Page 76 of More Than a Fling

Gabe was sure he looked similarly. Midnight’s mane and tail were singed, and she had a pretty bad burn on her flank and rump areas. Gabe walked her over to the small paddock and would grab Whiskey for her company the first chance he got. The paramedics insisted that Gabe get some oxygen as a precaution, so he complied and wore the mask for a few minutes until he grew impatient with it.

Thank God Sam was a vet. Gabe knew how lucky he was that Midnight and Slim came out alive. He walked over to stand next to Sam, who was watching his barn burn to the ground. Once the fire took hold, it was amazing how quickly it went. At least the fire hadn’t reached the houses or clinic, but the barn itself was destroyed. Swirling red lights lit the sky and bounced off the buildings, there was an eerie otherworldly feel and evil hung in the air.

Gabe put his arm around Sam’s shoulder and said, “Barns can be rebuilt.” Sam just nodded.

“I had so many memories made right there in that old barn. Dad and Mom before they were killed. Me and Casey, my first kiss…my first horse.”

“The memories didn’t burn down, you’ll always have those,” Gabe said.

* * *

The first police officer on the scene happened to be Ike, Bradley’s partner. He briefly interviewed Sam and Gabe, and they made it clear that there was one suspect on their radar and that person was Bradley. He took their statements then went to his cruiser to put in a request to have an officer pick up his partner for questioning. Then he did one more thing, he called his friend to give him a heads up.

“Where are you right now?”

“At home in bed, where else would I be?”

“Are you sure?”

“What’s this about Ike?”

“There has been a fire at the Parker Farm. Do you happen to know anything about that?”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Just what I said. You are sitting as their prime suspect right about now,” Ike said.

“What the fuck!”

“Yeah, that’s what I say. They are going to be knocking on your door any minute to bring you in for questioning.” Ike said.

“I didn’t do it! I swear! They will never believe me, and I have no alibi!”

Ike could hear the desperation in his friend’s voice, “Don’t do anything stupid. You’ll get through this. I promise you. Come into the station, it’s the only way to clear yourself. I’m calling you because we’re friends and I believe in you,” he said. He knew his friend hadn’t been himself since Annie left, but a fire? Tack on murder or attempted murder at the very least. He sure as hell hoped his friend wasn’t that far gone.

“I can’t think…I have to go,” he said and hung up the phone.

* * *

35

“I want to check on Slim, but I’m worried about Midnight’s burns,” Gabe said to Sam.

“I’ll tend to Midnight, you get cleaned up and go to Slim…and keep me posted.”

“Sam will you be alright? I hate to leave you here alone.”

“I’ll call Darcy,” he said.

“If you’re sure…”

Gabe and Sam had calmed down the herd and as soon as it was possible had called the boarders to let them know what had happened. They’d build a shelter later that day. It would have to suffice until the new barn could be raised.

They hoped to not lose any boarders and since it was summer, the horses were out most of the time anyway. The loss was devastating. No indoor arena, no stalls, no hay, no tack or saddles, all destroyed. They were damn lucky that the houses weren’t damaged and that no lives were lost.

Sam was heartbroken, and Gabe couldn’t blame him, he felt it himself. He would make sure that they built a bigger and better barn for his friend. Sam had quite a few Amish clients in his veterinary practice and they were famous for throwing up quality barns in record time. It would get done as soon as possible. He would make sure of that.

* * *

---