Page 44 of Operation: Chosen

“Oh! That looks so good with your hair color. Blondes always manage to look good in pink. I wish I did.” The owner thrust out her hand. “I’m Kensie. I’m so glad you chose to come browse through my store today.”

“Thank you.” Ali wasn’t sure what else to say. She’d planned on putting the shirt back, but maybe one tee wouldn’t kill her.

“I have the perfect pair of capris to go with that.” Kensie shuffled in her tiny heels over to a far wall. “You’re a four, right?”

Heat burned up Ali’s neck. She’d never announced her size in a store. Not even an almost empty one.

“Never mind. I know you are.” Kensie shuffled back with a pure-white pair of designer capris and held them up for Ali’s inspection. “The white with the rhinestones? Perfection.”

“Sure.” Ali took the hanger and draped it over her arm. If she kept going this way, she’d have a wardrobe for the rest of her stay. Unless her stay was only a few more days. Then she’d have these clothes hanging in her closet for the rest of her life, reminding her of what she’d left behind. Again.

“Need some shoes too? Those sandals are cute, but I’ve got some strappy white flats that would accentuate your calves.”

She needed air, but shoes would do. “Uh, sure.”

Ali couldn’t wear sandals in the courtroom, but maybe she needed clothes for days when she wasn’t working. She could wear these things to the grocery store. “I think I need an outfit for riding horses too.”

Lacy’s jaw dropped open, and suddenly Ali felt the comfort of controlling the situation land on her shoulders again.

“You’re going to ride?” Lacy tilted her head. “Maybe I had you all wrong.”

“It’s okay. A lot of people do.” Probably because she was suddenly learning she didn’t know herself.

Three bags of clothes, one of shoes, and a stop for coffee later, Ali and Lacy were on their way home. Ali’s feet were sore from her new sandals, but her heart was full after talking with Lacy all day. This was what having girl friends was like. The car ride didn’t seem quite as long on the way home, since they had more to talk about. Laughter came easily and often.

Ali laughed at something snarky Lacy said, then both went silent as they saw a horse standing in a field just off the road.

“Am I seeing things?” Ali pointed to the silvery horse. She’d only seen Eric’s horse a few times, but it was so memorable. That had to be Skyfall.

“No, you’re not.” Lacy quickly flipped on her blinker to merge into the exit lane, then slammed on the brakes to catch an exit. “We’re going to check out who that is.”

Ali gripped the door as Lacy drove like a racecar driver up the exit and back into rural America. She couldn’t believe how quickly the speed of the four-lane highway melted away to the reduced speed of a gravel road. “How do you know where to go?”

Lacy turned on the gravel road that ran parallel to the highway. “I don’t, but there weren’t many houses between that pasture and the exit. It can’t be far.”

If Ali were caught trespassing, that would make the decision for her as to returning to work or not. She had to keep a very high standard. When she’d been married to an alcoholic, she’d worried about anything he might do that would reflect poorly on her, which was why she always drove herself everywhere. Even if it meant driving separately.

Lacy parked the car on the side of the gravel road and got out. Ali jumped out and rushed around the front to meet Lacy at the driver’s side. Lacy was already headed toward the fence.

Ali chased after. “What are you doing? We should call the police. This is madness. We can’t do anything if that’s the right horse.”

Lacy’s brows dipped low. “Are you afraid? We aren’t going to do anything but look. If they didn’t want anyone to see Skyfall, they shouldn’t have put her out in the pasture for everyone to see.”

Without waiting to see if Ali was following, she headed down the driveway, keeping to the trees for cover. Ali followed but kept back. If she had to make a run for the car to get help, she would. If they were discovered, they wouldn’t be helping anyone. It might even hurt Eric or the case the police were building. What if whoever had Skyfall moved her because of them?

“We should call the police,” Ali said again between her teeth.

“We will, just keep up or go back to the car.” Lacy waved her away.

This was for Eric. That horse was his heart. His joy. If she could be a part of getting that back for him, then she’d have done something good to make up for the bad. Following Lacy proved difficult in sandals compared to boots, but she managed as best she could.

When they reached the fence, Lacy gave a low whistle just like Eric did to call his horse. Skyfall’s ears perked up, and she looked around, slowly heading to the sound. Since Lacy and Ali hid behind trees so they weren’t out in the open, Skyfall seemed confused, holding back from the fence.

“I don’t see anyone. Are there any markings on the horse that we could tell Eric so he would know for sure this is his horse?” Ali asked.

“Have you looked at that horse? Everything about her is unique. From her silvery coat to that lightning bolt down her forelock, she’s special.” Lacy slowly ducked away from the tree and headed for the fence. “I’m here for you, girl. We’ll get someone here right away to come get you. Are they treating you well?” She rubbed the horse’s neck and patted her flank.

Ali had just gotten up the nerve to leave the safety of the tree when a man’s voice came from the distant barn. “Who are you? What are you doing with my horse?”

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