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Chapter 3
The ride to Bayou Cottage in the dark with the windows open comforted Justin, the sounds of the night creatures, the owls and coyotes, giving him something else to think about. The moon was high for so early in the evening, and its light led the way down the dirt road, past the animal rescue on Maggie’s property, and to their gate. He reached up to the remote on the visor and pressed a button, and the gate swung open.
After driving through, he waited to make sure the gate shut behind him before pulling forward. He could see candlelight coming from the porch. Then he remembered he’d forgotten to call Maggie to tell her he was on his way home. She’d be irritated with him. Maggie irritated was a given, but he understood why. She liked order. She liked to know where she stood at all times.
He stopped the truck, and when he climbed out, their eyes met. She pushed open the screen door, came down the steps, and wrapped her arms around his body with her ear to his heart.
“Dave called,” she said, “I’m so sorry, Justin. I’m so sorry.”
He kissed the top of her head and squeezed her. “Is Queen Tina in bed?”
“Yes, thank God. But I heard her singing on the monitor, so you can go say good night if you must.”
“Do you mind?”
“Of course not. But you know the rules. If you break it, you bought it.”
Whoever woke up baby handled baby.
“Ha! I know. I won’t get her up, I promise.”
She followed him inside, and while he went up the steep staircase to say good night to his one-year-old daughter, she got another wineglass and took it outside. They’d been limiting their wine consumption to one glass at night, and she thought he’d probably already had that at his father’s house. But tonight was special.
Out on the porch, once her eyes adjusted to the darkness again, she saw the eyes of a dozen wild horses entering her yard, per their nightly habit. They grazed their way around the cottage, and the more familiar ones came up to the porch and looked at her, their jaws chewing the grass, making her laugh.
She heard Justin come down the stairs. “I’ve got a glass out here for you,” she said.
“You read my mind.” He came out onto the porch and sat down next to her.
“Yes, tonight you can drink. Again, I’m so sorry.”
“Thanks. I couldn’t wait to get back here to you. Are the horses here?”
“They are.” She pointed to the screen. “You’ll be able to see them once your eyes adjust. One of the painted horses came up to the screen. He’s been getting more friendly, like maybe Raven told him how easy it is here.”
“I’m glad they’re here. It makes the pain easier.”
“I’m glad for that. What’s next?”
“Tomorrow I want to have my dad show us the spot where he found her.”
“Oh, how awful for Vic. The poor man. I can’t even imagine.”
“He was pretty shook up telling us about it.”
“Justin, I’m sad for you. Was she riding Dale?”
“No. Fortunately, it was Mojol, who’s gone now. You know what is really odd? Some obvious questions that we should have asked are only of interest now. Like why didn’t I know it was Mojol she was riding?”
“Could you have forgotten?”
“I suppose so.”
He took a sip of wine and told her the rest of the conversation. Then his phone beeped.
“Who is it at this hour?” He looked at his phone. “It’s my brother.” He hit a button. “What’s up?”
Dave was clearly agitated. “I just called Pop to see how he’s doing, and he admitted that Rose decided to stay at Val’s tonight!”
