“No,” he said with a sigh as he settled in a chair at the kitchen table. “I was helping the farrier at New Double, and as I walked away, I didn’t pay attention.”
“He hasn’t been around horses all his life like we have been,” Faith said with a smirk. “He’s former military.”
“Ah, I understand. So, what happened?” At Shay’s look, Pedro shrugged. “When you walked away.”
“Ah, like I said, I wasn’t paying attention, and as I walked away, the horse kicked. At first I didn’t think anything of it, but by the time I got home, I couldn’t walk on it.” He removed his brace, and since he had the snap sweat pants on, he unsnapped them to show Pedro.
“Damn, that looks nasty.”
“Oh, this is nothing. If you compare this,” he said as he pointed to the horseshoe size bruise with a shake of his head, “to when it happened, then I’m completely healed.” He snapped his pants back up, and pulled his phone over to him. He accessed his photos and showed them to Pedro. “This is the day after it happened.”
“Pardon my language, but holy hell, that looks painful.”
“It was. Thankfully, nothing was broken, and I didn’t even tear my ALC or any ligaments. I was only severely bruised. The brace was to support it.”
“I understand. You can’t be too careful with bruises, you don’t know whether something will break lose and a blood clot goes to your heart or lung.”
“Yes, that’s the reason for the brace. I’ve ditched the crutches, and every day it’s getting better and better.”
“Good, then you won’t mind staying in the trailer to load the boxes Faith and I bring out to you?”
“Not at all, but may I suggest you bring out the bedroom furniture first? We’ll make do on the floor tonight, but if we can get it all packed today, we’re leaving tomorrow.”
“That’s why I’m here.”
“Why else?” Faith asked.
“Oh.” He turned to her, and his entire face lit up like a Christmas tree. “Your guy, Cole, called me.”
“And?”
“And, I passed the background check. He and Miss Naomi interviewed me over the phone, while we waited. I’ll be heading that way in a couple of weeks. I have to do what you’re doing here.”
“But?” Shay asked when he saw his expression.
“But, I did some digging, and I learned something. There’s a horse for sale, don’t worry, I can afford to purchase him, but I don’t know if I can bring him with me.”
“From my understanding,” Shay began. “There are currently three ranches on the same property, with another one being built across the road come this spring. Between those horses, there are five to six hundred. I don’t think one more will make a difference.”
“Okay, but this horse has been neglected, and severely beaten at one point. I think he’s given up on life, but I saw him a few days ago, and there’s still hope in his expression.”
“That’s what Broken Wheel is for,” Shay said. “It’s a ranch where the horses were taken from their owner by the SPCA, or the police for neglect. On Broken, they rehabilitate the horse back to their former glory with love, patience, and kindness. Eventually, the horse could be used in the human rehabilitation center, if not, then they will live their lives out as a regular horse. No pressure to do anything.”
“The only thing I can tell you, Pedro,” Faith said as she reached out and placed her hand over his when she saw how distressed he was. “Call Cole and Naomi to discuss it with them. I know I was told that Broken Wheel has a quarantine pen that all new horses go to for a couple of weeks while the vet works with them.”
“New Double has three,” Shay said. “Each barn has their own quarantine pen.
“Good, yes, I’ll reach out to them tomorrow. Let’s get you guys packed up.” He stood, and had Faith walk him through the house to see what needed to be done. Shay ended up helping get the mattress and box springs out to the trailer, while Faith took the frame apart. Then Shay helped with the dressers. When only boxes where left, Shay was regulated to stay in the back of the trailer to organize and pack what the others brought out to them. They worked all day, and by the time they quit around dinner time, everyone was satisfied with the work they’d accomplished. The only thing left in the house were their suitcases, the coffee pot, their cups, and the last-minute cleaning supplies, along with the vacuum cleaner.
“What time are you pulling out tomorrow?” Pedro asked.
“Between ten and noon, the real estate agent is supposed to be here around eight. We’re doing the final walk through, and I’ll be signing the papers to list it. I’m hoping to be done by ten, and we can hit the road then.”
“Do you need any more help?”
“Thank you, but no, we’re good. Thank you again for all your help today. Don’t forget to call Cole and Naomi about the horse you want to bring.”
“I will, I promise. I’ll go home, get all my ducks in a row, reach out to the current owner to make the sale, then I’ll call. There’s no reason to call if the current owner backs out of the sale.”
