It felt like the perfect end to such a day. Her mood was just as dark as the sky above her. Foster couldn’t get the question out of her mind. She needed to do some soul-searching and find out what the answer was.