Chapter Twelve #2
She turned to see Billy standing behind her. His weathered face crinkled at the corners of his eyes. She laughed, her breath misting in front of her.
“I do it more and more these days.”
“I answer myself sometimes,” he said, grinning. “Full conversations, even.”
She shrugged her aching shoulders. “Keeps the monotonous work interesting.”
“Done here with this thankless task?” His eyes surveyed her work.
“In the barn, yes, but I’ve got to finish the payroll for the bookstore and ranch. Though a long, scalding hot shower may come first, my priority.”
“Smells like you desperately need it.” Billy chuckled, a deep rumble in his chest.
Sydney feigned offense, placing a dirty glove over her heart. “Are you saying I stink?”
He laughed. “I’ll head to the north pasture now, get the rest of those stubborn horses in before the temperature drops again.”
“Be safe, Billy. Take the walkie-talkie. The battery’s fresh.”
“I will.” He tipped his worn leather hat and strode out, his mud-caked boots thudding on the concrete floor, echoing in the space.
She stowed her tools in their designated places, then trudged across the yard through the fresh snow that crunched beneath each step.
At the house, she shed her boots on the porch, and stepped inside, blessed warmth wrapping around her once more like a warm embrace.
In the bathroom, she tossed her damp, hay-speckled clothes onto the tile floor, determined to keep those muddy work clothes with its pungent barnyard aroma out of her other laundry, and turned on the shower.
The familiar hiss and rush of hot water greeted her again, billowing steam swirling around her like morning fog as she prepared to wash away the day’s honest labor from her aching limbs.
After turning off the shower’s hot spray, she lingered under the remaining steam until the cool air nipped at her shoulders.
Her skin glowed rosy. She grabbed a soft, gray cotton T-shirt stamped with a faded logo and pulled on a pair of navy-blue lounge pants lined with plush fleece.
Barefoot, she walked across the floor, to the living room.
There, the plush couch awaited. She sank into the cushions, set her laptop on her knees, and let out a contented sigh.
Grateful for remote work, she knew she might never leave this cozy spot again.
Just as she clicked the screen awake, a sharp rap sounded at the back door.
Sydney’s chest tightened; she snapped the laptop closed with a soft click.
She ducked into the kitchen, the tiled floor cool beneath her toes, and peered through the narrow windowpane.
Outside, a young woman stood hunched against the cold, her breath pluming in the dusk.
Sydney pulled open the door with a warm smile.
“Hello, how can I help you?”
The girl’s eyes shone with unshed tears. “Are you Sydney Wright?”
“I am.” Sydney folded her arms, brushing a damp strand of hair behind her ear.
“I’m Rachel Norton,” the young woman said, voice trembling like a leaf. “You adopted my horse from MERAS after my… stepmother surrendered her. I was wondering if I could see her. I promise I won’t hurt her. I just miss her so much.” A lone tear traced down Rachel’s cheek.
“Come in, get warm.” Sydney closed the door against the biting breeze and guided her to the kitchen table. “Coffee, tea, or hot chocolate?”
“Coffee, please.” Rachel removed her coat, but hung on to it, her fingers clutching it, knuckles pale.
Sydney placed a K-cup into the machine and pressed brew, the aroma unfolding as she waited. She set two mismatched mugs on the table. Rachel wrapped her hands around the warm ceramic, inhaling deeply.
They settled opposite each other in the soft glow of the overhead lamp. Sydney studied the girl’s pale features, the tremor of her shoulders, the damp strands of hair that curled around her face.
“Why did your stepmother surrender the horse?”
“She said she bit her,” Rachel whispered, gaze dropping to her coffee. “One afternoon I found her striking the horse with a leather strap. She’s never been good to me. That horse never bit anyone.” Rachel’s voice cracked. “She’s a good horse.”
“She is a good horse,” Sydney agreed. “What did you name her?”
“Careless Whisper, but I call her Whisper. It was my mother’s favorite song.” Rachel’s fingers tightened around the mug. “I bought her, paid for her feed, mucked her stalls, everything. Bobby knew how much I loved that horse.”
Sydney inclined her head. “Tell me how the theft came about.”
“We were talking one night, and I said I’d do anything to get Whisper back if I knew where she was. I guess Bobby took me literally. He thought he was helping.” Rachel’s lips trembled. “He’d do anything for me… but now he’s in trouble because I opened my mouth.”
“And Brent? Was he with him? ”
Rachel nodded, curls dancing around her face.
“Brent came along but only because Bobby asked, or made him. Brent’s no hero and Bobby can be pushy, but he treats me like gold.
Bobby’s father owns the ranch, but Bobby will one day.
They did it for me, not thinking it’d go so far.
” She pressed her palms to her eyes. “I didn’t mean for any of that to happen. ”
“Have you talked to Bobby?”
“Not yet.” Rachel offered a half-smile, sad and stubborn all at once. “I’m too mad… and too worried.”
“How did you find me?”
“Bobby told me where you lived once he was arrested. That was the last time I talked to him.”
Sydney set her mug down and stood. “Would you like to see Whisper? I call her Satin. She’s stabled in the barn. It’s just a short walk.”
Rachel’s face brightened like a winter sunrise. “Yes, please. Thank you.”
“Okay, let me change then we can go.”
“Alright.”
Sydney hurried to her bedroom and quickly changed into faded blue jeans and a thick cable-knit green sweater.
Back in the kitchen, she found Rachel still perched at the oak table, fingers wrapped around her empty mug.
Sydney eased onto the weathered bench, tugged her cowboy boots over wool socks, tucked her beanie into her pocket, then gave Rachel a quick nod.
Rachel rose gracefully, placed her porcelain cup in the sink with a gentle clink, and pulled on a down coat that had seen better days.
They stepped onto the frost-covered porch, boots creaking against the wooden planks as Sydney pulled the door closed behind them.
Their breath formed delicate clouds in the crisp air as they followed the shoveled path to the red barn.
Once inside, they both exhaled with relief as the hay-scented warmth enveloped them like a familiar blanket.
“She’s down here,” Sydney said, her voice echoing slightly against the high beamed ceiling.
“Do you have many horses?” Rachel asked.
“Yes. I breed and sell Morgans.”
“I like them too, but when I saw Whisper, uh, Satin, I just fell in love with those piercing blue eyes. She was so gentle and trusting, and Mr. Wolfe was kind enough to let me pay him in installments.”
Sydney shook her head, remembering Caysen telling her about Ryder’s generosity. Rachel had no idea just how much he had bent his own rules.
“Here she is.”
Rachel approached the rough-hewn gate, tears glistening on her flushed cheeks as she extended a trembling hand toward the Paint mare.
“Whisper, hey girl,” she said softly, her voice thick with emotion.
Sydney watched, transfixed, as the horse nickered softly and ambled to Rachel, pressing her velvety muzzle against Rachel’s chest in a gesture so tender it made Rachel’s laughter bubble up.
She rubbed the horse’s silky ears while the mare leaned into her touch, dark lashes fluttering over those remarkable blue eyes.
Sydney felt a solitary tear trace a warm path down her wind-chilled cheek.
The bond between them was physical, a silent conversation of trust and affection.
“She loves you,” Sydney said, her voice barely audible over the soft shuffling of hooves on straw.
“This was our ritual every single day,” Rachel replied, her smile radiant with joy. “She adores having her ears rubbed. She just melts and would stand here forever if I could manage it,” Rachel added with a laugh.
Sydney had no doubt they loved each other.
She was so sad about Rachel’s stepmother surrendering the horse without her knowing.
How cruel does a person have to be to do that to someone so young and vulnerable.
Sydney was sure that Rachel had spent many nights crying herself to sleep and it broke her heart.
After thirty minutes, Rachel stepped back and looked at Sydney.
“Thank you for letting me see her. I need to head home. I have a test tomorrow.”
“Are you going to college?”
“Just the local community college, but I’m studying to be a vet technician.”
“I thought you had another job though?”
“I do. I work at Beckett Boots in Hartland. I was working fulltime, but after I told JD Beckett, I wanted to go to school, he arranged my hours for me. There are three days where I go to class in the mornings, then to my job and two days, where I go to my job, then to class. He was so nice to do that for me.”
“Yes, I know JD and Gage. They’re wonderful people.”
“Yes, ma’am, they are. I’d better go. I can’t thank you enough for this—” her voice caught in her throat. “at least I know she has a wonderful home.”
“Rachel, take my phone number and if you ever want to see her again, just give me a call. Anytime.”
“Thank you.” Rachel swiftly walked from the barn and Sydney knew it was so she wouldn’t see her cry.
“Who was that?”
Sydney looked over her shoulder to see Ezra walking toward her.
“The former owner of the horse. She’s a wreck.”
“How did she find you?”
“From the young man who stole the horse. She’s his girlfriend. He did it for her.” Sydney shook her head.
“I’m sure he thought he was doing the right thing even though he had to know it was wrong.”
“I agree. Caysen, Agent Anderson, wants them to get probation, along with community service.”
“I’m sure he doesn’t suggest that for everyone. Maybe he feels the kid learned his lesson.”
“Maybe, but they committed a felony. Horse theft is wrong. No matter how you look at it.”
“Yes, it is. How old is he?”
“Twenty.”
“Awfully young to go to prison, but as you said, he committed a felony.” Ezra sighed. “I’m heading in for lunch.”
“Ezra? What would you do?”
“Honestly? I have no idea. On one hand, he did commit a felony, on the other hand, he’s young and was probably scared enough to never do it again. I can’t really say what I’d do in your position.”
“Okay. Have a good lunch with Alma.”
“I plan on it. She made chili. Perfect for a day like today.”
Sydney sighed. She wanted them to pay for taking her horse. If scaring them is what Caysen’s after, jail would certainly do that. She walked from the barn, across the yard and into the house. She had to finish payroll and try to get Rachel Norton’s tear-stained face out of her head.