[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
an old Thermos with coffee before heading out to the barn.
Stepping inside the barn, Sidney didn t immediately see Nash, but he heard a noise
coming from Diablo s stall. I brought coffee, he said, crossing the expanse.
I thought I told you to stay in the house, Nash s gruff-sounding voice called.
Sidney continued on. When he saw Nash he nearly dropped the Thermos to the floor.
He caught it in time and set it down, his heart racing. I thought you might need me, he
said, stepping over the largest pool of blood to kneel at Nash s side.
Nash continued to stare at the gaping hole in Diablo s head. What I need is for you not
to be touched by this. Go back inside.
No, Sidney whispered, putting his palm in the centre of Nash s back.
That was all it took to finally get Nash s attention. Nash blinked several times before
turning to address Sidney. The confused expression on Nash s face said it all. What?
I m not ten anymore, Nash. You can t just fix everything for me. Sidney gestured to
the dead stallion. This? This is real life. It s ugly and messy, but it needs to be dealt with,
and I want to help.
Nash s eyes filled with tears. Okay. He took a deep breath before brushing a kiss
across Sidney s lips. I ll go to the equipment shed and get the bag of oil absorbent. You start
clearing away the sawdust.
When Nash started to get to his feet, Sidney held onto his hand and pulled him back
down. There was something in Nash s voice that worried him, and Sidney couldn t let the
moment pass without reassuring himself. Are you okay?
Nash broke eye contact and glanced at Diablo once again. I will be. Nash kissed
Sidney again, more deeply and with more emotion.
* * * *
SPRING Carol Lynne
117
September 1989
Sitting in his rented studio apartment, Sidney dug out the small slip of paper from his
wallet with Josh s phone number scribbled on it. He d had to practically threaten Josh to get
it, but he d eventually relented. Sidney figured it was Josh s way of getting Sidney to go
away.
He dialled the number and waited, hoping like hell Josh would pick up.
Hello?
Sidney heard noises in the background, and Josh seemed out of breath. Not the best
way to start off a conversation. Hey, he finally said. It s Sidney.
Hey, Josh returned. Listen, this isn t a good time. Can I call you back later?
At any other time, Sidney might believe Josh was just trying to put him off, but the
commotion in the background told Sidney otherwise. Sure. Do you still have my numbers?
Yeah, I m sure they re around here somewhere, Josh replied. A loud crash sounded.
Shit. Gotta go.
The phone went dead before Sidney could say anything more. He wondered what life
must be like for Josh and Luke. Although Luke had made remarkable strides since the
accident, Sidney knew from talking to Maggie that Luke still required almost constant
supervision. Despite her misgivings on the matter, Josh had insisted he be the one to care for
his brother. Not only had Josh dropped out of school, but according to Maggie, he d dropped
out of life, too, centring his attention on Luke.
Sidney was once again thankful he d convinced Maggie to sue Sidney s insurance
company for damages. Of course Sidney had been dropped by the insurance company, but at
least he slept a little better at night knowing the Ballentines had enough money to care for
their son.
Feeling down, he called the one person who always had the ability to cheer him up.
Although Nash had been distant the last few times Sidney had been home, he was still there,
something Sidney couldn t say about anyone else in his life.
Running E.
Lonnie? Sidney asked, wondering why the ranch hand was answering the phone
instead of Nash.
SPRING Carol Lynne
118
Yep. Nash is in Hutchinson again so he asked me to answer the barn phone if it rang.
Hutch? It was the third time in two weeks that he d called only to find out Nash was
out. Did he say when he d be back? Jealousy began to creep its way up Sidney s spine.
There was only one reason he could think of that would make Nash drive into Hutch three
times in two weeks. Reece.
Nope, but usually we re gone by the time he gets back, Lonnie said.
Okay, thanks. Sidney hung up the phone. It was only Thursday, which meant he had
another entire day of classes before he could head back to the ranch. He glanced at the
finished assignment. It was due in the morning, but perhaps Professor Garmin would let him
hand it in early?
The whole idea behind the project pissed him off anyway. Sidney hadn t decided
whether or not to believe the professor when he said it was a contest to see who could come
up with the best design for a new library being built just north of Chicago.
In Sidney s opinion, the company that had set up the contest was just looking for a free
design, but because Garmin was going to give them a grade, Sidney had little choice in the
matter.
He pulled out his planner, intending to call his professor. His next move would be to
try and find an address for Reece Lyons.
SPRING Carol Lynne
119
Chapter Eleven
By the time Grady Nash pulled his truck into the drive it was almost eleven thirty, and
he still had a few hours worth of work to do before he could go to bed. He started towards
the barn, but slowed when he spotted Sidney s big Bronco parked next to the house. What
the hell?
Nash parked beside the Bronco and got out. He was surprised to see Sidney sitting on
the darkened porch smoking a cigarette, a habit Nash thought the younger man had given
up years earlier. What s going on?
Sidney blew out a puff of smoke. I was about to ask you the same thing.
Something in Sidney s tone stopped Nash in his tracks. Well, as you can tell, I m just
getting home. I had something to do. The question is, what re you doing home on a
Thursday?
Sidney flicked the cigarette onto the brown grass beside the porch. I called earlier.
Lonnie told me you went to Hutch again. Sidney stood and put his hands on his lean hips.
You ve been going there quite a bit lately.
Yeah. The more Sidney talked, the madder Nash became.
Only one reason I could think of that you d be visiting Hutch so often, so I drove by
Reece s house but your truck wasn t there.
Nash took a step back. The accusation cut to the bone, and if he wasn t careful, he d lash
out just as deeply. He turned on his heels and walked back down the porch steps. Go back [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl wyciskamy.pev.pl
an old Thermos with coffee before heading out to the barn.
Stepping inside the barn, Sidney didn t immediately see Nash, but he heard a noise
coming from Diablo s stall. I brought coffee, he said, crossing the expanse.
I thought I told you to stay in the house, Nash s gruff-sounding voice called.
Sidney continued on. When he saw Nash he nearly dropped the Thermos to the floor.
He caught it in time and set it down, his heart racing. I thought you might need me, he
said, stepping over the largest pool of blood to kneel at Nash s side.
Nash continued to stare at the gaping hole in Diablo s head. What I need is for you not
to be touched by this. Go back inside.
No, Sidney whispered, putting his palm in the centre of Nash s back.
That was all it took to finally get Nash s attention. Nash blinked several times before
turning to address Sidney. The confused expression on Nash s face said it all. What?
I m not ten anymore, Nash. You can t just fix everything for me. Sidney gestured to
the dead stallion. This? This is real life. It s ugly and messy, but it needs to be dealt with,
and I want to help.
Nash s eyes filled with tears. Okay. He took a deep breath before brushing a kiss
across Sidney s lips. I ll go to the equipment shed and get the bag of oil absorbent. You start
clearing away the sawdust.
When Nash started to get to his feet, Sidney held onto his hand and pulled him back
down. There was something in Nash s voice that worried him, and Sidney couldn t let the
moment pass without reassuring himself. Are you okay?
Nash broke eye contact and glanced at Diablo once again. I will be. Nash kissed
Sidney again, more deeply and with more emotion.
* * * *
SPRING Carol Lynne
117
September 1989
Sitting in his rented studio apartment, Sidney dug out the small slip of paper from his
wallet with Josh s phone number scribbled on it. He d had to practically threaten Josh to get
it, but he d eventually relented. Sidney figured it was Josh s way of getting Sidney to go
away.
He dialled the number and waited, hoping like hell Josh would pick up.
Hello?
Sidney heard noises in the background, and Josh seemed out of breath. Not the best
way to start off a conversation. Hey, he finally said. It s Sidney.
Hey, Josh returned. Listen, this isn t a good time. Can I call you back later?
At any other time, Sidney might believe Josh was just trying to put him off, but the
commotion in the background told Sidney otherwise. Sure. Do you still have my numbers?
Yeah, I m sure they re around here somewhere, Josh replied. A loud crash sounded.
Shit. Gotta go.
The phone went dead before Sidney could say anything more. He wondered what life
must be like for Josh and Luke. Although Luke had made remarkable strides since the
accident, Sidney knew from talking to Maggie that Luke still required almost constant
supervision. Despite her misgivings on the matter, Josh had insisted he be the one to care for
his brother. Not only had Josh dropped out of school, but according to Maggie, he d dropped
out of life, too, centring his attention on Luke.
Sidney was once again thankful he d convinced Maggie to sue Sidney s insurance
company for damages. Of course Sidney had been dropped by the insurance company, but at
least he slept a little better at night knowing the Ballentines had enough money to care for
their son.
Feeling down, he called the one person who always had the ability to cheer him up.
Although Nash had been distant the last few times Sidney had been home, he was still there,
something Sidney couldn t say about anyone else in his life.
Running E.
Lonnie? Sidney asked, wondering why the ranch hand was answering the phone
instead of Nash.
SPRING Carol Lynne
118
Yep. Nash is in Hutchinson again so he asked me to answer the barn phone if it rang.
Hutch? It was the third time in two weeks that he d called only to find out Nash was
out. Did he say when he d be back? Jealousy began to creep its way up Sidney s spine.
There was only one reason he could think of that would make Nash drive into Hutch three
times in two weeks. Reece.
Nope, but usually we re gone by the time he gets back, Lonnie said.
Okay, thanks. Sidney hung up the phone. It was only Thursday, which meant he had
another entire day of classes before he could head back to the ranch. He glanced at the
finished assignment. It was due in the morning, but perhaps Professor Garmin would let him
hand it in early?
The whole idea behind the project pissed him off anyway. Sidney hadn t decided
whether or not to believe the professor when he said it was a contest to see who could come
up with the best design for a new library being built just north of Chicago.
In Sidney s opinion, the company that had set up the contest was just looking for a free
design, but because Garmin was going to give them a grade, Sidney had little choice in the
matter.
He pulled out his planner, intending to call his professor. His next move would be to
try and find an address for Reece Lyons.
SPRING Carol Lynne
119
Chapter Eleven
By the time Grady Nash pulled his truck into the drive it was almost eleven thirty, and
he still had a few hours worth of work to do before he could go to bed. He started towards
the barn, but slowed when he spotted Sidney s big Bronco parked next to the house. What
the hell?
Nash parked beside the Bronco and got out. He was surprised to see Sidney sitting on
the darkened porch smoking a cigarette, a habit Nash thought the younger man had given
up years earlier. What s going on?
Sidney blew out a puff of smoke. I was about to ask you the same thing.
Something in Sidney s tone stopped Nash in his tracks. Well, as you can tell, I m just
getting home. I had something to do. The question is, what re you doing home on a
Thursday?
Sidney flicked the cigarette onto the brown grass beside the porch. I called earlier.
Lonnie told me you went to Hutch again. Sidney stood and put his hands on his lean hips.
You ve been going there quite a bit lately.
Yeah. The more Sidney talked, the madder Nash became.
Only one reason I could think of that you d be visiting Hutch so often, so I drove by
Reece s house but your truck wasn t there.
Nash took a step back. The accusation cut to the bone, and if he wasn t careful, he d lash
out just as deeply. He turned on his heels and walked back down the porch steps. Go back [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]