Lope

By the time they’d finished dinner, Faye learned that A.J. had lived in Texas all of is life. The only time he’d lived out of the state was when he went to Purdue where he got a degree in animal science. He’d been training horses for about 15 years. Two hours had passed by the time the bill came. When it arrived A.J. reached for it. “No you don’t!” Faye intercepted, grabbing the slim, black American Express folder and brushing his hand in the process. A.J. stopped her attempt by covering her hand. Faye’s first instinct was to pull away, but the wine had slowed her responses. “You don’t have to,” he said. “I didn’t really mean that you had to pay.” A.J. confessed, “I don’t like to eat alone and I figured you weren’t the kind of woman who’d agree to dine with a stranger.” “You’re right, I wouldn’t have,” Faye said softly. “But a deal is a deal, and I would feel better keeping my end of the bargain and buying you dinner.” Faye slowly pulled the folder out from under A.J.’s hand. His fingers released it as they lightly brushed across the top of her hand. As they touched her skin she felt a tenderness, which stirred a desire in her. Faye quickly denied the sensation, hoping he hadn’t noticed her reaction. She gingerly pulled the folder toward her. She then opened it and pretended to study the bill. It didn’t matter if she owed $100 or $1,000 when Faye Cassidy put her Master Card down to cover it, her thoughts were on things other than money. # When they returned to the fairgrounds A.J. swung past the barn so he could check on his horses and Faye could check on Joey. She was just topping off her horse’s water pail when A.J. popped his head in the stall. “All set?” he asked. “Yes.” Faye patted Joey on the shoulder. “Night big boy.” A.J. held the door open for her. As Faye stepped past him she caught his scent, which was a combination of spicy cologne, hay, and leather. For a horsewoman the combination of spells was pure euphoria. “Hang on a second,” A.J. said. Faye turned and faced him. “I had a nice time tonight.” Faye didn’t know how to respond. She had also enjoyed herself, but to say that would admit that it had been a date. “So we’re even,” she said, instead. A. J. dropped Faye at the door of her horse trailer. He waited for her to unlock it and to turn on the lights before driving away. Once he was gone, Faye replayed how the evening ended. The more she thought about it, the more it appeared that the man she’d just dined with had wanted something more than a good steak and dinner conversation. When Faye couldn’t fall asleep, she decided it wasn’t too late to call Debbie. Her friend was a night owl. She always stayed up into the wee hours and watched the late night talk shows. It took Faye about 20 minutes to fill her friend in on the evening. Debbie hardly said a word as she rattled through the details including what he’d said in the barn about having a good time and her cool response. “Are you an idiot?” Debbie asked when Faye had finished. “You just broke bread with the most eligible bachelor in the horse industry, and all you could tell him was that you were even.” “I know,” Faye said. “I don’t know what I was thinking.” “I do,” Debbie said. “You were thinking I don’t want to get hurt, again.” Faye started to cry. She worked so hard to act tough and make it seem like the divorce and Rex’s affair was just something that happened. Her denial and the keep your chin up facade left little opportunity to be vulnerable, let alone to be open to any attentions from a man. “I know, sweetie . . .” Debbie started, “Rex hurt you terribly. But not every man out there is a jerk like him. You need to give someone a chance, or you’re gonna be an old maid like Janet Walker.” Janet had been their 4-H horse project leader. Faye and Debbie, like all of the other kids Janet took to fair, just loved her. Janet was one of those people who took care of everyone else. Of course, when they were kids they never noticed that she didn’t take any time for herself, or for that matter, take time to have a relationship with a man. Her 4-H kids were everything for many, many years. How cruel time could be and now 20 years later she was alone. She still had a couple of old horses, but now was too arthritic to ride. Janet had filled most of her house and barn with cats. Debbie checked in on her from time to time, as did Faye. “Probably, but not with all of the cats,” Faye admitted. “Need I remind you that your New Year’s resolution this year was that you weren’t going to let what Rex did make you an emotional cripple,” Debbie said. “I know,” Faye said. “But it’s easier said than done.” ‘Well, okay then . . . this is what you’re going to do,” Debbie advised, “Your western pleasure class isn’t until the evening, right?” “Yes,” Faye said. “That gives you plenty of time . . .”