Releasing the Reins by Catherine Matthews

Author:Catherine Matthews [Matthews, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pacific Peaks Publishing
Published: 2024-04-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 37

Jeremiah 1982

“Hey, heads up!” Jesse called out.

Jeremiah stumbled back against the stall door. “Sorry.”

“Jeez, Jeremiah, pay attention or someone’s gonna get hurt.” Jesse reached up to pull her small student out of the saddle. “You okay?” she asked the girl as she handed her the reins. Jesse hugged her and shot Jeremiah a look that could freeze lava.

He needed to talk, but it couldn’t be his sister. She’d always had his back, and she always did the right thing. Jesse had the guts to stand up to Rocky, even if it meant sleeping over the barn. There was no way she could keep this to herself.

With each passing day, he knew the lie he and Rocky shared would become an anchor holding them down until they drowned. Jeremiah wanted to grieve out loud. He wanted to wail and scream, but he held it in. He was a master at that. Still, his heart felt like it might tear in half. He remembered this feeling. It was the same way he felt when he found out his mom had left them. Back then, he had to keep it inside too. Rocky made it clear there was nothing to talk about. She left them, so she no longer existed. But the truth was, her leaving felt like a break in a bone that healed but ached every time the weather got bad. Now the ache of her leaving was back, and it made losing Katie worse. Even though she didn’t leave on purpose, she still left him.

Jeremiah blamed himself. If he’d only had the courage to tell their fathers they were dating, she would have stayed with him. He didn’t try to stop her, though he knew she was too upset to drive. Like a coward, he just stood there, Rocky’s rules ringing in his ears. A man doesn’t beg a woman to stay. Jeremiah wished he had begged. If he thought it would bring her back, he would get on his knees right now and beg. He wouldn’t care that Rocky would think he was whipped.

Jeremiah missed the early feedings, but Rocky covered for him. He didn’t say a word. That was uncharacteristic. If Jeremiah had the energy to be anything but grateful for the silence, he would have noticed. When Rocky was irritated with someone, he was like a murder of crows dive-bombing an eagle. He didn’t let up. Over the years, Jeremiah learned to keep his mouth shut. But no matter how still or calm he got, Rocky would keep attacking until he thought Jeremiah had learned his lesson. Though he was poised for the attack now, he knew it would never come. Much like his mother’s leaving, Rocky was acting like Katie never existed.

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