Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 51792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 259(@200wpm)___ 207(@250wpm)___ 173(@300wpm)
“The vet will say for sure, but looks like it to me,” Levi said.
“Does he look full grown?” I asked.
Levi looked between Mitchell and me. Mitchell said, “She just rode her yesterday.”
Levi opened his mouth but glanced at the mare. “I’d say full grown.”
“I could have killed her or the foal,” I said.
Levi glanced at Mitchell, who explained, “She’s a wild mustang, at least from what I can tell. And I have to say, the mare let her ride her. At one point, I swore that horse bent to let Sunshine off.”
I jumped in. “I wouldn’t have ridden her if I’d known.”
“It’s not ideal to ride a horse in the third trimester, but it sounds like you have a bond. Some people don’t think horses are smart, but she sounds like she is. If she let you ride and you didn’t force her, don’t second-guess it.”
I nodded.
“Have you seen a lot of wild mustangs in the area?” Mitchell asked Levi.
“One or two in my lifetime. I never got close enough to be sure. If this one lets you get close, you are a lucky woman,” Levi said.
James said, “It could be someone tried to catch her, and she got away. Most wild herds are a hundred miles or so from here.”
“Or this mare knew she’d need human hands to help with the birth, or the dominant male of the herd may not be kind to male foals,” Levi said.
“You believe that?” Mitchell asked.
“It’s possible. Whatever it is, the vet will be here to check them both. You can register them.”
I cut in. “I want them to be free.”
Levi said, “They can be. But if you get them registered and tagged, when they are free, you can check to make sure no one has trapped them. If they do, you’ll have the legal paperwork to free them.”
Mitchell looked at me for what I thought. Truth was, I liked the idea of being able to check on them both. “Yeah, sounds good.”
James added, “You will have to prove that you didn’t trap the mare, but I think it will be clear to the vet when he gets here.”
Our attention switched to the foal as he moved on steadier feet to nurse.
Levi mimed moving out of the stall to give the pair privacy. We all moved out, but I didn’t go far.
“Let me give you a tour of the bunkhouse,” Mitchell suggested to Levi.
Levi said, “I heard your brother did some renovations.”
The pair left, leaving me with James and the horses. He came over. “What’s troubling you? Has my son done something?”
It was sweet, his protectiveness. But how could I tell him that I was the one who had done something to his son? I’d nearly got him killed with my mess. “No, your son is perfect.”
His brows rose. “I may be old, but I’m not stupid. I know why my son insisted that I be formalized as your boss. Though I see you more as family.” Stupid tears leaked from my eyes. “Now I didn’t mean to make you cry.”
“It means so much to hear you say that, but I’m afraid I’ll have to resign.”
TWENTY-SEVEN
Mitchell
After Levi left, I went looking for Sunshine. On the way to the barn, I ran into Dad, who looked fit to be tied.
“What’s this business on the mountain? Sunshine wouldn’t explain. Said you would know why she was resigning.”
“What?” I moved past Dad and told him I’d fill him in later.
I scrambled to a halt when I spotted her in the barn. She hadn’t left yet. She looked up as I walked in.
“I’ll pay you back for everything, Levi and the vet,” she said.
“I doubt Levi will charge us anything. That’s not our way around here. But if he does, I have it covered.”
“But—”
“And,” I countered, “your resignation is not accepted.”
“I can’t bring trouble to your door. If they find out where I live—”
“If they find out where you live, they are coming whether or not you’re here. I’m a part of this now.”
“But your daughter—”
“Again, I can protect you both here. If they come, we will be ready for them. Dad’s a better shot than me. And on our land, we have the right to defend ourselves.”
She shook her head. “I never meant for this to happen. I shouldn’t have gone to the mountain.”
“No. Those dumbasses shouldn’t have come for you.” I finally closed the distance between us. “You look tired. I kept you up all night.” I flashed her a toothy grin. “You should go in and get a nap. Zoe is with Avery for the day, and Dad and I can fend for ourselves.”
“I’ll wait here for the vet.”
“Stubborn woman. I’ll go rustle up some blankets. There’s a spot in the loft… let’s just say it’s a comfortable spot where we can wait and give Mom and son some privacy.”