Page 190 of Things Left Unsaid

“Of course I do. Did he?”

Zee tugs on her necklace and rubs her thumb over the medallion. “Yes.”

He must have believed her or he wouldn’t have asked her to make a sandwich.

“He’s always been a good judge of character. Did he ask who…”

“No. I gather he assumes it was faulty wiring like the reports said but he wanted to check.”

“Too protective for his own good.”

“Maybe. Maybe not.”

I bring her to a standstill beside Jasmine’s stall, watching the horse carefully—she’s known to be bitchy with strangers.

“Hey, beautiful girl,” Zee breathes, the adoration in her tone exactly what Jas needs to hear.

It’s also whatIneeded to hear.

Memories flicker, blurring the past and the present.

How many times I heard her talk to him…

God, I miss Loki.

“God, I miss him,” she rasps.

“Me too.”

“Thank you.” Tears collect in her eyes. “For trusting me with her.”

I just swipe at one as it trickles down her cheek.

Jas neighs, nudging Zee’s shoulder in a silent demand for attention. I dip into the bag I brought with me and transfer a carrot over to her.

She takes it with a smile and offers it to Jas, who whickers before accepting the donation.

As she’s chomping, Zee continues stroking her, gentling Jas to her scent, her presence.

“Jas is strongheaded,” I warn. “Likes to do her own thing, but she’s a solid ride. Fast. We can use Frank today if you want to take it easy seeing as it’s your first ride in a while.”

“No. It’s fine. Like you say, easier than riding a bike.”

I smirk at Jas who nudges my shoulder, not content with one human’s attention today. “Might have exaggerated.”

“You?Never.” Amusement leaches into the words. “Where’s the tack room?”

Twenty minutes later, I watch as she croons and murmurs to Jas as she gently stretches her hind and forelegs, encouraging her to do the same with her neck as she holds a carrot out of reach to each side. Jas might not be happy about being ‘teased,’ but I am—Zee remembers more than she lets on. I still have to prompt some ranch hands to do this and it always pisses me off.

Takes less than five minutes to stretch a horse out but they begrudge it. Assholes.

When Jas’s limbered up to Zee’s satisfaction, she saddles her and attaches a bag that I stuff with the snacks I brought along. I still keep an eye on Zee, mostly to make sure she goes through all the safety checks, but she does.

After being raised with horses your whole life, when youlovethem, you don’t forget the monotonous routine that’s the precursor to the fun stuff. I cut Callan a lot of slack over the years, but never with the horses. Many life lessons are instilled from caring for these noble beasts.

Once Jas’s ready, I leave them to continue their acquaintance while I greet Fen, who welcomes me with an impatient neigh.

I rub my knuckles along the bridge of his nose and chide, “As if I’d forget you, bud.” I pass him a carrot which he devours as I prepare him for the ride.

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