Page 53 of The Breakdown

Natalie stood and began to pace. June tried to comfort her. “But you seem to be different. She obviously has feelings for you. So maybe she’ll come around.”

“I’m not so sure. She…” She stared off in thought. “She seemed so confused, so, I don’t know, tentative and trepidatious. And yet…so passionate.” She touched her mouth again, as if remembering.

June blushed and got up and excused herself. “Well, I’ve intruded enough for one night. I reckon I ought to go find Vaughn and apologize again.” She grabbed her umbrella and opened the door. Natalie stood still, watching her in a dreamlike state.

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” She nodded toward the schedule. “I revised that. Have a look see when you see fit.”

Natalie absently nodded.

June bid her a good night and stepped out of the house and back into the cool rain. She propped open her umbrella and hurried toward the stables. Puddles were already pooling in the desert landscaping around the bungalow and even more were pooling in the hard, clay dirt on the way to the stables. Thunder growled again and lightning flashed, though both seemed more distant now. June slowed as she cowered beneath the shelter of the stables and closed her umbrella. She set it aside and walked down the row of horses to the next to the last stall where Miracle was kept. She found Vaughn in there, resting on a blanket next to the horse. She was stroking her, talking softly.

June felt bad for interrupting, but she needed to say her piece.

“You don’t have anything to apologize for, Gram,” Vaughn said, keeping her eyes on the horse, who lay next to her.

“Oh, but I do, child. I interrupted a very private, intimate moment. One of possible great significance and I’m so very sorry.”

“Like I said, it’s no big deal.”

“It is, Vaughn. And it pains me to hear you say it isn’t.”

Vaughn continued to pet Miracle, soothing her with her soft coos. “I’m sure Natalie understands.”

“She does. But do you?”

“Of course.”

“It won’t scare you away from her, will it?”

Vaughn didn’t answer. She just kept rubbing on Miracle.

“Vaughn?”

“Turn off the lights on your way out, will you?”

June stared at her. Vaughn didn’t say anything more and June’s heart sank. Vaughn was gone, the moment with Natalie, however significant and passionate, gone, carried away with the retreating storm. She’d feared as much. And she’d been right. Vaughn was just too fearful, too damaged to really admit to her feelings and allow herself to feel and experience them. And what was worse, was that June had no idea how to help her.

“She’s finally calmed,” Vaughn said, referring to the horse. “Since she first arrived home. Guess it just takes time.”

June closed her eyes, thinking of more than the horse. “I guess it does.” She left her and walked down the long row of horses to the entrance to the stables. Once there, she switched off the lights and retrieved her umbrella. But instead of opening it, she stepped outside into the falling rain and allowed the drops to penetrate her skin. She looked up into the sky and thought of Vaughn. Her strong-headed, strong-willed, strong-hearted granddaughter. Maybe she was just like a traumatized horse. Maybe it was going to just take a lot of time, love, and patience before she was her old self again.

But as June walked back toward the house, she wondered just how much time it would take and if Natalie would stick around long enough to find out?

Chapter Twenty-two

Tito pounded on the door and waited for Allen to pull it open, acting like he’d been interrupted. He was breathing hard and he laughed a little, as if unnerved at the unannounced visit. Tito’s continued silence only seemed to make him all the more nervous.

“What brings you by?” he finally asked.

Tito balled his fists. “You called.”

The last time he’d called Tito he’d threatened him, and Tito responded by hanging up. Now it seemed to dawn on him that maybe that hadn’t been such a good idea. Especially considering that Tito knew Allen was home alone and that Tito was easily strong enough to snap his neck if he saw fit.

Allen laughed again and offered him entry, obviously trying to play it cool. “Come on in. Have a drink. You look like you could use one.” Allen went to the wet bar and began pouring the expensive tequila. Tito stood quietly just inside the living room. Allen brought him his tequila and motioned for him to sit.

But Tito remained standing, tumbler of tequila in his hand.

Allen sipped on his drink and nervously eased down into an armchair. He crossed his legs, probably hoping to come across as relaxed. He was still in his business attire, no doubt because he hadn’t been home long enough yet to change into his more casual wear. Tito had interrupted his usual routine and that gave him some satisfaction.