Natural Attraction (10 page)

“Oh,” I whisper softly, now worried that something catastrophic is about to happen.  Catatonic, catastrophic, I can see a likeness in the language there. 

“Is this going to get me hurt?” I ask, my voice notching up an octave and starting to tremble.

“I hope not.” Jax announces in a matter of fact manner.  “Just stop what you are do
ing.  Even better, slowly turn around and walk away from him a bit. That should help.”

I slowly take a big breath and send Jax an imploring look.  One that begs him to save me from whatever catastrophe is about to hit. 

He smiles softly and says, “You’re okay Ash, just turn ‘round.”

I do, slowly.  Almost as slowly as you would if you had a big, fat, poisonous cobra rearing up in front of your bare legs read
y to strike and kill you. 

Giving Jax one last glance and sending a prayer to the gods that I will leave this yard alive, I start walking back towards the gate.   By the second step I am able to let my breath go only to get a huge fright when I hear what sounds like Mavericks teeth grinding behind me.  I swing my head to look at him and see his ears flapping as he starts to shake his head.

“S’all good Ash.  Turn your body back round again now, nice and slowly.”

“Um, are you sure?  The reason I ask is because right about now I get the feeling that I just had another near death experience.  I wouldn’t mind a shot of whiskey to calm my nerves before I go through catastrophia or whatever you said it
was, again.”

“I’m sure Ash.  He’s fine now.  Turn
‘round and take a look for yourself.” 

I do as I am told and I am surprised to see Maverick looking his cute old happy self again with his ears honed in on me and his eyes shining brightly.

“Um, what just happened?  Is my horse a Dr.Jekyll / Mr.Hyde horse perhaps?  If I turn around again and turn back quickly, will he look like the dead eyed dragon again?”

Jax chuckles softly.
  “Well maybe, if you do it fast enough.”

“What do you mean fast enough?” 

“Fast enough to give him a fright or make him wary then yeah, he’ll do that again.”

“Oh, so you are telling me that his high headed, blank eyed look is him being scared and catastrophic?”

I ask this with a tone of disbelief in my voice and then wonder why I am even questioning him.

“Catatonic, not catastrophic, and yes.
  But funnily enough, your wording is pretty good ‘cause when a horse is catatonic, the result can be catastrophic,” he explains.

“Catatonia, or ‘being catatonic’ is where a horse disappears out of their mind and goes into a frozen state of ‘stupor’.  It’s a state of motor inability, easier explained as the ‘big freeze’.  A horse that is frozen has lost its ability to think.  If not given the opportunity to regain that ability to think it will, at a point unknown to you or me, suddenly switch on all its fight or flight emergency procedures.  This means it will explode into wild horse lifesaving mode.”

“
Fuck
.” I groan, blowing out a huge breath of air.  “That sounds
bad.”
 

“It is, but as long as you catch it early and stop do
ing whatever is bothering him, it won’t be a problem.”

“Right then.
  So what do you mean by catch it early?” I look back at Maverick who now appears oblivious to his seemingly near death experience of a few minutes ago.  He is now energetically scratching his eye on his front leg.

“Look out for the signs.  Raised head is a clear early warn
ing sign.  If he shoves his head high like that again, stop.   When you can see the muscles running along the underside of his neck are tight, he’s stressed.  At that point you probably need to stop what you are doing and just wait.  If he progresses further than that to the next stage you need to back off like you did before. 

The next stage is jamm
ing his mouth shut as hard as he can so you can see ‘ribs’ of skin running along his muzzle.  His eyes will also be jammed wide open and not blinking.

If his tongue then starts hang
ing out of his head while his eyes are jammed open, that’s
real
bad.  Leave the yard, paddock, whatever space you are sharing with him and just leave him alone.  That is the worst form of catatonia and I’ve seen a horse come out of that and flip up and over backwards nearly knocking themselves out as they hit the ground.  You don’t want to be standing near a horse when he does that.”

“
Fuck
.” I stress again and stare at Jax in shock.  “How do you know this shit?  I’ve never heard of it before.”

“It’s what I do Ash.  It’s called Natural Horsemanship in several countries around the world.  There are heaps of people teach
ing it to folks who want to learn it.  It just doesn’t seem to have taken off as big in Australia as it has in other countries like America. 

There’s a fair bit of horse psychology mixed with a bit of horse language.  Each horse needs to be treated individually.  There are some basic cues and signs that you can watch out for across all horses though.  These basics will make your life, and theirs, a whole lot easier and a whole lot safer.  I bet you went to Pony Club to learn about horses didn’t you?”

I nod.

“Well Pony Club is a great place to start learn
ing about horses.  I like the way they go about trying to make sure that kids get to experience a little bit of everything.  They teach a wide variety of things ranging from feeding and care to riding and competition. 

One thing they do not do so well in my book is teach Natural Horsemanship foundation skills.  Natural Horsemanship foundation skills keep kids safer than the traditional methods of deal
ing with their horses.  Have you ever been told about horses chewing?”

“Um, like on hay or food? “ I do
not
know where this is going.  Perhaps he is about to lecture me on equine dental care?

“No, I mean as in have you ever noticed that during the time you spend with your horse, he chews – a lot?  He will constantly be talk
ing to you and telling you that he understands things by chewing his mouth gently.  Not on food.  This chewing is just moving his lips or teeth together gently.  He does this as he ‘gets’ stuff you are doing to him or telling him to do”

“No, I’ve never heard of it.  Are you saying when he is chewing he is
talking
to me?”

“Sort of, yes.
  Let me show you something.  Put that rug down on the ground in front of you and step away from it.”

I give him a ‘what’s this about look’ and do as I am told.

“There!  Quick, look at Maverick. He’s licking his lips gently.  Did you see that?”

Yes!

“Yes, I did!  How did you know that he would do that?” I ask, amazed.

“Because he is nervous about that rug and by you putting it down and backing away from it, you took the focus off the rug.  He understands that you are giving him a break.  He appreciates it and he is telling you so by saying ‘got it’.”

“Wow!  I’ve never even noticed that before.  How dumb am I?  How did I go all these years and not notice something like that?”

Clearly I have a whole lot of learning to do. 

“Don’t worry about it.  You’re one of millions Ash.  That’s what I am here for.  I’m go
ing to teach you some horse language so that you can start to enjoy horse riding again.  It will be fun I promise.”

He gives me a wink that says there is going to be a whole lot more fun to be had than just with the horses.

I sigh. 

“It’s a bit overwhelming.  I feel so dumb and I am now embarrassed at how little I know about horses. I am not sure how to deal with that. Well, I’m not too sure how to deal with
you, and
that.  Do you know what I am saying?”

“Ash,
it's fine.  I knew that you didn’t know much about Natural Horsemanship when you got here the last time.  Just by hearing the run of events it took to get to my place in the first place, it was pretty obvious.  Don’t feel embarrassed. 

I can see you want to learn and I can also see that for some reason you are outside your comfort zone with me.  There’s no need to be uncomfortable around me, I’ve already shown you that I am interested in you by spending time with you.  I could have just sent you packing the first day you came.  That’s what I normally do with everyone else.  Let’s just get to know each other a bit more and then we can see if there is something more we both want to pursue.  All I ask is that you are honest with me and we’ll see how the rest plays out as we go.  What do you think?”

What do I think?

Right about now my thoughts are
spiraling madly out of control.  How can any one guy be so good-looking, single, interested in learning more about me - and a horse whisperer all in one package.  Clearly there is a Lord above and right about now he has his focus set on me.

“I think,” I pause to think carefully about what I am going to say next, “I’m glad I’m here.  I like you a lot. 
Embarrassingly, probably a bit more than a lot.  I also think it’s lunchtime and I’m hungry.  Is that honest enough for you?”

“Sure is, let’s go eat. 
Ma’ll be organised by now.  Just put the rug on the side of an empty yard so no one chews it.  You refill Mavericks water while I grab him some more hay from out the back.  I won’t be long okay?”

“Okay.” I agree as I watch him stride off to head behind his barn to get some hay.  I am now definitely looking forward to spending lunch with his mother and sisters-in-law.  I also realize that I want to learn a whole lot more about Jax and his family while I am here learning a whole lot more about horses.

Rowena Walker

After getting Maverick sorted for food and water, Jax grabs my hand and once again drags me off towards his back door.  Each step we take towards his door increases my nerves and I feel sick.  I feel it building up in the pit of my stomach as I realize that I am nervous about meeting Jax’s family. 

Why I am nervous I’m not exactly sure.  Not normally one to care about what people think of me, this whole day is turning out to be a life changing event.  An event that is affecting the way I feel about other people and the way I feel about myself. I am not sure whether I should worry or be happy about it. 

One thing I do know is that I will deal with whatever life throws at me today.  Especially if it means I get to spend more time with Jax.  There will be no take me or leave
me’s today as I most certainly do
not
want him to leave.

As we approach his back door, Jax slows his steady stride and turns to say, “Good luck, you know they’re gunna grill you don’t you?”

“I was sort of figuring that.” I reply as he swings the back door open in front of me and stands back to let me enter in front of him.  “I’m sure it won’t be that bad.”

I see him smile with his crystal blue eyes and his dimples pop into action. 

“I’m sure you’ll cope,” he chuckles as he swings into step behind me and we step inside.

It is at this point that I’m pretty sure my chin hits the floor as I gape at the room in front of me.  For a split second I think I may have walked into a fully operational restaurant kitchen.   Not only am I standing staring at the biggest galley style kitchen I have ever seen, but it is being fully utilized to prepare what looks to me like a Christmas feast.

I quickly close my mouth hoping no one has noticed my gape as I take in the room with a sweeping glance.   From where I am standing, clearly we have stepped straight into Jax’s dining room that forms an extension of the massive kitchen. 

The kitchen is fully ablaze with several strategically positioned down-lights to highlight his beautiful benches and appliances.  I feast my eyes on the long, polished, black marble benches and shiny stainless steel appliances.  There is a massive stainless steel chef’s oven with twin front doors.  There is also a heavy bulkhead overhanging the main galley bench that is used for overhead storage and is littered with hooks and various cooking tools.

The main thing I notice is there is food everywhere.

Every burner on the eight burner stovetop is being utilized with various pans and pots bubbling or frying.  I can see that both the ovens below are in use as well.  The three women are all busy at various positions around the kitchen, chopping and stirring.

Looking to my left I see a huge, eight-seater, solid timber, square dining table that is loaded with quiches, pasta dishes, cakes and breads.  These are all sitting in Tupperware containers with their lids neatly sitting underneath as their contents cool. 

These women managed to cook all these items fresh,
in the last thirty minutes?

Obviously they are cooking enough food to keep Jax alive and well for the next month.

“Fuck!” 

The word rips loudly from my lips before my brain has a chance to register that I have just sworn loudly in front of a room full of strangers. 
One of these strangers being Jax’s mother.

Way to make an impression.

Ro glances over towards me from where she is standing at one of the gorgeous benches chopping spring onions at what looks to me like the speed of light.  I hone my eyes in on her fingers as I see a massive blade flashing up and down on the chopping board as she makes short work of an entire bunch of spring onions.

“
Faarrrkkk!” I swear again. 

Ro looks down at her hands again and quickly finishes her high-speed chopping demo with a cheeky grin on her face.

“Nearly organized guys,” she chirps cheerfully. 

She is apparently unaffected by not only my foul language, but also my lack of vocabulary. 

“By the time you freshen up I’ll have a lovely bowl of summer soup ready for you both.”

I feel Jax grab at my hand again as he tugs me backwards and I turn towards a door to my left.

“This way my potty mouthed little friend.   Time to clean up.”

I look across to see both
Teagan and Rebecca flash me huge grins.  I am then whisked through a doorway and down a tiled hall. 

“The toilet is the second door on the left and the bathroom is the third,” Jax explains.  “I usually wash my hands in the laundry first ‘cause they get so dirty with the horses so turn left at the first door.”

I nod, still reeling at the thought of my foul mouthiness back in the dining room as I head into his laundry. 

The laundry itself is another work of room art.  It also has polished marble benches that match the kitchen, a massive washing machine and dryer in one and a stunning stainless steel washbowl.  The whole room shines brightly where it has recently been wiped down and I instantly decide I don’t want to wash my hands in here.  There is no way that I am about to mess up his spotlessly clean laundry by washing my filthy hands in it.

“Um Jax?” I turn back to face him.  “This feels like I have just walked into a display home laundry and I don’t think I should wash my hands in here.”

“Where else are you going to wash them?” 

His eyes sparkle with mischief as he spins me around to face the trough.  I feel him capture my body in front of his as his hands came round either side of me to cage me in.  He slams the flick mixer tap into action and starts washing his own hands.

“Um, outside, under a garden tap?” I offer wondering how I am going to get out of this caged position to make it outside to a garden tap anyway.

He ignores me, leans over me further to use a pump action soap dispenser sitting next to the sink and continues washing his hands.  I notice that he is also, not so subtly, rubbing his hard chest across my shoulders setting my skin on fire. 

As I watch the dirt and filth spray off his hands and onto the now not so clean sink, I figure there is no choice but to join in him in the desecration of his spotlessly presented laundry trough.  I then set about pumping a massive stream of soap into my own hands while I lean back, just a little bit.  I have decided I may as well take the opportunity to enjoy the contact my shoulders are making with his hard chest.

Obviously not as affected as me by all the physical contact, Jax finishes washing his hands and backs away from me.  I lament the loss of contact as he dries his hands on a hand towel hanging on the wall.  He then stands back and casually leans against the wall, waiting patiently for me to finish my hand washing too.

I turn to use the hand-towel only to find myself hard up against Jax’s chest again as he holds it out for me with a small smile twitching at the edge of his lips.

“Are your hands clean or do you think we should wash them again?”

“Um, I think they’re clean but happy for you to rub against me again if you feel so inclined.”

I make this offer looking up into his eyes.  Eyes that are now at close range to mine. 

I think I see his lip twitch again slightly and then his eyes drill into mine as he leans forward, even closer again. 

“God your eyes are beautiful,” he says almost whispering.  “I have never seen true green eyes like yours.  They even have little flecks of yellow in them.”

“Um, thanks?   You have beautiful eyes too.” I feel like I am melting. 

When I say melting, I mean,
really
melting because I am starting to feel hot.

Really
hot. 

Flustered, hot and bothered hot.  Maybe just a little bit cold too. 

I feel a shiver spiral down my spine and the hairs on the back of my neck rise off my skin.  I feel Jax’s warmth breath gently play across my face as I have the urge to lean in closer.  I see him lick his bottom lip slowly as he continues to bore his eyes into my soul.

“Lunch is ready!”

We both startle as we realize Ro is standing in the doorway looking curiously at us both. 

“Of course it is.”  Jax says softly as he leans away from me and turns to fix an angry glare on his mother.  Ro looks at her son for half a second,
then she shrugs, grins and spins to head back towards the kitchen again. 

“Just say
ing.  Don’t rush on my account.”

I have barely finished rehanging the hand towel on it’s it hanger before Jax’s hand once again clasps mine and I am dragged back into the hallway. 

“Do you need to use the bathroom?” He asks. 

“Not yet, maybe later.”

“Cool, let’s get this over with.”

He continues to drag me back down the hallway and back into the dining room.  I suddenly feel like he is rushing me.  Dragging me around here and there and I don’t feel like being rushed. 

I snatch my hand out of his and put it near my side.  Barely faltering, he swings his hand back, regrabs mine and keeps continuing on his way.  I stop abruptly and yank my hand back. 

What is it with this guy?

Can’t he let me walk along a hallway on my own?

He swings back, throwing me an exasperated look and grabs my hand again. 

“Quit it will you, what’s fucking wrong?”

“I don’t like being dragged.” I snap.

“I’m not dragging you.”

“It feels like you are, everywhere we go. You keep grabbing my hand and
dragging
me along.  Does it have to be such a rush and do you have to hold my hand?”

“Yep.”

“
Yes.  What?”

“Yes
I am in a rush and
yes
I do have to hold your hand.”

“Um…  Why?”

“’Cause firstly, I like holding your hand and second, I
am
in a rush.  I’m in a rush to fit as much into today as we can.  I’ve already had to wait nearly five weeks to spend a whole day with you and I don’t plan on wasting a second of it.”

My breath catches in my chest and I feel my eyes bulge. 

He’s been waiting all this time to see me again?

“Okay then.” I say smiling as I slide my hand back into his and we continue on our way to the dining room.  “Holding hands and being dragged it is.”

*****

Ro is settling two bowls of steaming hot soup on the dining table as we arrive back at the kitchen.

“Warm zucchini summer soup,” she announces as she heads back to the kitchen to grab two more steaming bowls. 

“There’s also a fresh herb bread twist to go with it in one of those tubs over there.”

She nods to one of the Tupperware containers sitting on the bench.  “I made it before I came so it’s probably still warm.”

“You made it?” I ask, amazed that anyone would make a twist and not just go to the bakery and buy one.

“Ma’s a MasterChef at heart Ash.  She cooks
everything
we eat.  Everything is made from scratch.” Jax explains.  “I can’t remember every having a slice of shop bought bread in my life.  The time she found frozen Four ‘n’ Twenty pies in my freezer, I reckon she nearly had a coronary.”

“Yes, mum’s a MasterChef alright,”
Teagan adds sliding into the seat opposite me with a bowl of soup in her hand. 

“We tried to get her to go on the TV show but she refused solely on the reason that if she was on a TV show she wouldn’t have time to cook for Jax and his Dad.  Rebecca and I were both actually relieved to hear her reasoning.   It made us both realize that she hadn’t used Luke and Ryan for her excuse about not being able to go.  This told us that we had passed her cooking basics and she was happy to leave her other two sons to our unsupervised culinary ministrations.”

“True story that.”  Rebecca adds settling in the seat next to Teagan while giving me a confirming nod.

Ro slides a bowl in front of Rebecca and settles herself to the right of Jax grinning.  It is hard not to like this woman from the moment you meet her. How can you not like anyone who is flat-out grinning all the time?

“They over exaggerate a lot these folks.  I just love cooking and I love cars.  Having been a kept woman my entire life I have always just had extra time on my hands to do home cooking.  I don’t expect these women to uphold my level of cooking mania, they both have busier lives and their own children to care for.  That said, I am glad they love cooking as much as I do.”

Without blinking, and not exactly sure where it comes from, I blurt, “I can’t cook.”  

Why did I tell her that?

I’m not exactly auditioning here am I?  Does it even matter?

“Of course you can sweetie.  Everyone can cook.” she states in a matter of fact manner while fixing me with one of her cheeky little grins.

“Not me, I burn boiled eggs. 
Literally.  I tried to make them one day and melted the pot I was boiling them in because I forgot to put water in it.  Well actually, I didn’t forget.  I didn’t realize you needed to put in water in the first place.  My friend had told me to boil them on high for ten minutes.  I spent the first five minutes watching the pot get hot until I thought I could hear what sounded like boiling sounds coming from the eggs.  I then popped the lid on and set the timer for another ten minutes to let them finish cooking.   I just assumed they boiled in their shells or something.”