The dogs on the screen shouted something and stole Pay’s attention back. I stopped interrogating the four-year-old. He might have outstanding speech but he was still a kid and it wasn’t fair to grill him. But I had more information than I had before, and that was a step in the right direction.
Mom brought over a sandwich and a side of chips. But before she handed it over, she gave me a narrow-eyed look. Her voice low, she accused, “You’re scheming.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Mhmm.” She gave me my lunch, but leaned down into my space, her ponytail swinging forward and almost smacking me in the face. “I know that look. What are you planning?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I repeated, enunciating each word. Then murmured, “But remember, I learned from the best.”
She shoved my shoulder. “Eat your lunch.”
Back in my office later that afternoon, I couldn’t get it out of my head. At least half a dozen times, I picked up the two-way to hail Mal. I should just ask him to come to my office and then talk to him directly about it. But I stopped short each time.
Mal had been dealt a rough hand, and though I still didn’t know him well, the parts I did know meant he was proud. He didn’t want to take a handout and he probably wouldn’t appreciate being pushed. I had the sneaking suspicion that he’d turn down any offer of help.
There was no reason I couldn’t do a little digging. Sometimes it was better to ask for forgiveness than permission.
I found the number I was looking for and hit dial. Three rings later, it was answered.
“Charlie’s Chance Equine Rescue, this is Rachel.”
“Rach, it’s Crew Harrington.”
“Crew! Hey, how you doing? What can I help you with?”
“I’m hoping you can. I’m looking for a horse.”
Rachel’s bright peel of laughter made me smile. “Haven’t you got enough of them yet?”
That made me chuckle. “Apparently not.”
“Well we have quite a few who’d love it at Blue Creek. In fact, we have a ten-year-old gelding who would probably love something to do. He’s a bit of a troublemaker but—”
“I’m looking for a particular horse,” I interrupted. “Not sure if she’s there, or somewhere else. But I’m hoping you can use your contacts and maybe help me figure out what’s going on.”
Rachel was silent for a few seconds, probably processing exactly what I’d said. “Um. Okay. I’ll try to help.”
“She was surrendered fairly recently. Sometime in the past six months, I’d say. Big mare, Clydesdale or a cross, white socks and a blaze. Went by the name of Jaina. Malachi Trevino was her owner and I—”
“We have her!” Rachel shouted, then gasped. “Sorry, sorry. That was loud. But oh, it was so sad and Mr. Trevino clearly was doing what was best for his horse. You could tell he was heartbroken about it. And Jaina mourned for days after he left. She just loved him and she was so well taken care of. Mom and I vowed we’d hold on to her as long as we could, hoping Mr. Trevino could come back and get her.”
My heart leapt into my throat and I sat forward. “He’s here. Mal, I mean. He’s my newest employee. I want to come get Jaina and bring her home to Mal where she belongs.”
“Yes! Okay. Of course. You’re such a good guy, Crew. I’ll get her paperwork together.” She paused, and then added, “Now, about Rowdy…”
I laughed. Somehow I guessed that horse was aptly named. “Sure, tell me about the gelding.”
Rachel prattled on about the horse, but I was only half listening. When I made the call, I didn’t think I’d have instant success. I’d expected Rachel, or her mom Sarah, to have to call around and talk to other rescues in the tri-state area. It was fate that Jaina happened to be at Charlie’s Chance, the place that I had a connection to. Even more so that I had a relationship withthem. They knew me and knew that I was trustworthy. If I said I was adopting Jaina to give her back to her rightful owner, then I meant it.
But still, I thought I’d have more time. Time to talk to Mal about it and get him on board. Let him know, eventually, that I’d found his horse and if he wanted, we could get her and bring her home. But now I had a decision to make. I could either let Mal know this second or I could make it a surprise.
After I hung up with Rachel—and promised to take a look at Rowdy while I was there—I hailed my dad on the two-ways.
“What’s up, son of mine?”
“Wanna take a ride with me?”
Jaina was beautiful, a bay with white fetlocks and blaze, and loaded like a dream. She didn’t seem to like Rowdy all that much so I was glad I’d brought the four horse trailer so I could put an empty space between them. Rowdy was, indeed, appropriately named. He was spirited, but once he had a halter on, he loaded easy too.
