Page 10 of No Bones About It

With wide eyes, she climbed back on top of the fence. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know someone had bought the land. It’s just that I always cross through here when I’m helping Kimi. I really didn’t mean to trespass and I’ll go around next time. My name’s Nina and I didn’t mean any harm. That’s a beautiful mare. Did I scare her?”

He blinked at the rush of words and absorbed the facts. This was Slick’s daughter, Nina, which was why she seemed familiar. From the photos he’d seen, she looked a lot like her mom, but there was also some of her dad in there.

Thanks to Nina, he now knew the sexy vet’s name was Kimi. The girl had also revealed she knew a decent amount about horses.

He nodded at her to acknowledge he’d heard her and kept stroking the horse. “She’ll be fine. Kitty’s not used to the place yet, and she’s nervous around strangers.”

Nina’s face lit with joy as she laughed. “You named your horse Kitty? That’s awesome. Would it be okay if I stood on the paddock fence and spoke to her?”

The extroverted chatterbox smiled until he nodded. The girl probably had Slick wrapped around her pinky.

Nina kept her movements slow. Kitty watched her as she climbed down the fence separating their properties and crossed to the paddock, remaining in full view of the horse the whole time. She maintained eye contact as she climbed the paddock, so she was about ten feet away.

“Hi, Kitty. You’re a pretty mare, aren’t you? You’re going to like it here in Phail. The people are really great. They’ll all help to make sure you’re safe.”

Her eyes glimmered at that. He knew enough about what had happened to Nina’s mom over Christmas to know she was talking from personal experience.

“One day, I hope you’ll let me bring you a treat. I bet you like carrots and apples. I didn’t know you were here today, but if it’s okay with your dad, I’ll bring you something soon.”

Her mischievous glance turned to Garrett, and he nodded, glad she was using her persuasive powers for good.

Nina spoke to the horse gently for a few minutes and then stepped down. “I’d better get going. Kimi’s expecting me, and I don’t want her to worry. I’ll go around on the way home. Sorry to bother you.”

And with a wave, she was off. Just as she reached his other fence, he called her name. She turned with a smile.

“You can keep using the shortcut. Kitty and I don’t mind.”

Her smile was brilliant as she thanked him and climbed over to the other side.

Garrett stroked Kitty’s neck. “She’s going to slay some hearts when she’s older. Slick’s got himself a live wire.”

It surprised him that his heart ached a little at that. His heart had been completely shattered after Shaggy’s death, and he didn’t think he’d ever hope for more again. But Slick’s little family seemed like something he might like for himself one day.

“I’m heading back to work, Kitty. You keep an eye on things out here.”

It took a few hours, but he got all the fans installed. The barn’s wooden feed and water troughs were in good shape, but he stashed the ones from Tennessee in the utility room as backups. The large space doubled as a tack room, and he hung his saddle and gear up there.

He tossed the large ball Kitty liked to play with into her paddock and then filled the utility room with cleaning supplies and all the other things he’d need to help the horses. Once it was all set up, he snapped a few photos and sent them off to CC withanotherThanks.

His phone rang almost instantly with a video call. CC grinned at him, then angled the phone to show Kath. “Hey, son. The place is looking good. Do you have enough supplies?”

Garrett nodded. “My truck and trailer were so packed I don’t think I could have fit a mouse in there.”

Kath smiled. “No mice allowed. You make sure you get some cats.”

That made him smile. “Already have at least one. There are some roaming around the fields and the paddocks, too.”

“Good. That’ll keep you company. Any humans in the vicinity? You need people too, you know.”

As if she’d let him forget. “I’ve got good people on the land on each side of me.”

CC angled the phone back. “How’d Miss Kitty like the trip?”

He walked outside and turned the phone around so they could see the horse and the rest of the place. They chatted for a few minutes, and when Garrett hung up, he felt lighter. He had good people on both sides of him. He wasn’t much for wanting human company, but he was ready for some time with his friends. And time with the sexy vet, Kimi, wouldn’t go wrong either.

The black and white dog barked from the field again. Garrett ignored him and turned to climb into Kitty’s paddock. He kicked the ball and smiled as she bounced in excitement at the game.

He had all he needed.

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