Page 32 of More Than a Fling

“Thanks Pepper, you did the right thing by coming to me,” Gabe said.

“I hope so, everyone can make a mistake,” she said. “I’ve got to go. I’m working the night shift again and I have to wash off the barn smells.”

“Have a good night, see you soon, and thanks for the heads up,” Gabe said.

“No problem, bye Gabe.”

“Bye Pepper.”

This was a part of the job that Gabe could do without. He didn’t want to accuse anyone, but he knew he couldn’t let it go. There was too much at stake; he had to deal with it. Of course, it was always possible that one of the kids he had hired for temporary help with the hay had tucked that empty bottle there, but knowing Slim’s history with alcohol, he had to ask him about it. It would have to be handled delicately. Slim was proudly twenty years sober, but Gabe knew relapses were common even after many years of sobriety.

Even more troubling to Gabe was finding another cigarette butt by the back barn earlier this morning. It didn’t make sense unless Slim was drinking again. He was the hardest and most conscientious worker he had ever known. He knew that back in Slim’s drinking days, whiskey had been his vice of choice. Slim had lost everything and hit rock bottom before finally turning his life around by getting straight.

He would wait for the right moment this weekend to have the dreaded conversation, but in the meantime, the farrier was due to arrive within the next hour to shoe several of the horses that were boarded there. He’d have Cal bring them in and hold them while their shoes were put on, which would free up his time to work with Midnight.

Plunking his cowboy hat on, he went to find Cal. Midnight seemed to be adjusting and had already bonded with Whiskey, no surprise there, Gabe thought. At least some things were going right. Tonight, he would get to play with his band and see Annie. Now that sounded like a perfect combination. Spying Cal walking toward him, Gabe corralled him long enough to lay out the plan for this afternoon, then went to bring Midnight in for a training session.

When Gabe entered the pasture, he stood for a few minutes taking in the view. Rolling green hills dotted with mature trees, the bluest of skies, and big puffy clouds that seemed to float like hot air balloons. There she was, grazing, as black as coal and as shiny as obsidian, the most beautiful horse he had ever laid eyes on.

Gabe whistled then followed that by calling out Midnight’s name and was encouraged to see her immediately raise her head from the grass and look his way. He called again and her ears pricked forward, then she nickered, and Gabe’s heart melted.

“Come on girl, get on over here.” She began to walk toward him as he held out his palm, bribing her with an oat treat which she happily accepted when she reached him. “You are a real sweetheart, aren’t you? I won’t let those big boogie men get you, you don’t have to worry about a thing.” His soft calming voice soothed her nervousness and he slipped on her halter. She nuzzled his neck and he felt his emotions rise. This filly had been through so much in her young life and yet, she still wanted to love and believe and trust. “Let’s get to work girl, we have a long road ahead of us, but we’ve already come pretty damn far.”

17

“Hey Rocker, put that speaker over in the corner,” Gabe instructed as he and the band set up their equipment. They were running a little behind and he wanted to make sure they had enough time for a decent sound check.

“Where do you want me to set up my drums?” he asked.

“I think the back-left corner, and Nate can set up in the opposite corner,” Gabe said, referring to the keyboard player.

“Derek wants to do a couple of songs for the sound check since we’re using the bar’s sound equipment,” Gabe said. He knew they were lucky to have Derek. He was an amazing sound technician and had the best ear he knew.

Jake and Billy jumped on stage, joking with each other about who was going to be the first to get the bartender to agree to go out with them.

“Don’t you guys have something better to do?” Gabe asked.

“That’s why we don’t play drums, not much set up or tear down, what’s your point amigo?” Billy said.

“My point is quit slacking and give us a hand, that will impress the bartender more than you two pounding your chests,” he said.

“Billy listen to our wiseass…ahemm, I mean wise leader,” Jake said, poking fun at Gabe.

“Ha ha ha. Listen, I’ve got an idea, why don’t we dedicate one set just for you, so you can try out your comedy act. You are in the wrong lane dude—you need to be a standup comedian,” Gabe said, giving it right back.

“Hey assholes could I have some help over here,” Rocker called out as he lugged in another piece of heavy equipment. That was enough to motivate Billy and Jake, and in no time, they were set up and ready for their sound check.

“Testing one…two…three…” Gabe said into the microphone, “Hey Derek a little more sound to my mic, one…two…” then he began singing a couple bars of a line from a Jason Aldean song. He was right in the middle of a verse when the door opened, and Annie stepped through.

He stopped in midsentence. She was wearing a flirty short sundress in some aqua color, scooped low in the front, shoulders and arms bare, legs to die for, and cowboy boots. Her thick mane of red hair was loose and cascading down her back and shoulders. She was as stunning as any movie star he had ever seen.

“You guys finish your check I’ve got to go get my girl,” he said as he leapt off the stage.

“Can I say,wow?” Gabe asked, pulling Annie into his arms.

“You look pretty delicious yourself,” she said, smiling up at him.

“My my, you sure know how to throw a man off of his game.”

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