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“I know the issues surrounding the wild horses are complex. But the fact is, they were here long before we were.” She struggled to maintain a diplomatic tone. “And they shouldn’t be shot through the nose and then left to suffer and die. Need I remind you that shooting a wild horse is a federal offense, thanks to the Horses and Burros Act of 1971? These animals are federally protected, and they shouldn’t be targeted for sport.”
“Hear, hear.” Minnie started to clap, and the majority of the room joined in with the applause.
Tess used the momentum to keep going. “Now, it’s all of our responsibility to coexist with the wild animals who call Star Valley home. And I’m hoping we can band together to make sure no more horses suffer the way Legacy has. If Silas and I hadn’t found her, she likely would’ve contracted an infection and died a slow, very painful death.”
“It’s only a useless horse,” Darrell Braxton called from a table near the window. “And they’re everywhere now. They’ll take over this whole valley if we let ’em.”
“They’re not taking over,” Minnie yelled back. “And they deserve to live in peace without being hunted.”
Sounds of agreement bounded around. It appeared the majority in attendance wanted to help protect the wild horses, but those other few could prove to be a problem.
More arguments started—with Ford and Darrell the main instigators.
When the volume in the room started to rise, Tess clapped her hands. This was no longer a productive meeting. It wouldn’t help anyone to sit here and go back and forth with men who had no regard for the animals’ welfare.
“Thank you all for your input,” she said above the noise. “My intention was to make this an informational meeting, a reminder for all of us to keep our ears and eyes open. For those who areinterestedin staying involved in the conversation and actually doing something to help, I’ve left a notebook at the bar. You can sign your name and email address so I can be in touch.”
It wouldn’t help to set up a patrol schedule now, with all of the naysayers listening in. “I appreciate everyone being here. If you have any questions, please come and find me.” She turned her back on the room and picked up the water glass Minnie had left for her while people started to stand and chat.
“Nice job.” Silas gently elbowed her arm. “You gave exactly the right amount of information without—”
“This is a whole lotta trouble you’re goin’ through for one damn horse, Tess.” Darrell butted in between them. “Most of us don’t have time for this. We’re all barely keeping up as it is. I’ll tell you right now if it comes down to the survival of those horses or the survival of my own cattle, it’s not gonna be a hard decision.”
Tess studied the man’s grizzled face. He was only in his fifties, but the years of sun exposure had aged him. “It sounds to me like you wouldn’t mind shooting a wild horse yourself, Mr. Braxton.” She gave the statement a few seconds to sink in. “Is there something you’d like to confess?” He could’ve easily ridden his UTV up there and shot Legacy. Maybe he was on a one-man crusade to rid the valley of wild horses.
The man’s ruddy eyes steeled. “Don’t you go making accusations you can’t back up,” he spat. “You’re supposed to be one of us. Jace would’ve—”
Silas thrust his hand onto the man’s shoulder. “That’s enough. I think you need help finding the door, Braxton.” He roughly directed the man toward the exit while Tess turned back to the bar, bracing her hands against the surface, trying to breathe.
Jace would’ve what? What would Jace have done? He wouldn’t have stood for the brazen and illegal killing of a wild animal. She knew that much.
Once again, she felt the acute awareness of her husband’s absence. She was still getting used to standing on her own, confronting the challenges of life as a single woman instead of as a couple. The truth was, Jace had done most of this. The confronting. The standing up. The challenging. He would’ve led the charge and she would’ve been happy to support him. But now she was learning how to follow her convictions—how toacton them.
“You okay?” Silas approached her with the same concern that had been in his eyes when he’d found her crying That Night.
“I’m fine.” She stuffed those memories down deep where they belonged. She needed all of her energy focused on Legacy and the wilds right now. “I’m encouraged, actually. It seems most people aren’t going to stand for this in Star Valley.”
In fact, much of the crowd was still gathered in groups around their tables discussing the situation. “Thanks for getting him out of here though.” She tucked her hair behind her ear and peered up at Silas. “It’s nice to know someone has my back.”
She only wished this someone didn’t make her heart spiral out of control every time he got close. She wished she didn’t want to pull that someone close and push him away at the same time.
“You were great, Tess.” His eyes lingered on hers for another few seconds before he looked away. “Uh, I should go help Minnie and Louie clean up in the kitchen. I’m sure they have a lot to do.” He moved around the bar and walked away.
Tess watched him, her heart still thumping. Silas was always doing things to help people out. Sometimes, on a particularly busy Friday night, she’d heard he’d stay after closing at the café to do the dishes and make sure Minnie and Louie were able to get home by a reasonable hour.
“Tess? Excuse me.” A man tapped her on the shoulder.
She whirled around, lest anyone notice that she’d been staring after Silas like an enamored puppy.
The man standing in front of her smiled. “I don’t know if you remember me from the PTA meeting but I’m—”
“Brad Kline.” She blinked a few times so her brain could catch up. “Callie’s dad.” She shook his hand. “Of course I remember. I was hoping to talk to you about the girls.” She hadn’t even noticed him sitting in the crowd. During her speech, all of the faces had blurred together. It was surprising he hadn’t stood out more because she’d been meaning to talk to him.
“Yeah, I listened to your phone message earlier today, figured we could talk tonight since Callie is home with my parents.” He exhaled that tired-parent sigh she recognized all too well. “I’m sorry about what happened at school. Trust me, I talked with Callie about the situation, and she’d like the chance to apologize to Morgan.”
“I can’t say Morgan handled things well either.” Had her daughter really spat on someone’s shoes? “In fact, the reason I called is because I’d like to invite you and Callie over for an afternoon this weekend. If the girls spend some time together, I have a feeling they’d quickly get past their differences.”
“That would be great, actually.” The man appeared pleasantly surprised. “We haven’t gotten out much lately. There’s a lot to do at the ranch. And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t tend to avoid the gossip in town.”
