“Yes,” she said. “I appreciate that.”
“He wanted me to come back to the house.”
Marj squealed into the phone. “Yay! That’s great.”
“I turned him down. I don’t think it’s a good idea right now.”
“Are you kidding? It’s a great idea.”
“Well, it’s too late. I’m bound for at least a month for my new apartment. I just signed a month-to-month lease today.”
“You did? Where?”
“The apartment over the beauty shop.”
Marj huffed. “That dive? I would’ve fou
nd a much better place.”
“Marj, I scanned the ads this morning. The only other places are those apartments on the outskirts of town, and I need a car for them, so the beauty shop it is. It’s a cute little place.”
“If you say so.”
“I say so. Remember, I’m used to living modestly. It won’t bother me at all.”
“I’m sorry.” She sighed. “I don’t mean to go all diva on you. If you’re happy, I’m happy. But I’d still rather have you at the house.”
“I know, but it’s probably good for me to be on my—”
I dropped the phone.
Chapter Seven
Talon
I walked into Jonah’s office, needing to talk. What was it with me and talking lately?
His secretary was back today, though she looked a little pale.
“Are you feeling better, Dolores?” I asked the gray-haired woman who had once been my father’s secretary.
“Yeah. I look a lot worse than I feel.”
“Is Joe around?”
“He just went out to the pasture. I think he’s in the north quadrant today if you want to go looking for him.”
“Thanks.”
I drove out to the stables. Several months had gone by since I’d taken my horse, Phoenix, on a ride. I’d go out and find Joe, maybe help him a little if he needed it. I’d already been to the orchards and taken care of things there for the day.
Phoenix snorted when he saw me. The hands exercised him regularly, but I had been lacking in my attention to him lately. I’d had the horse since I was fifteen. I loved animals. This horse and Roger were my best friends.
I groomed him, saddled him up, and took him outside the barn, where I mounted and took off. The day was clear, the mountains green and violet in the distance, the sky a bright cerulean. Just another day in Colorado. I didn’t appreciate the beauty of my home enough. I needed to bask in it more often. I worked Phoenix up to a gallop, letting the wind ruffle my hair as we sailed through the breeze.
Phoenix. I’d named him after that majestic flaming bird rising from the ashes.
The one with the low voice grunted, finishing.