Out on Work Release: Men of Danger Series by Josephine Quynn

Author:Josephine Quynn [Quynn, Josephine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-02-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven – Conflict Resolution

The afternoon was hot. It seemed to be a perfect day for horse riding, and because there were only eight people booked in, Loretta decided to go, too. She wouldn’t normally have accompanied the parties, but because she had asked Ben to go, she thought that it might be a good idea to go too since it was his first time out with customers. He didn’t even know the best route. Only fair, she told herself.

“I’m coming too,” she announced.

“Well, is there any point in my going?” Ben asked, a little put out and aggrieved that she might not trust him to handle customers alone.

“Of course, I’m coming to show you the route but also because it’s such a fabulous day and I feel like getting out myself. I don’t usually go, but because it’s a group of men, I’ll feel safer if you’re there with me. I don’t trust them not to maltreat the horses. Okay?”

“I can’t refuse, when you put it like that, can I? Sorry if I seemed grumpy. I thought that you might not trust me.” He was obviously seeking reassurance, but the truth of the matter was that there was a tinge of doubt eating away at Loretta. He was a criminal, for heaven’s sake. He’d stolen and written off her truck. And here she was, trusting him with her business and her beautiful babies. Was she mad?

Ben read the hesitation that perhaps she didn’t. “I don’t blame you. Why should you?” and he kicked the earth with his right boot sending dust flying up into the air.

“I’m sorry, Ben. I can’t lie to you. Of course, there’s that worm of doubt wriggling in my head. And I can’t get rid of it yet. But it will go, over time, I’m sure. Just give me time, please. But that’s NOT the reason I decided to come. Honestly. It’s because it’s a great day and I want to go riding. With you. I enjoyed it yesterday, didn’t you?” She gave him her sweetest smile.

“Okay, I get it. And I’ll give you as much time as you need. Of course, I will. Now let’s get those horses saddled up. The creeps – hmm, sorry– the customers will be here soon,” and he walked off at such a rapid pace that she had to run a little to catch up with him. She knew that she’d offended him, but she couldn’t just lie to him. And what she was feeling was perfectly reasonable.

Loretta was an expert with the horses. She’d been doing it a long time, but Ben soon caught up with her and learned how to strap on the saddles quickly and efficiently. They worked in silence, a tension simmering beneath the surface, which both felt would heal quicker if not probed again so quickly afterward. They were both strapping on their last saddle when they heard cars approaching. They finished up and went out to greet the customers.

It was obvious that they had already been drinking, but none of them seemed unfit to ride.

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