Saranya Chapter 5 #2
While I primarily treated cattle, horses, sheep, and pigs, my true love was horses. I’d been studying in the hopes of becoming more of an expert in the reproduction and breeding of horses, and my time at the rodeo had been heaven for me. The number of horses I got to meet was incredible.
It was nine o’clock at night, and I was dragging in from work.
My whole body ached, and all I wanted was a shower and to lie down.
Food held no interest for me, even though I should eat.
I hadn’t had anything but a candy bar since breakfast. I left my boots outside.
I never tracked the manure and whatever else I got on them into my house.
I began stripping my clothes on the way to my bedroom.
After entering it, I went to the door of my private bathroom.
The hamper was inside the door. I dropped my dirty things into it, then I went over to the shower, turning on the water to heat up.
While it did, I unplaited my hair. I was sweaty and felt gritty all over.
The hot water felt marvelous when I got into it.
I soaped and rinsed my hair twice before applying conditioner, allowing it to soak in.
I washed my body with a loofah and a moisturizing body gel.
The citrus scent helped to wake me up a tiny bit.
When I was thoroughly clean and conditioned, I reluctantly shut off the water and got out.
Mere minutes later, I was dry, dressed in a nighty, had my hair braided, and body butter slathered all over my skin.
I tended to dry out if I didn’t do that.
I was pulling back the comforter and top sheet when my cell phone rang. I groaned. If it were someone calling about their animal, I’d cry. Perhaps Dad was right, and I should consider taking on a partner. I sighed in relief when I checked the screen. It was War. I got into bed as I answered it.
“Hello, Sari, do you miss me yet?” he asked.
“Hello, War, and yes, I miss you like mad. Do you miss me?” I asked.
“Always and forever. How’s it feel to be back in your own clinic? I bet it’s less stressful.”
“Lord, I wish. I’m always thankful to be home, but it’s been mental these past three days. I’ve been working sixteen-hour days. Tell me that yours is better.”
“Christ, are you serious? Shit, I wish I were there and could help. I’ll let you get some sleep, and you call me once things are back to normal.”
“No! Don’t hang up. I need to hear your voice. Talk to me,” I pleaded.
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. Tell me, how has your week been so far? Then I’ll tell you about mine.”
The longer we chatted, the more my body relaxed.
War had that effect on me. Even in the most stressful situations, he made me loosen up.
It was one of many qualities I loved in him and was on my list of ideal partner traits.
I recalled my conversation with Raff. I knew I had to tell my bestie about that.
“Guess what Raff asked me when I got back Sunday?”
“Knowing Raff, it’s hard to tell. Shoot.”
“He asked if there was even a slight possibility you and I might ever try to be together as a couple.”
“He asked that? Wow, what was he thinking? What did you tell him?”
“I told him about our kiss in high school. I assured him that things would be great for both of us if we had a spark, because we each possess many of the characteristics we’re looking for in a life partner.
He then asked me if there was another man in my life, or if there was one I wanted to be in it.
It was weird. I felt like he was fishing. ”
“Do you think he was asking because Raff’s interested in you that way?”
“N-no, that’s, I mean, no way. Raff is like you. We love and admire each other, but there’s never been anything sexual about it.”
“Maybe that’s changed. If he wants to settle down, he might be opening his eyes to you.”
That thought hadn’t entered my mind. Having War say it, though, made me wonder. Surely not. Raff was a blunt person. If he saw me differently, he’d say so.
“No, that’s not it. If he did, he’d tell me.”
“Maybe. I’d sit back and wait. See if he asks more questions along those lines. If he does, what’ll you do?”
“I’ll have to sit him down and tell him that I don’t see him that way. He’s a catch like you, but for whatever reason, I don’t view either of you that way. Shit, maybe there’s something wrong with me, War. You’re both men that most women would kill to have. Why don’t I?”
“Sari, don’t do that to yourself. There’s nothing wrong with you.
When the right guy comes along, you’ll light up like a bonfire.
Those guys you dated in the past weren’t capable of more than lighting a small ember.
That’s why they never lasted or went anywhere.
You want the one you can’t stop thinking about and who makes your whole person feel alive. ”
Cowboy’s image came to mind. Shakily, I asked, though I dreaded his answer.
“What if I meet someone who does that, but he’s only out to have fun and doesn’t respect me?
He sees me as cheap and easy, and while he might be willing to sleep with me, that’s all.
He’s a man who loves sampling but never keeping. ”
War was silent for several heartbeats before he answered me. “Saranya, have you met someone like that?”
“Maybe,” I whispered.
“Who is he?”
“No one I have to worry about.”
“Tell me. How do you know he sees you that way and only wants sex? Did you ask him?”
“He made himself clear without me asking.”
“Who? Do you need me to come there and meet this guy? I can feel him out and beat some sense into his head.”
“There’s no need to beat anyone. And you don’t need to come here. He doesn’t live in Florida. Besides, you’ve already met him.”
I barely finished speaking before War erupted. “Cowboy! Are you talking about that asshole Cowboy we met in Vegas?”
Even though he couldn’t see me, I nodded as I replied.
“Yes, that’s the one. And before you say anything, I know it’s ridiculous.
He thinks I’m no better than those buckle bunnies.
And he has no respect for me, personally and probably not even professionally.
I’ve been waiting for him to talk to Raff about me, and then for Raff to call and ask what happened.
I’m an idiot. Of all guys to be into. Don’t worry.
I’ll forget him in no time. Out of sight, out of mind, right? ”
“I fucking hope so. You’re too good to pine for someone who’ll treat you like shit and never give you the love and family you deserve.”
Knowing I had to divert him or he’d keep going, I changed the topic. War was nice enough to go along with it, but he hadn’t forgotten. I’d be hearing about this for the foreseeable future.
???
A week after I confessed to War, I found myself in a better place on the work front.
Part of the reason was the fact that I took a couple of days off for Christmas.
Yesterday and today, Mom and I went shopping to see what sales we could hit on the first days after Christmas.
She loved shopping for Christmas decor deals.
We always found something new. We’d taken our time and then had a leisurely lunch.
I adored spending time with both parents, but there was something special about it when it was just us girls.
Mom was the most organized shopper I’d ever known.
She began shopping immediately after Christmas for gifts for family and friends, including their birthdays, the following Christmas, and for those special holidays when they were mothers or fathers.
She could hide things for months before wrapping and bringing them out.
They were always the most thoughtful and person-specific gifts.
She didn’t do generic gifts. They always suited the person’s taste.
I asked her one time why she did it so far in advance.
Her answer was simple. When she was young, she didn’t have a lot of money.
To buy someone a gift, she had to save and pay for things one at a time.
After she earned her degree and met Dad, she continued to shop that way, even though she had the means to do otherwise.
I tried to emulate her, but I wasn’t as good as she was.
As expected, she picked up a couple of gift items in addition to the decorations.
We both loved decorating the house for fall and Christmas.
Another part of the holiday was the amount and variety of food prepared.
I needed to shop the day after to lose the weight I gained, and would continue to gain from the leftovers Mom sent home with me.
This year, as in many prior years, several family friends without families joined us. It was a tradition.
Our holiday festivities often took us to other places besides Ormond Beach. Tonight, she, Dad, and I ended up heading out to a place we both adored. It was something we did every year over the holidays. It was to enjoy the Nights of Lights Festival.
It was an in-demand tour, so we bought our tickets in advance before they sold out.
We took a trolley and put on 3D glasses.
Then we viewed over three million lights along St. Augustine’s Historic District.
We finished it off with a cup of hot apple cider and a cookie.
We’d done it for years, and it never got old.
I wasn’t ashamed to admit I loved it as much as a little kid.
However, this year, we ended up with unexpected companions in our trolley. One didn’t expect to see tough bikers sitting in the trolley with women, kids, and babies in tow. I knew it was silly to be shocked. Bikers could have families, too.