“A little.”
“I’m proud of you.” I stop the tire swing and walk around to where I’m facing her. “You have come such a long way since you first came here. I know you haven’t really taken to the horses like I did, and that’s okay. But, if you don’t mind, can I ask what has brought on this change?”
A bright smile stretches across her face, reaching from ear to ear. Her once dull, blue eyes now sparkle. “John. He helped me more than anything. You did, too, Kenleigh, but John is the main reason.”
“I’m glad he’s helped you, Bailey.”
“Me too. He’s made me realize that I’m still alive. John said God has plans for all of us, and there is a reason I’m still alive. And you know what? He’s right. I don’t know the reason. I just have to sit back and wait, and I think I’m okay with that.” Quietly, she adds, “Can I ask you how your bond with the horses helped you?”
I smile at her genuine question. “It’s hard to explain. You know how you and John can talk, right? Well, for me, I didn’t want to talk to people about it. I didn’t want to hear how I should handle my emotions. I didn’t want people to try and get me to open up. When I was riding, anything and everything just faded away for me. Now, don’t think I’m crazy when I say this, but when I did wanna talk about what happened to my parents, the horses just listened. There was no response. There was no pity in their eyes. They always looked at me the same. I know they didn’t know what I was saying.” I shake my head, laughing at myself because saying it aloud does sound crazy.
“You’re not crazy. In a way, it makes sense.”
“You told John about the accident?” I ask, quickly changing the subject.
“I did. He knew something was up. One day, he brought a football here and asked me if I’d toss it around with him. Immediately, I started crying. John asked what was wrong, and I told him. It was hard at first. But after telling you, and then telling him,” Bailey shrugs. “I don’t know, I just feel better.”
“It feels good, right?” I ask. “To not feel like your whole world is shrouded in darkness anymore. Like a sliver of light is finally able to shine through, and you can see it.”
“Exactly. But after I told John about the accident, and cried like a baby, I asked him how come he always seems so happy. How come he’s not pissed that he’s stuck in a wheelchair.”
“And what did he say?”
“That life is too short to be mad all the time. John knows he’s going to die. He doesn’t know when, but he knows. And he said that when he does, when it’s his time to go, he wants his family and friends to remember how happy he was, not how mad, or sad.” A boisterous laugh escapes Bailey. “And then, when he answered about the wheelchair, all he said was ‘the chicks dig it’.”
I shake my head and laugh as well, because I can absolutely see John saying something like that.
After our fit of laughter dies down and a few deep breaths are drawn, I say, “Speaking of John, I think we should head back.”
“Yeah, me too. I haven’t seen him since before the holiday, and I wanna see how his Fourth of July went,” Bailey replies as she jumps out of the tire swing.
After Bailey and I put the horses away and made our way out of the barn, I spot John right away. “He’s right over there.” I point to the front porch where John is laughing with Wes and Liam. Wes leans against a pillar at the top of the steps, his arms crossed over his chest. I try to dampen down the lust that shoots through me as I take in the tan cargo shorts that hang off him in the most perfect way, and a fitted, black T-shirt. Liam stands casually next to Wes in a baseball cap, the bill covering his eyes, denim jeans, and a fitted, sleeveless, grey T-shirt.
“Hey John!” Bailey shouts as we approach the guys.
John slightly turns his wheelchair to see who’s just called his name. His eyes light up with adoration when he sees Bailey jog toward him. His arms stretch out, welcoming her into a hug. I feel the heat pouring out from Wes’ stare as his eyes rake over me. I stop dead in my tracks only a couple of paces away, watching Wes. He pushes off the pillar, taking the six steps that lead from the porch to the walkway two at a time. In a matter of seconds, Wes sweeps me up in his arms as his lips come crashing down on mine. I’m shocked that he would do this in front of all the kids, but at the same time, I’m too consumed by his passion to care. My hands glide up his arms, over his shoulders, around his neck, and tangle in his hair. Our lips never part, and our tongues never collide, but this kiss is still just as passionate.