I Heart Geeks (30 page)

“You’re an amazing person, Luke.” I said, reaching over to hug him. He wrapped his arms around me and hugged me back tightly. Hugging Luke was everything I’d always imagined it to be, but so much more. He was a solid wall of muscle, but soft and comfortable at the same time. It was intoxicating.

“Thanks. You’re pretty amazing yourself.” He pulled back enough to gaze down at me with his sparkling blue eyes. “I’ve got to get going though. I have to go to Austin tomorrow and won’t get back until pretty late.” Reluctantly, as if it was the last thing he wanted to do, he pulled back. I had to resist the urge to lean forward and pull him back in.

“Ok, thanks again for helping me tonight,” I replied, recovering a bit from my Luke-induced high. “Drive safe tomorrow.”

“Do you work tomorrow?” he asked, standing up. He reached down to take my hands and pulled me up. Having him so close, and the way he kept touching me, every touch set me on fire.

I almost forgot the question, but shook the cobwebs loose and replied, “Yeah, I work until noon tomorrow.”

Luke’s forehead creased in disappointment. “Damn, guess you can’t come with me then.”

“What’s in Austin anyway?” I asked; slightly giddy that he actually wanted me to go with him.

“I’ve got to pick up some supplies for the ranch and my mom.” He leaned down to drop a kiss on the top of my head. Suddenly being almost a foot shorter wasn’t so bad.

“I’m sure you’ll have fun with your to-do list,” I teased. “I’m going to go look at a horse after work. Gram got word of one in need of some rehab.”

Luke’s brow drew down in guarded concern. “Be careful. If it’s been abused it may be skittish,” he warned.

“I’ll be careful, but I know what I’m doing, Luke.” I laughed, feeling a little warm and fuzzy that he actually cared. “Buckbeak was a rescue, remember?”

“I know, I just worry about you Ains,” he said seriously. He took a step toward me and leaned in a bit before seeming to catch himself and hesitated.

I froze in place, afraid to lean into him in case I was totally misreading this situation, and afraid to move back in case he really did kiss me. After what seemed like an eternity, Luke stepped back again.

“I promise I’ll be careful,” I reassured him, inwardly cringing at my breathless tone. “Besides, my dad and grandpa are coming with me.”

“Ok, I’ll call you when I’m on my way back. Don’t make plans for Tuesday night.” He winked as he left. The small office suddenly seemed so much larger without him in it.

I quickly gathered up the laptop and notebooks, then turned off the lights and hurried back to the main farmhouse.

“How’d it go sweetness?” Gram asked from her chair when I walked in.

“Good. I think we have a solid start to this plan,” I replied brightly.

“Your dad and grandpa said they’d be ready to go get that horse as soon as you get off tomorrow,” she relayed to me. “I’ll have lunch ready so you can eat before heading out.”

“Thanks,” I kissed her cheek and hugged her tightly. “I love you, Gram.”

“I love you too,” she said, squeezing me back. “Get on up to bed now. Sweet dreams.”

There wasn’t much to keep me busy at work the next day. Not many people came in on a Monday morning and I finished shelving within an hour of opening.

“Ainsley, can you help Lynn find the new gardening books we got in last month?” Mrs. Evans called from where she was straightening pamphlets just inside the front door. I looked up to see Luke’s mom walking towards the counter with a broad smile on her face. She had the same crystal blue eyes as Luke, but lacked his height. Her shoulder length champagne-colored hair was perfectly styled, as always. And she was wearing her usual fitted white tee, boot cut jeans, and light denim jacket with a silver cross necklace and dainty hoop earrings to complete the ensemble. I’d always loved her style, it was the perfect mix of Texas meets city chic.

“Sure,” I said, smiling. “Hi, Mrs. Morgan!”

“Ainsley, love, please call me Lynn,” she said laughing. Her eyes sparkled the same as Luke’s when she laughed, and I could see they also shared the same dimples. “After more than six years, and you staying at our house more times than I can even remember, I think we can drop the formalities.”

“Sorry.” I blushed. “Force of habit I guess. Anyway, the books you want are over here.”

I led her over to the new books section against the far wall. “All of the new gardening books are right here. If you’re looking for one we don’t have, we can always call around to other libraries to get it.”

“Thank you.” She immediately started browsing through the titles and picked one up. I’d turned to walk back to the counter when she added, “So you and Luke have been spending a lot of time together.”

“He’s helping me write a business plan,” I said with embarrassment. “I want to train therapy horses.”

“He told me.” She placed the book back on the shelf and turned to look at me straight on. “He enjoys spending time with you. He always tried to hang out with you and Riley, but she would chase him off.”

“Really?” My eyebrows raised in confusion. “I never knew.”

“She said it was because you were so shy, she didn’t want you to be uncomfortable; and that may have been part of it, but I think she just didn’t want to share her time with you.” She reached over and hugged me tightly. “I’m glad you’ve been able to get Luke out and away from the ranch. I know running the cattle ranch is not what he wants to do.”

“When he told me about wanting to breed horses his whole face lit up,” I said, wanting her to understand just how important this idea was to Luke; hoping she could persuade her husband to let him at least try. “He’ll run cattle out of a sense of obligation, but it’s not what will make him happy.” I shrugged, not sure how else to explain it. “Plus he’s been helping me so much to make my dream a reality, I wish there was a way I could help him.”

She reached out and took my hand and squeezed it reassuringly. “You are helping, Ainsley,” she said gently. “Just spending time with him, getting him away from the ranch, it all helps.”

“Maybe,” I said quietly. That was the second time she’d mentioned spending time with Luke and being happy I was with him. I started to wonder if she was hinting at something, or trying, like my grandparents, to push the two of us together. “Do you need me to make anything or help you with the barbeque this weekend? I can’t believe Riley is coming home!”

“I think your grandma is baking some pies and a sheet cake. We should be all set for food, but you can come on out and help with setting up tables if you’d like. I know Riley is excited to catch up with you.”

“I can do that,” I answered brightly. “And I’m looking forward to seeing her too.”

After Lynn checked out her books, I clocked out, anxious to meet my first potential therapy horse.

As I climbed into my steaming hot car and tossed my bag on the seat next to me, I checked my phone for any missed calls. I had one new text message from Luke.

Good luck with the horse this afternoon. Remember to be careful. I’ll call you tonight.

I smiled as an intense feeling of pure happiness and excitement washed over me.

Thanks! Just left work, heading home now. Your mom was in today…had a nice talk. Don’t worry about me; I’m a horse whisperer ;) Have fun shopping!

I drove home listening for a return message alert, but my phone remained silent. Back at the ranch, I ran inside to change clothes and eat the lunch Gram had waiting. My dad and grandpa were already at the table, digging into their food. I sat down, but I was too anxious to eat much. After Dad and Grandpa filled up, we finally headed out for the horse.

On the drive over, I thought more about the conversation with Lynn. I was still puzzled about Luke trying to spend time with Ri and me. I couldn’t remember a time when Luke had asked to hang out with us. Even if he had, I wasn’t sure why Ri would have told him no. I made a mental note to ask her about it.

I glanced down when my phone beeped, alerting me to a new message.

It wouldn’t be so bad if you were here with me! XX

My face split into an irresistible grin and I barely suppressed a happy giggle. I knew the crush I had on him in high school was nothing compared to what I was feeling now. If I kept this up, I’d soon be completely and irrevocably in love with him.

That thought brought me up short. I couldn’t let myself love Luke. Despite Gram’s intuition, I just couldn’t believe he would love me in any way but as a friend.

“Why the long face, Ains?” Grandpa asked, glancing back at me in the rearview mirror. “You just had a big ol’ smile on that face, now it’s gone.”

“Just thinking, Grandpa,” I replied, not wanting to give anything away. I gave him a reassuring smile. “Nothing to worry about.”

“If you say so girl.” His eyes drifted back to the road, but his expression remained skeptical. “We’re almost there.”

We arrived at the clinic where the horse was being treated. The vet came out and talked to my dad while I walked over to the grazing pasture. I approached the railing slowly so as not to scare the horse. It was a mare, chestnut brown, and looked to be about two or three years old, but it was nearly impossible to tell her age in the condition she was in. Her ribs and hip bones jutted out and her dull, patchy coat was covered in angry bramble scratches. My gut clenched in anger. Who could treat such a beautiful creature this way?

I pulled some sugar cubes out of my pocket and slowly extended my hand over the fence. She looked up and snorted, pawing at the dirt. I kept my hand out and stayed completely still.

“Come here girl,” I whispered. “I won’t hurt you.” The horse looked up and took a tentative step forward then paused, nostrils flaring. “Come on pretty girl.” She tossed her head, brown eyes wild with indecision.

She took another step towards me and extended her head toward my hand, but stopped just out of arms reach—curious, but still skittish.

“Come on, baby,” I encouraged softly. “It’s alright.”

Snorting again, she took the last step needed to reach the sugar cubes. She nabbed the cubes from my outstretched hand with a velvety snap of her lips, then took a step back to crunch on them in safety, eyes pinned on me.

“Good girl,” I said smiling at her, my hand still held out toward her. “You want to trust me don’t you girl?”

The mare stepped closer again and nudged my outstretched hand with the tip of her nose, searching for more sugar cubes. I slowly and gently stroked her nose with the tips of my fingers, whispering to her the whole time. Something warm dripped down my cheek and I realized I was crying. My heart broke for this horse. It made me all the more determined to make my dream a reality. I decided then and there I would expand and rescue as many horses as I could. Once the horses were rehabilitated, I could always find good homes for the ones that couldn’t be used for therapy horses.

“What do you think kid?” Grandpa asked, coming over slowly so as not to scare the mare away. She whickered softly and flicked her ears, but continued nudging me for more sugar. “Think she can be saved?”

“Yes,” I said determinedly. “She will be just fine. I want her.”

“Ok, I’ll let them know. Here’s a lead, see if you can get her to the trailer.” He immediately handed me a braided red rope with a snap on one end, like he’d never expected to leave here without her in the first place.

I smiled apologetically at the mare and stroked her nose one more time. “Ok girl, you probably won’t like this, but I promise you’ll like where we’re going.”

She backed away again before I could get the lead on her, so I reached into my pocket for some more sugar cubes. She stepped towards my outstretched hand again, and while she munched on the cubes I clicked the lead onto the bridle, maintaining eye contact and continuing to talk quietly. I opened the gate latch and let it swing out, then stepped backward slowly. One step at a time, I led her out of the gate and inched my way to the trailer, baiting her with sugar cubes whenever she balked. My dad was there to open up the trailer and help me secure her once she was in. Carefully, I closed the door on the trailer and made sure it was locked tight before walking over to where the vet was standing.

“Here’s my cell number. Please call me if you get another horse in need of rescuing.” I handed him a slip of paper with my contact information.

“I’ll do that,” he replied. “She’s a good girl; I know you’ll give her a real good home.”

“Thank you,” I said, drying my tears on my sleeve. After checking on the mare one more time, I jumped into the backseat of the truck. Dad and Grandpa got in and we headed back to the ranch. I wished I could see the horse from the back window, but I knew in my heart she was going to be ok.

“How’d it go?” Luke asked when he called that night. He voice was gravelly with exhaustion.

“She’s beautiful!” I exclaimed, unable to keep my excitement at bay. “A sweet girl too. She’s settled in the stable now, and we put some ointment on her cuts. Now I just need to fatten her up and let her know we love her.”

“That’s great, Ains,” he replied, but his voice lacked its customary warmth. Something was definitely bothering him.

“Luke, is everything ok?” I asked hesitantly. “Did something happen in Austin today?”

“No, nothing happened. I’m just tired sweetheart. It was a long day,” he answered, trying to reassure me. My heart sped up when my brain registered the endearment, and I realized I was grinning ear to ear. Despite being giddy, I was still concerned about him. I knew him well enough though at this point to know I shouldn’t push.

“Ok; go get some sleep. We can talk tomorrow,” I told him.

“Don’t forget to keep tomorrow night open. I’ll call you in the morning.” He sighed heavily before adding, “Sorry I’m not worth much tonight.”

“You’re always worth a lot, Luke,” I replied, wishing I could wrap my arms around him. “Get some sleep. Whatever it is will look better in the morning.”

“I hope so. Sweet dreams, Ains.”

I sat staring at my phone for a few minutes after we hung up, before going about getting ready for bed. It was early, but I wanted to get up to work with the new horse first thing in the morning. My last thought before I fell asleep was that I really needed to think of a name for her.