AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We’ll agree to disagree. The horse has got to go. I’ll ask around town to see if anyone knows who dropped the mare off. Otherwise, I’ll find a new home for the horse. Just because it says she can’t be sold; doesn’t mean I can’t find someone else in need of a horse for spiritual healing. Besides, what could a horse possibly do to help someone?”
“Perhaps you should read up on the legacy. Maybe the internet will have more information on the subject. But I don’t think you should decide yet. It’s not like you don’t have a barn, and you said you used to love to ride. Maybe it’s time you did again.”
“No. Not anymore. I sold our horses for a reason, and nothing has changed.” It also irritated him to no end that someone thought he needed help to get through his grief like he was some lost soul after his wife died. And so what if he was?
Joelle.
She was the reason it mattered.
The unwanted thought came out of nowhere, but it was a thought he couldn’t ignore.
Chapter Six
“Well,nomatterwhatyou decide to do with Star, she’s yours for the time being.” Madison moved closer and stroked the horse’s mane, Joelle still firmly planted on her hip.
“Keep Joelle away from the horse. That’s a new rule starting at once,” Caleb said, taking his daughter from Madison and moving back to a safer distance.
“But Daddy, she’s so pretty and I want to ride her,” Joelle said, stretching out her arm toward the horse, her initial fear a thing of the past.
The regal white mare had an aura of calm that would draw people instantly. Combined with the scent of fresh hay in a barn, it brought back welcome memories of when he used to ride with Lauren. “She’s too big for you, sweetheart,” Caleb said, not giving in to her plea.
“But you could take me for a ride. You and Mommy used to ride, remember Daddy? And you took me with you. Just like the picture in my room.”
Caleb shook his head. “Things have changed, and I don’t ride anymore, so neither do you. It’s dangerous. Something I wish I knew before I ever bought horses and stabled them here.” His voice had grown tense and Madison sensed he was withdrawing into a dark place.
“Star is quite gentle, Caleb.” Madison moved down and patted the horse’s flank, and then back to hug her neck, proving her point.
“You’ve known the horse all of five minutes, don’t assume you can judge her character. And either way, it doesn’t matter. My decision is final. There’ll be no riding.”
“Not all horses spook easily, you know. And whether you want to hear it or not, Lauren wouldn’t have wanted you to quit riding.” Madison was venturing into unchartered territory and only slightly worried Caleb would go ballistic. She knew about the snake that caused the horse to rear up and unseat Lauren, but she also knew it was just an accident with a terrible ending. People ride horses every day, but with safe handling and trained horsemanship, accidents didn’t happen often. And Lauren had been quite experienced, having ridden practically all her life.
“This is not a subject up for discussion,” he snapped. “Perhaps you should take Joelle back to the house and let me figure out what I’m going to do to get rid of Star.”
Madison moved to take Joelle and held out her arms. “It would be a mistake. The horse is a gift. A very endearing, well-thought-out gift meant to help heal wounds. Perhaps you should give her a shot. You might be surprised.”
The deep grooves across his forehead intensified. If ears could smoke…they would be. It was time to retreat, but she wouldn’t give up trying to make him understand this wasn’t what Lauren would have wanted. For him or her daughter.
“The only thing that would surprise me is to figure out who would do such a thing. Everyone around here knows I don’t ride.”
“Perhaps it’s a greater-good opportunity.” Madison shot him a smile and left the barn without another word.
“Why won’t daddy let me ride?” Joelle asked, her face scrunched up in disdain.
“As you know, your mother fell off a horse in a riding incident. She died and went to heaven. I think your dad is worried something will happen to you that he can’t control. He loves you and is trying to keep you safe, sweetie.”
Madison wanted more for Joelle, but it was important the little girl understood Caleb’s protectiveness stemmed from love. Life happens, and sometimes not at all in the way we plan, and it hurts. Leaves us raw with emotion. But to retreat from the world and not live and enjoy every moment God gives us was a second tragedy. And by the looks of things, that’s exactly what Caleb was trying to do.
“He tells me no to everything.” Joelle’s pout reflected her frustration. Madison vowed that while she was a nanny, her charge would do lots of fun things. As they walked back, Madison used the time to check out the house and pasture, loving the painted white wood siding and red roof that matched the barn. The fence bordered the long gravel drive and went as far as she could see. Caleb must have a lot of acreage, the pasture inviting with its open fields and trees in the distance. It was a shame he didn’t use it anymore.
They moved onto the back porch, and Madison gazed back at the barn. Caleb was turning the horse out to pasture. He hadn’t forgotten how to care for a horse, and compassion ran deep enough in his veins not to turn his back on the mare.
Caleb started their way…and oddly enough, so did Star. Every step of the way, the mare followed him along the fence line. Even more surprising was to see Caleb stop, speak to the horse, and then continue on his way.
Madison grinned, her cheeks to the point of hurting.
“Why is the horse following Daddy?” Joelle asked.
“Because she likes him. Horses connect with people in unusual ways and Star seems to be forging a bond with your dad.” Whether Caleb liked it or not. Whoever had gifted the horse seemed to have done their homework well.
