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His dad would never say, but it must have been a certain kind of hell to watch something you love decay. Especially when you knew what needed to be done but didn’t have the resources to make it happen. It was all too much for one person.
The new arrivals had put a purpose back into his step, and while his recovery was going to take a little longer, and tasks took a bit more time than they had in the past, the work was being done and being done right.
Even now, he went again and inspected his work with a broom in his hand to make everything as tidy as possible, while Levi walked alongside him and sat in front of the first stall. A big bay’s head came down and eyed Levi, who leaned up against the door, lifted a paw, and panted with his classic golden retriever smile.
“Down, Levi,” his dad said, and Levi dropped like a stone to his butt, yellow fluffy tail sweeping the floor with restrained joy.
“We’re going to need to add an extra bolt on Braxton’s door. He’s a kicker.”
Troy eyed the beautiful black horse, who was big at seventeen hands, unsettled and looking like he was ready for a fight, snorting and pawing at the ground.
“Yeah, Cervantez said as much.” He had sent the records over early so they knew what they were getting into and could prepare. Only one was on a prescription and all had seen a farrier recently, thank God. That would save some money in the short term. Of course coming from the Old Guard, they were groomed to perfection and had the healthiest shiny coats.
“He wants to run. It’s too cold to turn them out tonight, but tomorrow morning we’ll take them to the east paddock. Young grass is coming up there, and the fence is strong.”
“Sounds like a plan. I’m going to bring Megan out to see them too.”
“Good, she’ll love that. Get her to stay for lunch. Levi misses her.”
Troy smiled, knowing full well it wasn’t just Levi who felt that way.
CHAPTER29
Troy watched as Megan held out her hand, palm up, enticing one of the big bays to come forward and take the apple. The joy on her face was palpable and contagious.
He couldn’t help but grin as her own face split into a wide smile of complete joy as the horse ate and offered the side of his neck for scratches. Megan was happy to oblige, murmuring sweet words of complete adoration to the animal, so much so that Troy would’ve been jealous had he not gotten the same attention for the past several nights.
It was easy to see what attracted her to being a vet. Her touch was comforting and gentle, while her eyes assessed everything with a curious and intent nature. All of it was natural and compassionate. He could feel the true empathy she had for this animal. Watching them both like this, they were kindred spirits, sharing something secret he wasn’t privy to. Underneath it all, Troy had the strange sensation of isolation. As if Megan had secret sorrows she shared with these animals who understood and offered her a solace no one else could.
There was something about her that relaxed when she was with animals. Her shoulders uncoiled. Her breath eased. Without the weight of tension and anxiety, her neck extended and her demeanor was less guarded and afraid. She hadn’t stuttered once around them, and it hadn’t taken him long to realize it was worse with stress. But here in the barn, her entire disposition had changed. Troy flattered himself to think that she had relaxed around him, but that was nothing compared to watching her bloom when she was around the horses.
She stood straighter, brighter, more confident, and at peace. The barn was still cold this early in the day, but the morning sun was strong and glinting through a space between the boards. In the light, he could see the variations of her hair with the red and gold curls moving with a life of their own, highlighted not with ornaments or styling, but flecks of hay that had been drawn to her.
She checked each animal, speaking to them as if she was a gentle nurse speaking to a young child at the doctor as she got acquainted and checked them over personally before turning them out into the fenced paddock.
He stepped forward on instinct as she approached the last one.
“Watch him. He’s the one I was telling you about.”
“Braxton? I hear you have a lot of personality,” she said as she walked up to the door. The black mane shone in the light as he came toward her with an indignant head toss looking down from his height, assessing her.
Megan stood still, letting him look. After a while she spoke, slowly, deliberately, never moving or flinching under his annoyed jerks and impatient snorts. Little by little, they waned until Braxton brought his nose down to sniff her, looking for treats. Finding what he wanted, he stilled and allowed her to pet him with a very watchful eye.
“There you go. You’re just a big, strong guy, aren’t you? Let’s get you out with your friends. I can tell you don’t want to be away from them. Oh, there’s two bolts. You are strong, aren’t you then?”
“Dad insisted. He was already testing the strength of the door and starting to kick.”
“Gotcha. Welp, let’s get you out of here,” she said, throwing the other latch and letting him trot out toward the others. Megan clapped her hands together to get the hay off before shoving them in the pockets of her barn jacket. With an arrogant toss of his head, Braxton was off like a shot to meet his counterparts in the paddock, leaving the two of them alone with the rest of Megan’s day off ahead of them.
“They’re beautiful. I can see why you wanted to take them. Especially with the military connection.”
“I didn’t appreciate them until I wasn’t around them. It feels good to be back to that.”
“Like you were missing a part of you?”
“Exactly.” Troy smiled and shoved his hands in his pockets to match her stance. “You’re really good with animals.”
Megan shrugged. “I’m not the best with people. And before you say otherwise, I went through a long time where I had a hard time connecting. Sometimes I still do. I have to think about it.”
