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Something pushed her back and she stumbled into Henry. He chuckled and she turned to see her horse staring at her.
She laid her hand against the horse’s jaw. "Aww, are you jealous? He's good. I promise you, he'll never, ever hit you. If he ever would, I'd make him pay."
Henry laughed. "I bet you would, too."
The horse’s head bobbed in understanding. At least she thought it was. And Henry chuckled. "I'll call Dad."
He walked to the end of the barn and pulled his phone out. She heard his voice softly explaining to his dad what had just happened, and she petted her new horse and visited the others. She wanted to call a veterinarian but thought she should talk to Henry first. After all, she might be overstepping. But she had the money to pay, and she'd surely get this poor baby some care.
She stepped to the stall to her right and looked in at the beautiful bay mare looking at her with fear in her eyes and as she stared at her new friend, the other horse nudged her way in beside her and neighed. The horse in the stall bobbed its head in understanding and slowly approached. She knelt down and grabbed some feed for her newest friend and giggled when she fed from her hand. Her ribs were prominent, these poor souls likely didn't eat nearly enough.
She inhaled to calm herself. There would likely be many days like this to come. Sadness for all these animals had endured. They reminded her of the woman from the mountain. Life sucked sometimes.
Henry approached slowly. "Dad will be here soon. I suspect Mom will be with him."
"Do they have sleeping bags and stuff?"
He chuckled. "Baby, we go out on missions all the time. You'll be amazed at how we're set up."
"Oh. I hadn't thought of that."
His arm wrapped around her shoulders, but her horse friend nudged it off and he laughed. "She loves you. But not as much as I do."
Aww. "I love her too." She lowered her voice. "But not more than you."
The horse in the stall bobbed its head and she laughed.
"Henry, the horse in the end stall needs veterinary care. Do you know who I can call? I'll pay for it."
"You don't need to pay for it. I will. Let me call Lara. She's lived here most of her life."
He spoke to Lara and she reflected again, for the thousandth time, just today, how lucky she was to have met him.
Her phone chimed and she looked down to see an email from Casper. "I have the new job set up for you in North Carolina when you are finished in Glen Hollow. Please update me as to your progress."
Her heart sank. Tears sprang to her eyes immediately. It was time to leave. Almost time to leave.
Her breathing came in short spurts and she felt like she'd pass out. She slumped down to a bale of hay and prayed her heart would hold out and not break into tiny shards never to be fully bonded together. Finally gaining control, she sat upright. The barn door opened, and Hawk and Roxanne entered. Their smiles were huge.
Roxanne went first to Henry and hugged him, then walked toward her. She braced herself for a hug, reminded herself it was a good thing. As soon as Roxanne's arms were around her shoulders, she burst out crying.
Roxanne held her tight and whispered in her ear. "It's okay honey. It's okay. Whatever I can do, I'll help you."
But could she?
31
Henry turned his attention to Everleigh and his mom. What was she crying about?
His dad leaned in, "It's been a rather emotional day. You two have had a lot going on."
"Yeah." But she'd been fine a minute ago.
His dad nudged him. "I've got supplies in the truck. Are you sure you want to stay here in the barn? You could always get up early and come out here."
"I know. But, if the horses are going to get used to me, I want to make the effort by staying with them and protecting them."
"I get it. I'm proud of you, son."
