(Present Day)
The call comes right as I’m helping Sabrina untangle a piece of yarn from Livy’s hair.
“I don’t know how it happened,” Sabrina says, looking horrified.
Livy shrugs like this is a normal part of childhood. “Art is dangerous.”
I open my mouth to answer when my phone rings.
The name on the screen makes me frown.
Willow Creek Farm.
I know the owner, Denise, from a few animal rescue events. She mostly keeps boarding horses and a few retired lesson ponies. Sweet woman. Overwhelmed most days, but sweet.
“Hey, Denise.”
The second she starts talking, every playful thought leaves my head.
“Mia, I’m sorry. I know you have enough going on, but I can’t get ahold of anyone. Dr. Keller’s husband said she’s in labor. The emergency vet is over an hour out. Ranger’s down, and I can’t keep him up. He’s sweating, pawing, trying to roll. His belly looks wrong. I don’t know what to do.”
My stomach drops.
“How long has he been like that?”
“I found him twenty minutes ago. Maybe longer. I don’t know. He was fine at breakfast.”
“Is he trying to bite at his side?”
“Yes.”
“Gums?”
“Pale. I think. I don’t know. I’m shaking too bad.”
“Denise, listen to me. Get him up if you can do it safely. Keep him walking. Donotlet him roll. If he rolls and twists something, you may lose him before the vet gets there.”
A sob cracks through the phone. “I can’t lose him, Mia.”
“You’re not losing him if I can help it. I’m coming. Just get him up off the ground.”
The girls go quiet.
I end the call and turn, already moving.
“Mama?” Livy asks.
“Horse emergency.”
Her eyes widen. “Can I come?”
“No.”
“But.”
“No, Olivia.” My voice comes out sharper than I mean it to. I soften it quickly. “Not this time. I need to move fast, and I need to focus.”
“But I know horse rules.”
