Page 39 of The Breakdown

Vaughn’s eyes flooded. She glanced away and Natalie dropped her hand. Vaughn cleared her throat and looked back to her.

“I forgot about all that you’re going though,” Vaughn said. “For that I’m sorry. And I’m sorry you’re having to go through it, because you’re right, it’s no way to live.” She led the horse away with a stiff arm and guided her through the open gate of the corral. She passed June and disappeared into the stables.

“I don’t know what you said to her,” June said. “But you got to her.”

Natalie walked up to the bars and leaned on them just like June. “I just told her I understood how she was feeling. It’s no fun being the target of someone’s harassment.”

“No, it’s not. And you know all about that, don’t you?”

“Unfortunately.”

“Vaughn’s never had to deal with anything like this before.”

“I didn’t suspect as much. She’s really taking it hard. She really loves those horses, doesn’t she?”

June laughed. “If there was a word greater than love, then that wouldn’t even come close to how Vaughn feels about these horses. Crazy child used to sleep with them when she was a kid. I’d get up in the middle of the night to find her bed empty and I’d come out here to the stables and there she’d be, all curled up in a stall, next to a horse.”

“That’s so sweet,” Natalie said, touching her heart.

“I’ve got a picture of it over the mantel,” June said. “It’s my favorite one.”

Natalie made a mental note to check it out. “Say, June? I’ve been meaning to ask you, who’s the woman in the pictures with Vaughn in the guesthouse?”

“That’s my daughter, Vivian. Vaughn’s mother.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry.”

June slid her eyes over to her. “For what? She ain’t dead, child. She just doesn’t live here.”

“Oh.”

“She lives in Taos. She’s an artist there. Paints for a living. Does a damn good job of it too.”

“Did she paint that picture of the woman in the red dress? The one hanging in the guesthouse?”

“She did. As well as most of the ones in the main house.”

“Wow, she is good.”

“That she is.”

“Does she come to visit often?”

“She hasn’t been here in some time now. What with the pandemic and all. Vaughn’s starting to miss her too. I can always tell. She gets quieter than usual. And moody as all get-out.”

“Maybe she’ll come soon,” Natalie said. “After I leave.”

“Don’t you go thinking you’re the reason she ain’t coming.”

“Well, I am in the guesthouse.”

“Yes, and we want you there. As for my daughter, I love her, but she’s flighty. Can’t ever decide nothing and stick to it. So, don’t you worry about being here. She can come anytime, even if you’re here, and she knows it.”

Natalie nodded and conceded. She moved on to the next thing on her mind.

“Do you really think those ex-employees cut the fence?”

“I do.”

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