“The collective is open on Saturday.”
“Can we try?” Kids could be relentless about things they wanted.
“All right.” He took off his gloves and picked up his cell. Punched in her number.
“Joe, hi.” A hesitation. “I’m surprised to hear from you.”
“Seth insisted I call you. Cinnamon is coming at noon. He’d like you to be here.”
“Aren’t you worried about his safety?”
“Of course I am. Hold on a sec. Seth, run to the house and get some cold drinks.”
“I’ll get one for Scarlet, too.” He ran off.
“He’s gone. I am worried about our safety and yours.”
“The FBI put nightly patrols on each of our houses.”
“That might help. Will you come here? We just saw each other, sweetheart. What’s one more time?”
“You know what? I would love to be there when Cinnamon arrives.”
“Get here a little early.”
“I will. See you then.”
Seth returned to the barn and they brought in two bales of hay while they waited. Scarlet arrived—riding Stanley. “Hey there, buddy. Joe,” she said, smiling at him. This time, she wore western jeans, a fringed shirt and cowboy boots.
Scarlet dismounted. “I thought her sire should be here, too.”
“The pony’s name is Cinnamon, right?”
“Uh-huh, but you could change it if you want.”
“No, I like it.”
Just then, a big white truck with a stall in the back rumbled up to the barn. Abe Cantor got out and greeted them. “Howdy.”
“Howdy,” Seth said. He was practically jumping up and down.
Abe handed Joe some papers. “You have to sign the note of delivery on top.
Joe scribbled his name. “Here you go.”
They waited while Abe levered down a creaky ramp and opened the stall. He led the pony to the ground and the clomp, clomp of her hooves made Joe and Seth laugh. “Ready to take her, boy?”
“Yes, sir. The stall’s all fixed up and we’re gonna build a paddock.”
“Should I saddle her before I go?”
Joe said, “No, we’ll let the boy get used to her first.”
Seth went to the pony and put his head on her torso. Then he burst into tears.
Joe and Scarlet and even Abe bit back emotion. They let Seth settle, then Joe crossed to them and patted Cinnamon’s back. “Hey, there, buddy. Welcome.”
Abe smiled. “Enjoy her, sonny.” Then he pulled up the ramp and got in his truck and drove away.
