Page 9 of The Cowboy's Promise

“She’s locked in a stall. She’s not goin’ anywhere.”

“Great. I’ll be right over.”

“Courtney, that was Buck Halsey, the show manager,” Blake declared. “Your stash has been found.”

“What? But he has no right to look through my stuff.”

“Read your entry paperwork. If there’s any suspicion of a horse bein’ drugged he does. You’re goin’ down, Courtney.”

“The hell I am. I’m calling my lawyer.”

“That would be a very good idea,” he said as he spotted the vet marching down the aisle with Sheriff Cooper and the show manager.

“Courtney McCallum, you’re under arrest,” the sheriff exclaimed as they reached the stall. “I’ll read you the charges shortly. But first you should know two officers from animal welfare in Fairview are on their way. They’ll probably want to take possession of your horse.”

“Well, good. That saves me the trouble of trying to sell him. He’s been more trouble than he’s worth.”

“Then let me buy him! I’ll give you a check for a thousand dollars right now and take care of the vet bill,” Heatherexclaimed. “Or I can wait until he’s taken and work things out with Animal Control.”

CHAPTER SIX

As everyone stared at Heather in shock, she looked up at Blake silently asking for his support and reassurance.

“I’d take it if I were you, Courtney,” he began, shooting Heather a wink as he spoke.

“Fine, write me a check and he’s yours,” Courtney grunted with a frown.

“Excuse me while I call Animal Control, and Courtney, I need to search your truck. Is it locked?”

“Of course it’s locked.”

“Don’t get snippy with me, young lady. You’re already in a heap of trouble. Where are the keys?”

“In the top tray of my trunk in a pink change purse.”

“I’m off to get your check,” Heather said, trying to control her excitement. “I’ll be right back.”

As she hurried away Blake fell into step beside her, but when they stepped outside he suddenly grabbed her and pulled her into his arms.

“You’re crazy, and I wish you’d talked to me about all this first, but I think it’s a great idea.”

“You do? Thank goodness. But I’ll need your help.”

“Yeah, I know, and you’ll have it. I want to bring Apollo into the stall next to King—”

“Please just call him Henry,” she said, interrupting him.

“King Henry is too much?”

“Exactly.”

“I agree. Anyway, I want to put Apollo next to him. He’s so easy goin’ it will be good for Henry to have him as a neighbor for a bit, then in the trailer when we have to load him.”

“Oh, of course. Why didn’t I think of that?”

“You thought of takin’ him. I think that’s enough,” he said with a chuckle. “But your class is comin’ up. You need to get ready.”

“Maybe I should just cancel.”

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