"It certainly is."
"All the horses are fed. We were three horses short, even though we skimped as much as we could."
Warren passed by. "They'll just have to be fed in the morning. There's nothing more we can do."
Joey thanked them for their help and watched them walk toward the campers. She stopped at Journey's stall. He was one of the three, and while it angered her that they didn't have enough feed, she loved their fairness and equality that even her horse wasn't given preferential treatment over the others. They were all equally valuable.
She stared at the yellow barn in the distance that she could just see through the window. She had heard enough to know that the ranch owners kept their own horses in there, along with the ones they used for their guests who wanted to trail ride.
"What do you think, boy? You reckon there's feed over there?"
He nuzzled her neck. "I know you're hungry."
The sun was low in the sky. She kissed Journey's forehead. "When it gets dark, I'll do a little snooping. I won't make you wait until morning if I can help it."
She headed back to the camper with her heart in her throat. She had never been a thief before, but desperate times called for drastic measures.
Chapter Eight: Fighting to Defend
Drake Hale
Drake and Colton sat on the porch enjoying another beer as they watched the sunset. Drake took a long drink before he pointed his bottle at his brother.
"Let me tell you something. If I ever see that guy do that to a horse again, or any animal for that matter, he's going to just disappear."
Colton nodded. "Sounds like the stories we heard are all true."
"Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I don't understand how he still has people that travel with him."
"Money, bro. You know that. For the same reason we're allowing the asshole to use our land for a show. We needed the money. His competitors probably do, too. And I can only assume that he holds that over their heads to keep them from finding a better outfit to travel with."
"I suppose." Drake finished his beer and stood and stretched. "You want another one?"
"I do, but I can't. I have to pick Ellie up early tomorrow, so I need to be coherent."
"Why don't you just go get her? She always flies commercially when you could provide her transportation much quicker than a plane."
Colton chuckled. "If she was travelling alone, I could. But since she has two others with her, it would be rather difficult to explain how dragon air works."
"Right. I forget that she travels as a team."
"Are you turning in for the night?"
"I wish," Drake responded. "I have to go help Sarah for tomorrow."
"Ask her who the father is."
Drake snorted. "Because it's that easy. I wish she'd just fess up so it would be a non-issue. At this point, I figure she dumped him. She hasn't gone anywhere since she told us she was pregnant."
"Then we need to know who the father is so we can go kick his ass."
"I'll see what I can do. But you know she's not going to tell me shit."
Colton adjusted his hat. "I know. But you have to try." He gave Drake a two-finger salute. "And just remember, bro. You can't fix the problems on the show in the couple days they're here." With that, he headed off.
Drake knew he was right as he gathered up the empty bottles and took a quick shower before he headed over to Sarah's to help with the last-minute items for the pre-show luncheon the following day. But just because his oldest brother was correct didn't mean he had to listen.
Drake grumbled the whole time, wanting nothing more than to just grab another beer and fall asleep on the porch until the stars came out. He grabbed his hat. Except that it was too early for bed, and there was still work to be done.
