Chapter 34
THIRTY-FOUR
INDY
Chancing a look at Summer, I can’t read her like I could last night.
She’s put her mask back on, pretending nothing can hurt her, but I know the soft, deeply emotional woman hiding underneath the bravado, and I have faith she’ll open up again.
Maybe it’s because we’re around others that don’t know the full story, but I’d never force her to say anything if she didn’t want to.
“If you’re stayin, I think it’s best you stay in pairs when you go to the bathrooms, and in a group for everything else,” I warn. “The police are staying around the camp, I don’t know for how long.”
“It’s okay,” Kiri says, “I don’t mind bunkin’ with this crew.”
River and Santi nod in agreement, but Zaye’s been unusually quiet. Not looking at me, or anyone else for that matter, except for when she threw that question at Summer.
One of the kids squeals, “Mommy!” and takes off toward the car that just rolled in.
We weren’t expecting any other parents, but as the person driving puts the car in park, a woman gets out and bends down, opening her arms as her little boy crashes into her with giggles. “I had so much fun!”
“That’s so good, sweetie!” She says, looking up as I walk over.
“I’m sorry Mrs. Buchamp,” I start, but she holds her hand up stopping my spiel.
“Whatever’s goin’ on, I’m glad y’all called.
I’d rather see the Turner Ranch doin’ the right thing than takin’ a risk on other people’s children.
” She wraps her arms around my shoulders and hugs me tight.
“Plus, most of the parents I’ve talked to feel the same, sure it had to end a little early, but my kid is safe and happy, and that’s what matters. ”
Keeping her hands on my shoulders, she nods and smiles. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear that. The words from a parent that I’m doing the right thing, even if it’s inconvenient for them.
“No one blames you or your family for what’s happenin’ here,” she adds after buckling her son in the backseat. “We all just want y’all to be safe, and open next year.”
She winks and places her sunglasses over her eyes. As she gets behind the wheel, I can hear her son talking about his adventures here before she shuts the door. With a wave she’s gone, and only two campers remain.
Walking back down the hill, I rejoin everyone and tell them what she said.
“See,” River starts, “no one is angry with you.”
Shaking my head, I give them a small smile, “I hate lettin’ people down, especially the kids.”
Two girls remain, on the younger side, so I know they’ll be harder to wrangle.
“We’ve got this,” Kiri says, “go do all the things we know you need to do.”
They all agree, and I sigh. I don’t know what I did to deserve such a great group of employees and friends, but damn am I grateful.
“Take Summer with ya,” Santi says, “strength in numbers and all.”
He’s not subtle, bless him, the tips of his ears turn red and his cheeks match.
“Don’t you worry,” I say to Santi, as I smile at Summer, “she’s stuck with me.”
The smile Summer gives me in return is so bright, it could power a small business with its wattage.
Maybe we’ll all be okay.
I spoke too soon.
Jare and Mr. Harris are waiting at the barn doors when Summer and I walk that way. Neither of them look pleased, and I worry that we might have gotten another message.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, looking at Jare. His face always gives away what he’s thinking, but Mr. Harris is too hard to read. I call it his dad look.
“The horses are fine,” Mr. Harris says as I slide my eyes his way.
“But?” I ask, because I’ve got a pit opening up in my stomach thinking about whatever the bad news is.
Jare runs a hand over and down the back of his neck and looks at the ground, as Mr. Harris throws open the barn doors and my heart plummets to my feet.
“Oh my God,” Summer says, eyes as wide as the rip in my heart.
Tears rush to my eyes, making the already fucked up scene even worse.
The whole barn is trashed, stalls torn apart, hay, shit, and feed mixed together on the ground, completely unusable.
My boots crunch over the mess as I run my hands over the leather saddles with tools embedded in them, and the cuts along the seats rendering them useless.
Reins, bits, halters, and shanks litter the floor, as if whoever was in here couldn’t break them but couldn’t let them rest. Fur and padding from the saddle pads still floats around in the air as I make my way to the back of the barn, taking in the entirety of the damage.
Papa walks in from the back side of the barn, fury and sorrow radiating off of him in waves, his eyes rimmed with red. Walking up to me, he wraps me up in his arms, and in no time I feel the strong arms of Mr. Harris around me as well.
It’s as though these two men–father, and father figure–knew how much I needed their strength, and didn’t hesitate to hold me together.
“I’ve already called Hartley,” Papa says, still not letting me go. “Don’t touch anythin’ until she gets here.”
I nod, looking around when they allow me the space to do so. “I–” I try, but I don’t know what to say. Anger, guilt, anxiety, all of it swirls in my gut as I look at all the damage. “How could one person be so cruel?”
“I’m not sure if they were lookin’ for somethin’ or if they just wanted to scare us,” Mr. Harris says, “but I sure am glad they let the horses out before they did this.”
“Who does that?” Summer says, her tone blistering with anger as she looks around. “Who the fuck tears up a barn, but lets the horses out first? It doesn’t make any sense.”
“She’s right,” Jare says, looking at Summer as if he’s really seeing her. “If someone wanted to cause this much damage, why spare the horses?”
“Has anyone checked on them?” I ask, suddenly worried that we may be missing something.
“Mrs. Harris, and your Ma are out there now,” Papa says. “Trust me, they're goin’ over ‘em with a fine tooth comb with the cops that were here last night. We’re also callin’ Kota, just to be on the safe side.”
“There’s so much damage, how could no one have heard anythin’?” I ask, thinking out loud and not expecting an answer. “What’s the point of the deputies being here if this can still happen?”
“It looks like whoever did it was in a rage,” Sheriff Hartley walks in and looks around, ordering the deputies with her to take pictures and wrap the barn.
“You don’t say,” Summer quips sarcastically, but I can tell underneath it is anger and guilt.
“Jare,” turning to look at him, I pray I’m wrong before I even ask. “Where were you last night?”
His face goes pale and he swallows, looking at Papa and Mr. Harris, before turning to me with wide eyes and answering.
“Out.”