your appetite is back. How about some sightseeing today?”
“Sure. I’d like to call English first.”
It was getting late back home and she was already in bed when I called.
“I’m sorry. This time change is going to be difficult for communicating.” I filled her in on everything so far and she did the same. When she told me about her conversation with Ravina, I didn’t know whether to laugh or shout.
“You two had it out. I’m glad you told her off, but be careful around her, English. Other than taking Easton out there to ride, I’d rather you stayed away until I got back. I don’t trust her at all.”
“Seriously, Tristian, what can she do?”
“I’m not sure, but I wouldn’t put anything past her. Just stay away except for Easton to ride. Promise me.”
“I promise. But I want you to promise me something in return.”
“What’s that?”
“You’re headed out in that jungle tomorrow. Promise me you won’t take any unnecessary risks.”
“You’ve got it, starshine.”
“Goodnight, and call or text as soon as you can.”
“I will. Sleep well and hug Easton for me.” I missed my wife. A lot. I missed her body, her words, her voice, everything. And I missed the little tyke too.
I gave my teeth a quick brushing and met Beck in the lobby.
“There’s that glum face again. What’s going on?” he asked.
“I miss English.”
He stepped back and slanted his head as he stared. Then he asked, “Are you in love with my daughter?”
“That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it?”
Chapter Forty-Three
English
The bed was awfully lonely without Tristian. For all his cockiness when we’d first met, he’d sure toned that down since. I missed him, and not just for the sex, although that was the cheese on the burger—he’d been great so far. I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, but it hadn’t. Things only kept getting better and better.
Maybe I ought to pinch myself because this was too good to be true. Could this really last? I’d never thought my feelings would be involved so quickly, but here we were. This was going to be a long three weeks without him.
The first week dragged by. Landry called on Friday and wondered if we were coming out for the riding lesson on Sunday. Easton had talked about the horse non-stop so I agreed.
Sunday morning, we left for mansionville. On the way Easton said, “Mommy, I drew the mean lady a rainbow. Can I give it to her?”
“You can if she’s there. If she isn’t, Landry can give it to her.”
“Okay. Can I get a horse?”
“Where would you keep it?”
“In the garage. We could let it out in the backyard to play every day.”
“Don’t you think it would get tired of the garage? And who would shovel up all the poop?”
She laughed from the back seat. “Horses don’t poop. Only doggies.”
“Peanut, all animals poop.”
“Huh-uh.”
“Yes, baby, they do.”
“Even fishes and turtles?”
“Even fish and turtles.”
“I didn’t see no poop from Sally.”
“Any poop. You didn’t see any poop.”
“I know. Sally didn’t have no poop.”
“She did. You didn’t pay any attention.”
When we pulled up to meet Landry, Easton was still babbling about horse poop.
“Hey, Landry. Does Sally poop?” Easton called out as she hopped down from the car.
“That’s quite a greeting, sport, but yep, I’m afraid she does.”
“Will you show me?” She skipped to where he waited.
“You wanna see Sally’s poop?”
Easton nodded.
I added, “She has this notion we could get a horse and keep it in the garage. Then for play, we could let it out in the backyard, but I asked her about cleaning up the poop.”
“Got it. Easton, let me show you something.” We followed him to the back of the stables where there was a big pile of horse manure.
“What’s that?” When she got a whiff of the stuff, she pinched her nose.
“Horse poop.” Landry nodded as she looked at him. Her eyes were comical as they grew.
“Wow. Did Sally make all that?”
“Not all but most.” Landry winked at me.
“Told ya, peanut. Do you want to scoop all that out of the garage?”
“No way, Jose. That’s wayyyy too much poop. Why does she gotta poop so much?”
“It’s a ton because she’s so big,” I said. Maybe she’d circle back to getting a dog.
“You ready to ride, Clyde?” Landry asked.
“My name’s not Clyde.” She giggled.
“Yeah, but it rhymed and I like it. Come on.” He held out his hand and she latched on.
Once she sat high up on Sally, off they went. I was primed and ready for Ravina, only she never showed. It