Page 20 of Moonlit Thorns

Chapter

Nine

ANABELLE

Ifind myself in the stables, working alongside Mr. Potter. I have a feeling he’s here with me at the behest of his wife since I’m sure he has better things to do—given that he’s in charge of all the grounds and all the people who work on it.

By late afternoon, my arms feel like Jell-O from shoveling shit and hay all day.

“You want to come help me brush some of the horses?”

I spin around toward where Mr. Potter stands at the entrance to the stable. “Sure thing, Mr. Potter. Just let me finish up here.”

“What did I tell you about the Mr. Potter thing? It’s Jack.”

I chuckle. “Okay, Jack. I’ll be right there.”

He seems like a nice man, and I understand how he and Mrs. Potter got together. They’re alike in that way.

Once I’ve finished, I leave the stables and head to where Jack stands with a mahogany-colored horse in one of the paddocks, brushing it. Off to his right is a black horse with a gleaming coat.

“Wow, he’s beautiful.” I approach the huge beast slowly.

Jack chuckles. “That he is. This here is Poe. You can brush him, just take it slow and let him get used to you first.”

I’ve been around horses before. We used to have some on the estate when I was growing up, but I never got that into them, so when I was in my early teens, my dad sold them. The thought that perhaps my dad sold them to pay off a gambling debt taints the memory now, and I press my lips together.

“I’ve never seen a horse with a coat like this.” It almost looks metallic.

“That’s because he’s an Akhal-Teke. They’re the only breed in the world with a coat like that.”

I slowly reach out a hand, and when the horse doesn’t give me any indication that I shouldn’t touch him, I press it gently on his neck and run my hand down. “You sure are handsome, aren’t you?”

Poe nickers as if he understands me.

“Why Poe? Does it have anything to do with Edgar Allen Poe?” It’s the first thing that came to mind when I heard the stallion’s name. I bend down to pick up the brush.

Jack shrugs and keeps on brushing the other horse. “Not sure, you’d have to ask Asher.”

I still. “This is his horse?”

“Yup. Been his horse for a while now.”

I straighten up and start brushing, not saying another word about Asher Voss.

We’re quiet as we rhythmically brush out both horses. I don’t want to be impressed by Asher Voss’s horse, but it proves impossible. He’s a gorgeous creature—massive and beautiful and a little dangerous, just like his owner.

“He likes you.”

Jack’s voice startles me from my thoughts. “I’m sorry?”

“Poe likes you.”

I don’t know why Asher was the first thing to come to mind. Of course he meant the horse.

“He’s not usually this amenable with new people,” he continues.

I smile at the black beauty as I work the brush over his coat.

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