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How long ago had Browser died? They’d always had a houseful of pets growing up. Dogs that had wandered in off the road, probably dropped off by desperate owners who knew the vet would take care of them. Barn cats galore, always a few that would wander in the house and decide it was better inside.

He sat on the red wool coverlet. Even the bedding dated back to childhood. His mother had ordered the boys’ bed coverings from a woolen mill in Oregon. She had made the curtains of plaid fabric, now faded. He remembered her setting up her sewing machine in his bedroom and zipping hems up both sides, threading the rod through the pocket, hanging them at the window, and standing back to admire her work.

“What do you think, Justy? Are these to your liking?”

“I like them fine, Ma,” he’d answered. Emily had always sought the boys’ opinions.

A few years later, Dave had been intrigued by the machine and she’d taught him to sew, making curtains for his room, too. Everything the boys needed for independent living, she’d taught them. How to use the little hand tools around the place, the drill and electric sander, and how to apply stain or paint to furniture. She’d instilled a love of gardening in them both, and although Justin didn’t have the time to garden lately because of the busy clinic, Dave had landscaped Katrina’s yard so that it was on the local garden club’s tour.

Emily had cooked and baked and taught her boys enough so they could feed themselves if necessary. After she’d died, her boys hadn’t wanted to leave home. Justin had finished veterinary school and moved back home, and the same with Dave, who’d finished his criminal justice degree and returned to his childhood bedroom.

“Knock, knock.”

He wiped a tear off his cheek and looked up. “Come in, Pop.”

“I figured you’d be in here. What’s going on with Maggie?”

“She’s pissed off about Amber Greely hanging around the barn tonight. Of course, I had my shirt off, which made it look even worse.”

“Son, go home on your knees if you must, but don’t let someone who means nothing to you come between you and Maggie. She’s the mother of your child. If you two split up, it will be heartache for the rest of your life.”

Justin rested against the headboard, listening to his father talk. “It’s like being on a roller coaster with her. I can’t help it if Amber shows up out of nowhere.”

“Well, you can. Don’t talk to her if you know how much it bothers Maggie.”

“I’m giving in to her craziness, then.”

“So what? Who’s keeping score?”

“Yeah, I see what you mean.” He looked at the windows again. “I remember Mom making those curtains. I was about nine, I think. I enjoyed spending time with her. My friends didn’t seem to like their parents much, but Davie and I loved you guys. Watching you work in the clinic, the way you’d let me stand on a stool when you examined animals or even did surgeries. I felt special. I know Dave did, too. We were both always welcome to tag along with Mom, whatever she was doing. Riding with her, wow, I’m so glad I never said no to an opportunity to do a family trail ride. She was a superb horsewoman.”

“Emily really was. She wasn’t brought up on a horse like you boys were. She didn’t get on one until she came here, but she took right to it. My father bought her all of her professional riding gear, and before you boys were born, she did the professional circuit with my father, showing horses all over the country.”

“I didn’t know that,” Justin said.

“I’ve got an album somewhere. You think you’re proud looking at some old ratty curtains she made you, you should see her in a riding costume.” He teasingly pulled his collar away from his neck. “She was hot.”

Justin finally smiled. “Pop, TMI.”

“Sorry, buddy. Your show’s on.”

“Okay, but you’re right, I’d better get home and try to put out the fire.”

“Well, how about just control it. You don’t want her to cool off to you.”

“Right, Pop. Too much sexual innuendo here tonight.”

They laughed together, father and son having a moment.

***

As Justin’s truck drove through the gate, away from Bayou Cottage and her, so she couldn’t be seen, Maggie crouched down to watch through the kitchen window. He had just passed the gate when her phone beeped. It was Amber. Maggie wondered if she was waiting in the woods for Justin, so she answered.

“I can’t believe you’re answering. I was going to leave a message.”

“Amber, what do you want?”

“I didn’t come over there tonight to piss you off, okay? I saw the light on, and like I said, I was just looking for puppy halters so I could walk the little guys tonight. You blew up over nothing.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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