give is to get completely out of your hair.”
“No favors, Josie. I don’t work like that.”
“But I do owe you one, whether you think so or not. A monumental one after this mess I’ve created.”
It occurred to Seth that Josie wasn’t going to let up. It wasn’t her nature. But it wasn’t his to expect anything in return for offering her a temporary job and place to live. He’d learned long ago that if you expected to be rewarded for the good you put into the world, then everything got canceled out. You just had to go with your gut and do what you thought was best in each situation you faced in life. No strings attached. No expectations to be met.
He knew it wasn’t best to let Josie leave quite yet, no matter how hard she pushed. It wasn’t best for the horses. It wasn’t best for her bank account. And it wasn’t best for Seth.
“You’re not going anywhere and that’s not up for negotiation.”
Shocked into silence, Josie’s mouth clamped shut, whatever words she had readied dying before they met her lips.
“And if you really insist on returning the favor—”
“I absolutely do,” she interrupted.
“Then maybe hold off on coming clean with my dad and Tanner just yet.”
Josie pulled a stunned expression. It only lasted a few seconds before she wiped it clean from her face and marshaled her composure. “Okay. I can do that.”
“We don’t have to act like a real couple or anything. I obviously don’t expect that. But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t just a little curious about my father’s reaction. We can stage a break up by the weekend, but maybe for the next few days, we could play along?”
“I told your father we’d attend a BBQ on Thursday. We could stage the breakup there? He had asked if we could come over tonight, but I told him we already had plans.”
“Oh really? That’s good because I actually do have plans.” Seth grinned mischievously. “And now it sounds like you do, too.”
“B-36!”
A wave of mutters rolled across the sterile multi-purpose room like the disapproval at a comedy club after a bad one-liner. Linoleum the color of oatmeal and walls in a similar, muted shade made for a bleak atmosphere, but Seth knew this was the highlight of the week for the mass of people congregating within the depressing space, even if their groans and grumbles didn’t convey it.
“Give us something to work with, would you?” Gus spat. His dobber shook in his trembling hand and he waved it at Seth in the same manner he used his cane to put others in their place. “Maybe have that girl of yours call out the numbers. Doubt she could do a worse job.”
Seth settled the white ball onto the rack and gave the Bingo cage another wild spin. “You want to read this one?” He turned to Josie and handed her the most recent ball to roll down the chute.
“Sure.” She turned it over in her palm. “N-12!”
“That’s more like it!” Gus happily blotted his card with the marker. “Just like that. Keep ‘em coming.”
“Tough crowd,” Josie murmured.
“You have no idea. Gus over there always seems to find something to grumble about. Even a basket of free cookies.”
“I can’t imagine I’d be all too cheerful if I had to live here. Makes my trailer look like a palace.” Josie took another ball. “G-5!”
Seth cranked the handle again. The balls jumped and bounced within the cage like popcorn on a stovetop. “Last time I was here, I told Gramm I’d figure out a way to get her out. Even if it’s just for an afternoon.” He passed off another Bingo ball. “A change of scenery is long overdue.”
“N-11!” Josie hollered. “What about arranging a little trip out to the ranch for some equine therapy?”
“You think the horses are ready for that?”
“In a few days, sure. I remember back when my grandma started losing her memory due to dementia, the only thing that could pull her out was the familiarity of a horse. Those animals have such a calming nature about them. Just being in their presence is often enough to soothe even the most burdened of souls.”
“And you think a set of wild mustangs will have the same effect?”
“I think they will have an even greater effect. They’re untamed. Free. Something the folks shuttered in this place likely haven’t experienced in years…I-45! I-45!”
“Bingo!” Berta burst from her chair, flapping her card in a celebration. After confirming