“Call Emery. Code Hoof in Barn 4.” Gemma’s voice held tension and concern, but she wasn’t outright panicked. Even still, my heart leapt into my throat. Getting kicked by a horse was par for the course when you did the work we did, but if it was bad enough to call a Code Hoof, and ask for Emery, then someone was more than bruised.
My gaze shot to Wy’s and I wondered if she was thinking the same thing I was. We’d just been talking about him. Was it Mal?
I took off for the equipment shed, intent on grabbing an ATV to get there faster. As I ran, I pulled my two-way off my belt. “CH to GH, please advise.”
“Hawk’s a dumbass,” Gemma responded. The relief that poured through me was acute, making me lightheaded for a second. Not that I didn’t care about my brother, because I did. I loved him something fierce, and worry flowed back in a moment later. But to know it wasn’t Mal made me feel better.
“I’m on my way. Over.” I reclipped the two-way, jumped on the ATV, and took off.
I rolled up to the barn just a few minutes later. I’d been going faster than was wise but I’d done that since I was a kid. Honestly, it was a wonder that all of us were still alive considering the shit we’d gotten into and dangerous feats we’d attempted.
Mal was coming out of a stall and my knees turned to water. I stumbled a step. Even knowing it was Hawk who’d been injured, seeing with my own two eyes that Mal was upright and fine sent another wave of relief through me. I wanted to reach out, make sure with touch, but caught myself in time.
“Hawk’s not a dumbass,” Mal said quietly. His lips quirked, but the worry in his eyes made my heart pick up.
“I know.”
Mal nodded. “Greta’s just learning to be a horse again, that’s all.” He glanced over his shoulder at the stall he’d just come out of, then turned back to me and gestured with his chin. “They’re in the arena.”
We walked together, and if my hand bumped into his it was just because two people walking next to each other had the propensity to bump into each other. It certainly wasn’t intentional on my part.
The gate was open and Hawk sat on the soft ground near the rail. Gemma was crouched down next to him and whatever she was saying had my brother frowning. He waved Gemma off and bit out, “I’m fine.”
But the tension in his voice let me know that Hawk was, in fact, not fine. We’d all gotten kicked, stepped on, bit, and knocked around. It happened even when you were as careful as possible. Except he was still sitting, not back on his feet, and so it was more serious than just some bruising.
“Stay down,” Gemma hissed, a heavy hand on Hawk’s shoulder.
Well that answered that. I strode closer and then tapped the bottom of Hawk’s boot with my toe. “What happened?”
“I got kicked,” he answered, surly as hell. I didn’t miss his wince as he took a deep breath.
“Gem?”
She put her hand in Hawk’s hair and tugged, probably because she didn’t want to punch or kick him because he was injured. She was mad, but I knew my sister, and it was because whatever happened had scared her.
“Hawk turned his back, Greta reared and got him in the hamstring, and Hawk went right into the rail. Probably broke his ribs, the dumbass.”
“Hey,” Hawk said quietly, and he grabbed Gemma’s hand. Her knuckles were white she was gripping so tightly. “No reason to be scared. I’m okay. Really. Ribs aren’t broken.”
“Emery will be the judge of that.” She harrumphed but her fear was easing some. “You couldn’t breathe for a minute there.”
“Just got the wind knocked outta me. Don’t worry.”
“It’s only because it’s you,” she said, her tone finally gentling. “This shit happens to all of us. But not you. You always read the horses so well.”
“Greta and I are still learning each other,” he said as if that was all the explanation that was needed. And honestly, it kind of was. Hawk had made great strides since he’d brought the abused, head shy, malnourished mare to the ranch. But it had only been a few weeks and it took a lot longer than that to undo the damage that had been done.
Emery arrived a few minutes later. His exam was quick and succinct and after he was done, he allowed Hawk to stand.
“I want x-rays.”
“No,” Hawk said, bending gingerly to pick up his hat. He beat it against his leg to get the dust off and then put it back on his head. His movements were slow and careful.
Emery narrowed his eyes. “Yep. You’re getting in the truck and coming to get x-rays. Chest and femur. Let’s go.”
“Hell no. She didn’t get me that hard. You said nothing was broken.”
“I saidprobably. I want to make sure. To the clinic with you.”
