Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 38075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 190(@200wpm)___ 152(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38075 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 190(@200wpm)___ 152(@250wpm)___ 127(@300wpm)
I’m once again a mess, and there’s no way to sidestep Trey since he and Champ are sitting on the front porch. Trey has a beer in one hand and his other is petting the top of Champ’s head. Both look content and happy for good reason.
The minute my truck door slams shut, I’m moving up to my two guys. Champ is taking the porch steps two at a time to get to me. I’m kind of surprised because I haven’t seen him in quiet some time. So, either Tully is a miracle worker, or Trey is, or both of them. There’s a collar around his neck and two tags jingling together. I know Tallulah vaccinated him, which meant he received a county tag, but the other one looks to be in shape of a dog bone. Upon further investigation, I realize it has his name, phone number, and address engraved. I’m holding back the water works, barely. This has Trey written all over it.
“Look at you, big guy. You’re clean and happy, not like you were a few days ago.” I drop to my knees, abandoning my bag to give him all the attention he wants and deserves. Champ drops to his back, going belly up for me to keep on petting him. I continue to do his bidding. It’s not until my back starts to ache that I stand up and head for Trey.
“Hey, sugar, you want a beer?” Trey pretends like I’m not a filthy mess, I’m home later than normal, or that he hasn’t handed me everything on a silver platter.
“Not much of a beer drinker.” Champ follows me to where Trey is sitting. He’s got a small cooler packed full of beers like he and Amos usually have.
“Some things never change. You wanna tell me why you look like you’re caked in mud and like you’ve been wrestling?” Trey jumps right on in.
“Sure, after you tell me how much I owe you for everything for Champ, and I don’t mean the vet bill. I mean the collar, the tags, what I’m sure is dog food, dog treats, toys, and a bed.” I’m hoping I can deflect enough attention off myself and piss him off about money than me keeping a secret.
“Everything’s inside. Dog food is courtesy of Tully, so you’ll have to complain to her. The rest of the shit, I’m not worried about.” He takes a deep pull of his beer, downing what has to be most of the bottle in one go. “Don’t want to start an argument, but you not saying anything says it all. You’re hiding.”
His words should not piss me off, except they do. I didn’t want to be forced to tell him what Genevieve and I have going on. This was supposed to happen next week, not when Amos isn’t here, and what I really wanted was to tell the two men I love the most the dream I’ve created.
“I am hiding. I don’t want to hear I told you so. Okay!” I start pacing the front porch, staying out of reaching distance. His hands on me right now wouldn’t allow me to continue my snit. “The two of you jerk faces were right. Pushing me away from Arrowleaf, making it to where it seemed like I wasn’t wanted was the right thing to do. I found myself. I found my true calling, and admitting that has been the hardest damn thing ever.” I take a deep breath, stopping in my tracks near the front door.
“And now you’re scared to tell me what it is you’re doing after going to school and finding a passion that has you so riled up, you’re damn near yelling?” Trey’s octave goes up a notch.
“Yes, damn it, you should know what I’m talking about all too well. Look at you and Amos with the bison deal you two are pulling together. You’ve kept that close to the chest for how long now? Well, Genny’s and my intentions were to make this a success and then tell everyone.” Champ starts whining, prancing back and forth on his feet, nervous energy swirling all around him. It’s time we take this down a notch. All of us being upset is only going to make things worse.
“Sienna, I don’t care what you do, if it’s a success or not. Though, I’ve known you a hell of a long time. You and Amos both touch anything, and it’s a success. You’ve got the drive and sheer determination to do anything you put your mind to.” His hands go up in the air. Champ starts amping up, and the only thing I know to do is to walk away, at least until we’ve calmed down a little, especially for the dog.
“Sorry, buddy, we won’t do this in front of you again.” I bend over, giving Trey my back and Champ my full attention again. Trey remains silent, allowing me the time to calm him down. “Yeah, that’s a good boy. You’re alright.” He pops a squat on my foot, relentless in needing me. Dear god, whoever had this baby before really did a number on him, and it’s going to take a lot of reassurance for him to always feel safe when voices are raised.