Knotted Roots by Ruthi Kight

beauty, isn’t she?” he asked as he continued to
smile down at me.  I continued to gaze at him, unable to form words.  I nodded
instead.  “You’re not much of a talker, are ya?”
    “Y-y-yes,”
I stammered.  “I mean...what?”
    “Betty
told me that you volunteered to help muck out the stalls today.  Are ya ready
to get to work?” he asked.
    “What?”
I had no idea what he was talking about, but from the glint in his eye and the
little smile on his face, I knew it couldn’t be good.  “I have no idea what
that is.”
    “It
means clean out the stalls that the horses are housed in,” he replied, his
smile growing wider as he stared at me.  “You’re new to all this, aren’t ya?”
    “What
gave you a clue?” I couldn’t hide the sarcastic tone in my voice.  Great, the
first time I was finally able to form a coherent thought and I acted like a
total witch.  Great impression I’ve made on him so far.
    “It’s
not that bad, I promise.  Kate used to handle this, but with her early
admission to USC...well, we’re glad to have your help,” he said as he handed me
a large, dirty pitch fork.  I held it away from me, unable to hide the disgust
that I felt.
    “I
don’t think so.  I didn’t sign up to be the resident pooper scooper,” I
replied, putting my hand on my hip, dropping the disgusting tool on the ground
as I looked up at him. 
    He
laughed.  The sound was like music to my ears.  I never knew that the sound of
laughter could make me feel so full of light.  When he laughed it was as if the
angels sang directly in my head.  I was stunned into silence; all bravado
disappeared in the presence of his happiness.  I knew that my mouth had gone
slack again, but this time I couldn’t stop myself.  I’m sure he believed I was
a complete idiot after yet another disastrous meeting.
    “Roxanne! 
Where are ya girl?” I heard Grandma as she called me from the other end of the
barn.  I looked behind Chase to see her walk over to us, a stern look on her
face as she quickly made her way to where we stood.  As she came to stand
before me I shook off my stupor and smiled at her.
    “Hi
Grandma.  Everything okay?” I asked, an innocent look plastered on my face.
    “I’ve
got to head into town for a while.  Chase here will give you a list of duties
for today and explain how to handle them.  I want you to listen to everything
he says ‘cause he’s in charge until I get back,” she said as she turned to face
the blue-eyed angel standing between us.  “Make sure she doesn’t break
anything, will ya?”
    “Yes
ma’am.  I’ll keep the doctor on speed dial,” he smiled at her, his pearly white
teeth flashed once again.
    Grandma
let out a loud guffaw, startling me.  “I meant my farm.  But yeah, keep an eye
on her as well.  Never know what will happen when the city folk come around.”
    “Hey!
I’m thinking I should be seriously offended right now,” I huffed, my
indignation clear to both of them.
    They
both laughed at me before Grandma walked away, my attention focused on her
retreating backside.  Once she was out of the building I returned my attention
to Chase to find him staring down at me with no hint of humor left in his
eyes.  All I found was a glimmer of pity.  I didn’t need or want his pity, or
anyone else’s for that matter.  I could handle this, no problem.
    “What’s
first on that list, oh great one?” I asked.
    He
handed me the pitchfork as he bent at the waist, bowing to me in what I could
only guess was supposed to be a humorous way.  I gripped the wooden handle and
raised my eyebrows at the foreign object in my hands.  He laughed heartily as
he walked away, leaving me to my job as the summer pooper scooper.  I wondered
if getting close to him was worth all of this.
     
    * * * *
     
    By
the time Grandma returned three hours later I was exhausted.  I cleaned horse
poo out of the stalls all day and my arms were screaming at me.  I was drenched
in sweat