Page 63 of The Breakdown

Natalie continued cleaning, rubbing one of the saddles so hard her hands began to hurt. She tossed the lightly dampened sponge back into the bucket of water and rubbed the leather down with glycerin soap, all the while listening to the laughing.

She gritted her teeth and rubbed harder, moving from one saddle to another, squeezing out the sponge and starting the process all over again. First the damp sponge wipe down, then the glycerin soap. Over and over. Until her tortured mind could take no more. At last, she finished and she tossed the bucket and sponge out into the aisle of the stables, where it smashed against the wall and spilled onto the concrete floor. It caused a loud commotion and the trio looked over at her from down the row of horses. Vaughn in particular was giving her a confused look. But Natalie didn’t care, she just kept walking, leaving the stables behind.

She crossed to the main house, knowing that if she went into the bungalow she’d do nothing but wallow in self-pity and think about packing up again.

What was going on with her? Why was she so upset and jealous? Vaughn had told her they couldn’t be together. So why was she wigging out?

Because she’d also said she needed me and wanted me to stay.

But the young woman? There was no reason to be jealous. Vaughn wasn’t Natalie’s and the young woman was no threat. She was a potential employee. Someone who would work for Vaughn. And Vaughn would keep that professional.

Wouldn’t she?

God, I’m so confused. So distraught. Vaughn’s right. I’m too much of a mess to even think about her that way.

She knocked on the kitchen door and entered when June called out. The kitchen smelled of boiled chicken, a scent that always bothered Natalie’s delicate stomach. She tried not to think about it.

“I told you you don’t need to knock,” June said. “Don’t tell me you’re gonna be as stubborn as the others are around here.” She was scrubbing vegetables at the sink. Natalie stood next to her and washed her hands. Then she took the washed veggies and asked if June wanted them diced.

“I’d appreciate that,” she said.

Natalie retrieved a knife and took the vegetables to the cutting board. She began dicing the carrots.

“So what’s troubling you?” June said, walking to the stove where the boiled chicken sat on a platter cooling. She grabbed a bowl and began separating the chicken from the bone, placing the shreds into the bowl. She worked quickly and expertly with hands as red as a ripe tomato.

“Nothing.”

“That’s the biggest bunch of bullarkey I’ve heard in a while.”

“Well, it’s the truth.”

“Child, if that’s the truth, then those pigs Vaughn raised when she was little could fly.”

Natalie finished with the carrots and started in on the celery. “What is this for anyway? Chicken soup?”

“Yes, and don’t change the subject.”

“Isn’t it a little late to be cooking soup for dinner?”

“It’s for tomorrow, smarty-pants. Supper tonight’s leftovers. They’re warming in the oven.”

Natalie sliced harder. She could feel June’s eyes on her.

“Well? Am I gonna have to hang you up by your toenails or are you gonna tell me?”

Natalie stopped chopping. “I was just thinking about the man and woman outside with Vaughn.”

“Oh. That’s Wyatt and Em.”

“Right. Possible employees.” Vaughn would move on from them and interview more. She was sure of it. No need to worry.

“No, they’re the new hires.”

“New hires?” Natalie whipped her head around to look at June. “Since when?”

“Since about an hour ago.”

“What happened to having them meet the horses first and all that?”