Page 85 of The Breakdown

“Natalie’s…special.”

“I can see that.”

“She’s heaven-sent is what she is,” Gram said, adjusting the ceiling fan speed with the remote. “You want it higher?”

“Low is fine.” She didn’t want to wake up cold. It was hard telling if she’d be able to reach for another blanket. “No need to fuss,” she said as she looked at the both of them.

“Nonsense,” her mother said. “Let us fuss. It’s our job, as your mother and grandmother.”

Vaughn closed her eyes, absolutely exhausted and overwhelmed by the pain. “Like I told Natalie, I’m in too much pain to argue.”

“I’m going to call the doctor’s office first thing tomorrow morning,” Gram said.

“I’m sure I’ll be fine come morning,” Vaughn said.

“Bullarkey. You’re going in and that’s that. No getting out of it this time.”

“You really should go,” her mother said. “Gram’s told me how bad it’s been.”

Natalie entered the room carrying two frosted bottles of water and a bottle of Aleve. She handed one water to Vaughn and dispensed an Aleve into her palm. “You want another? You can take two.”

“I don’t know if I should.” She didn’t like taking medicine. Didn’t like anything foreign in her body. She’d had to convince herself to take Advil on the regular, otherwise she couldn’t work. So, one Aleve was stretching it.

“You can hardly move. I think you better take two,” Natalie said.

“Listen to her,” Gram said.

Vaughn finally agreed, knowing she probably needed it, but also feeling ridiculous for all the fuss. She swallowed the pills with the water and returned the water bottle back to Natalie who set everything on the nightstand. “It’s all right here if you need it.”

“Okay. Thanks. And thanks for checking on Midnight. You’ll do that right now, won’t you?”

“On my way.”

“If he’s acting anxious, his calming supplements are on the shelf in front of his stall.

“Got it.”

“And maybe some of his sweet mix.”

“Of course.”

“And, Natalie? He likes it when you sing to him.”

Natalie smiled. “I can’t carry a tune.”

“I don’t think he cares. And will you come back and give me an update?”

“Sure.” She smiled again and left the room. Once again, her mother spoke.

“She really is an angel. Please tell me she’s more than a friend.”

Vaughn’s eyes began to feel heavy in the low lamplight. She blinked slowly, her mother going in and out of focus. “No.” She licked her dry lips. “Not yet.”

Chapter Thirty-six

Natalie hummed to Midnight as she massaged his neck while watching him eat a little of his sweet mix. The stallion had calmed considerably since she’d arrived, and she could tell they were both getting sleepy. It was time to rest.

She removed the feed bucket, gave him one last pat, and left the stall. He watched her with his large, liquid black eyes. She blew him a kiss. “Good night, sweet boy.” She secured the door and walked away, still humming. When she reached the entrance to the stables, she switched off the main lights and headed for the house. She was still in her pajamas and slippers, deciding to visit Midnight without changing first. A few horse hairs never hurt anyone and her slippers, well, a little dirt never hurt anyone either.

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