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“John. You’re not that old.”
He took a bite of the cookie. “If I wasn’t finally starting to get warm, I’d go jump in again.”
He changed the subject, which she had mixed feelings about. Was he saying he was thinking about her in a way he shouldn’t? That’s sure what it sounded like. But he was right about the wife thing. He had been wearing a ring. What would he say if she told him how she felt? Not that she knew exactly what she was feeling.Who am I kidding?The man was very appealing and if he said he was attracted to her, she’d be fine with it.
Chapter nine
"I don't think anyone actually likes tequila."
The first week at the riding stable went by fast. Even though John found everything to be familiar, there was still a lot to learn, since Everett had his own way of doing things. John spent the first three days in the barn with the horses, getting to know them and their personalities. On the fourth day, he went along with Everett on the trail rides. And by Friday, he took two groups out by himself. It was also his first payday.
He'd been working four to six hours a day, so it wasn’t a lot of money, but John was glad to get it. He’d been completely dependent on Ember for everything. It was time to start helping with his expenses.
Everett shook John’s hand. “It’s been a hell of a week, John. You did great. Thank you.”
John nodded. “I loved every minute of it.”
“So, you’ll stay on?”
“Hell yeah.”
“Good. I feel like you know more about horses and their care than I do.”
“Yeah. It’s a little strange how my mind works. As soon as I start doing something, it comes back to me. I just don’t remember how I know it.”
Everett patted his shoulder. “You’ll get there. Give it a little more time.”
John nodded. It’d only been a little over three weeks since he woke up in the hospital. Even though he was impatient to remember, there was still hope. “I suppose someday I’ll wake up and know exactly who I am.”
“I’m sure that’s true. You just need to have faith.”
“I was hoping to bring Ember by next week. I’d like to get her up on a horse.”
“Sure. Anytime. Take the next two days off. My nephew always helps out on the weekend. And I’ll be closed on Sunday for the Fourth.”
“Okay. I’ll see you Monday, then.”
John drove home in the old truck Scott had left at the property. He and Ember had a good week, too. He continued to cook breakfast every morning, and she’d have dinner planned when he got home. They’d continued their rummy tournament, and he was still ahead in scoring. But she insisted he hadn’t beat her yet, since it was an ongoing game.
He liked spending time with her, and he missed her when he was at the horse ranch. If he knew for sure there wasn’t a Mrs. John Sherlock out there somewhere, he’d definitelyhave trouble staying in the friend zone. He liked her. Way more than he should under the circumstances.
When he walked into the living room, Ember was on the floor in a yoga pose. She continued to hold it for a few more seconds, then dropped to the floor and sat.
She smiled. “Hey.”
“So this is what you do every day while I’m gone?”
“Yes. But I usually do it earlier.”
She was wearing yoga pants and a tank top, and she looked really good. “Well, get dressed. I got paid today and I’m taking you out to dinner.”
“All right! That’s exciting. How’s it feel?” She stood and picked up her mat.
“It feels damn good. I don’t feel so useless now.”
She walked over to him. “You haven’t been useless. You’ve been recovering from a traumatic event. You still are.”
“Do you need to shower?”
