Chapter 7
Quint
My stomach is all twisted up in knots the next morning.
A splatter of sizzling oil leaps out of the pan I’m frying eggs in, almost like it’s punishing me for the dream I had last night after I finally fell asleep.
It’s like now that I’ve thought of her in that way, I can’t get my head out of the gutter. I curse under my breath.
Heavy footsteps announce the arrival of one of my siblings. My older brother from the sounds of it.
“Morning.”
“Quint. Tired of your new place already?” It’s Caleb.
“Just thought I’d make some breakfast for my siblings. You could say thank you.”
“Thanks for eating my food instead of your own?”
“We’re family. It’s our food. And you’re welcome. Besides, I’ve missed you all. We haven’t had much chance to catch up since I got home. How’s everything going? Are you still dating Cassie?”
My sister’s sharp laugh rings out. “Oh, you are so out of the loop. I can’t believe you asked that?”
I twist around to see Caleb with a stormy look on his face, but he doesn’t say a word.
“She broke up with him.” Shayla walks over to snatch a potato out of the frying pan, blowing on it for a minute to cool it down before popping it in her mouth, and then swearing when it’s still too hot.
I swat at her hand. “Sorry about that, man. What happened?”
He just grunts in response.
“Hasn’t anyone told you it’s good to talk about your feelings?” I turn to my sister. “Grab us some plates.”
“Say please.”
“How about ‘now’?”
“Manners. I thought Mom taught you better than that.” Her teasing smile slips from her face and that mask is back. The one she wears too often now.
“She did. But the rules don’t apply when your ungrateful siblings don’t even appreciate the breakfast you’re making for them.”
“Whatever.” She drops the stack of plates on the counter with an alarming clatter, then walks away. “I’m not really that hungry anyway. I don’t usually eat breakfast.”
I ignore her, serving up plates for both of them.
Caleb raises an eyebrow. “You not eating?”
I glance toward the door and back. “I’m good.”
“You waiting for something?” he asks, taking the plate from me.
“Nothing big. Aura’s coming over for another lesson, then I’ve got to check on Millie.
She’s about ready to go. Wouldn’t be surprised if she had her little one today, but I’m hoping she at least has the decency to do it during the day.
” I wouldn’t be surprised if the mare went into labor in the middle of the night.
But I’d really like to be there for her, since it’s her first time.
“We need to get some cameras set up in the foaling barn.”
Shayla apparently isn’t willing to commit to her anti-breakfast claim, scooping up some eggs. “She’ll be fine. But I can tell you’re just trying to distract us. You nervous about the star coming over? I should have known you wouldn’t listen to my advice.”
“What advice?” Caleb asks.
The doorbell saves me from answering any more questions. Blink barks, and I jump up from my seat. “I should get that.”
A soft breeze picks up her long black hair when I open the door, and I resist the urge to brush it off her face. She’s carrying two cups from Leonora’s and looks as beautiful as ever, but there are dark shadows under her eyes as if she didn’t sleep well.
“You look tired.”
Her neutral expression turns to a frown. “Hasn’t anyone ever told you it’s rude to tell someone they look tired, especially a woman? You’re basically implying I look like shit.”
There it is. Didn’t take long to insert my boot directly into my mouth. “Impossible, you’re gorgeous. But I’m sorry.”
She jerks back a bit, then nods as if she accepts my apology. “Not sure you deserve this coffee.”
The sweet scent drifts over from the cup she’s pulled back toward her body.
“Probably not. But I’m sure you’re going to give it to your riding teacher anyway, or I might find out that Flash is too busy for a ride today, and then I’d have to swap you over to one of the other horses.
We’ve got a few future barrel champs in the herd.
I’m sure they’ll be right about your speed. ”
Her brown eyes widen. “Fine. Take it.” She shoves the cup into my chest, and I take a long satisfying sip.
“We were just about to eat breakfast. Wanna join?”
She hesitates, shifting on her feet.
I lean to rest my shoulder on the door frame, crossing one foot over the other. “I tell you want. I made breakfast, and I’m not going to let those two monsters eat it all, so how about you join me in the kitchen and if you feel inclined, you can help yourself to a plate.”
Aura glances past me then shrugs. “Okay. I wouldn’t want you to miss breakfast on my behalf.”
“Excellent. Shall we?” I push myself upright and offer her my hand.
She eyes it suspiciously and I remember she doesn’t like being touched so I reach up to run it through my hair and turn away.
Caleb and Shayla are digging in as we pass through the door but they both look up as we walk in. Caleb nods in a welcoming way, but Shayla’s eyes narrow.
I pull out a chair for Aura, then head over to the oven to fix myself a plate. While I’m at it, I throw a little of everything onto a second plate.
Placing the second plate in the middle of the table, I sit down turning to Aura. “No pressure. But if you’re hungry help yourself.” I gesture to the extra serving and pick up a piece of crispy bacon.
Aura spins the silver ring on her finger then picks up her coffee to take another sip.
“So, Aurelia, how are you liking Hollow Hills so far? Little different than Hollywood, I’d guess.” Caleb says after swallowing his mouthful of eggs.
“It’s Aura.” I correct him.
Aura tilts her head. “It’s beautiful. So peaceful. Definitely a nice change. Although the smell is going to take some getting used to.”
Shayla’s features tighten. “Nobody asked you to come here. If you don’t like it, you’re free to head back to LA any time.” Her tone is sharp and mean. My sister is a lot of things. Impatient and stubborn, but she’s not usually mean.
“Shayla!” I say.
Aura shrinks back into her chair.
“Quint’s right. That’s not the way we treat guests here.” Caleb glares at our sister.
“Whatever. I’ve got to go, anyway. I don’t have time for this.” Shayla’s chair scrapes the floor as she pushes it back and then she walks over to the sink, dumping her half finished breakfast into the trash and dropping her plate into the sink with a clatter.
She marches out of the kitchen without a backward glance.
“I’m sorry about that. I don’t know what’s gotten into her,” Caleb says.
“It’s fine.” Aura shakes her head, but her shoulders are tense and I feel like any progress toward friendship we’ve made has been erased by my sister’s shitty attitude.
“No, it’s not. I don’t know what’s up with her, but I can tell you one thing, it’s not you. I’m not excusing her, but don’t want you to feel unwelcome.”
“I’m good.”
“You sure you don’t want something to eat?” my brother asks. “Quint makes a good breakfast. Not as good as me of course, but it’s passable.”
Finally, Aura’s lips curl up in a tight smile, but she shakes her head. “I grabbed one of those wraps at Love Grind. I don’t know what Leanora puts in them, but they’re addictive.”
“True story,” I say, shoveling one last mouthful before getting up to clear my plate. I call to Caleb over my shoulder. “Guess you’re cleaning up since I did the cooking.”
He sighs. “That’s your game, eh? Make breakfast for everyone so you don’t have to clean up?”
“Who me? Nah. I just need to be getting to the barn with Aura, right?”
“Hey, don’t bring me into this. I know better than to get in the middle of two siblings.”
“We would never do that to you, but I guess he’s right. I don’t want to be keeping you, so why don’t you head on down to the barn for your lesson?”
I smile as I bend down to load my plate and Shayla’s into the dishwasher. “Thanks, bro.”
“Uh huh, you two have fun,” he says.
I walk back over to Shayla. “Let’s get a move on then.”
“Sounds good,” she replies, standing up from the table, still clinging to her cup.
We head for the front door where I slide my feet into my worn brown boots. She slips hers on and is out the front door before I’ve snagged my hat off the hook by the door. Then I step out, shutting the door behind her.
A grasshopper leaps out of the long grass as we’re making our way along the path and Aura startles, stumbling into my side.
I chuckle. “I can understand being scared of a horse, but a grasshopper?”
She shoves at me. “I’m not scared of a grasshopper. Just had a long night.”
“So, what you’re telling me is you’re tired.”
She sighs, glancing off toward the mares’ pasture to our right. “Fine. I am. Still doesn’t mean you should be commenting on it.”
“I did apologize. What happened?”
“Oh, a group of guys came into the hotel late. They were laughing and singing. Then they started up a full-on party. Yelling, crashing around, music blaring. I called the front desk, and the guy basically said ‘not my problem.’ I don’t know how much longer I can take this.”
Sounds terrible. We had nights like that in my dorm my first year at school.
In fact, most nights were like that. But I was one of those guys often enough that I couldn’t complain.
A little different in a hotel full of strangers.
My stomach twists with unease again, thinking of all the things that could happen to her there.
I really do need to convince her to stay here.
My place, the ranch house. I’d just feel better if I knew she was safe.
She hides a massive yawn behind her arm.
“You should come stay here,” I offer again. “The family already knows about you. You can eat meals in the big house if you like, but you don’t have to. I’ve got a kitchen in the guest house. I’m sure it’s a little smaller than what you’re used to, but it does the job. I’ve got two bedrooms.”
I won’t make the same mistake twice and comment on it, but she looks so tired I can almost feel my own eyes drooping in response. The exhaustion doesn’t hide the conflict on her face, though.