Page 2 of No Bones About It

“Okay, ladies, I’m going to bring out this girl. Any ideas for names?”

No one had an opinion, and Kimi thought about it as she unlatched the trailer and lowered the ramp. The mare was a dark chestnut with a black mane and tail. Once her coat was healthy again, she’d be a stunner.

The mare stood against the wall, not daring to check out her trailer or her future. Kimi’s heart broke a little more. “Hello, Onigis.” As often happened, the name slipped out before Kimi had made a final decision.Onigismeant beautiful in Algonquian and it fit the mare. It was also a word the horse probably hadn’t heard before. Kimi didn’t want a namethe mare would associate with Hendry or his people. Onigis worked on all levels.

Kimi stood in the back of the trailer and moved around the space, talking to Onigis and getting her used to a calm and friendly voice. “I’m going to help you, Onigis. We’re going to have some fun together, and you’re going to learn to believe that you’re safe.”

The horse flinched as Kimi approached. “You’re safe, Onigis. I’m going to help.” The mare didn’t protest as Kimi took the halter and brushed her neck. She’d probably learned that refusing a human’s commands led to pain.

Battling back tears, Kimi brushed her neck again. “You’re safe. Come on down and check out your new home. You’re got an inside choice and an outside choice. And you’ve got a few friends waiting to meet you.”

They walked into the paddock, and Kimi secured the gate. Popcorn bleated softly, causing the horse to freeze. Undeterred, the goat bleated again and danced around the paddock, never coming close enough to freak out the larger animal.

Kimi didn’t have a clue what the goat’s life had been like before a city vet friend had called her saying two goats had been dropped off at her office. Kimi had gladly taken them, and it hadn’t been long before Popcorn had proved she was pregnant. Now, the three goats were inseparable, with Popcorn as the clear leader.

The trio got along well with all the animals, including the five Angora goats who occupied a side paddock. Those easy-going animals got sheared twice a year, earning the money Kimi used on rescues like the one she’d pulled off today.

Popcorn bounced some more and bleated in her friendly way. The goat wouldn’t give up until she and Onigis were fast friends. Kimi had seen it take minutes or hours or days, but Popcorn never failed. Even the ornery old donkey, Snoops, tolerated her.

Kimi showed Onigis the small paddock and the entrance to the shed. They walked slowly around the paddock at least a dozen times, stopping at the food and water trough each time. The mare nibbled a bit, then shied away.

The bastards deserved to pay for making her so skittish. Was sheafraid to eat her fill? Knowing her emotions would affect the horse, Kimi took in deep breaths and blew out the negative thoughts. Positive only.

Popcorn bounced into the shed, where the other two goats peeked around the door. “Here’s a safe indoor space for you. There’s a comfortable stall, lots of hay and water. That window lets in natural light, but I’ve also got a soft light that’ll keep it from ever getting dark. It’s on a solar battery, thanks to my friend Tansy, so you’ll never be alone in the dark again. Want to see inside?”

The horse shuddered as they stood looking at the shed, so Kimi gently turned and strolled away. She pointed out the closest paddock where a few sheep and a couple of cows grazed or snoozed. They were temporary guests and mostly ready to go back to their farms, but they would be company if Onigis didn’t want to go inside.

After a few more turns, she removed the halter and patted Onigis. “Okay, girl. I’m going to back up and let you explore a bit. I’m right here if you need me. Popcorn’s here, too.”

For a long while, Onigis stood exactly where she was. Kimi spoke to her occasionally. Raspberry and Butter crept into the paddock and settled in beside a fence. Popcorn continued to bleat and dance around the paddock.

Eventually, the mare’s gaze started following the goat’s antics, making Popcorn up her game. Smiling, Kimi slipped out of the paddock and closed up the trailer. She unhooked it from the truck and cleaned both of the license plates of the paint and mud she’d used to disguise them. Then, she parked the truck in the garage to keep it from view. She doubted Hendry had bothered to follow her to make sure she wasn’t going to the police, but she couldn’t be sure. Some people who abused and neglected animals were truly terrifying individuals. Kimi didn’t take any chances that they would find out her true identity.

When she returned to the paddock, Onigis had moved to stand beside the fence on the far side, near the goats, but not too close. Kimi watched for a few more minutes, but exhaustion was wearing her down.

Onigis didn’t appear to need her to sleep outside with her. Her body language was a tired horse with a few nerves. She might be more comfortable without humans around.

Kimi headed inside, put away her disguise, and showered away the makeup and the dregs of the day. Dealing with jerks like Hendry exhausted her mentally and physically.

Finally feeling clean, she braided her hair and pulled on her sleep shorts and a t-shirt. One last peek outside showed the mare sleeping with Popcorn nearby.

It was after two, and her alarm would ring soon enough, but she collapsed into sleep with a smile on her face.

Garrett Briscoe followed the GPS onto the gravel drive and around the back of the farmhouse to the yard and parking space beyond. As advertised, several paddocks and a barn were visible, with a large, fenced field behind.

The full moon with clear skies had been the major reason for Garrett to push through the drive well into the night. Miss Kitty had handled the journey from Tennessee well, but she’d be happier once they were off the roads. Empty highways had made the last few hours of the drive easy despite the wacky curves and climbs of Vermont.

He surveyed the land, checking for the smallest paddock, and then he turned the truck around and backed the trailer up to its gate.

The clock showed almost three in the morning, but he couldn’t stop yet. Once he climbed out of the truck, he checked the paddock to ensure it was safe. No breaks in the fence. No broken pieces sticking anywhere waiting to cause damage to his horse. Perfect.

Garrett unlocked the trailer and pulled out the ramp. “We’re here, Kitty. Our new home.” He wasn’t normally much of a talker, but this mare spooked easily and his voice was one of the few things to soothe her. Had been since she’d arrived as a rescue all those months before.

He moved into the trailer and ran his hands down her neck and flanks, talking the whole while. “You’re a beautiful lady, Kitty. Grandpa Ed would approve.” Garrett’s grandfather had been a huge Gunsmoke fan, and the pretty mare reminded Garrett of Miss Kitty from the old TV show. She was sassy and cute, but she’d been through hell in herearly life and it showed. She’d earned the right to live her remaining years in peace.

“It’s a good place, Kitty. We’ve got friends here. Not that they know we’re coming, but they’re good men.”

The horse nickered and knocked Garrett’s Stetson off his head, making him laugh. “You’re fed up with all this traveling. Me too. We’re here to stay, though. No more trailers for a bit.”

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