Chapter 16 #2
“Cam and I have always lived on two separate planets. He was like the perfect child. He earned straight As, was captain of the varsity swim team, and went on to win a full-ride scholarship to Brown. I felt like everything I ever did could never measure up to him. Even now. He’s a cardiologist, married to an orthopedic surgeon, with two boys, a gorgeous house, and a dog. ”
“Nobody’s perfect. I’m sure he has his faults.”
Sure, except I’ve never seen them. Sam’s unintentionally struck an exposed nerve.
“It doesn’t seem like it. Even when I call home, I still get asked things like, ‘Have you found a boyfriend yet? You’re not getting any younger.
By the time Cam was your age, he was already married.
’” I take a deep breath. “I know my parents love me, and it’s only out of love that they say things like that, but I feel like I’ll never be able to step out of his shadow. ”
“Min, one of the qualities I like most about you is that you are different from any other woman I’ve ever met.
You’re unique. One of a kind. I wish you would see what I see in you.
You aren’t meant to take after others or fit into a cookie-cutter box.
You’re meant to stand out from the crowd.
Forget trying to be Cam’s younger sister. Be Minerva the Fashion Guru.”
Sam steals a gummy bear from my side of the froyo cup. I’m still trying to process the pep talk he’s given me. He has a way with words. I can picture him giving life advice to a young new army recruit. He has more life experience than most people.
All my life I’ve seen myself as Cam’s sister, the younger sibling.
I’ve always felt compelled to prove that I could be his equal.
But I was wrong. Being his equal isn’t possible.
The world isn’t meant to have two Cams. It’s meant to have one of him and one Minerva.
Yes, I carry labels, like being Cam’s sister, but all those come secondary to being me.
“I think I’ve just had a eureka moment.”
“Glad I could help.” Sam puffs out his chest. He pecks me on the cheek, his lips cold from the froyo. “Now come on, think long and hard about this. What’s one fault your brother has?”
“I guess you could say he didn’t know how to do his own laundry until grad school?
Mom always did it for him. I remember when I was about ten, she was furious that Cam had sent his laundry home to be washed overnight express through UPS.
” I start laughing. “He didn’t realize there’d be a customs duty on his dirty clothing when the package arrived.
It was something ridiculous like seventy-five Canadian dollars. ”
“There you go.” Sam’s fingers brush against mine, sending a few tingles up my spine. “If he had trouble with doing the laundry, odds are, he also struggled learning to do the washing up, and other basic life skills. I see it all the time with the new recruits.”
My lips twitch. “Doesn’t the army do that all for you?”
“In basic, we’re supposed to be able to sort our own uniforms. It’s part of learning how to properly care for our kit.”
“Makes sense.”
Sam scratches his forehead. “That reminds me, Fashion Guru, I do have a question I wanted to ask your expert advice on.”
I sit taller. “I’m all ears.”
“What’s the best way to remove stains from white trousers?”
My gaze travels to the pair he’s wearing. “Those look fine to me.”
“They’re not. The inside of the legs is stained.
Our saddles are black lambswool. The dye always comes off on the crotch and bum area.
It’s not so much of a big deal now with the winter order uniform since we wear khaki trousers, but for the Princess Alice Cup, I’ll be expected to dress in my summer ceremonial uniform. ”
“Ouch.” I wince. “White trousers and black dye? Who thought that would be a good idea?”
“That’s a question I’m constantly asking. It’s the only time I wish I were a member of the Life Guards. They have white lambswool covering their saddles.”
“That doesn’t seem fair.”
“It’s not, but I suppose they have to wear their helmet chains under their lower lip instead of under the chin.”
“They do?”
Sam grins. “It’s one of the other subtle differences between the regiments. The chaps in the Life Guards sometimes get rashes from the chain irritating their stubble.”
“Huh, I’ll have to take a closer look next time I pass through Horse Guards on Wednesday.
” I make a mental note. “Hmm, going back to the trousers, you can try a couple different things. If it’s a leather, peptides are great—think shampoo and conditioner.
If it’s more a cotton or jean fabric, you could use seltzer, salt, soap, and some warm water. ”
“Salt?”
“Uh-huh. It has a nice abrasive quality. Some of my friends have used hydrogen peroxide, but I’d be careful with it around the horses. It has a sharp scent. I don’t know how strong a horse’s nose is, but if it were me, I wouldn’t want to take any chances.”
“Understood.” Sam takes out his phone and types a note to himself. “Any salt and soap?”
“Yup. Liquid soap is better than bar soap, but it’ll do the job in a pinch.”
He slides his phone back in his pocket. “Thanks, Min. I knew I could count on you to help.”
“That’s why I’m the fashion guru.”
We clear our table and toss the rubbish in the bin. We’re a few blocks away from the barracks. I rest my head on his arm as we walk along the street.
“Are you all set for tomorrow?”
“Somewhat. My sketches are prepped, and I have a rough outline of the points I want to make in my head.”
“Sounds like you know exactly what you’re doing. You’re going to nail it.”
“Fingers crossed.”
My main problem isn’t going to be what I’ve prepared.
It’ll be keeping it together when I meet my idol, Clarissa Lee.
I’ve dreamed about this moment for so long.
I just hope she lives up to being the type of person I think she is.
There’s a reason the saying “never meet your heroes” exists. I hope she’s an exception to the rule.
“What about you? You’re starting off tomorrow on competition prep?”
“Uh-huh.”
“And what are your plans for the rest of the night? Going straight to bed?” I joke.
Sam inhales sharply. “I’d love to, but I’ll be up for a couple hours buffing out my boots and helmet for the next major inspection. The captain expects me to start putting in more effort beginning with the inspection Wednesday before we go on parade.”
A twinge of guilt takes hold. Sam’s given up his precious time tonight to come and support me.
Because of it, he’ll be up late working on polishing.
I know what I’m about to offer may come back to bite me in the butt, but that’s a risk I’m willing to take.
I care about this man too much to leave him hanging high and dry.
“What do you think would happen if I snuck back to the barracks with you?”
He snorts. “The guys would give me a hard time if they saw you, but they’d keep their mouths shut. A couple of them have snuck friends in before. Why? Do you want to watch me make grime and fingerprints disappear?”
“Yes,” I answer honestly. “A little birdie taught me how a brush with extra-firm bristles can be a secret weapon to bulling boots.”
“I’m impressed, Fashion Guru. I didn’t think you’d know what bulling is.” He squeezes my arm and kisses the top of my head. “Where did you learn that?”
I send a silent thanks to Mr. G for explaining that bulling is the term used for building up layers of wax on shoes for that elusive mirror shine.
“I have my ways.”
He lets out a throaty chuckle. “Your boss?”
“Maybe?” I play coy.
“The blush on your cheeks is all the confirmation I need.”
My cheeks burn even hotter.
“You’re so cute when you blush.” He pulls me in closer to his body.
We’re nearly at the entrance. “As much as I would love your company and have the world’s best magic assistant, I need to do this on my own.
I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on why I’m being challenged to maintain my kit to the standard Captain Yates wants. ”
“And?”
“It took a while to sink into my dense brain, but it's because a riding master’s job is to lead by example. I’ll be teaching new recruits if I get the position.
If I have a soddy uniform, so will they.
I need to be certain I can set them up for future success.
From now on, everything I do needs to be done in a manner that shows my superiors I can handle the weight of their expectations. ”
Sam’s words are deep. He knows exactly what’s at stake. “If you can handle two sisters, you can handle this. I believe in you.”
We stop walking. He cups my cheeks. “Hearing you say that is all the fuel I need to push through tonight.”
We share a kiss. It’s tender and satisfying, like a baker who’s just stepped back to admire a dessert they’ve just spent hours upon hours cooking and decorating.
When we finally break apart, a goofy smile tugs at our lips. We wait in silence together, holding hands, until the car arrives to take me home. When I climb in, we bid one another good night, and I know I’ll be spending yet another night dreaming about my Soldier Boy.