“Sure. Want company?” I asked even though I already knew the answer. I could tell by the wild look in his eyes that hadn’t quite gone away.
He shook his head. “I think I should just go by myself. Clear my mind, you know?”
I did know. Nothing settled the brain better than a solo ride on your favorite horse. I took his hand and changed our course, heading toward Barn 3. I wasn’t sure if Jaina was in her stall or on turn out.
“I get it. But take a walkie, right?”
“Yeah, of course.”
He took my hand and I squeezed his fingers. “We good now?”
Mal squeezed back, so I took that as an affirmative. We didn’t say anything else as we headed into the barn, then the tack room. He looped Jaina’s bridle over his arm, then grabbed her saddle. I picked up a pad and followed him out, snagging a two way on the way.
We had to make our way through the pasture with the mares and foals, then to the next one over, where Jaina was turned out with Rowdy, Cutter, Ruger, and Niko. Ruger was a dominant dappled gray mare who, despite being on the smaller side, ran whatever herd she was put out with. She kept the geldings in their place, and Jaina was as unproblematic as always.
Ruger lifted her head when we entered, but she knew us, so she went back to grazing. Rowdy kicked up a bit of a fuss, running Cutter around, but that was just his style. Mal called to Jaina who immediately ran over, and stood still to be saddled. Once Mal was done, I gave him a leg up he didn’t need just so I could cop a feel. Mal snorted a laugh, absolutely knowing what I was doing. I was relieved he sounded more like himself.
“Be safe. Have fun. Dinner’s at six-thirty.” I handed over the two way and he clipped it to his belt.
“I’ll be back by then.” He pulled my hand up while he bent down and kissed my palm, then curled my fingers over it. I made a show of swooning, hoping he would laugh again, and was gratified when he did.
“Mom’ll keep Payton occupied if they get back before you do. And Mal?” I waited until he glanced down. “Call me if you need me.”
“I will.”
I waved him off, and headed back to the barn through the other side of the paddock. I figured since I was out here I could go through the yearling barn and check in with Russ. I was sure he had some ideas about who was ready for sale and I had a feeling he wanted to talk me into keeping Vivien. She was a good looking filly, but she didn’t have her mama’s confirmation. That didn’t mean she wouldn’t make a great addition to our stock herd. After Hawk got done with her. And in four or five years, we’d probably be ready to retire a different mount. We had a few that were nearing that age.
An hour later, I was back in my office, attention focused on the breeding records once again. But something tugged at my brain and it took a second before I realized I was hearing screaming and squealing. I was up out of my seat and moving before the call came through the two-ways.
“All hands!” Ennis called, a bit panicked. “Mare and foal pasture.”
I took off at a dead run and made it to the pasture in record time, since it was right behind Barn 1. I’d just been through there and everything had seemed fine. But now everyone was in anuproar, racing around, the foals screaming and Imelda Staunton charging. Directly at Rowdy.
The gate between the pastures was open. That troublemaker had gotten in. But how? We always made sure to double secure any gate where Rowdy was since he liked to undo latches.
Ennis had Angela Lansbury in his arms and I could see a scrape on her forehead. It was bleeding pretty bad, but honestly didn’t look horrible. Nothing a few stitches and some salve couldn’t fix. Imelda Staunton noticed Ennis then, abandoned her chase, and raced toward Ennis. He didn’t even flinch, and it spoke to their bond that she didn’t try and fight him for her baby. But she was beyond worked up and it wasn’t until Bodhi ran into the pasture that she even began to calm down. Bodhi and Ennis took the mama and baby straight to the barn, Bodhi already with the phone to his ear. I was sure he was calling Matigan.
Lovett, Wy, and I cornered Rowdy, who bucked at our approach. He wasn’t being mean, but he was sure high on adrenaline. It took Lovett two tries to catch him, and with the rope finally around the gelding’s neck, he calmed down like he hadn’t just riled everybody up, causing trouble. It wasn’t until we got the horse back into his pasture and the gate closed that I saw what had happened.
The second chain hadn’t been put back. It was still looped over the top rail of the fence. Crap, Mal must have forgotten to double secure the gate when he went through with Jaina.
Chapter 23
Malachi
Jaina was happy to go wherever I directed her, so we warmed up with a little walk and then trot, before I nudged her into a nice lope. I had the reins around the pommel and sat in the saddle like it was a chair. She didn’t need my input, but I was sure I was steering her unconsciously with my weight anyway.
I’d kind of told Crew we were okay. And yeah,wewere. But my mind wasn’t. I couldn’t explain why my brain refused to let go of the negative.
So I straightened a little, making Jaina slow down to a walk. Then I patted her and did the thing I probably should’ve a while ago. I dug out my phone and called my mom.
We weren’t in the dark spot yet, so I’d have connection until we got closer to the creek, and I could always let Jaina graze a little while I talked.
My mom answered after a few seconds.
“Well, hello,” she said, sounding happy. I hated that I was about to ruin that for her.
“Hey, Mom.”
