Page 21 of Home Is Where You Are

“Yes, I did. And all that happened was sleepin’. Mom, what’s Gentry doing here?” I asked out of curiosity because I was too scared to ask the one person I should’ve.

“That’s his story to tell. And you need to let him tell you. Someday soon you’re going to have to hear him out whether you’re ready to or not. Be careful, Ainsleigh. You might want to figure out what you want. I don’t want to see either of you hurt again.”

Why did mothers have that intuition that all children disliked so much?

She was right, but that wouldn’t stop me from being stubborn until I couldn’t be anymore.

“Mom,” I began to speak, but nerves overtook and I refrained.

“Yeah, sweetheart?” she asked, her eyes full of concern.

“Can we talk soon about the old home place?” I asked as I looked down at my mug of coffee. I didn’t want her to read too much into why I’d ask that, especially this early in the morning.

“Whenever you’re ready, we can talk,” she assured me as she placed her hand on my shoulder.

My father came into the room, so I didn’t have to reply. But she looked at me knowingly before she turned around to give him his thermos of coffee.

“Good mornin’, my beautiful girls. It’s so nice to wake up and see your gorgeous faces.”

“Good mornin’, Daddy,” I said as I walked over and gave him a hug.

“That daddy stuff isn’t gettin’ you out of workin’ today. But I’m glad to see that you’re up early and ready for a challenge.”

I thought batting my eyelashes at him would work. Just like it used to when I was little.

Guess not.

“But, Daddy.” I pouted like a toddler, poking my lip out to give the full effect.

“Not gonna work, baby girl. You’re muckin’ the stalls this mornin’. Now let’s get to work,” he said with a laugh as he patted me on the back and walked toward the door.

Just as he opened the door, Gentry and my brothers graced us with their presence.

They wore jeans and flannels with their boots.

I didn’t pay attention to my brothers much, though.

It was Gentry who my eyes couldn’t move from.

Why did he have to make the flannel look so good?

His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and he wore a black cowboy hat. The same hat I’d gifted him years ago when he’d first learned to ride a horse. My heart swelled at the thought of him having it all these years later.

“Good mornin’, Lillian. Thanks for the coffee,” he said as he walked over to my mother and took the thermos from her hand, his eyes never once leaving mine.

“Good mornin’, butterfly. Are you ready for today?” he asked as he walked toward the door.

I wasn’t sure if I was ready or not, but I wouldn’t let on that I was nervous for what the day held.

“Let’s get this show on the road,” I said with a smile as I followed him through the glass-paned door.

I walked down the path behind him. The spring air blew around me, causing me to cross my arms over my body to try to shield some of the wind from going through my shirt.

Gentry opened the door to the stables I’d just left a little while ago, holding it for me to enter.

I couldn’t wait to see Sparkle.

Standing in the doorway, I let out the special whistle I always used to greet her. I’d gotten her for my ninth birthday. A few months prior, my daddy had taught me how to whistle. Ever since the day I’d gotten her, I’d always whistle to let her know I was near. Hopefully, she hadn’t forgotten.