AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“B-but what if I leave?” The words were whispered.
“She can come with you, or be delivered there when you’re settled.” Joe didn’t want to think about her leaving. In fact, now he gave it some thought, he was going to make sure she didn’t.
The horse moved forward again, and breathed into Bailey’s hair.
“She likes you.”
“Joe....”
“She’s yours, Bailey. I want you to have her.”
Her arms came around the silver neck, and she buried her head in the mare’s neck and held on.
“You crying again? Because that’s getting old.”
She shook her head. “What’s her name?”
“Lucille.” He moved in behind her.
“No way.”
“Truth. But I’m sure she won’t mind if you change it.”
“No, but maybe we can abbreviate it to Lucy.”
“Nice.”
“You’re not lying to me are you, Joe? I mean about her being given to you?”
“No.” He fought back the guilt. This was the right thing to do, and he’d come across the mare two weeks ago in the next town over. He’d thought she should be Bailey’s, and today he’d made it happen. Luke had gone and got her while Joe had collected the rest of the stuff they needed. “There’s a whole heap of tack with her too. Saddle, bridle, and stuff.”
“No way, really? It sounds almost too good to be true.”
He prayed she didn’t find out the truth until she was ready to hear it. It was just money to Joe, but he knew Bailey wouldn’t see it that way.
“No money changed hands?”
“Why? You think I’m going to demand sex or something?”
“I just don’t understand why someone would give you a horse, Joe. Not one like her.”
“I knew about her a few weeks ago, and always thought she’d be perfect for you.” At least that wasn’t a lie.
“She’s so beautiful, Joe.”
He stepped closer to her, crowding her body.
“You’re beautiful. Do you forgive me yet?”
“For what?”
“Everything. The not writing, not coming to see you after the concert.”
She rested on his chest. Her head turned to look at the mare. “Yes, and it all seems pathetic now, doesn’t it? Our arguments, the recriminations about the past, especially with what’s happening around us.”
“It does.” Joe kissed the top of her head.
“Is she really mine, Joe?”
