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He slipped away into the darkness and darted around the back of the barn. She slowed, giving him the chance to get out of sight before she hit the outside switch that turned on the lights inside and outside the barn. Everything looked to be in order. Cash whinnied again. She entered the barn, and slowly moved toward his stall.
She didn’t see anyone, nor did she see Cash. Usually he liked to stand with his head out the stall door so he could keep an eye on all the activity. As quietly as she could, she pulled out her gun and approached his stall. Quentin stood inside, his knife to Cash’s neck.
She froze. Her horse was bleeding in multiple places where the jerk had cut him. Fury surged through her, igniting an adrenaline rush that had her raring to sprint forward and take his head off. “Get away from my horse. Now.”
“Throw down your gun.”
Her eyes narrowed and her hand started to shake. “I could shoot you dead right now and no one would blame me.”
“True, but could you save your horse before I die?”
She contemplated her options. Cash’s eyes were wild with fear. The blade rested against his throat. She couldn’t take the chance that Cash would be hurt. He’d already been cut several times.
“How do I know you won’t kill him anyway?”
Quentin smiled. “I guess you’ll have to trust me.”
The glint in his eye and the smile on his face made it clear how much she could trust him. He would kill her horse, if for no other reason than to let her know he could.
And what he had planned for her would be worse.
“Fine.” She dropped her arm, loosening her grip on her firearm, and broke eye contact, looking as if she were giving in and ready to relinquish her gun, then took a step forward, swung her arm, and fired. The shot hit him square in the shoulder of the arm holding the knife.
The sound exploded through the barn. Cash reared up on his hind legs, the knife slicing across his skin. She fired again, a bullet went straight into Quentin’s heart even as Cash brought his front legs down and knocked him to the ground.
“Jacquie!” Chase yelled and ran toward her.
I’m okay. I’m fine.” She hurried toward Cash, laid a calming hand on him and murmured soothing words until she felt the horse begin to settle. Taking his bridle, she led him out of the stall, whispering soft reassurances as they walked to a different stall that held their medical supplies. “It’s okay, boy. We’re going to be okay.” She stroked his neck and started to clean his wounds. Luckily, they were all shallow and probably only made to get him to make enough noise to draw her to the barn.
Once she was done, she turned to Chase, the magnetic pull of him a physical tug on her body. She warred with herself for a moment, some part of her telling her it was safer to resist, but the weary, lonely part pressed her forward, seeking the warmth and safety of his arms. She relented and let herself sink into his embrace. Only then did she start to relax. As her adrenaline let loose, she started to shake. “He was going to kill my horse.”
“I know. It’s okay. You stopped him. He’ll never hurt you or anyone else again,” he said the words softly, stroking her hair as she clung to him.
“What’s going on here!” her father yelled, running into the barn with his shotgun in his hands.
Jacquie turned to him and put up two placating hands to her raging father. “It’s okay, Daddy,” she urged, using the same voice she’d used to calm Cash. “Everything is okay.” He lowered his shotgun and stood there, taking in the scene before him.
“Hi, Mr. Halloway. If you could call Josh that would be great,” Chase said in an equally calm voice.
Her father’s eyes widened as he stepped closer and saw Quentin lying in a heap in Cash’s stall. “Yes, okay, yes, I’ll do that.”
Epilogue
A week later
After signing the papers,Chase walked with his mom through her new home—single-story, three bedrooms, two baths and in a neighborhood where the home owner’s association maintains the yard. The best part was the house was brand new. It was the previous model for a neighborhood that was already built out, so he was able to negotiate much of the furniture into the deal.
His mom looked around in awe. “Oh, Chase. I love it. Are you sure it’s not too much?”
He smiled at her. “Not at all. This house is perfect, and I was able to get a quick close so you can move in whenever you’re ready.”
Her eyes widened. “What about all this furniture and the stainless steel appliances?”
“All yours.”
“Even the fridge?”
He grinned. “Even the fridge. Nothing is too good for you, Mom. I’m just sorry it’s taken me so long to come home and see how much you needed me. I won’t make that mistake again, I promise.”
