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“He’s pretty wound up.” Lilah was ashen, and Trace knew this horse was too much for her to handle. If she’d been leading him, he would’ve dragged her wherever he wanted to. Or worse.
“Jesse, did you have room for this guy at your place?” Trace asked, thinking of anywhere else the horse could go. Jesse’s family had a breeding and training operation—a big barn, arena, and plenty of pasture.
“We could move some horses around and make it work,” Jesse said. “I could put—”
“I don’t want to separate him from the mares. Not right now,” Lilah interrupted. “He’s overwhelmed. They always are when they first get here. Remember how Zeus was when he arrived?” Her gaze connected with Trace’s. It was uncertain and pleading. Trace wanted to ease her anxieties, but the two horses were not comparable. Zeus was the last horse Henry trained before he got sick. He was rank and spooky, but after a few months with Henry, Zeus had turned into a teddy bear. Now he was living the good life as a trail horse for a woman who lived just outside of Maple Bay.
“Lilah, this isn’t the same.” Trace looked away, not wanting to remind Lilah that Henry wasn’t here any longer. And she didn’t have the experience to handle a horse like this.
In the stall, the red horse trotted more circles, pounding his hay into the bedding. His eyes were frightened, rimmed in white.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to keep him here,” Trace continued. “But if you insist, then I’ll take care of him.” Trace wouldn’t be able to live with himself if something happened to Lilah or the kids.
He glanced back at Lilah. Reluctance and relief showed in her green eyes.
“I can’t ask you to do that,” she said.
“You didn’t ask.” Trace placed a hand on the stall. “I offered. You don’t need to be handling this horse.”
Just then, the veterinarian’s truck pulled up in front of the barn.
Lilah still seemed hesitant, but she placed a hand on Trace’s arm and nodded. When she stepped away to talk with the doctor, Trace analyzed the pacing horse. He was not excited about working with the neurotic animal, but he’d do anything for Lilah.
He’d made a promise to Henry, and he intended to keep it.
Chapter Three
Lilahbrokeofftheend of a carrot and offered it to her alpaca. Curly Sue gently nibbled it out of her palm while the two dwarf goats impatiently nibbled on Lilah’s jeans.
“Don’t you worry. I’ve got plenty for everyone.” Lilah smiled at the tiny menagerie that circled her. Thunder the black-and-white miniature horse reached up as far as he could, his lips nearly grazing her elbow. She scratched his forehead before giving him his treat. Even Daryll was staring at her, curious and waiting for a carrot piece. In the past few days, he’d decided that Lilah and the boys weren’t so bad. He was also much more trusting now that he was in the paddock with the rest of the pack. The pack that loved Lilah.
“I’m glad you’re starting to like it here.” Lilah bent down and offered Daryll a carrot chunk. He snorted once and then gobbled it up. She snuck in a scratch on his head as he chewed.
On the opposite side of the fence, Trace was leading the big chestnut gelding whom Andy had named Blaze. The gelding didn’t actually have a white blaze on his forehead, but her son had watched him pace and stomp in his stall and decided on a “hot and fast” name. Lilah had agreed it was appropriate.
“I think Blaze is starting to realize your animals aren’t little horse-eating monsters,” Trace said as he led Blaze around the paddock, taking the time to make sure the horse was relaxed before letting him loose.
“That’s a big step,” Lilah replied before handing Curly Sue the last carrot bit. “Yesterday he was certain the goats were going to kill him.” Lilah wiped her hands on her jeans.
“Much better today,” Trace agreed. He brushed the underside of Blaze’s neck with his knuckles. The gelding’s neck was arched, and he gave a loud snort, but at least he’d stopped prancing like the ground was on fire.
In her determination to help the horses, Lilah hadn’t really considered how she’d handle one that didn’t want to be handled. That had always been Henry’s forte. He and Trace had both grown up around horses. Training and riding were like a second language to them. Not to Lilah. She’d always loved animals but had been introduced to horses later in life. And there was a steep learning curve that came with handling a horse like Blaze.
Trace let Blaze loose. The gelding trotted across the paddock and stood at the fence that separated him from the two mares. He whinnied his frustrations about being separated, but the mares continued grazing happily, as if they also knew what was best for their friend. Blaze needed to be turned out in the small paddock for now. At least until the wound on his chest healed. Also, it was a whole lot easier for Trace to catch him that way.
“The stitches look good.” Trace walked toward the gate and let himself out of the paddock.
“I’m glad.” Lilah joined Trace in the space between the paddocks and the barn.
When they’d picked up the horses, Blaze had a fresh wound on his chest. He had probably lacerated himself on the rusty barbed wire fence that had kept the horses contained. Now he had a few stitches in his chest and an up-to-date tetanus shot.
“Thanks for your help, Trace,” Lilah said. She rarely resisted Trace anymore when it came to his offers of help. She’d learned he was persistent and would wear her hesitation down quickly.
“It’s no problem.” He gave her an easy smile and set the lead rope on the ground by the gate. “I’ve got to run to the hardware store, but I’ll be back around six if that works for you. I’ll take Blaze back to the barn and help you feed.”
“Six would be great.” Lilah hooked a thumb in her jean pocket. “But can I at least feed you lunch? As a thank you?” She cocked her head when he didn’t immediately agree. “I’m going to grill hamburgers, and I already made potato salad and chocolate chip cookies.”
The slight hesitation melted off Trace’s face. “I mean, who can say no tothat?”
