Free Buckle Down by Melissa Ecker

someone you love put themselves in that position.”
    He looked at her and took her hand in his. “I know it is. My
folks have done a lot for me. I want to give them something back. I’d love to
be able to buy them a house like your parents’ place. And help my dad retire.”
    “You will.”
    “What happens when summer ends? You have to go back to
California?”
    “Yes. I have two more semesters to finish my degree.”
    Shane looked at his feet. “I wish you could stay here.”
    “I do, too. I mean, I could probably transfer to ASU in
Beebe or Little Rock. I’d have to talk to my counselor and see what my options
are. I’m just not sure if that’s what I want. I’ve made so many great friends
and I’m looking forward to walking with my class. We’ve been in this program
together for three years, you know?”
    He nodded. “I understand. I’d like to send my brother to
college. He’s the smart one. He could be anything but he has to feed his family
and my parents couldn’t afford to help him.”
    They fell quiet and she leaned her head against his
shoulder.
    “Tess. Tess.” Shane shook her arm.
    She opened her eyes and blinked.
    “You’re sleeping out here, babe. Go inside and lay down.
I’ll come check on you in a while.”
    “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m so tired all of a sudden.”
    “Comfort food.” He laughed and kissed her. “Go on.”
    She stood up and wiped the hay off the seat of her pants.
“Okay. Text me if you need me to come back out. I’ll just take a short nap.”
    He squeezed her thigh. “Will do.”
    She went inside and slipped her jeans off and crawled into
his bed in her t-shirt and underwear. She made sure her phone was on, set it on
the nightstand, and knocked out.
    When Tess opened her eyes, it was after midnight and the
other side of the bed was empty. Shane still hadn’t come back inside. The phone
beside the bed had not registered any calls or messages. She rubbed her eyes
and stretched. The wood floor was cold under her feet and she found her jeans
and pulled them on. The mirror in the bathroom revealed puffy eyes and messy
hair. She splashed water on her face and rinsed her mouth before redoing her
ponytail.
    The night air was warm and heavy, typical for summer in
Arkansas. A fine bead of sweat erupted on her forehead courtesy of the
humidity. Lightning flashed across the sky and a few seconds later the crack of
thunder made her jump. It definitely felt like a thunder storm was moving in.
    The wooden gate to the stall where she had left Shane was
closed and she stepped up on it to look inside. The scene inside stole her
breath and she gripped the top bar.
    Sierra stood in the corner drinking water.
    In a pile of hay, Shane lay beside the foal, a wool blanket
covered the brown baby horse.
    Tess stood motionless and watched the baby to see if it was
breathing. Emotion welled up inside her and she bit her lip. Then the baby
sneezed, covering Shane’s face in horse spit.
    He jumped back and wiped at his face, his eyes fluttering
open. He scampered to his feet and pulled his t-shirt off to clean his face.
    The baby struggled to its feet and nudged its nose against
Shane’s leg.
    Shane looked up and smiled at Tess. “It’s a girl.”
    Tess laughed. “She’s beautiful. Congratulations, papa.”
    “I’m proud of her.” He patted the mother and climbed out of
the stall. “I think my work here is done and I need a shower.”
    “Want me to wash your back?” Tess winked at him.
    “That’s not all I want you to wash.”
    He piggybacked Tess back to the apartment and set her down
in front of the bathroom door. “Let me grab some towels.”
    Tess kicked her boots off and stripped down to her underwear
before Shane returned.
    He stacked the towels on the toilet seat and dropped his
pants and boxers. “Clean me up so I can get you dirty.”
    “You got it.” She slipped out of her panties and bra as he
turned the shower on.
    Shane pulled the curtain back and held