“He only looks little because he’s next to Jaina, but I swear he’s at least fifteen two. With shoes on.” The last was said under her breath. Rachel handed over my copy of the paperwork. “He’s a good boy. Really. Just a little mischievous.”
“I already signed everything. You don’t have to keep up with the hard sell.”
Rachel laughed and held up her hands. “Okay. Okay. Just give him a chance, all right?”
I crossed my heart and Rachel gave a laugh that came up from her toes. She went over to the windows on the trailer soshe could say goodbye to both the horses and I turned to where my dad and Sarah were deep in conversation. Dad knew Sarah’s husband, Charlie, for years. When cancer took Charlie, his wife and daughter opened the rescue in his honor. We’d fostered a few horses for them over the years, and if they had a particularly problematic horse, either behavioral or due to abuse, they called on Hawk.
Dad finished his goodbyes, we both climbed into the cab of the truck, and I pointed us toward home. We had about three hours to go, which put us rolling back onto Blue Creek sometime after seven.
We rode in silence for a while, only the sounds of the country music on the radio, filling the cab. When I glanced in the sideview mirror, I caught a glimpse of Rowdy’s nose.
“Oh shit,” I muttered, and immediately slowed down to pull onto the shoulder. “Damn horse unlatched the damn window.”
Dad let out a bark of laughter and hopped out as soon as I stopped. By the time I got my door open, he was already nudging Rowdy’s head back inside. I rummaged in the console for the locks that we never used because our horses weren’t dumb enough to try and open the windows on the trailer. Dad locked it up, and we both watched in fascination as the latch jiggled a little. But it held. We’d probably make it back in one piece now.
Dad was still chuckling when we got back on our way. After a few minutes, Dad spoke up.
“It’s really kind, what you’re doing.”
“It’s the Gigi Fern way,” I intoned, making it sound like a chore. Dad smacked my arm but he was laughing too. I shot him a glance. “Say whatever you’re not saying.”
“You just don’t usually get invested in people this quickly. That’s all.”
I checked the mirrors to make sure everything was good before we merged onto the highway. “What’s that mean?”
“Nothing bad. I just know you, son. And it usually takes you longer to warm up to people. A horse rescue mission is more like a three-month endeavor for you. Not three days.”
I rolled my eyes. “A man needs his horse, Dad.”
“You’re right.” He held up his hands and changed the subject. “So who’s going in the auction? I know you were talking about King. Anyone else?”
For the next three hours, we talked ranch business. Who was sold and who needed a buyer. Who would go into the auction and who we would keep. I was hoping Imelda Staunton had a filly so we could keep her. And even though Vivien was only four months old, Demi was already assessing her for the show pen.
Things were quiet when we made it home. Most everyone was gone for the day, but I’d asked Wy to keep Mal at the barn. We’d picked up a rescue after all, that part wasn’t a lie, and even though anyone could have gotten Rowdy settled, Wy had come up with the ploy that she wanted to show Mal how we did it.
Wy was waiting outside Barn 3 when we rolled up. Her face was alight and she nodded and pointed, indicating that Mal was inside.
I opened the doors on the trailer and hopped up. I spoke softly to Jaina as I unhitched her and then I had to back her out since she was too big to turn around. She had no problems with that, barely even stumbling. The lead rope in hand, I led her inside and down the aisle.
“Mal?” I called.
His head popped out of one of the empty stalls. It took him a second. His mouth dropped open and I heard a clang, probably of some tool hitting the stall wall. He stepped forward, eyes locked on Jaina.
“What did you do?”
Chapter 9
Malachi
My whole system was sputtering. My head was swimming and I could feel my heart beating way too fast as for a few moments, I couldn’t make my feet move.
The screwdriver I’d used to tighten some hinges on the stall door lay forgotten on the floor.
Jaina caught up to the situation and realized it was me down the aisle. She lifted her head, ears perked forward, as she let out the same greeting nicker she had since she realized I was her person.
I stumbled out of the stall and didn’t bother to think about how that or the tears streaming down my face looked. I just went to her and wrapped my arms around her neck.
I swear she hugged me back, pulling me closer with her large head as she kept nickering for a moment longer.
