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“One of your students is in trouble,” I said. “What is her name, Jerry?”

“It’s Piper,” Jerry answered. “The cute little brunette with the pretty bay. They got hit last night and their barn, arena, and house were leveled.”

“Even their fences,” I added. “It sucks.”

“Jeez. I should call her and check in. That kid works so hard. She’s a natural little rider. I knew her dad had horses, but I’ve never met him.”

“Seems like they had a pretty big operation,” I answered. “He has a stallion. No one is going to let them board a stallion.”

Stallions were far from the monsters many assumed them to be, but they complicated barn management in a way most boarding facilities couldn’t accommodate. The risk of pregnancy made the average barn manager decline such a request. Thankfully, we had the facilities to accommodate stallions.

“Correct,” Riley said.

“What if we took a few horses in?” I asked.

Riley groaned. “We are already so busy, Chlo. You’re crazy. How many horses are we talking?”

“A few,” I promised. Jerry shot me a look like I had no idea what I was talking about. It was my funeral if Riley figured out it was more than a few, but I’d find a way to soften them. They weren’t always grumpy.

“They could have the run-ins,” I winced. “We could rotate some of the older horses. And maybe they could just fit into the herds? It’s just for a bit.”

Six months, Chloe! That is not a bit!

“They have no one,” Jerry pled.

Riley clicked their tongue. “She is always so helpful. She’s great, honestly. But her mother is a nightmare.”

“She doesn’t live with her mom,” I said. “Per her video, it’s just her dad and he’s a breeder and a trainer. He would know horses and doesn’t seem like a diva, right?”

“I’ve never met him,” Riley said. “I know she lives with him, but the mom is a trip.”

“So is mine, Ry. What more can we do?”

“Depends. I’d have to talk to the guy and assess. I’ll call her,” Riley said. “But I want to see what we’re agreeing to first.”

7. CHARITY CASES

COLE

“Dad! Dad!” Piper ran into the living room at the short-term rental I managed to swing. “My trainer called!”

“What?” I asked. “Shit. Did you have a lesson?”

“No, no. Uh, I put this video on the Internet and it went kinda viral. Don’t kill me.”

“Why, Piper?” I grumbled. “Why do you put your life on there?”

“I asked for help for us.”

“We don’t need charity.”

“With all due respect, Dad, we do. You’ve called what? Twenty barns? None of them will take Doobs. Grandma and Grandpa can only take the broodmares. It’s a mess! These people want to help. And they aren’t creepy strangers. So, before you go on that tack, give it a shot!”

“What are we talking about here?” I asked.

“My trainer, Riley. And don’t get started. They use they/them pronouns. They’re nonbinary, remember?”

“I do,” I said. “You act like this is going to freak me out.”