Chapter Six
CHAPTER SIX
Before Helen had left the ranch, Andy had taken time to explain why his form of horse-speak was so effective so quickly. When they finally walked to her truck, he hugged her tightly, then lowered his lips on hers in a long, lingering, languid kiss.
“You’d better get outta here or I won’t be responsible for my actions,” he murmured. “Just remember, anyone who thinks they have to mistreat a horse in order to train it is just plain ignorant. Horses are extremely sensitive, and smarter than most people give them credit for. Their instinct to run if they’re scared is inherent. In the wild they’re prey, not predators.”
Now sitting on her porch after a light dinner, wrapped up in a warm sweater to keep away the chill of the early evening, she sipped a cup of tea and gazed across the pond. Thinking back to Andy’s wise words, she found herself becoming angry, first at herself for not stopping Erin much sooner, and Erin for being so cruel. Impulsively, she picked up her phone and called him.
“Hey, Helen, is everything okay?”
“Andy, I know I said this earlier but I have to say it again. You were so right. Erin’s nothing but a nasty bully. I can’t believe I’ve been letting her ride my lovely mare. I feel so guilty.”
“Ah, I understand.”
“Why didn’t I see it? What’s wrong with me?” she muttered, fighting an unexpected swell of emotion.
“Would you like me to come over so we can talk about this in person?”
“I thought you were busy.”
“I was, but I’m ready to call it quits.”
“Um…can I come back there? I want to see her again and give her carrots.”
“Of course. Why don’t you stay over?”
“I’d like that, I really would. Then I can be with her first thing in the morning, and I’ll help you clean out the stalls as a thank you. I owe you.
“Hey, you don’t owe me, darlin’, but that sounds like a plan. See you when you get here.”
“Thanks, Andy. I won’t be long.”
* * *
As Andy ended the call he let out a relieved sigh. Helen had finally seen the light. Now she was open to learning what he had to offer, and he had no doubt her relationship with Daisy would blossom. But as he cleaned up the last of his dinner dishes a comment she made floated through her head.
Erin’s nothing but a nasty bully. I can’t believe I’ve been letting her ride my lovely mare. I feel so guilty.
With a smile curling his lips, he walked into his bedroom and lifted out a small, black suitcase with a combination lock. Popping it open, he picked up a pair of fur-lined handcuffs, a blindfold, and a small, brown leather paddle. Gazing at his other wicked toys, though he wanted to add more, he resisted the temptation.
“These should do the trick this time around,” he muttered, sliding the implements beneath one of the pillows.
He had just finished folding back the bedspread when he heard Helen’s truck stop outside the house. Hurrying down the hall, he stepped outside and welcomed her with a long, tight, bear hug.
“I needed that,” she murmured as they broke apart. “Thanks for letting me come over.”
“You’re welcome here any time. And I’m not just sayin’ that. Are you ready to walk up to the barn and visit your girl?”
“Yes, yes, and yes. I’ll give her some of her special treats.”
“I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you, treats or no treats. I take it you’re still feelin’ guilty?” he remarked as they started walking up to the barn.
“I am. I can’t shake it. I just keep going over it again and again in my mind. How could I have been so stupid?”
“We all make mistakes, but when they affect an animal or person we care about, that’s when the guilt kicks in. The good news is, I can help you get past it.”
“You can? How?”
“I’m not sure if I should tell you.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You will, but go and see Daisy,” he said as they entered the barn. “I’ll fetch her treats.”
“You have me very curious. Can you give me a hint?”
“Nope.”
* * *
Watching Andy as he disappeared into the feed room, Helen felt an odd sensation ripple through her body. But Daisy nickered, wanting attention.
“Hello, beautiful girl,” she murmured, stepping into her stall. “Will you ever forgive me? I’m so sorry.” The mare responded by nudging her. “Ah, I see, you will if I give your one of your special cookies,” Helen remarked with a grin.
“And I have them right here,” Andy interjected as he stepped into the stall.
After slipping several into Helen’s jacket pocket, he handed one to Daisy. As she gobbled it up and looked for more, Helen pulled out a couple and held them out in the palm of her hand.
“Here you go, you lovely thing,” she said, holding them out for the mare to scoop them up. “You don’t have to worry. That awful woman is history and you’ll never have to see her again.”
“You really do have a lovely horse,” Andy said softly, “but I have to ask, why did you buy a quarter horse if you wanted to ride hunter/jumpers? I know it couldn’t have been a money issue, so how did it happen?”
“Well, it was kind of a freak thing. I was at a barn to look at a thoroughbred, and while I was waiting for the owners to bring him out I saw Daisy standing in a corral nearby. She whinnied at me, like she was calling me over. I couldn’t believe it. When I didn’t move she whinnied again, so I walked across, and she was just so sweet I fell in love with her on the spot. Then the owners arrived and said they’d rescued her and they were looking for a forever home.”
“Ah! Daisy picked you!” Andy exclaimed. “She saw you, felt your energy, and yelled at you to take her.”
“She did, I swear she did, and I couldn’t say no. I think that’s one of the reasons I feel so bad. I’ve let her down.”
“Helen, you’ve done no such thing. You made a mistake, but we all do, we’re only human. Fortunately you figured it out.”
“Only thanks to you,” she mumbled, handing Daisy another treat.
“When we’re back at the house I’ll ease your guilt.”
“So you said, but how? Why won’t you tell me?”
“Actually, I will so you can think about it,” he murmured, moving his arms around her. “I’m going to take off all your clothes, blindfold you, handcuff your wrists, bend you over pillows, then spank your naked ass with a leather paddle.”