Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
“Hey, momma, are you missing your babies? It’s not gonna be long and I’ll have you back out there.”
I trail after Clint, and as we approach, whatever animal is in the stall gives a low-pitched mew. It doesn’t sound distressed, but it’s not a sound I have heard before. Clint opens the top half of the door, and immediately, the animal is there. Clint strokes its muzzle, lowering his face to be level with it.
“It’s beautiful. What is it?” Its body is like chocolate-brown velvet, and its dark, glossy eyes are framed by thick, bristly lashes.
“This is Sadie, my momma elk. I found her the other day, lying injured in one of the outer pastures. I think she’d escaped a hunter maybe and fallen in her haste. When I found her, she had two fawns with her. They’re old enough to survive without her for a short time, but I’ve seen them on the land, looking out for her. She’s close to release. I’m working on it, just gotta clean up the infection first to give the little critter the best chance of pulling through.”
The bond between them is visible. The gentleness he shows the animal is like nothing I’ve ever witnessed from a man before, and it contrasts with the reserved way he carries himself outside of the shelter.
“You’re so good with her.”
“It’s about building trust. She knows I mean her no harm.”
Sadie mewls again. I wonder what she’s trying to tell him. Clint must read my mind.
“She wants to get back out there to her babies. I’ve got to get her well-fed and back on that leg of hers. This is the best she has been standing since I brought her here last week.”
Clint walks past me and back to the first stall, where there’s a mountain of hay. Filling a cart with a handful and some greener plants, he wheels it back and opens the whole door, being careful Sadie doesn’t escape. She seems to cooperate and immediately starts feasting while he fixes her bedding area with fresh straw.
“Can I have a look in the other stalls?”
“Knock yourself out.” He is so engrossed with Sadie, and I need a moment to process. Witnessing his tenderness and his commitment is moving. His sheer imposingness and straightforward attitude have melted away in front of my eyes to reveal a sensitive man. The rest of the stalls are empty, but there are signs that they weren’t so long ago.
“How do you have time for this with everything else you have to do?”
“Everyone’s got to have a hobby, Taylor. And this is mine. Helps me keep my feet on the ground.”
“Did you always want to be a cowboy?”
Clint doesn’t answer. His silence rings in my ears. Sadie bellows a low groan, interrupting.
“Actually, I wanted to be a vet.” There’s an edge to his voice, and I want to know more.
“So why aren’t you?”
Clint inhales sharply and rises to his feet from where he has filled a water trough for Sadie. “You ask too many questions.”
I flush, so embarrassed that I’ve overstepped. I need to be more wary of speaking my mind. One small rebuff, and my world feels like it will topple like a tower of cards. I turn to leave the stalls, and the light from the main ranch house is like a welcome beacon as I make my way back without a second look. Tears prickle at the corners of my eyes, and as I quicken my pace and draw nearer to the house, I find relief. The door is unlocked. I just need to be alone.
When the door swings shut, I stand in the dark, the hammering in my chest pounding in my ears. I shuck off my shoes and hang my cardigan on a hook.
As I approach the staircase, I notice a low light coming from a room in the corner. Curiosity gets the best of me, and I approach, taking one step at a time over the floorboards, which feel warm beneath my feet. There’s no one home. I’m totally alone. The room is bare, apart from a large, worn sofa in tan leather and two floral armchairs flanking each side. Dusty cabinets display various rosettes and trophies. One stands out to me.
‘Awarded to Clint Lawson for his dedication to raising funds for The AAWA and for his tireless commitment to caring for animals in need. 2022.’
It’s the newest and least dusty award in the cabinet, and it hits me in the guts like a punch. This man I have married and know barely anything about, who has taken the wind out of my sails with one sentence, has achieved great things and possesses goodness behind his gruffness. But he doesn’t extend it to me.
Will he ever?
Beyond tired and overwhelmed, I decide to head upstairs and take the bath Clint suggested earlier. I can’t remember the last time I sank beneath hot, soapy water, but one thing’s for sure, it has been almost a decade.