B and B Excerpt 2

This is my new novel I’m working on. If you missed the first excerpt, you can check it out here.

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Red stamped his foot impatiently, snorting at the stationary figure beside him.
“You’re right, mate. Stop sleeping on the job,” Ben said as he slapped the horse affectionately on the shoulder and then said, “thanks for the wake up call. Let’s see if we can’t get another few horses tacked up before Jake finally gets out here.”
They had a 2pm ride booked that was quite big. All staff members were invited to dine with the managers in their house for lunch, but Ben more often than not preferred a quick sandwich and the solitude of his own thoughts and horses for company. He wasn’t one for small talk – it irritated him.
Jake on the other hand loved to socialise – and he wouldn’t pass up the opportunity of a free home cooked meal. Ben knew they were allowed to take their time over lunch, but he preferred to make sure all the horses needed for the ride were sound and tacked up well before curious clients started turning up ahead of their three hour ride.
Fifteen minutes later Jake ambled over to the holding yards. Ben was onto his fourth horse and shot his co worker a quick grin.
“You’ve been busy!” Jake stated, slipping between the rails of the fence lining the holding yards.
“Someone’s got to get these horses ready while you stuff your face and socialise,” Ben bit back cheerily.
He wasn’t one for small talk, but banter between workmates kept his days entertaining.
“And boy am I glad I did today!” Jake said, causing Ben to question the likelihood of Jake not having lunch with the husband and wife pair who managed the property.
Ben didn’t have to ask if the reason was the red headed figure he’d spotted from afar. In fact, he decided he wasn’t interested in hearing all about it. He grunted noncommittally, making a comment about how many horses still needed to be saddled.
“You’ve already tacked up six, plus our horses. There’s only four to go,” Jake responded, not taking the hint.
“She’s a looker,” Jake informed him, quickly brushing over a little bay mare.
Ben wondered if he didn’t respond, if Jake would just drop it.
“Her name’s Brooke and it seems like she’s going to stick around for a bit. Margaret hired her as the new cook.”
Ben sighed. It didn’t look like the conversation was changing until some guests started to turn up. He looked down the long drive expectantly – hopefully. He muttered as he picked out the feet of a bay gelding.
“So she’s not a relative then.”
“Why would you think that? They’re hoping she’ll be able to take on the cooking position indefinitely. Lunch sure was good. I like a woman who can cook.”
“She’s got a kid,” Ben heard himself say before he could stop.
What happened to just being quiet and letting the conversation stop?
“So?” Jake questioned.
Obviously that piece of information wasn’t new to him.
“So… something has to transpire for a kid to come about. She’s obviously taken… and if not, kids just add a whole other dimension. There are two of them that have to like you and if she’s single, then there’s a reason she’s not with the father and that can be a whole other problem. Too much hassle.”
“But if she didn’t have a kid and those other problems… what would you think?” he persisted.
Ben looked at his co worker like he’d bumped his head one too many times.
“What would I think?” he asked, annoyed that Jake just wouldn’t drop it.
“Yeah. Would you be interested?”
“In what?” he asked with a sigh.
“Brooke? Would you be interested in Brooke?”
He wants me to admit she’s attractive. What’s the point? Looks aren’t everything and I’m not getting stuck in his little game.
Ben looked at Jake steadily for thirty seconds. He almost smiled as the younger male seemed to shrink under his gaze.
“You can’t ask if things were completely different, would my current view be different. That’s illogical, Jake. Can we finish these horses now? There’s a car coming up the drive.”
Ben just held back his thankful smile. It was about time they started turning up and it was definitely about time that this conversation ended.