Chapter Seven
Krystina
I had tied Thunder Storm to the barn isle. It was empty on this half. The back half housed three more horses and room for five more.
I found the curry comb and started working my way over Storms’ body. Even as the stray tear or two managed to fall I was relaxing and finding some peace in spite of Gentry.
I was more than half way through when I heard someone come in the back followed by a steady clip of hooves. I looked up to see Boots leading a dark bay into an empty stall.
“I didn’t mean to interrupt,” he said by way of apology.
“Oh, you’re fine. Just getting to know Storm here a little better.”
He unclipped the horses lead and shut the stall door. “I see you went the other way on the shortened name. We all call him Thunder. Gentry says riding him flat out his hooves strike like Thunder.”
“And there is no arguing with the boss man,” I said just a bit sarcastically.
Boots laughed loud enough Storm lifted his head up and gave us a curious look. “You picked up on that huh?”
“Long time ago,” I sighed.
“You two go way back?”
“Gloria was my best friend when I was a girl. We’ve stayed in touch over the years. Met the two of them when I was five. I haven’t seen Gentry but once since I was eighteen though. I am pretty sure he would refer to me as a hoity-toity Yankee bitch now.”
“I doubt that. If you haven’t seen him all these years you must have really given him something to hold on to.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Thunder Storm ain’t a quarter horse like most ropers. I wasn’t here back then but I was told not long after Gentry moved here he got Thunder Storm from a BLM round up. Gentled him all alone. Took him through a lot of championships got a few buckles and a couple all around cowboys. He has given some rides to kids with Gentry holding the lead but aside from that, rumor has it, no one else has ever ridden Thunder.”
“I didn’t know that,” I said softly as I patted the horses neck.
“A cowboys’ horse, especially on the road and in the arena, that’s his best friend,” Boots stoked Storms muzzle. “Take good care of him.”
Boots worked around the barn. Brining in horses till all the stalls were filling but Doc and Storms. He fed and watered all of them before disappearing after giving me instructions on Storms diet for when I was done with my horse spa.
When Storm had every flake of dirt removed and all the knots out of his mane and tail, I fed him and returned him to his stall. It was getting darker out. Going on five o’clock when I left the barn. I was starved and filthy with horse hair. I had chosen to starve and hid in the barn all afternoon instead of taking a lunch.
Ed met me at the door.
“I made taco chili for dinner and have the hands coming up at six to eat. I wasn’t sure if you had gotten to meet all them yet.”
I shook my head no, shucked by borrowed boots and coat before heading for the shower.
I pulled on jeans and a simple dark green tee shirt, applied a little make up. I reached to put on a piece or two of jewelry, pausing in slight panic in search of my wedding ring before realization hit.
I no longer had a wedding ring. I had given it, or rather, threw it back at James. Funny as I never forget I wasn’t married but somehow or another I forgot I no longer had a ring on that finger and hadn’t for months.
There was a small rap on my door – I had left it open a crack as I was dressed. Gentry poked his head in. “Ed wanted me to tell you dinner’s ready and the boys are here.”
I offered him a weak smile. “Thanks, I’ll be right down.”
The hands were a lovely enough bunch. But I suspected they were all on their best behavior. They were all cleaned up in fresh clothes like this dinner was some big hoopla.
Along with Boots there was Robbie, who looked to be about forty- some odd. Ethan, a string bean build who looked to be close to my age and Brandon a fresh-faced kid. The four hands of Mirror Lake.
They all made conversation and I found out that Robbie was divorced from Ed’s cousin and stayed on the ranch when she ran off.
Brandon was here for the winter and had high hopes of a career rodeo. Ethan had been on the road with Gentry but when he impregnated a girl in town one visit, they tried to make it work but separated last year and still co parented a three-year-old daughter successfully.
Boots had been here almost as long as Gentry. Nearing on eight years and was local but instead of getting his own place figured it was a waste of money and liked the bunks.
I liked them all immensely. Everyone was talking and joking and enjoying themselves. All except for Gentry. As Ed dished out the chili Gentry leaned back and glared. It seemed I was the only one who noticed.
I got extra glares whenever I talked to Boots. But I tried hard to ignore him. After all I could just stay the hell away from him, he should be able to do the same for me.
I finished my bowl of chili and declined a second. While it was something I hadn’t been used to it was quite tasty and filling.
I pulled a shawl I had brought around my shoulders and stepped out onto the porch.
“So, Ed tells me you are a divorced New York Socialite,” Boots said as he followed me outside.
I laughed. “I wouldn’t call me a socialite, not a true one anyhow. I’m no Waldorf. My ex was a plastic surgeon and I … after college, I just became a housewife. A housewife with a maid.”
“Used to the high life.”
Again I laughed. “I barely gotten adjusted to the high life when I left it. They used to call me the trailer park princess. I got out of there, went to school in Boston, life just happened from there.”
“And you thought working for Gentry would snap you back into reality?”
“I work for Ed. And it wasn’t our idea. Gentry’s sister schemed it up. Thought this place would heal my heart or some shit.”
“And has it?”
I thought about that for a moment and heard the door to the house open. I didn’t need to look to know who it was. The air pressure had changed.
“It’s only been one day. Besides, one must have a broken heart to heal. James didn’t break my heart. My pride maybe. My marriage was over long before my divorce. But James was just a consolation prize. I doubt more each day if I ever really loved him.”
“Consolation my ass,” Gentry grumbled and Boots and I both turned to look at him. “You went running to him in Boston.”
“I went running to my education. So I would never be a trailer park princess again. So I wouldn’t be my mother! It was you who cut contact. Don’t you dare act like there was a day in my life where I was going to choose Jimmy over you!”
“Does this place look like a trailer park to you! Did you really trust me so little that you thought I would hurt you bad enough that you would turn into her?”
I was glad I was wearing boots so I didn’t have to let anyone see my latest batch of tears. So I stormed away and into the barn staying there for more than an hour before I snuck back into the house for the night.