Page 30 of More Than a Fling

“Slim, go secure the front gate in case she gets away from me, Cal I’ll need you to stand by the rear as she backs out, not too close,” Gabe instructed. Gabe disappeared into the trailer and could be heard having a conversation with his new trainee.

“Now aren’t you a beautiful filly. Midnight, you and me, we need to come to a little understanding here. I’m on your side, we’re going to be getting real close you and I, and I’m the best friend you’ll ever have,” he said in a calming voice. Snorts could be heard as the horse pawed at the trailer bed.

“Oh, so you’re not having it, I get it girl, but I’m here to tell ya that it’s going to be alright,” he continued in his soothing tone, then called out to Russ, “Okay go ahead and open ’er up.”

He held on to the lead rope with gloved hands, as Midnight backed out of the trailer with Gabe following, the rope taunt. The instant she was on solid ground she reared up, pawing the air.

“Whoa, steady, steady girl,” Gabe said as she continued to rear and squeal. “Get back Cal, everybody, step back,” he said moving his body slowly while swinging the rope in circles to get her attention. He knew getting the horse to move her feet would make her pay more attention to him than her fear. Her ears started to move, and she slowly began to focus on Gabe. After gaining her attention and distracting her enough, he was able to lead her to the pasture.

“Good girl,” he murmured. He stroked her neck as he removed the lead rope from her halter. He laughed as she immediately took off at a gallop kicking up her back heels and bucking as she went.

“Wow. She is a beauty.” Cal said, joining Gabe, Slim and Russ, who were watching the spectacle. Whiskey called out to Midnight, her ears perked up and she headed straight over to the fence to investigate her new friend.

“That she is,” Gabe responded, already half in love with his newest trainee.

Gabe observed Midnight until she put her head down and began to graze, before turning back to walk Russ to his truck.

“Nice meeting you, Russ,” Gabe said.

“Yeah, good luck and I mean that sincerely,” he replied.

“Thanks, I think she and I are going to get along just fine,” Gabe said.

“Now that I’ve seen you in action, I don’t doubt it,” he replied, jumping into his truck. Slim had reopened the gate and Russ wasted no time taking his leave.

“Slim, can I talk to you for a minute?” Gabe said.

“Whatcha waitin fer?” he grumbled.

Gabe reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out the discarded cigarette butt, holding it out so Slim could see it.

“Isn’t this your brand?”

“So what iffin it is?” Slim said.

“I found this inside the barn. As a matter of fact, right in the aisle next to the bales of hay.”

“I reckin I shouldn’t have to tell ya that I ain’t never smoked inside this barn or any other barn,” he said huffily.

“Look I’m not accusing you Slim, but I found it there pure and simple, it’s your brand, you’re the only one I know of that smokes around here, what am I supposed to think?”

“You kin think whatever ya damn well please but I ain’t the one that left it there,” he said, as he angrily stalked away.

“What was that all about?” Cal asked.

“Cal, do you happen to smoke?” Gabe responded with a question of his own.

“Nope, never have,” he said.

“OK, that’s good then,” Gabe said, turning and heading back to his office.

15

“Annie, she is magnificent. I’ve never seen a more beautiful horse,” Gabe said, his excitement contagious.

“I can’t wait to meet her,” Annie said. She smiled into the phone at Gabe’s enthusiasm.

“I already feel a connection with her, I know it will be a long road, but I have no doubt I can help her,” he said.

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