Someone Perfect for Mr. Moore by Lucy J. Whittaker Page B

were
young.  Only dad and I have seen his dark side.  He hit on me a few times, but
I refused him.  I caught him striking Jasper once with a crop.  When I slapped
him and told him to stop he raised his fist to me.  If my dad wouldn’t have
come just then I have no doubt that he would have hit me.  My dad tried to fire
him, but since Dean and he are friends, he refused, he thought we were blowing
things out of proportion.”
    Nicole stared off into space for a minute. “My accident was
Alcide’s fault.  I was out riding and he threw up a blanket or something as I
was riding by.  Jasper bolted and I fell off.  I don’t remember what happened
after that.  I was out for quite a while.  He left me there to die.  I could
feel blood on the back of my head and I couldn’t move, I think my arm was
broken.  Jasper came back and stayed by me and then I blacked out.”
    “Oh my God, that is awful.  Did you tell Dean?” 
    “He wouldn’t listen to me.”
    Lucy reached out and took her hand.  “I’m so sorry.  I’m
glad you told me though, that explains a lot.”  She thought back to Dean’s
warning about not riding with anyone but him.
    They sat in companionable silence for a while, just pushing
the swing gently and enjoying the garden.  Then Nicole turned to Lucy and took
her hand again with a smile.
    “Do you think you can help my brother?”
    “With what?”
    “He’s broken; he needs someone to love him.”
    Lucy looked at her a little startled.  “Uh…I won’t be here
that long Nicole, besides I don’t think your brother is looking for that.”
    “You already love him don’t you?”  Nicole asked with a small
smile.
    Lucy let out a long heavy sigh.  “Is it that obvious?”  She
gave her a rueful smile in return.
    Nicole’s smile widened in response and she let out a little
laugh.  Her eyes lit up as she spoke again.  “Will you do me a favor?”
    Lucy shrugged her shoulders, “sure.”
    “Can you go and give these to Jasper for me?  I can’t go
around him right now; he still gets skittish around me.  Reggie told me that he
likes you.”
    They stood up and Nicole handed her something.  Lucy looked
down at a roll of wintergreen lifesavers in her hand and laughed. 
“Seriously?” 
    Nicole smiled and nodded to her.  “Just a few though, it’s
just a treat.”
    “Okay, I’ll go right now.  Thanks for talking to me; maybe
I’ll see you later.”
    “You’re welcome Lucy”, she gave Lucy a wave as she left the
garden. 
    Lucy wandered back to the stables and she smiled when she
saw Jasper come to his door as she came inside.  How did he know she was here?
    “I have a treat for you handsome.”
    Lucy pulled out a few of the candies from the roll and held
them in her hand with her palm flat.  She giggled as he nibbled the treats
gently from her hand.  She reached up and stroked his head and his soft ears. 
She murmured to him and sighed when he pressed his head against her chest.  She
felt bad for him.  He was such a gentle horse; she would have to make it a
point to visit him every day.  Maybe all he needed was for someone to love
him.  She put the candy into the pocket of her dress and laughed as he searched
for more.  “Oh no baby, that’s all you get for today, I don’t want you to get
any cavities.”  She said in a husky voice.  She rubbed his head for a few more
minutes and promised to come back tomorrow.
    Max walked down to Jasper’s stall and rubbed his head.  He
had watched Lucy seducing him.  It still amazed him that he let her touch him, great
now he was jealous of a dam horse.  He was about the only person that could get
near him.  Dean absolutely hated him.  He crouched down and picked up a scrap
of paper that she must have dropped.
    “Mint flavored life savers? How the hell would she know
that?”  He realized he was talking to Jasper and shook his head.  Jasper loved these;
he couldn’t even remember the last time that he’d had