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She looked at Jackson, fully dressed and standing in the doorway. His face showed concern. “Bro, Dallas called. It’s Demon.”
“Got it.” Phoenix’s demeanor changed instantly, filling her with worry. In a flash, he was out of the bed, pulling on clothes.
“Demon?” She left the bed and started dressing.
“My horse.” P
hoenix placed his cowboy hat on his head. “You don’t need to come, angel. This won’t be pretty.”
Jessie put her hands on her hips and sent him a look she hoped he would understand that she meant business. “I’m coming.”
* * * *
Holding a glass of water, Jessie walked back into the barn. When she, Jackson, and Phoenix had arrived at Wilde Ranch’s headquarters, she’d been amazed. The place was impressive. She’d counted seven large buildings. This wasn’t some ranchette. This was big business. But she didn’t have the inclination to take it all in, especially given what was going on tonight. Twenty minutes ago, the vet had left, shaking his head.
When she reached the stall at the back of the barn, she found Phoenix and Demon just as she’d left them, on the ground. Phoenix looked up and gave her a weak smile. The horse’s breathing was shallower than before.
She choked back her tears. It won’t be long now.
She held out the glass to Phoenix and said, “Drink. I’m not asking.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He took the glass with one hand, continuing to stroke the incredible animal on the floor of the stall with the other. She’d never seen such sweet devotion in her entire life. The cowboy was a caregiver through and through.
Demon’s coat was a gorgeous steel-gray color with a darker mane and tail. His head looked regal on top of a lovely, long neck. All the Wilde brothers, including Austin, had visited the stall. Even their cousins, the Strong brothers, had dropped by to check on the amazing creature and Phoenix.
She’d listened to the stories each had about the mustang and how a young Phoenix had bested all of them and tamed Demon.
Around midnight, Phoenix had asked everyone else to leave him and her alone with the horse. Though it was tough to see him silently suffering, she was glad to be with him.
“What time is it, angel?”
“Three a.m.”
“Why don’t you go to the bunkhouse and crawl in next to Jackson? When he wakes up, he can take you back to your hotel. Who knows how long this will take?”
“I’m not leaving you alone.”
He sighed. “Thanks.”
“Tell me more about Demon. What kind of horse is he?”
Phoenix brightened up. “With me and children, Demon has a wonderful personality and excellent ground manners—with everyone else, not so much. He’s well started under saddle and is very willing to work. We’ve had some good times.”
“I bet you have. I don’t know much about horses, but he looks massive.”
“He’s a whopping seventeen hands. You should’ve seen him with Dallas’s purebreds. It’s like they knew they better not mess with him.” He leaned down to Demon’s ear. “You’re one big, tough badass, aren’t you, boy?”
She leaned into Phoenix’s arm. “You can cry, you know.”
He straightened up and turned to her. “Why would I do that?”
“I know it’s not manly, but this is really painful for you. No one is here, and I won’t tell. It’s okay.”
Phoenix laughed. “You’re something else, Jessica Greene.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m not a crier. Sure, my insides are breaking, but me bawling in front of Demon? Not happening.” He patted his horse’s neck. “This guy has more grit than anyone I know. I thought we’d have a couple more years together, but this sudden bout of colic isn’t something he can recover from. He’s had a good life. He’s been a great companion. Me crying would discount all that.”
