Chapter 10
Lacey
After putting fresh shavings, a new bucket of water, and some hay in a free stall, I am ready for my new girl to arrive.
It has been a few years since I have worked with a green and young horse. My father always said I was better at breaking anything with four legs than any cowboy he knew.
There was always something poetic in an animal trusting you to ride it. Going from wild and scared to calm and sweet will never not be a thrilling experience.
A truck door shutting outside the barn gets my attention. “Lacey!” Lexie squeals walking into my sight and running up to give me a hug.
Lexie Waddell, my old high school best friend, left this town after we graduated to go “find herself.” I never would have dreamed she would have found herself on Magnolia Farm with the Mapleson’s.
I don’t know them personally, but I do know they have some of the best bloodlines of quarter horses in the country and people literally get put on waiting list to get one of their colts or fillies.
Luckily for me, my high school best friend has been working there after she became friends with the wife of one of the owners, Collin Mapleson.
I wrap my arms around her. God, have I missed her. “I am so sorry I didn’t get to come to the funeral. I hope you got my flowers. Your mama was always so sweet to me.”
When we pull back, we both have tears in our eyes. “I did. They were beautiful. Roses and lilies are just what Mama loved.”
She smiles, “Yep. I remember her making us spend a full day planting those around the farm with her when we were younger.”
I laugh, thankful for such a memory to look back on. “Oh, that day was the worst.”
I follow her out to her truck and trailer. She unhooks the back of the horse trailer to open the door, “Welcome home, sweet girl.”
My dream horse stands on the trailer, her tail swishes and her ears perk forward at the land before her. The most beautiful blue roan I have ever seen, and she is mine. At two years old, I hope she will be my companion on this farm someday.
She wears a teal halter on her face; I step up, rubbing my hand over her back end letting her know I am there, before running it up her back, to her neck, and stop by the halter. “Hey pretty girl,” I whisper to her. “I have been looking forward to meeting you.”
“Has she not roaned out so beautifully? We were all shocked at how pretty her color is,” Lexie squeals.
“She is stunning,” I smile. “How much groundwork has she had?”
“Collin and Megan worked with her lunging and picking up feet, etc., a couple of times a week. She has not had anything on her back other than a saddle pad or blanket in the winter. She has been loading in and out of a trailer since she was born.”
“Sounds like your bosses are good at what they do,” I tell her as I clip a lead rope that Lexie hands me to the halter and guide the filly back off the trailer.
She chuckles, “Alyssa swears all the Mapleson’s’ were born for this type of work.”
Lexie follows me into the barn while I lead the filly into the stall and unclip her halter, allowing her full range of her water and hay.
Closing the stall door and hooking the latch, I hand over the halter and lead rope to Lexie, “Do you have to be back anytime soon?”
She smiles, “Hoped you would ask that. Nope. I got the rest of the evening off. Thought I might catch up with an old friend.”
I wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her into me, “You better be referring to me.”
She chuckles, “Does Mrs. Mabel still cook around here?”
“She just dropped off a peach cobbler this morning.”
Lexie fist pumps the air, “Heck Yeah!”
* * *
My fork cuts through the warm vanilla ice cream and peach cobbler while Lexie and I sit at the kitchen island bar, laughing and catching up. Not the best idea to put myself in another sugar coma today, but hey, I won’t ever turn down cooking from Mrs. Mabel.
“Oh, Lace, I have missed you.” Lexie’s hand grabs mine. “I am sorry I haven’t been back here in a while.”
I squeeze her hand back, making a teasing sniff with my nose, “It’s okay. You went off and found a new best friend and life. What is this I have seen on your socials with a hot cop?” I smirk at her.
“You would love Alyssa. She is a lot like us. It is a little different now that she is a mom, though. Friendships change when babies come. Not saying anything bad about that, we are just in different life stages, but I miss having a girlfriend I could hang out with.”
I nod, “I understand, and I am sorry about that. Gosh, I couldn’t imagine having a little one running around right now.” I grin, “Now stop changing the subject and tell me about this hot cop.”
She shrugs, “I thought he was the one. Turns out no one will ever come before the police department in his eyes, so I ended it about a month ago before he went off to training.”
“Oh, Lex. I am sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”
“No, it’s okay. I haven’t updated socials or anything. He went off to the investigator academy for a new promotion. He just has too many demons to work through and I finally realized they are not my responsibility to deal with. He needs to deal with them on his own.”
I take another bite of cobbler while nodding, “Amen to that sister.”
The screen door opening gets our attention, and I smile in relief, realizing it is my brother. “Lace, did your filly arrive?” His eyes widen when he sees Lexie. “Lex! What brings you around?”
She jumps off the barstool and rushes over, wrapping her arms around my brother’s neck, “Car!! Look at you looking old. Starting to get fat, too.” She pats his belly that is most definitely not fat.
He chuckles, “Still have that sass like my sister, I see.” He winks at her before walking over and hugging me. “You okay, Lace?”
“Much better now that I have spent some time with Lexie. She brought the filly.”
“Well, I’ll be. Found herself hanging around some Mapleson’s, I see.
” He chuckles. “Good. I just came in to check on you and grab some waters for the guys working in the barn. I think we are all about to saddle up and go to the back end around the pine thicket tonight, camp out, and watch the cattle out there since we have had some issues with bobcats and coyotes. We will lead them back in come morning.”
I jump up, grabbing a to-go lunch box from the pantry and the rest of the cobbler. “Here. Take this and share with everyone. Will you guys need dinner, too?”
Carson takes the lunch box from me, “Nah, we got the fish in the creek we can cook on the campfire. We will be good for the night. Thank you.” He wraps his arm around me in a hug, “You going to be okay out here tonight alone?”
I nod, “I will be fine, Carson. Daddy taught his girl how to shoot a shot gun and throw a punch if needed.”
He eyes me sternly, “Briggs will be with us, too. You will be alone. If HE shows up, you do not let him in this house.”
I know exactly who he is.
Beckett.
“Carson,” I sigh, “I will be fine. Please just be careful tonight.” I hug him back tightly. “Have you read your letter?”
He shakes his head confirming that it remains unopened.
I sigh. Maybe he will read it tonight while he is alone in the tent. It always makes me nervous knowing they are sleeping out in the elements and with the wild animals when they go out like this. I hold my breath until they are all back safely.
There were many nights Mama and I would stay up until dawn waiting on my father and the cattlemen to return after a night out with the herd.
Carson pulls Lexie into a hug. “Don’t be a stranger, Lex.”
“Good to see you, Car.” She hugs him back tightly.
Soon as the door closes behind Carson, Lexie takes a seat back at the bar and pats the seat beside her, “Come tell me what that stern look was about.”