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That's the start of our late afternoon rush, and it doesn't stop until the end of my shift. Once I’m finished, I go home to shower, change and pack a fresh bag to return to Josh's place for dinner.
"Oh Jenna, will you be joining us for dinner?" Mom asks when I walk in.
My brother is standing in the kitchen with her, and my dad is sitting at the kitchen island.
"No, I was actually going to pack a bag and go stay at Josh's house for a few nights," I tell them. Then I watch closely for their reactions.
Josh wants me at his house just as badly as I want to be there. Only he insists that I let my parents know that I'm at his place and stop telling them that I was staying over at Sky and Dash's place.
They know I've been over there after work and sometimes before work, depending upon what my shift is, so I'm waiting for their reaction.
My dad sits his phone down and looks over at me. "You've been spending an awful lot of time over there lately," all he says.
It's more of an observation than anything, but I'm ready for it. "He got in a new horse, and as it turns out, she's a little scared of men, but she took to me almost right away. So, Josh has been letting me work with her, and I've been training her. We went for a ride the other day, and I absolutely love that horse." It’s the truth. I only leave out a few key details.
Asher raises an eyebrow at me, but doesn't say anything.
"That's wonderful! Tell me about the horse," Mom says.
I sit down next to my dad and tell them about Dolly and how she loves to run, but will still snuggle with me when I brush her down. I tell them how Josh is helping me work with her and how, with my job schedule, sometimes it's just easier for me to crash in his guest room than make the drive home.
All three of my brothers look at me, but not a single one says anything.
"Well, let us know when we can come out and see you with her. Maybe next week?" Mom asks.
"Yeah, I think that will work, but I'll ask Josh."
"How is the writing going?" Dad asks.
"Honestly, the ride with Dolly seems to give me time to think. During one of my outing with Dolly, I realized I backed myself into a corner, plot wise. So I've been taking my laptop on the rides, and when we stop for Dolly to drink at the creek, there is a great spot to rest. I've been going over my story and fixing it. That spot is magical," I say.
Then I go on to tell them about the story changes I've been making and promise to have a new draft for them to read soon.
"Well, you seem really happy, so I'm glad you found something that works. Just remember, Sunday dinners are nonnegotiable," Dad says sternly.
"I know, Dad. I will be here. But I need to get going. I want to work with Dolly before it gets dark."
As I’m going to my room, Asher catches up to me in the hallway.
"What is really going on at Josh's? I know you, and I know you didn't tell Mom and Dad the full story," he says.
I'm caught off guard and have to scramble to think of something to say.
"The full story is I love spending time on the ranch, and while I never considered wanting to live or work on a ranch, the idea is growing on me. I don't know if it's just a phase or if it's where I'm meant to be, but I'm not ready to bring it up to them until I know."
"All because of a horse?" Asher says, leaning against the wall and crossing his arms.
"It's the freedom I feel on the horse. I've never felt anything like it. When Dolly runs, and the air whips through my face, my mind is free. By the time we make it to the creek, I have such clarity on my book."
"And once you are done with the book?"
"I don't know, Asher. But I know you are a planner, and you like knowing what you are working toward, but I don't have all the answers right now. That used to bother me, but since I've been working with Dolly, I'm okay with it."
"I just want you happy, but I worry about you too,” he says.
With the emotion in his voice, I can tell he's being sincere.
"Who knows, maybe I will be taking you guys up on the idea of building a house on the ranch, too. I'll help make sure you guys are fed, and I'll work with horses and write. But I have time to figure it out."
