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It wasn’t a question. It was a fact.

A damn truth I couldn’t bring myself to deny.

When I didn’t answer, he leaned forward, forearms on his knees. “That changes things.”

“Does it?”

“Well, yeah. You don’t like anyone,” he chuckled. “If this woman has gotten to you, then there has to be a reason. A good one.”

“Like you said, it’s complicated.”

“You know, if the roles were reversed and it was me sitting there, you’d tell me to quit my fucking sulking and go get my woman.”

“Not that simple.”

“Of course it is. You just tell her what’s what, and don’t take no for an answer.”

“Not doing that.”

“Why the fuck not?”

“Cause people have been telling her what to do her whole damn life. I’m not going to be one of those people.”

“So, what’s the deal? She tell you to fuck off or what?”

“Didn’t tell me much of anything. Just that she couldn’t do this.”

“Couldn’t do this?” His brows furrowed. “Sounds like she didn’t think she had a choice in the matter.”

“Maybe not. I know she’s been through it.” I shook my head. “Hell, I don’t know. Maybe she thinks we couldn’t work, and she’s saving us the trouble.”

“Or maybe she thinks it will, and it scares the shit out of her.”

“Either way, it’s a lose-lose.”

Memphis sat there for a moment, then said, “How about this? Maybe you don’t tell her shit. Maybe you just show her what’s what.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Show her the kind of man you really are, and then, she’ll see she’s got nothing to be afraid of.”

I’ll be damned. He might have something there.

Memphis stood as he said, “This old guy once told me you don’t lose the fight by getting knocked down. You lose it by staying down.”

“Old guy, huh?”

“Yeah, he’s a real pain in the ass.Like huge. He’ll have you second-guessing all your life choices.”

“Um-hmm.”

“But he’s a good one.” His tone softened. “A damn good one, and any woman around would be lucky to have him by her side. It’s time he remembered that.”

Without saying anything more, Memphis turned and walked out of the room. I didn’t think. I was afraid if I did, I would talk myself out of it, so I turned on my computer. I started searching for the different types of bedding and how they can affect each horse.

When we were working in the barn, I couldn’t help but notice that Tabitha had a sweet spot for her pregnant mare. She was constantly going to check on her and talking to her, and she looked so concerned when she let her out to pasture.

I got it. The horse was in rough shape. She was not only pregnant, but she had a bum foot that was causing her to limp. She’d told me all about her. Explained how the vet had come and how they were working to get her better, but it was slow going.