Chapter Seventeen
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
When Blake finished his lesson two more followed in quick succession. By the time his busy afternoon came to an end the sun was sinking and there was a familiar chill in the air.
Heather had spent time with Apollo along the fence visiting with Henry, then returned to the barn and helped Doug prepare the dinner-time supplement buckets. He was on the quiet side, but was quick with a smile and nothing fazed him.
Now helping him bring the horses in from the paddocks, she watched him as he approached Henry. The horse pricked up his ears and snorted, as if saying, Who are you and what do you want?
“I know, I know, Blake told me all about you,” Doug said calmly, lifting a carrot from his pocket. “You don’t have to worry. We’re all friends here.”
As he slipped on the halter and led him across the pasture, Heather felt a wave of relief. Buying the big horse had been impetuous, but Blake hadn’t objected and he seemed sure she’d soon be riding him. Wondering how he could be so confident, she brought in the last two horses and checked her watch.
“Hey,” Blake said, marching into the barn aisle. “Henry has settled right in. Doug just told me he was absolutely fine to catch, and he’s been calm all day. I might even start workin’ with him tomorrow—and you too in the round pen with that rope around Apollo’s neck.”
“That would be great,” she replied excitedly.
“I need a sit down and a mug of coffee. Can you join me?”
“Shoot,” she muttered, glancing at her watch. “I’d like nothing better but I have to get home. I need to take a shower and head off to work.”
“How late do you stay?”
“We stop serving at ten o’clock so I generally leave about half-an-hour after that, maybe forty-five minutes. It depends on what the guests order and how long they stick around. Quite honestly I’m a bit tired. I wish I could just kick back tonight.”
As he unexpectedly brought her into his arms, she sank against him and closed her eyes.
“I never want to leave this,” she mumbled with a sigh.
“You mean, the barn?”
“No, I mean leaning against you. I swear I could go to sleep.”
“You know you don’t have to stay and help every day.”
“But I love it,” she protested, pulling back and staring up at him. “I’d much rather be here with you and the horses than puttering around my place. Although tomorrow I should probably drive into town and visit mom and dad,” she added with a frown. “They’re dying to see the trophy. Anyway, I have to leave or I’ll be late.”
“Come on, I’ll walk you to your truck.”
“What do you think will happen with Courtney?” she asked as they started off.
“I know there are quite a few charges against her, though I don’t know all of them, but I have a feelin’ she’ll end up servin’ time. Dealin’ drugs here is a big deal, especially after what happened with Helen Rutherford and that bike-ridin’ thug out of Dallas.”
“That whole thing was terrible.”
“It sure was. Even though that guy was around Andy our paths never crossed, thank the Lord. Huh, I wonder if Courtney knew him. He was livin’ and dealin’ out of Dallas and I bet it’s a small world. Maybe I should mention it to the sheriff, though he’s bound to follow up on everything. But gettin’ back to Courtney. It’s possible her lawyer will find a way out. That’s what lawyers do, and she has money.”
“I’m so glad we got Henry away from her. But I worry about her other horses. She has that big trailer she must have more than one.”
“I’ve been thinkin’ about that too, but my old man used to say, do what you can, but remember you can’t save the world . He was right.”
“I guess,” she muttered as they reached her truck. “Blake, thanks for an amazing day.”
“Back at ya,” he quipped with a wink. “Drive safely, and do me favor. Text me when you get home from work.”
As he leaned down and softly kissed her she felt herself melting, but a second later he pulled back and opened the door. Wishing she could stay, she reluctantly climbed in behind the wheel.
* * *
Watching her slowly roll down the driveway, Blake took in a heavy breath. He didn’t want her to leave. He wanted to sit across from her at the kitchen table, cuddle together in front of the fire and watch TV, then wander through the barn before bed and check on the horses.
He wanted her next to him as he slept.
And he wanted to wake up beside her.
His pondering was abruptly interrupted by something touching his hand. Glancing down he found Butch panting up at him expectantly.
“Where have you been?”
When the dog barked in response Blake laughed out loud, then lifting his eyes he saw Heather’s truck turn onto the road.
“I guess that’s it for now,” he muttered, but as he started to turn around a car appeared, seemingly from nowhere. As it drove past the gates he thought it looked familiar.
“Huh. that’s weird,” he muttered, “but we need to go, Butch, I need some coffee.”
With his dog running ahead he began ambling back to his house—then abruptly paused his step.
The car resembled the one he’d seen under the tree when he was looking down from the grassy clearing. Closing his eyes he tried to recall the image.
The vehicle had been grey or silver, and a four-door sedan.
The car passing the gate had been the same.
A chill shuddered down his spine.
“What the hell?” he grunted as his eyes popped open, and snatching his phone from his pocket he called Heather