Chapter Eleven
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Doug had a built-in alarm clock. When he woke up at 6 a.m. next to Katy’s warm, luscious body he longed to take her into his arms, but instead slipped quietly from the bed and stepped into the bathroom. As he showered a smile curled his lips. The unexpected turn of events filled his heart, and for the first time in many months he was looking forward to the days and weeks ahead.
Quickly toweling off, he crept back into the bedroom, quietly dressed, then moved down the hall with Butch padding along behind him. But the dog didn’t bark for his breakfast as he usually did.
“You’re a smart boy,” Doug said, petting him when they entered the kitchen.
Finding himself hungrier than usual, Doug didn’t settle for a bowl of cereal, but devoured two fried eggs, several strips of bacon, and three pieces of whole wheat toast. Finally holding freshly brewed coffee in a carry mug, he headed out to the barn where he was welcomed by a cacophony of whinnies and nickers. But as he filled a wheelbarrow with hay and began feeding the hungry horses, his mind was on Katy.
He couldn’t wait to show her the small cabin where he’d been living. With so many angry people believing he’d attacked the elderly man in the liquor store, the cabin, isolated and hidden away from view, had been a safe haven.
“Mornin’, Doug.”
Darting his head up, he saw Billy walking towards him.
“Hey, Billy. Everyone has their hay, but not their grain and supplements,” he said, tossing the last of flakes into Big Ben’s stall. “I need to pop up to the house for a minute, but I’ll be right back to help you clean.”
“No problem,” Billy replied with a smile, then tilting his head to the side, he added, “Tell her I said hello.”
“I—uh—excuse me?” Doug muttered, surprised and not sure how to respond.
“I haven’t see you this upbeat since I’ve been comin’ here, which is a long time, so I figured you and Katy…you know! Or is it because you’re in the clear and it’s finally sinkin’ in?”
“Actually, it’s both,” Doug admitted with a grin. “Katy stayed over last night.”
“That’s great. I know how she stood up for you all this time, and I also saw how she was lookin’ at you yesterday. I wish a girl would look at me like that.“
“When the day comes, and it will, I’m just a phone call away,” Doug promised. “I’ll be back shortly. Come on, Butch.”
Leaving the barn and walking briskly across to the house with the dog at his side, he walked in and found Katy dressed for the day and sitting at the table finishing a bowl of oatmeal.
“Hi there, handsome,” she quipped, shooting him a wink. “Where have you been?”
“I had to feed, but Billy’s arrived so he’s finishin’ up for me. But I still have to help him clean the stalls and take the horses out.”
“Can I join you? Do you have a third wheelbarrow?”
“This place has more wheelbarrows than a feed store,” he replied with a chuckle. “And sure, we’d love the help.”
“I really enjoy barn work. Let me finish this and I’ll come right down.”
“I was thinkin’,” he said, placing his empty coffee mug on the counter, “I need to drive over to my cabin when we’re done. Would you like to join me?”
“Drive? Not ride?”
“I still have a lot of clothes over there and I need to pick up a few bits and pieces. Besides that, I’d like to get things organized. I’m hoping I’ll find a new place to live before Blake and Heather get back.”
“Oh, I see. Yes, sure, and I’ll lend a hand if you need it.”
“I’ll be happy with just your company,” he replied, lowering his voice and smiling at her. “I’ll see you at the barn when you’re ready. Leaning down he pecked her on the cheek then started for the door, but Butch sat down beside her. “Looks like I’m not the only one who wants your company.”
“I’m so flattered,” she said, reaching down and petting the happy dog. “You can hang out with me any time.”
Grinning as he left he started towards the barn, but decided to check out the storage shed on his way. Opening the door and poking his head in, he noticed an empty corner offering enough room for the few items he had, and a couple of empty cartons. Stepping inside, he picked them up and carried them to his truck, then continued into the barn. He and Billy had finished cleaning half the stalls when Katy and Butch joined them. With her extra help they finished quickly and began taking the horses out.
“Okay, Billy, we’re headin’ over to my cabin so I can pick up some more clothes and a few other things,” Doug declared as they released the last of the horses into the paddocks. “I’ll probably be an hour or so, but you have my number if you need me.”
“Sure thing. Take your time. I’ll start puttin’ the grain in the buckets for tonight.”
“Butch, are you comin’? Doug called as he and Katy headed for the truck.
Immediately the dog ran ahead of them. When Doug caught up and lowered the tailgate, Butch effortlessly leapt up and barked.
“Why didn’t you let him jump into the cab and ride with us?” Katy asked as Doug opened the passenger door for her.
“He loves ridin’ in the back,” Doug replied, then lowering his voice and shooting her a wink, he added “and I want you all to myself.”