Chapter One #3
Elizabeth found that amusing too. It was clear they’d had fun naming all of the animals there, and she didn’t blame them. She loved herself a pet.
“I mean, a girl has to do what a girl has to do,” she said, as the horse tried to eat her hair. The whole time, she was petting her neck with affection.
“Well, she does a lot of shit. We’ve just managed to get a saddle on her. She does NOT like that at all.”
Elizabeth put her forehead against the horse’s and took a moment. She loved animals so much, and horses…
God.
They were such wise, peaceful animals.
“I think she’s amazing,” Elizabeth said, as the horse nudged her pocket.
Pulling out a peppermint, one from the greasy diner back in the states where she’d eaten hours ago, she unwrapped it.
The horse went wild.
“Oh, well, you just made a friend. Like I said. She’s easy,” he stated. “Unless it’s a saddle.”
Elizabeth patted the horse’s flank as it ate the peppermint.
“We’re all difficult at times,” she said. “I get it. Tomorrow, I want to ride her. She’s mine now. I’m claiming this horse.”
Michael smiled.
Yeah, and that was why he brought her out here. Sometimes, you just needed an animal to silence those demons, and all of the ones here did a good job of doing just that.
They were a lot of work, but God! He loved each and every one of them.
Moving to the next stall, Hamlet stuck his head out. He was more interested in Michael.
“He’s my baby,” he said, scratching him. “Aren’t you?” he asked.
The horse made noise.
“We saved them,” he stated. “They were at a slaughter auction.”
Elizabeth gasped.
He nodded.
“Yeah, you heard me right. They were going to kill them just because they weren’t ‘perfect’.”
Oh, she didn’t like that.
Not.
At.
All.
“Why?” she asked, not seeing how these animals weren’t absolutely perfect. These two horses were gorgeous.
So, he explained.
“Well, they were selling her off for being vicious toward people, and him for his leg. Apparently, they were working him hard, and not taking care of his hooves. He had a leg injury.”
She was worried.
“Is he okay now?” she asked, kissing the horse on the neck.
Michael nodded.
“Yeah, he saw a vet, and he’s better. It just took some wrapping, a good farrier, and some anti-inflammatories for a week.”
Elizabeth was so glad.
“I can’t believe they were going to kill them for a bad leg and an attitude. That’s me but with a shoulder and shit attitude.”
Yeah, he was aware.
“I know. It’s crazy.”
That annoyed her.
“Thank you for saving them. Can you save more?” she asked.
As soon as she said it, he laughed.
“Yeah, that’s the plan. My husband said we’re full at the inn, but I like animals. They are good and pure—unlike people. I’d rather surround myself with them any day of the week.”
Yeah, her too.
Tell her about it.
They heard stomping, and that had their attention. One of the other horses wanted them to come over, so they did.
Moving on, he introduced her to Romeo and Juliet.
“They are the bonded sibling pair,” he stated. “Callen named them. Thus, what began the insanity of naming them after Shakespearian characters.”
She shrugged.
Crazy to some wasn’t necessarily crazy to others. There were different strokes for different folks.
“I like it. I think you should keep doing it. I have to admit the security names are fun too. Each one of them would love knowing you named a goat after them. Plus, I’m sure you miss the team.”
Oh, he did.
“There are days I forget they’re not here,” he stated. “Sometimes, I want to call them, but I know they’re working and busy. Plus, with the time difference, I know how valuable sleep is for them.”
She tucked her arm through his.
Yeah, he was on the other side of the world, or that was what it felt like to them.
“They still talk about you like you’re one of them. You might live here, but you’re still part of their team and family. It’s never past tense.”
That made his heart light.
It had been a difficult decision to choose not to go back, but he loved his husband and life. In the end, it had been a no-brainer for him. This life he now had was spectacular, and he owed it all to the Blackhawks.
“They will forever be my family,” he admitted. “Until the day I die.”
She understood his feelings on that. Hers were very similar. They were each her child, and she’d love them forever.
“Everyone is coming for the wedding, so you’ll have to show Ivan the Demeter goat. He’ll be amused at his antics, despite the human Demeter’s antics.”
Yeah, he couldn’t wait to see them again.
“I wish we could all ride. I’d love to have each one back, and have them all have a horse here to heal them. These animals saved me, in a way, and I know each one would save them too.”
That was just like Saint Michael of the Blackhawks.
He was sweet to his core.
As they walked out of the barn, she pointed at the area that was nearby. It was unused.
“I think you should.”
He laughed.
“Like Graham said, we’re all filled up. Each horse needs its own stall.”
Well, she had a solution.
“Build a bigger one,” she stated. “I’ll pay for it. That way you can say I told you I wanted more animals. No one will deny that it was me. You can save more horses, and next time we come here, you can make sure you and your brothers have soul horses.”
That touched his heart.
“I mean it. Build it. Add onto this one, and make it a spectacle. You know how we like to do spectacle. If you need help taking care of the animals, I’m sure you can hire someone to do it. I’ll pay for that too. If you need this, Saint Michael, I want you to have it.”
Spoken like a true mom.
“I’d like that,” he said. “I’d like to save any living thing I can. It’s like penance.”
Oh, she knew that feeling.
“You need a few dogs too,” she added.
That made him laugh.
“German Shepherds, huh?”
She smiled.
And it was genuine.