Chapter Twelve
CHAPTER TWELVE
The following morning when Heather arrived at the ranch she found Blake hooking up his horse trailer. Parking nearby, she climbed from her truck and walked across to join him.
“I decided we should take this one. It’s wider,” he declared before she could ask.
“Ah, of course. We don’t know how Henry is to load and the roomier the better.”
“Yep. There, all set. The hay’s in the front and we’re ready to leave, but there’s something I need to do before we hit the road.”
Stepping closer to her, he cupped her chin sending a flurry of butterflies bursting to life in her stomach. As he lightly pressed his lips on hers, she closed her eyes and fervently kissed him back. Suddenly his arms were around her holding her tightly.
“You make me crazy,” he muttered, moving his mouth to her ear, then pulling back he stared down to her. “Why did I wait so long?”
“I was wondering about that,” she quipped with a grin. “I guess things happen when they’re supposed to.”
“Yep, I guess so. Now let’s get Henry. The poor guy needs to hang out in a field and relax. Into the truck, Butch.”
When they reached the show grounds they found the parking area empty of trailers except for Courtney’s rig. Buck appeared and waved them over, allowing them to park next to the barn. After opening the back of the trailer and lowering the ramp, they walked down the aisle with Butch leading the way. When Heather brought Apollo out of his stall, Henry poked his head over the stall door and whinnied.
“Don’t worry, big boy,” Blake said as he walked in and slipped the halter on. “You’re comin’ with us.”
Henry followed Apollo down the aisle without incident, and when Heather led him into the trailer, Blake wasn’t surprised when Henry loaded without any issues.
“Leaving them together overnight worked,” Heather remarked happily as Blake closed the doors.
“Yep, sometimes things can be that simple. When we get back we’ll put them next to each other in the two smaller paddocks. They’re closest to the barn and house.”
The drive back was also uneventful, but when Blake unloaded Henry from the trailer the big grey snorted loudly and started prancing. As they walked the short distance to the pastures, he continued to dance and toss his head, and once again Heather was amazed by Blake’s skill. He barely reacted, except to occasionally stop and back the horse up, or turn him in a circle.
They finally reached the paddocks, and after releasing Apollo she hurried to close the gate behind Blake and Henry. Standing outside, she watched Blake slowly remove Henry’s halter. To her surprise the horse didn’t race away, and Blake stayed beside him, stroking his neck and talking to him. When Blake turned and started towards the gate, Henry hesitated, then followed him.
“You never cease to amaze me,” Heather said, gazing up at Blake as he joined her. “You really are a horse whisperer.”
“I just speak their language, and you do too.”
“Not like that.”
“You will. It’s just experience, and like I said yesterday, he’s a smart horse. He’s already figured out he can trust me. He’ll start looking to me for leadership now, and to you as well. But for the moment I just want that brain of his to chill.”
“Blake, look,” she exclaimed, glancing past him and breaking into a smile. “He’s rolling.”
“Odds are he’ll get up and take off. Yep, there he goes.”
The moment Henry was on his feet he began galloping around the paddock, then bucked several times before stopping and letting out a loud whinny.
“He’s having a wonderful time,” Heather murmured. “I wonder how long it’s been since he was in an open space like this.”
“Hard to say, but he sure is one happy horse now.. I’m glad you saved him, darlin’,” Blake added, placing his arm around her shoulders. “If you hadn’t I probably would have.”
“Really?”
“Yep. That’s one of the many things we have in common. We care.”
As he finished speaking they heard the sound of an approaching vehicle. Turning around they saw it was Becky Turner, the first of his morning clients.
“I guess you’re off to work,” Heather remarked.
“Yep, what about you?”
“I’m doing lunch and service all week, but I don’t have to get there until eleven. Could you help me unload my trunk? It’s still in the back of my truck. I’ll get all my stuff sorted out before I leave.”
“Sure, but I’ll grab Doug. It’s heavy.”
“He’s one helluva mover! Where did you find him?” Becky asked as she joined them.
“I found him at the show,” Heather exclaimed, seeing the envy in the woman’s eyes. “He’s mine now.”
“Damn, he must have cost a penny or two.”
“It was kind of a fire sale. I just got lucky.”
“Did you ride him?”
“Not yet.”
“Good luck with that,” Becky remarked with a grin. “I’ll see you in the arena, Blake.”
“Yep, see you there.”
“Why did she have to say that?” Heather whispered as the woman strode off.
“She’s jealous.”
“But that doesn’t make it any less true. She’s right. Look at him.”
“This is a discussion for another time. I’m off to fetch Doug and move your trunk. Why don’t you visit with Apollo? Once Henry starts to settle down he’ll probably go to the fence to be with his new buddy. The three of you will have a chance to interact for a while.”
“I already planned to do just that.”
“See? You know what you’re doin’. You and Henry will be just fine,” he said confidently, then pecking her on the cheek, he turned and headed towards the barn.
He’d sounded so sure of himself, and as she watched him walk away she almost believed him.