“After this, you’ll know she foals early. Besides, you suspected this outcome from the beginnin’. I don’t think it’s a long labor for her. I think he’ll be here soon. We’ll see. Watch her tonight, call me when you need me.” The vet patted the horse and left the stall.
Kitt just rested against the rail. The stress of the moment was clear on his face. He hadn’t acknowledged or even seen Austin or Seth as they came in. He was completely absorbed in his horse, keeping his eyes on her as he absently put the ball cap back on his head.
“You can do this, big girl. I know you can.” Kitt nuzzled her. The horse responded to him, again knocking his ball cap back down, causing them all to laugh. It was then that Kitt lifted his eyes to Austin. They exchanged something in the gaze before Kitt’s eyes cut to Seth. He intently stared at him for a long moment before looking over at his stepmom. The vet was already out the barn door. If he noticed Austin, he never said a word.
“Austin, it’s good to see you again,” Lily said before Austin could introduce Seth. “Hi, I’m Lily, Kitt’s mom.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. You certainly don’t look old enough to be his mother.” Seth pointed in Kitt’s direction.
“Well, that’s good because actually I’m his Stepmom,” Lily said with a laugh.
Kitt cut his eyes back to Austin, letting his gaze linger for a second or two, before turning them back to Seth. His focus stayed on Seth until he finally turned to Mike and Jose. “I’m gonna go home and shower, and then I’ll be back to sleep with her tonight. I’ll call you if anythin’ changes. I won’t be longer than fifteen minutes. Jose, can you stay that long?”
“Yes, sir. I’ll cut tomorrow. This here’s way too stressful. You stay here with her!”
Austin chuckled at the sincerity on Jose’s face. It was said in jest, but it was clear it was a serious thought. As Kitt came from the stall, he stuck his hand out in Seth’s direction, not waiting for an introduction.
“Kitt Kelly.” His introduction was a little curt compared to the tenderness he just displayed with the horse, and it was only because Austin was so in tune with Kitt he even picked it up. Tension shot between Seth and Kitt, and Austin got the impression it was just the deep rooted Southern manners requiring Kitt meet his agent. The attitude in both men surprised Austin, and he narrowed his brow watching the exchange a little confused.
“I’m Seth Walker.”
Kitt shook Seth’s hand and nodded. It was all he gave before turning away. The action was monumentally clear: Kitt hadn’t acknowledged Austin at all.
“Kitt, this is my agent and good friend,” Austin said to Kitt’s retreating back. All Austin got was a simple look over the shoulder and a curt nod with a tip of Kitt’s ball cap before his eyes cut back to Seth. Kitt just dismissed Austin, and this time it sure wasn’t sitting well with him at all.
“It’s nice to meet you. We’ll have to have you over for dinner in a few days. Get through this with Lady first,” Kitt said.
It was all Austin got as he watched Kitt strut through the barn to his truck. He never looked back as he stepped up inside his cab, started the truck and pulled away.
“Thanks for the help today, Mike.” Jose was left with them all in the barn. “Mr. Grainger, thank you. Kitt will for sure be thankin’ you soon. He’s just stressed tonight.”
“No, no problem. I get it. We’ll get out of your way. Anything Mike or I can do to help, just let us know.” Austin tried to keep his eyes on Jose and not the dust cloud forming behind Kitt’s truck as he drove away.
“Thank you, sir,” Jose said, walking them out to Austin’s truck. As if he had no other choice, Austin finally cut his eyes in the direction of Kitt’s cabin and looked out where the trail to Kitt’s house lay. The dust was already settling. Kitt didn’t waste a minute in his getaway.
~~~~~~
“So that’s your cowboy? He’s good looking enough,” Seth said as he climbed into Austin’s pickup truck.
“He’s hot as hell!” Austin started the truck and waved at Jose as they drove away from Kitt’s barn.
“If you’re into guys.”
“Which I am.” Austin shot back immediately. How could Kitt never acknowledge him? He couldn’t be in the same room without getting a hard-on for Kitt, no way he wouldn’t at least say hello.
“Austin, what’s going to happen if you’re ready to come out and cowboy Kitt isn’t?” Seth asked. “Isn’t that what this is all about? You’re here to get your life back, stop hiding and by your own admission, he’s buried deep in that closet.”
“That’s still years away.” Austin pulled out on the main road for the quarter of a mile until his entrance began.
“It’ll be a huge problem. I know you. You’re the touchy, feely type. You don’t do well with a bunch of rules. Clearly, you don’t. You’ve up and left a job paying you twenty million dollars a film in order to be who you are.” Seth kept his gaze straight, staring out the front window.
“Look, who knew I’d find him so quickly. Besides, it’ll work out like it’s supposed to. I don’t wanna talk about it anymore. Only time’ll tell how this works out. But, I’m unbelievably happy with him. It’s not something I’m willing to just give up because I don’t know the future in our deal.”
That seemed to stop Seth, and they drove the rest of the way in silence. Austin pulled up to the back of the house, put the truck in reverse and let the truck idle.
“You aren’t coming in?” Seth asked when he realized Austin wasn’t turning the motor off.
“Nah, I’m going back over so Kitt doesn’t have to stay there alone.”
“Did I miss something? Does he know you’re coming? Does he even care?” Seth stepped from the truck, but stood with the door open waiting for an answer.