Page 71 of The Breakdown

“It is,” Em said. “A new horse is always exciting.”

“Mm,” Natalie said. She looked back to Vaughn. “If you need any help with him, I’m available.”

“So am I,” Em chimed in. She walked back to the shelves and grabbed a couple more bags of shavings and got busy spreading them with the fork.

Natalie watched her closely and gave her a suspicious look before she focused on Vaughn once again. “Like I said, I’m available. Unless you would like for me to feed Miracle for you.”

“Oh, I can do that too,” Em said. She finished making Midnight’s bed and leaned over the wall of the stall, sweat glistening on her neck and chest. She looked like a young, vibrant tomboy in her ball cap and tank top and her attitude was infectious.

Vaughn smiled and lowered her clipboard. She glanced at her watch. The stallion should be there already. “Why don’t you go ahead and do that, Em. That would help me a lot.”

“Sure thing.” She snatched her shirt and left the stall, tying the shirt around her waist as she went.

Natalie huffed.

“Something wrong?” Vaughn asked, once again perplexed by her mood.

“I’m just trying to figure out why you’re letting her, this new kid, feed Miracle when you’ve yet to let anyone else do it. You said you didn’t trust anyone else to get it right.”

Vaughn stammered, more confused than ever. Was Natalie…jealous?

“I asked her to do that so you could help me with the stallion. But if you don’t want to then—”

“What makes her qualified to feed Miracle, when I wasn’t?”

“She has experience with nursing malnourished horses, Natalie. Her aunt runs a rescue ranch.”

Natalie led O’Malley into the neighboring stall and crossed her arms over her chest.

“I’m confused,” Vaughn said. “Do you want to help me with the stallion, or not?”

“That’s fine,” Natalie said as she brushed by her. “As long as I’m good enough.”

“Natalie,” Vaughn said, causing her to stop. “You are good enough.”

“Doesn’t seem like it.”

“Well, you are.”

“Then why does Em seem to be getting special treatment? I mean, she’s always following you around, jumping up to do every job you mention. It’s—” She shook her head. “Maddening.”

“She’s just learning the ropes around here. And she’s highly motivated. Nothing wrong with that.”

“Unless it’s something more than that,” Natalie said.

“Like what?”

“Like maybe she has another reason for going above and beyond for you.”

“Such as?”

“I think she likes you, Vaughn.”

Vaughn was dumbfounded. “Excuse me?”

“She has a crush. It’s more than obvious.”

Vaughn shook her head, truly rattled. “Natalie, are you jealous of Em?” For more reasons than one?

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