Embracing Today, a firefighter romance: (The Trading Yesterday Series, #3), Kahlen Aymes [essential reading txt] 📗

“I’m doing a little better.” I walked over and patted Siri’s nose as she waited for her turn to get fed. She nuzzled my palm and snorted. “Hey, girl.” I scratched her forehead and behind her ears.

Ben rested the pitchfork against one of the stalls so that he could bend down and pick up the rambunctious puppy clamoring for his attention. “Little bit! I missed you!” His laughter rang out at the enthusiastic greeting.

My smile widened at his interaction with Gem. She didn’t much care for Carter, but she seemed to adore Ben. My uncle always said that animals, especially dogs, could tell a person’s character immediately, and this was obvious proof.

Ben’s laughter continued to echo through the barn as Gem licked at his stubbled chin. Seeing the two of them together, and how gentle he was with her warmed my heart. The two of them playing made me feel a little bit better about the favor I was about to ask.

“Do you have plans for supper? I made homemade chili and cornbread. I know it’s not gourmet, but—”

Ben’s eyes met mine and he nodded slowly. “That sounds great. Thank you, though you don’t have to put yourself out.”

“I’m not. I figure if I can’t help out here, the least I can do is feed you.” I continued to pat my favorite horse, setting my forehead against hers. I felt slightly embarrassed that I felt such an easy attraction with the handsome fireman who had volunteered to help me, and I didn’t want him to see the blush of heat I knew was gracing my cheeks.

“Well, it sounds good. I love homemade cornbread and I haven’t had any for at least a year.”

Ben gently set Gem on the concrete aisle between the stalls that led to the big equine exercise arena at one end of the building and resumed distributing feed to the rest of the animals. I found myself watching him through hooded eyes, mesmerized at his strength and how his lean, but muscled, body moved. It left me feeling a little flustered.

I had to keep reminding myself that Carter had barely been gone seventy-two hours, and I shouldn’t even be interested in another man. But then, Carter was a mean bastard and Ben was kind and gentle, even though he had the goods to crush most other men. My hormones were in overdrive even though my mind resisted my body’s reaction. Carter’s treatment of me dictated that I guard my heart and my physical well-being. It could be a long while before I could let another man get close to me, though I hoped that Ben would want to be my friend.

I moved away from Siri when she was happily munching away on her dinner and walked to the feed stall where Ben was getting another pitchfork full for the black stallion.

“I wish I could help,” I murmured, leaning on the side of the doorway. The pain in my ribcage was still screaming, but I did my best to ignore it.

“You don’t need to help,” Ben brushed me off. “You just need to heal.”

“Well, I feel stupid and indebted to you. I don’t like being helpless.”

He huffed as he emptied the laden pitchfork into another of the horse’s stalls. He looked like he’d been born for this kind of work, though I imagined fighting fires and saving lives was more rewarding.

“Pfft,” he said, with a small grin. “Everyone is helpless sometimes, and you certainly have good reason. You need to take care of yourself right now. You’ve been through a lot.” I could sense an unspoken question as his eyes raked over my face. He had such gentle eyes that I found myself drowning in their blue depths.

I decided to watch in silence, gathering my composure until he was almost finished, when I would have him come inside the house to eat. “I’ll go inside and set the table. Just come on in when you’re ready.”

“Are you sure?” He wiped perspiration from his brow with his shoulder. “I’ll be really sweaty when I’m done. I probably smell worse than these horses.”

“That’s okay. I’m used to smelly men—” I stopped myself in horror. I could literally feel my eyes widen. “Um, I mean,” my eyes slammed shut and I shook my head abruptly. “Uncle Leonard always used to work with the horses, and the guys always smelled of grease from the shop.”

Ben laughed lightly, walking away to get more feed. “I knew what you meant.”

“And anyway, if you want to clean up…” It wasn’t proper to offer to let him shower since we barely knew each other, so I stopped myself again. “Wash up… there is a sink in the mudroom off the back door. I’ll lay out soap and a clean towel.”

“Sure, thanks.”

Ben had finished with the hay and was now dumping scoops of oats into each of the feed bins. “I’ll just be a few minutes more.”

I made a move toward the house and looked over my shoulder. “Come on, Gem. Time to eat!” I paused to watch her cock her head and look at me before sitting her little butt down on the concrete floor near the feed stall. “Come on,” I said again and patted my thigh. “Gem, come.”

She looked at me and whined a little before laying down and putting her head on her front paws.

“Apparently, my dog is a traitor,” I said wryly.

“She just wants to be where the action is, I guess.” Ben’s lips slid into a genuine smile. “I’ll bring her in with me when I’m finished.”

I nodded and went into the house smiling to myself. It felt good that my puppy trusted Ben and so I felt a little easier in allowing myself to follow my instinct and do so myself. I’d just finishing laying out the fresh towel I’d promised on the sink in the mud room and set the table before