Chapter 24
Bryce
Once I was back in Bristol, it was harder than hell to keep my mouth shut around Mandy. I sure as hell wasn’t going to clue her in on my visit with her old man. I was going to be watchful and discreet.
“Bryce,” she said, sitting on my sofa, devouring a bag of tortilla chips, “You’re okay with me taking my own cottage here? I talked to what’s-his-name today, and there’s actually a cottage he just finished updating that has a walk-in shower. That would really be safer for me given my current condition, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, Mandy,” I replied, trying not to hide my obvious delight that her lazy ass would be moving out of here, “I am totally fine with that. Which cottage is it?”
“It’s Number Six, next to his. I guess he’s working his way down the line. Hope he gets to this one while you’re still here. It’s a bitch trying to shower in that old claw tub with nothing but the hose attached. Don’t know how you’ve done it for so long.”
“When are you moving in there?”
“Tomorrow if that’s okay with you.”
“No problem,” I replied. “Do you need help?”
“Naw. All I have are my clothes. But truthfully, I do need some money. I’ve got to think about getting some clothes that fit, you know? And I’ll need to stock some groceries in my cottage as well. I hate to ask. The truth is, I’m hoping that Avery will come through for me with some part time work I can do around here. I don’t want to be a charity case or anything,” she finished.
“How much do you need?” I asked.
“Whatever you can spare.”
I went to the bedroom and pulled out the metal box where I kept my savings which I’d put on the shelf in the closet, under some extra blankets. I counted out five hundred dollars, put the box back and presented her with the cash in the living room. “Is this enough?”
Her eyes widened a bit. “Yeah, this will do for now, Bryce. Thank you. I really, really appreciate it.”
“Uh… Mandy, have you called a local doctor yet to… you know, check out your pregnancy?”
“I’ll get on that first thing this week, Bryce. I promise. But to be honest, they’ll probably need a down payment until I get my medical card switched to this network.”
“No problem. I have money saved. Just let me know.”
“Will do. And hey, when you see your boss again, could you possibly put in a good word for me on some temporary work here? I really meant what I said about not wanting to be a charity case for you. Especially since you want the paternity test before you actually assume responsibility.”
My jaw tightened. She was really milking this shit about verification. Well the fact was she didn’t know what I knew at this point, and her ground was much shakier than she thought. “I’ll see what I can do,” I replied walking out of the room. “Have a good night, Mandy.”
The following morning I was at the barn cleaning Tula and Baron’s stall. The colt was nearly four months old, but I noticed he wasn’t gaining weight the way he was supposed to be according to the vet’s guide I’d been provided. Tula was being pulled down according to Tristan when he’d been by a week ago. I was checking the feed when Avery came into the barn.
“How’s Baron doing, Bryce?” she asked, a frown creasing her forehead.
I turned to glance over at her and damn if she didn’t look tempting. Her hair was down, she wore it that way when she went to classes I’d noticed. “I changed Tula’s feed two weeks ago,” I replied. “The vet recommended a mixture of Bermuda pasture and free choice alfalfa hay. She’s taking well to it, but I’m not seeing improvement in the colt.”
“Yeah,” she said with a sigh. “I think we might need to think about starting to wean him now. It’s earlier than I’d like, but Tula’s milk just may not have enough protein for him. Thanks for being on top of it, Bryce. With school I’ve not had the time I’d like to devote to the mare and her colt. It’s comforting that you’ve taken the time to research and are handling the communication with the vet.”
“That’s my job,” I replied with a grin. “I kind of like it, too. That colt is beautiful. Are you keeping him?”
“No, not that I wouldn’t love to though. He’s being sold for studding. His lineage is impeccable. We’ll list him next month. Uncle Tristan thinks we’ll get at least twenty grand for him.”
“Damn. I guess horse flesh is nothing to sneeze at, right?”
“Unless you’re allergic,” she said with a giggle.
“By the way,” I said, “Mandy is taking that cottage you offered. I want to thank you for that. She also told me she asked you about a job?”
“Yeah, she did. I’ll speak to Becky over at the office before class. If Becky needs help, she’ll let Mandy know,” she finished with a shrug.
I moved closer to her, my hand captured a lock of her hair from her shoulder, my fingers rubbing the silky strands. “That’s really nice of you, Avery,” I whispered. “I miss you.”
She cleared her throat, stepping back from me, forcing me to release the lock of hair. “This is difficult for everyone concerned. But it’s not for you or Mandy that I’m doing this, Bryce. If Mandy can’t be of help to Becky, she’ll be bounced out of that office lickity split, just so you know.”
She turned from me and left the barn. Despite her statement, I couldn’t help but think that Avery in some small way was making this gesture in support of me. At least that was what I wanted to believe.