Page 35 of Silos and Sabotage

“What’s wrong, big boy?” Stepping onto the lowest rung of the railing, she pulled herself up beside him.

“You didn’t bring him any carrots,” a man’s voice explained from somewhere below the horse.

“Oh!” Ella, who’d assumed she was alone with the horse, nearly fell off her perch. It took a moment for her gaze to latch on to the outline of Jordan’s stooped over figure within the dim interior of the stall. He was slim and wiry, about the age her father would’ve been if he was still with her. “Hello again, Mr. Jacobson.” He hadn’t spoken more than two words during their introduction earlier.

He tipped the brim of his Stetson at her, but didn’t say anything.

She squinted down at him and watched him run a silver file against the edge of his horse’s back left hoof. “What are you doing?”

“Trimming his hoof. It was getting rough around the edges.” He glanced up at her. “He’s retired, but he still likes to run.”

“I would love to see you ride him sometime.” She’d heard enough about Jordan’s illustrious career with the horse to make her anxious to see the two of them in action.

“I ride him every morning at daybreak.” Jordan returned his attention to the hoof he was working on.

“Why daybreak?” She continued watching his efficient tending with fascination.

“It’s cooler. Fewer vehicles on the road.” He set the horse’s hoof down with a grunt. “Fewer people up and about.”

She hopped guiltily off the railing. “I hope I’m not disturbing you.”

“You’re not.” He shot her a lopsided smile. “I’m just not very good at holding up my end of the conversation.”

“I’d better go walk the dogs.” She took a step back. “It was nice talking with you again, Mr. Jacobson.”

“Just call me Jordan.” He tipped his hat at her again. “The pleasure was all mine, Miss Ella.”

“Just Ella,” she corrected. A thought struck her, making her return to the railing. “Ella Lawton.” She stressed her last name, wondering if he’d recognize it. He looked to be about the same age as her father.

Jordan grew still. “That’s a name I haven’t heard in years.”

“Mick Lawton was my dad,” she said softly. “Did you know him?”

“Yeah. Back in high school.” He studied her curiously. “Did you come back to live near your mom?”

Her lips parted in astonishment. “What are you talking about?” Her mother had warned her less than an hour ago to keep their relationship a secret.

He ducked his head, looking repentant. “I’m sorry. I assumed you already knew.”

“Knew what?” she asked faintly.

“Dr. Radcliffe was once married to your dad,” he mumbled, not quite meeting her eyes.

“Yeah, I just found that out.” She wasn’t sure why she was admitting it to him. “I spent my whole childhood thinking she was dead.”

Jordan snorted. “I spent my whole childhood wishing mine was dead.”

Ella gasped.

He shifted uncomfortably from one boot to the other. “My mother is in jail.”

“I’m so sorry!” That was awful!

“I’m not.” He sounded resigned. “It’s where she belongs.”

Ella wished she could think of something comforting to say, but she couldn’t. All she could think of was how glad she was that her mother had simply been absent. Apparently, there were far worse mothers in the world than absent ones.

Especially one who’d so willingly given up a kidney to save her daughter’s life. Ella’s hand crept to her midsection.

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