Page 128 of Mouse Trapped

I giggle, Tse chuckles, and Drew gives a full-bellied laugh.

Epilogue

Mouse

“Tse.” Jacob walks over, grasps hold of both my hands in his and squeezes them hard. “It seems a long time.”

“Too long, old man.” I grin.

“Know the lad. You gonna introduce me to your woman?”

“Sure. Mariana, meet Jacob.” She steps forward, her hand outstretched, a smile on her face.

“I remember you.” He takes off his cap, looks at it, then puts it back on. “You’re the desert sprite.”

“I think you described me as looking like a sack of potatoes.” Her mouth widens as her lips curve.

“That I did, didn’t I?” He looks between Mariana and Drew.

“That’s my sister,” Drew informs him.

Jacob laughs. “Thought that as you look alike. But hey, tell you this, you got all the riding skills, boy.”

“Oh, don’t be mean, old man. She just needs some lessons.” I stand up for my wife.

Drew’s pulling at Mariana’s arm, he wanted to show her the horses, especially Niyol who he’s taken a fancy to. Lad’s a bit like me when I was younger, and I reckon it’s the challenge he likes.

As we watch them walk off, Jacob leans in close. “Boy reminds me of you. He’s been a great help to me. Just like you used to be.” He nods toward the office; I follow him over and take a seat I’ve sat in a million times before. Jacob leans back in the chair behind the desk that looks like it will fall apart at any moment. It’s a contrast, the stables are modern, clean,everything well maintained. The horses looked after with love and attention. Jacob wastes no money on himself.

Jacob wants to tell me something. I just lean back, enjoying the smells and sounds of the yard, letting him get around to it in his own time.

Eventually he raises his eyes to me. “I won’t be around forever,” he begins. I open my mouth to contradict him with some platitude, when he resumes, “You’ve put so much money into this place over the years. All that new equipment? Down to you. The new fencing? The horse walker? Couldn’t have done it without your help. I’m not saying tomorrow, but within the next few months, I’ll be giving it up.”

I frown. Not what I expected to hear, and not what I wanted.

“My age is catching up. Got to be honest here. I’ll go on a bit longer, got to get my head around the idea myself.”

“Where will you go?” I’ll help, do what I can. Help rehome the horses?Niyol. Fuck, I’ll miss him.Can I keep a horse on the compound?

“My daughter. She’s bought a house with an annex down in Tucson. Makes sense.”

I’m pleased to hear he’ll be living with family. But it’s going to take more than a minute to get my head around the fact my refuge will be gone.

“I’m signing the place over to you.”

I’ll really miss coming here, riding my horse. Shit, even the jobs like moving hay and mucking out.Wait. What?

“What did you say?” I growl.

“It’s yours.” He jerks his head in the direction of the window. “Kid’s a natural around horses. Knock this building down, or just let it fall by itself,” he grins, “build yourself a new house for you and your family.”

“I don’t, you can’t…” I can’t get the words out. Rapidly I’m thinking how I can manage the club and this place. Some brothers live off the compound, Viper and Bullet. They manage it easily. Yeah, get Viper’s construction crew here, design something for ourselves, fix up a computer room… “You should sell. Keep the money.”

He snorts. “You’ve bought this place twice over. Nah, it’s yours. I’ll stay on until you’re ready to take it over.”

“Not just my decision,” I say fast. “Got a wife now, and…”

“Your kid will love it.”