Chapter 32
BLAKE
Men are damn exhausting.
Multiply that by three?
Impossible.
This can’t happen again.
I don’t know what made Walker suddenly change his mind, but he can take his regret and shove it where the sun don’t shine. He’s maddening. I might rip my hair out from Walker stress alone.
You don’t know everything.
The words replay on a loop that I can’t seem to shut off.
I kick a corral fence post with my boot in frustration, and pain shoots through my toes, causing my to ball my hands into fists. Bear nudges me with his nose, and I reach down to scratch behind his ears, which he loves.
I’m so mad at Walker.
So why does this hurt so much?
An hour after Walker and I got back from the station, Santiago left on horseback to check on some pasture or whatever, while Levi and Walker headed back into town. I’m not sure what they were doing, but I’m not sure I want to know. It’ll probably enrage me even more.
Fine. If Walker wants space, I’ll give him space.
They left me with Javier like I’m some sort of incapable child.
My fingers yearn for the feel of a brush, but all of that is sitting in storage in New York City.
Even my clothes aren’t really mine anymore.
Everything I’d brought to Moose Gap Lodge is sealed up as evidence after someone tore the room apart.
Levi and Santiago insisted on replacing my entire wardrobe before I had the chance to argue.
My side of Santiago’s closet is somehow fuller than his now, stuffed with cozy sweaters, jeans, boots, and enough flannel to survive ten Wyoming winters.
I should probably be annoyed that they made the decision for me. Instead, I kind of love that they wanted me to be comfortable.
“Everything okay?” Javier’s question pulls me from my pouting.
Pivoting toward him, I lean back against the fence and rest my elbows along the top.
Javier has been repairing tack beneath the overhang of the barn with leather stretched across his lap. His fingers move with practiced ease, weaving new stitching through old cracks. The rhythmic scrape of his awl is curiously soothing.
I force a smile. “Just tired.”
“Mmm,” he returns as if he doesn’t fully believe me. “Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to let the bull run in circles until he’s worn out. A tired bull is more amenable.”
“I’ll go crazy if the only time we get along is when he’s tired.” A sigh causes me to tilt my head to the sky. “I don’t think Walker would be a bull. Maybe a mule.”
Javier chuckles.
“It’ll pass,” he encourages. “Can you grab the halters from the equipment room?”
“Can do,” I answer with a thumbs up, then march off toward the barn in search of halters.
I’m not entirely sure what a halter is, but I’m sure I’ll figure it out.
Treading into the barn, I’m struck by the tranquility inside. Usually, one of the horses nickers as soon as they hear footsteps.
But there’s nothing.
They all must be too tired.
Turning the corner toward the equipment room, I find that I’m not alone.
“Hey Abbott,” I greet with a smile. “What’re you doing here?”
Abbott shifts a case from one hand to the other. “Just picking up some equipment.”
After Walker implemented the buddy system, Levi moved some of his veterinary equipment to Falling Sky. Santiago cleared a room in the barn for Levi to work in, but Abbott has taken over most of the day-to-day back at the clinic.
Abbott looks at me expectantly, but I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do. So instead, I give him an awkward wave.
“Okay. Well…See you later.”
“Actually,” Abbott rubs the back of his neck, and his eyes dart to the floor. “I was wondering if you’d maybe like to get a cup of coffee sometime.” Abbott’s ears turn pink, and his grip on the handle tightens.
My brows shoot up. “Oh. Um…”
“Just to catch up,” he adds.
“I’ll let you know,” I compromise.
“Thanks.” Abbott scurries past me with long strides.
Maybe it’s not the best idea to get coffee with someone I once dated in high school. Especially after I learned that my guys have a jealous streak.
Finally entering the equipment room, I search for something that could be considered a halter.
I should’ve asked Javier what a halter is…
The click of boots from outside the room has me turning around to face the open door. A shadow creeps up the wall as the last person I expected to see comes into view.
“Manny?”
“Hey, Blake.” He stops in the doorway, resting his shoulder against the frame, and smiles at me politely.
What is he doing here?
I stumble over my words. “I thought you were…”
“Fired?” His smile fades into an empty expression. “Guess he decided to give me a second chance.”
“That’s good.” I nod my head. “Wouldn’t want to be out of a job.”
“I’m sure you wouldn’t.”
Something in his tone nags at my senses like a splinter beneath my skin.
“What?” I question with a frown.
“Nothing.” He pushes off the frame, straightening himself. “I should get going.”
“See you later,” I say with a wave.
“Yeah.”
I watch him disappear the way he came, a blaring question pushing to the front of my mind.
Reaching into my back pocket, I pull out my phone and type out a text to Levi, Santiago, and Walker as Bear prances out of the equipment room. He’s probably going to find Shadow.
Me: I thought Manny was fired.
Santiago: Don’t defile my phone with that cabrón.
Levi: He was.
Walker: Why do you ask?
Me: He was just here.
Santiago: I’m on my way.
Levi: Us too.
Me: It’s not a big deal. He left.
Those overbearing, aggravating…
Shaking my head, I stow my phone back in my pocket and laugh. It’s either laugh or rage, and I’m choosing to laugh.
I take another look around the equipment room and decide to swallow my pride and ask Javier what the hell a halter is.
Stepping out of the equipment room, I let out a whistle. “Bear?” I call out, but he doesn’t come.
I whistle again. “Bear?”
A muffled bark rings out sharply.
I guess I’m coming to you.
“You know, it’s usually the opposite,” I shout to Bear as I follow the sounds of his woofs and yaps. “I whistle, you come running, then everybody wins.”
Rounding the corner, I find Bear next to Shadow’s stall. “There you are,” I say in relief.
Shadow stands at the gate, her head poking out over the top. I stroke my hand down her face, between her eyes, and let myself vent. “They’re being a bunch of overprotective idiots.”
Shadow blows out a breath through her nose, and I take it as a sign that she agrees with me.
“Did you miss me, girl?” Shadow grunts in response. “Yeah, I missed you too.”
Bear lets out a growl. My hand pauses on Shadow’s snout.
“Bear?”
He lets out a booming bark, his head facing the barn door, which I notice is now closed.
Did I close it? I don’t remember doing that.
Then again, it’s been one hell of a day.
A sweet aroma enters my nose, and Bear barks again. Goose bumps break out over my skin, sending a chilling shiver up my spine.
The smell, pungent and sharp, gets stronger.
I’m not sure where it’s coming from, but I recognize it easily.
Gasoline.
My stomach drops.
In a full sprint, I run to the doors and tug on the handles, but they don’t open. Instead, there’s a metallic rattle on the other side.
I’m locked in.
My pulse stutters.
Bear works to claw at the wood. When that doesn’t work, he begins using his teeth. The horses in their stalls whinny and snort, stomping their hooves in alarm.
No.
No, no, no.
“Javier!” I shout in a panic. “Javier!”
Only the frantic cries of the horses answer me.
Where is he? He should just be around the corner. He should be able to hear me.
Breathe, Blake. Fucking breathe.
Panicking isn’t working. The guys are on their way, but who knows how long they’ll take.
Turning in a circle, I search for something I can use.
Riding blanket? No.
Grooming supplies? No.
Sledgehammer? Hell yes.
I don’t know who left that against the first stall, but God bless this forgotten tool.
Heaving the heavy hand tool, I lift it over my shoulder and lug it toward the door. I give it a swing, but all that results is a bang. Not even a loud bang because the ruckus around me drowns out the sound.
Examining where I hit the door, I find that I didn’t even make a dent. I dig deep and lift the sledgehammer again.
After a few more hits, I have loosened one of the planks. Sweat drips down the side of my face. Dropping the sledgehammer, I find I can push the single plank a couple of inches, giving me a limited view of the outside.
A wet drop lands on my finger, causing me to draw back. I rub the liquid between my fingers and sniff.
Definitely gasoline.
Pushing the plank again, I peer through the crack and freeze. Another wave of chills numbs my body.
He stands there in the cold, watching me. A bright red gas can hangs in his hand at his side. In his other hand, he fiddles with a lighter. Flicking it on and off.
On.
Off.
On.
Off.
“Manny…” My voice barely works. “Don’t.”
His eyes lift. I’m not sure if he can actually see me through the small gap, but the way he glares, it’s as if he can see right through the wood. “You ruined everything.”
Blinking, I shake my head, hunting for his meaning amongst the synapses in my brain. “What are you talking about?”
He doesn’t speak again.
Doesn’t even acknowledge my question.
He flicks the light again and lets it fall from his grasp.
A scream scrapes against my vocal cords as it reverberates in the air.
Manny turns his back on the barn and marches away.
“Manny, wait!”
Either my shout is overpowered by the roar of the flames, or he ignores me.
Maybe both.
The embers spread, wild and unpredictable. A fleck of ash lands on my finger, burning the flesh on my knuckle. Flinching backward, I clutch my hand to my chest.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” I curse.
Thick gray smoke curls beneath the rafters. The horses slam against their stalls. Bear becomes more aggressive with the door. The blaze licks up the wall, heating my skin.
My heart pounds in my chest, on the verge of paralyzing my limbs.
I can’t give up.
Not now.