Page 44 of One Night Years Ago

To distract himself, Hunter wrote a short letter to Mac. In it he wrote the truth about some things: the farm, his family, his fear of not being able to fix all the things that needed fixing before the winter came. But he didn’t write about Natalie or about his fear that he or his brother would be blamed for the new crimes. Those were big fears that Mac didn’t need to be saddled with.

Hunter then tried to read a book, but found he had too much energy. He went looking for his brother and found him at the stable, scooping up manure into a bucket. He took a pitchfork and attacked the hay furiously. At least Stormy, Jesse’s mare, would be comfortable.

“What are you thinking about?” Jesse asked, working beside him. His brother could be surprisingly incisive.

“Nothing, just wondering what the weather’s going to be like tomorrow.”

“It looks like it’s going to rain. But that’s not really what you were thinking about. I think you were thinking about a girl.”

“Nah, no girls. I need to think about how to make things better for us.” He looked around the stable. Jesse probably didn’t notice, but Hunter knew it wouldn’t survive the winter if they didn’t fix the roof. Same with the main house. There were so many repairs he needed to do, and most of them would require money. Money that he didn’t have. He was going to have to go to the bank one of these days. Maybe tomorrow.

“We were okay, you know, when you were gone. I took care of Mom.”

“I know you did, Jesse, and I’m really proud of you. I don’t know if I told you.”

“Why did you leave, Hunter? Mom said you were too far to visit.”

“Yeah. I did write, though, remember?”

Jesse nodded, excited. “I kept all your letters. They’re in my room. I could show you.”

“I’d like that.”

“I’m getting hungry.”

“You’re always hungry. Why don’t you go in the house and fix yourself a snack? Mom’s probably asleep by now.”

Jesse nodded wisely. “I’ll be careful not to wake her up. You sure you don’t want anything?”

“Nah, I’m okay. I’m just going to go to sleep.”

“You’re still thinking about the girl.”

“Goodnight, Jesse, see you tomorrow. I’m right here if you or Mom need anything.”

Hunter decided to fix the stable door, which was hanging half-off. It was a job for two men, and one best done in broad daylight, but he needed something to make him tired. He wanted to be exhausted when he fell into bed so he wouldn’t spend the night awake, worrying about Natalie.

After a sweaty half hour wrestling with the door, he finally had it where he wanted it. He rolled it open a few times, smiling in satisfaction and thinking that manual jobs had never given him this much pleasure before.

He was still grinning like an idiot when he saw the lights. He covered his eyes with his arm, trying to see who might be coming at this time. He recognized Natalie’s patrol car and her silhouette behind the wheel.

She opened the door and got out. She was wearing a white shirt and jeans tonight. The jeans were tight and made her legs look a mile long. His mouth watered.

“I hope you’re not here in some official capacity,” he drawled. He couldn’t let her see just how much she affected him.

“What? No. Of course not. I know you didn’t do—”

“I was just joking. It was in bad taste. I’m sorry.”

“Oh. Yeah. It’s been … a long day.”

“Do you have a few minutes? I have something to show you.”

She nodded and followed him into the barn.

“This is Stormy. She’s my brother’s mare. She’s going to be giving birth any day now.” He didn’t know why, but he had the feeling Natalie loved horses.

Natalie’s expression softened. She reached out her hand and let Stormy smell it and lick it. “She’s beautiful. What are you going to do with the colt?”