“You got me a horse?” I threw my arms around my husband’s wide neck, nestling my face into his graying beard.
“I didn’t just get you any horse—I got you the grandson of your childhood mare. Your mom and I have been scheming for weeks. I am quite surprised at how good of a secret keeper that little lady has turned out to be.”
“What’s his name?” I was practically bouncing.
“Hunter,” Freddy responded.
“Like Hunter S. Thompson?” At that realization, I was over the moon.
“Exactly. Now get dressed so we can go meet the newest member of our family.”
“Annie, you here?”I heard Jessup call in.
“With Hunter,” I responded, walking out to see him and Cara sipping coffee on a haybale.
“Morning.” Cara’s sleepy face matched her hushed tone.
“Ready for another wonderful semester?” I asked my stable hands, taking the coffee Jessup had brought for me.
“As ready as we’ll ever be. I’m going to start feeding while Jess tidies up a little.” Cara jumped to her feet, chugging from her disposable cup.
“I don’t know what I would do without you guys.” I hugged both of them quickly before they snapped into work mode.
Glancing down at my watch, I realized there was only about an hour to spare before the class would be arriving. I hurriedly grabbed Hunter’s leather bridle, snaffle bit, and reins from the store room and tacked up my horse.
“Come on, boy. We’re going to get a little ride in before the masses show.”
I walked Hunter out into the back field and hopped on his bare back.
There was nothing like walking along the grassy meadow in the cool morning air with Hunter. It was my peace and settled my mind.
As Hunter started to pick up his trotting speed, I felt his gate getting a little choppy. Directing him back over to the barn, I slid off his back and made him lift his right front leg.
“Dammit,” I muttered under my breath.
Throwing a shoe wasn’t too big of a deal and it would make for a very interesting first class, but I knew I needed to get it taken care of quickly.
After putting Hunter back into his stall, I pulled out my cellphone.
“Annabelle, you’re calling early.” Mr. Handover yawned into the phone.
“Sorry if I woke you, but Hunter threw another shoe,” I explained to my farrier.
“Did you inspect the hoof?”
“The shoe is completely off. Doesn’t look like any chunks are missing from his hoof and he seems to be walking all right, but there is a nail still in there.”
“I’ll be over in a few hours. Just get that nail out in the meantime and don’t let him walk around too much.”
“Thanks, Mr. Handover.”
“Jesus, woman. I have known you for eight years. Call me Hank, for crying out loud.”
“You know it’s never going to happen.”
“See you soon.”
Hank Handover had been my farrier ever since I got Hunter all those years ago, and he had helped bring me into the horse world as I knew it. He was a grizzled old grump with connections that would make politicians jealous. After everything he had done for me over the years, including getting me my current job, it didn’t seem respectful to call him anything but Mr. Handover. Freddy always thought I was ridiculous for it, but my mama had raised me right.
